Voting Possible on Florida's Casino Gaming Situation

Casino News - November 4th, 2009 - Written by Glen

The gaming compact between the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe has been a subject of great controversy. The Tribe and Legislators have been unable to reach an accord, and the constant threat of federal interdiction has hung over both parties like an ominous cloud. The State has been at odds with the Tribe, as they have been operating allegedly illegal table games, and the question over revenue sharing has beckoned the two parties to discussion tables on a regular basis over the last few months.

An alternative to a compact has been proposed, according to the Sun Sentinel, and that alternative may rely on a vote. Florida's government has taken a large cut of revenue from the state wide lottery, and a state operated casino program could further infuse the state with much needed money. Representative Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, has reportedly proposed that a state operated gambling commission be created with the power to regulate private casinos, thus generating more revenue for the state than would have been previously attained through the compact with the Seminole Tribe.

Hays told the Sun Sentinel that the State can "compete head on with the tribe." He claimed that the state "needs to say absolutely no to this compact."

Voters may be given the choice to decide how casino gaming exists in Florida, allowing individual communities the choice over expanding or remaining silent. This proposal is reminiscent of the video gambling decision in Illinois, which allowed individual communities the choice to vote on whether or not they wish to have legal video gambling machines within their boundaries. This has not fared well for Illinois thus far, with such counties as DuPage, Lake, and Cook county banning the machines.

Legislators will be discussing the issue, and it seems that regardless of what happens, casino gaming will grip the state. Poker rooms are already scattered around the state, gambling boats sail from several ports on the costs, the best Florida online casinos are always available, and the Indian casinos will be there, but the possibility of having a new casino spring up down the block may soon become a reality.

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