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It has long been said that slot machines are the real money makers at casinos.  A new piece of legislation challenges the Seminole Indian Tribe in Florida to put that notion to the test.  Under a brand new piece of legislation recently unveiled by the House, the Seminole Indian tribe would gain exclusive rights to large payout slot machines across the state if only they are willing to give up casino table games.

The new House bill would in essence give the Seminoles the monopoly on slot machines all across the state, except in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.  The slot machines in these counties may have been included if not for the fact that voters in Broward and Miami-Dade recently approved slot machines at existing pari-mutuels. 

These exclusive rights will of course come at a significant price.  The tribe would pay the state of Florida $100 million annually.  If the slot machines do particularly well on any given year, then the tribe will be obligated to pay the state 18 percent of annual revenues, if that 18 percent exceeds $100 million.

Governor Charlie Crist, proposed a very similar compact to the Seminole tribe back in 2007.  The main idea the makes this new proposal different is that the Seminoles would be required to give up table games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette at all of there casino venues.  Even the blackjack tables at Hard Rock Seminole Casino in Tampa would have to be removed with 90 days of the legislation going into effect.

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