Florida reaches a gambling agreement

Florida gaming operators and regulators have reached an agreement this week, which ended a long legal battle.

US.- Blackjack offerings in Florida will be regulated under a new agreement between the state’s government and the Seminole Tribe. Representatives of both parts announced the expected deal, which ended a two-year legal battle to determine the operating conditions of blackjack tables in Florida casinos.

The long dispute began when the previous agreement ended showing that both parts had violated it. Whilst the Seminole Tribe continued to offer blackjack tables in its casinos once its license lost validity after the five-year term, the State had allowed non-tribal gaming companies to operate pari-mutuel services.

However, this week’s agreement eliminates offensives between the government and the Seminole Tribe, grants a new license to the operators and secures millions of dollars for the state. The native group will be able to install blackjack tables in its casinos and will contribute to Florida’s funds with US$220 million this year. In exchange, the government will reinforce measures against pari-mutuel offerings at dog and horse racetracks.

“There’s no loser to this,” Barry Richard Seminoles’ attorney commented to the local press after the session. “It gives the tribe finality and the security of knowing the games will continue. The state will continue to get a few hundred million.”