House Passes Gaming Compact
April 3rd, 2009 by flanewsThe House voted on a scaled back version of the Seminole Gaming Compact Friday.
Their plan would limit the tribe’s expansion to Vegas style slots only. The Seminoles already offer slots and Blackjack. The Senate’s version would allow the tribe to expand beyond those games. Despite the drastic differences House Committee Chairman Bill Galvano said he thinks the two chambers can reach an agreement.
“I’ve been in this process seven years now and I’ve seen us further apart on issues and able to come together. If we didn’t there was that opportunity we wouldn’t have had this meeting this morning,” said Galvano.
Representative Alan Hays was the only member of the 20 person committee to vote against the deal.
“I would like to see something in this bill that will have the Indians agreeing with us that they will help offset the negative impact on the state from the cannibalizations on our existing industries,” said Hays.
Hays says allowing the Seminoles to expand gambling, without offering other casino owners the changes, could put those casinos out of business.
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