Metro Jacksonville

State Negotiates with Seminoles on Vegas-Style Gambling

QuoteBy BRENDAN FARRINGTON
The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE | Florida’s government has three more weeks to make a deal with the Seminole Tribe over bringing Las Vegas-style gambling to its casinos.

The U.S. Interior Department extended Tuesday’s deadline for an agreement to Sept. 11, said Gov. Charlie Crist.

The tribe believes it can bring so-called Class III games like blackjack and roulette to its casinos because the state allowed Las Vegas-style slot machines in Broward

County dog and horse racing tracks and a jai-alai fronton.

The state is seeking a share of the tribe’s revenue, as well as regulatory oversight over some of the operations. In exchange, the Seminoles could be given exclusive rights to those games.

Crist would not reveal the state’s goals in the negotiations. He said he didn’t want to share them because “I don’t want you to be disappointed if they’re not achieved. It’s a delicate negotiation and it’s been extended now.”

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070821/BREAKING/70821007/