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Florida lawmakers have ratified a gaming compact signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe that will see the launch of Sports Betting, roulette, and craps at its casinos within the state. SB 2-A will run for 30 years in what some representatives call a monopoly on Sports Betting for the Seminole Tribe.
The legislation passed through the state senate by a vote or 38-1 before a house vote on Wednesday saw the final ratification of the bill by a landslide of 97-17.
The legislation was approved despite many fears over its length and the payout to the state.
Rep. Omari Hardy, D-Palm Beach was one of many who spoke against the speed with which the deal was agreed saying:
Florida lawmakers have ratified a gaming compact signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe that will see the launch of Sports Betting, roulette, and craps at its casinos within the state. SB 2-A will run for 30 years in what some representatives call a monopoly on Sports Betting for the Seminole Tribe.
The legislation passed through the state senate by a vote or 38-1 before a house vote on Wednesday saw the final ratification of the bill by a landslide of 97-17.
The legislation was approved despite many fears over its length and the payout to the state.
Rep. Omari Hardy, D-Palm Beach was one of many who spoke against the speed with which the deal was agreed saying:
“THIS DEAL FEELS LIKE WE CAME TO THE TABLE WITH THE SEMINOLES FROM A POSITION OF DESPERATION.”
The Seminole Tribe had stopped paying the state its required $350 million per year back in 2019 claiming that the state had violated the previous compact. However, the new compact will guarantee that the tribe must pay a fixed amount of $500 million each year for the first five years or lose its license. Further payments could see the state net as much as $20 billion over the next three decades.