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Florida’s Seminole Indian Tribe has a very interesting offer on the table.  A new House bill would give the tribes exclusive rights to offering slot machines all across the state.  The major catch is that the Tribe would have to cease offering classic table games like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. 

It is not yet clear whether the tribe will bite at the deal or walk.  Max Osceola, a Seminol Tribe councilman did not reveal much when he spoke to the House committee this past Friday.  He thanked members of the House for including his tribesman in the talks but did not give any indications whether or not the Seminoles would accept the deal offering them a monopoly on slot machines.

The original bill approved by a Senate committee give the Seminole tribe much more power.  In the Senate version of the bill, the tribe was able to offer table games alongside their several slot machines at seven venues scattered across Florida.

Other gambling venues in the Florida would still be able to offer different attractions.  In South Florida, jai alai frontons and horse racing venues would be allowed to offer electronic gambling games, under the original Senate proposal.  Horse tracks would also be allowed to offer blackjack.

A deal like the one offered to the Seminoles does not necessarily indicate that the House favors tribal gambling venues.  If anything it reflects their disdain for slot machines.  By given the Seminoles exclusive rights to slot machines, slot machines are thereby limited to Seminole gaming venues.  This is an attempt by some House members to displace gambling as opposed to expanding it.

“The Senate's recommendation is pretty broad,” said House Speaker Larry Cretul.

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