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Governor Charlie Crist says lawmakers need to reach a gaming agreement with the Seminole Indian tribe as soon as possible.

Crist wants lawmakers to reach a deal so the state can use 140 million dollars sitting in limbo. The tribe paid the money as part of a compact to allow them to play Vegas-style slots and blackjack in their casinos. The compact was later ruled invalid. Crist said if the legislature doesn’t act soon the money will be lost.

“My concern is that if we don’t seize the opportunity to have a compact with the tribe, the federal government will go ahead and do it anyway and we’ll lose the money, and that doesn’t sound like a very good plan to me,” said Crist.

Crist hopes lawmakers can reach an agreement with the tribe in March during the regular legislative session.