[dozer]

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Hopefully competition will take over....and provide incentives for the players.

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This is our only hope, but the bottom line will dictate that. Gulfstream has already had cashflow problems from their slots, and so you'd think they'd want to cater to the poker customer a little better than the others, but if they're only going to make a few extra thousand, or even tens of thousands, then they won't do it.

The war is between the non-Indian rooms and the Indian casinos. The Indian casinos are apparently going to lunge for Class III gaming as soon as this bill is signed. Once they get the ball rolling on that, it's just a matter of time until they get full casino games at their properties.

Which may be enough for Crist to shoot down this bill.

My logic: If this gets signed, it sends a clear message that Florida is loosening up their rules on gaming. The Indians won't sit there and let competition build -- they'll force Crist's hand and either make him negotiate, or they'll take it to the feds and then Florida gets nothing.

Whereas, if Crist doesn't sign it, then the Indians will still hold their advantages over the frontons and racetracks. They won't have AS strong of a motive to improve their gaming choices.

Now, Crist may know this and thusly will veto the bill. OTOH, he may sign it knowing that the Indians will come knocking, and he'll accept that and their wishes since it will boost state revenue. It's hard to ignore the income state governments have received from allowing gaming in their state, and Florida -- Disney or no Disney -- can get in on that action on behalf of their residents.

Hope we get the good news this week.