Opposing views on the renegotiations of the Seminole Compact
The Seminoles and No Casinos are fighting over the approval and expansion of the Seminole Compact in Florida.
US.- The renegotiation of the Seminole Compact and its privileges are making waves. The Indian tribe aims to keep its position as the only Florida casinos to offering blackjack, in exchange of giving US$3 billion to the state over the next seven years.
The tribe plans an US$1.8 billion expansion, which includes “an 800-room guitar-shaped hotel and several new restaurants and other amenities to be built at the Seminole Hard Rock complex in Hollywood and a new hotel tower and restaurants at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa.” If the Compact is not approved, more than 3,500 current jobs held by table games dealers and related employees will be at risk of losing their jobs. “The Seminole Tribe salutes Gov. Rick Scott for his leadership to get this important Compact done for our 4,000 Seminole Tribal members and for all Floridians,” expressed Chairman Billie. “We thank the Governor for saving 3,500 jobs and creating almost 20,000 new jobs.”
On its part, the anti-gambling No Casinos group claims the new compact would not only explode gambling at tribal facilities, but also across the state as well. “The Seminole Compact was sold to Floridians as a firewall against the further expansion of gambling in our state,” said John Sowinski, No Casinos President. “The fact that the renewal of this compact is now being used by every gambling interest in the state as a tool for gambling expansion betrays the public trust,” he added.
