It has been reported that the Seminole Tribe has reached a massive, multi-billion-dollar deal with Florida Governor Rick Scott that could, in part, see pari-mutuel operators in the state offer expanded gaming without operating live racing.
An article by sun-sentinel.com explains that the deal still has to be approved by the Florida Legislature and the Federal Government.
The article explains that the seven-year deal would see the tribe pay the state government $3 billion.
The section of the report that directly covers ‘pari-mutuels’ explains that taxes would have to be lowered from 35 per cent to 25 per cent, and that the expanded gaming offerings would be able to be operated without racing being operated. Additionally, more slots would be introduced to the facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the latter of which is the home to Pompano Park.
According to the article, the ‘pari-mutuel casinos’ will each be allowed to operate 15 blackjack tables.
One of the lead negotiators for the deal is Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, who believes that the deal will have to pass significant hurdles if it is to ever see the light of day. The report explains that there are anti-gambling interests that will have votes in the process, and that they ‘will never vote for expansion of gambling in the state.’
"I think this is a work in progress,” Felix Diaz was quoted as saying. “It will probably have to have several tweaks in order to get the votes we need in order to pass it.”
(With files from sun-sentinel.com)