New Gaming Bill for Florida

The Florida Legislature and the Seminole Tribe of Florida continue working on a state gambling compact that could get approval from Governor Charlie Crist as early as next week. The tribal council voted to approve the compact yesterday and as Tripe spokesman Gary Bitner says it means money coming to the state budget. Bitner says the proposed plan has support in Tallahassee as reflected in this morning's vote. The plan would give the tribe exclusive operation of blackjack at three Broward County casinos and casinos in Immokalee and Tampa. All seven tribe casinos in Florida would continue to operate Vegas-style slot machines but Ocala Poker and Jai-Ali president Brian Matthews says he's not exactly thrilled. Bitner says he's confident all the details will be taken care of in the upcoming months to help the state's economy. The new gambling agreement designates the minimum $1 billion in revenue over the next five years to go to the general budget and not specifically to education. The pact with the Seminoles must be approved by the Florida Legislature and the US Department of Interior.

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