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.

[CybrPunk]

It should be noted that The Dept. of the Interior has already stated that they would greatly prefer the tribe and the State reach an agreement on their own. They've gone so far as to say that, as long as negotiations are ongoing, seem to be in good faith and are making progress, they would not step in and impose their judgment in the matter.

[soulvamp]

In any event, there will not be a positive impact on the poker landscape.

[cmitch]

Anyone hear anything new on this lately?

[ChipLeeder]

However, it appears that any result will end up in court with big delays.

See linked article from 10/16/07


SunSentinel Article 10/16/07