The biggest winner is the Seminole Tribe, which has used its operation of the Hard Rock Casino and resort to build a gambling empire that is becoming one of the largest gaming operators in the world. That has always been a breaking point, every single year, and we now have that,” he said. “They have agreed to let designated-players stay with our parimutuels. Under the plan, the Tribe will no longer object to having existing parimutuels operate designated-player card games, a hybrid between blackjack and poker which the Tribe has long considered competition to its blackjack operations. Hutson added the compact includes a major concession to the 26 racetracks, jai-alai frontons and racinos around the state. Augustine, called the compact a “great deal” that will allow the Legislature to “plug holes in the budget” and spending priorities for years to come. “We are putting all our eggs in one basket for $500 million.” It doesn’t conform with our Republican values that we are for free markets and open competition in the state of Florida because that is not what this compact does,” he said. “We have decided to create a statewide monopoly for one entity for money,’' he said Tuesday. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, did not vote.īrandes said his no vote on the compact was based on “principle.” Petersburg, was the lone no vote in the Senate, and Sen. He said he was disappointed in Republicans for negotiating a “bad deal” and in Democrats for not uniting against a 30-year deal he said is “too long” with proceeds that “are not enough money” for the monopoly the state is giving the Tribe. “Or if I’m more brokenhearted for members on my side of the aisle who came up with every reason in the world to not stand together and make a point.”

Joe Geller, D-Aventura, who voted against it. “I don’t know if I’m more brokenhearted for my friends on the other side of the aisle that had to fall into line because you had to, and I’m sorry for you,’' said Rep. The Senate approved the compact on Tuesday, with a 38-1 vote. The House approved the deal on Wednesday on a 97-17 vote. Jeanette Nuñez, especially of Miami-Dade lawmakers and conservative House members who privately view the measure as a risky expansion of gambling.Īs DeSantis held a veto threat over hundreds of legislative projects in the $110 billion budget, lawmakers who traditionally would have opposed the measure withheld their opposition.

The measure, negotiated with the Tribe by DeSantis, required some aggressive lobbying by DeSantis and Lt. “Congratulations on an historic compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida,’' said House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, at the conclusion of the vote, adding that the complex proposal “was a difficult one to navigate.”

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