Florida To Get Blackjack and More

[soulvamp]

Deadline extended to consider Seminole casino proposal
October 6, 2007

The U.S. Department of the Interior has extended until Oct. 15 its deadline to consider giving the Seminole Tribe of Florida permission to have Las Vegas-style slots in its casinos.

Gov. Charlie Crist and tribal officials are continuing to negotiate a compact that would expand the tribe's gambling rights and agree on giving the state a cut of the profits.

Both sides have said they hope to reach a deal within a month. In a letter from federal officials to Crist, released Friday by the state, Carl Artman, the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs, wrote that he had been told negotiations are going well.

Federal officials have warned the state that if it can't reach an agreement with the tribe, the federal government could step in and permit the tribe to have the slots. The state would then get no cut.