Could Florida Have Negotiated a “Better Deal” With the Seminole? Steve Quoted in November 15th South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Florida compact agreement continues to generate questions in Florida. Here’s a quote from the November 15th Sun Sentinel:

Steven Light, a political scientist and co-director of the Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law and Policy at the University of North Dakota, said the [Seminole] tribe's robust financial health made it less desperate to cut a deal for Class III gambling.

The biggest factor encouraging agreement, he said, may have been the federal government's warning that if an accord weren't reached by today Florida might not get any money at all.

National gambling revenue statistics and studies show many Midwestern and Southwestern states are moving toward deals with tribes that bring smaller shares of gambling revenues, making it easier for tribes to expand their operations, potentially bringing in more revenue. Arizona has a sliding royalty scale of 1 percent to a high of 8 percent.

In that context, Florida should still fare well, even if it doesn't charge the high royalty percentages levied by California or Connecticut, analysts said.

"There is a tremendous latent demand for Class III gaming in Florida, especially when you have a continual influx of tourists and [snowbirds]," Light said. "Gov. [Charlie] Crist realizes that, and certainly the Seminoles have realized that for a long time. It wouldn't surprise me to see the revenue numbers increase dramatically."

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