Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

check out this news story, Im starting to get excited!
video link: http://www.tampabays10.com/video/new...&sid=67012
story link: http://www.tampabays10.com/news/loca...?storyid=67012

Re: Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

Are you being serious? This is horrible news. The link to the compact draft in the article makes it very clear: No higher stakes than what they have now, and the same hours of operation that are in place at the pari-mutuals.

That sucks.

Re: Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

It would apear that the Seminoles don't really care about poker. They are agreeing to operate their rooms using the crappy rules teh state has mandated for the dogtracks. Looks like noon to midnight 1/2 NL$100 will be the high stakes game.

Re: Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

I think the 1st two responders need a little more info than what WTSP 10 serves up. The Bureau of Indian Affairs might have a big say it what happens to poker in Florida if an agreement between Florida and the Seminoles isn’t finalized soon.

If the State of Florida can't come to an agreement before Nov 15 with the Seminoles then the BIA will issue a secretarial procedure that "would limit the tribe to Las Vegas-style slots and perhaps enhanced poker gambling."

There would be no compact with the state and there would be none of the poker room hours of operation limitations that would have been in the compact agreement.

The secretarial procedure would mean no blackjack, no baccarat and no taxes or fees paid to the state from the Seminole gaming revenue.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/06/Bu...inole_ga.shtml

Re: Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

In no way will this have a positive impact on poker here. At best, it will maintain the status quo except with drastically reduced hours at the Indian casinos.

As far as the feds stepping in, forget it. They've been threatening to do so for years, and the reality is that they would have to fight court battles for 10 or 20 years before they could do it.

Re: Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

My question is why isn't the PPA involved? This situation calls out for some backscene lobbying and some organizing. If the Seminoles own their own casinos now, they may be a bit open to letting us organize some in their cardrooms. Florida is definitely a good state to be in if we have to vote against
someone in Nov 08. Not to mention numbers and money for the signing up.

Re: Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

[ QUOTE ]
My question is why isn't the PPA involved?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll bring it to John Pappas' attention.

Re: Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

This is still a long way from happening. First, the governor can sign this but it must be ratified by the House and Senate. That will never happen and here's why:

1) All northern Florida congressmen are against it for moral reasons.
2) All pro-gambling congressmen are against it because it will hurt the Pari-mutuels due to exclusivity. Both Dennis Jones and Steve Geller (the two biggest pro-gaming Senators) have spoken out against the compact.
3) Marco Rubio (the speaker of the Florida House) has said the compact will never pass the House.
4) All of Central Florida is against the compact because Disney World does not want South Florida to have destination-based casinos that will compete with their theme parks for tourist dollars.
5) Cruise ship industry is against the compact.
6) The Florida Attroney General is against the compact.

This compact states that it if the House and Senate doen not ratify it the compact is void.

Then the US DOI will write their own rules and the state of Florida will go to court to prevent that from happening. The same thing happened in Texas and the US was blocked from issueing their own rules until the legislation weaves its way through the courts.

Everyone needs to remember that Florida is an anti-Gaming state outside of South Florida. It took 10 years to have limited poker casinos. There are too many special interest groups out there that will ensure expanded gaming in Florida is a long way away from happening.

Re: Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

[ QUOTE ]

3) Marco Rubio (the speaker of the Florida House) has said the compact will never pass the House.


[/ QUOTE ]

Rubio is so full of it though, he makes these statements regularly then rolls over in session. He was a big opposer of PIP renewal, he talked all this BS the put in a few clauses that don't mean a whole hellva alot to PIP reform.


At the end of the day the Seminoles are going to get something in expanded gaming, its their right to get it, and everyone involved knows it. Its just how much can the squeeze out of this go around. All the need is ok'ed vegas slots and a injunction to run them during any type of tie up and they will have a endless supply of legal defense money.

Re: Florida High stakes poker and blackjack look good
 

I don't think there's any question they'll get the Class III slots since the Broward parimutuels have them. But any other casino games (blackjack, etc.) is doubtful, and high-stakes poker isn't even part of the discussion.