Seminole Tribe Vows to Fight Destination Casino Bill at Legislature

Assailing what it called "insulting comments" from state lawmakers, the Seminole Tribe vowed on Sunday to oppose a proposed casino bill at the Florida Legislature.

We will vigorously fight against any attack on our [gaming] compact with the state, said Seminole Tribal Chairman James Billie. We urge Florida legislators to step forward in support of our compact and refuse to pass any legislation that violates contractual agreements with the Seminole Tribe.

The Hollywood-based tribe, which operates seven casinos around Florida, has a 20-year agreement with the state under a compact negotiated with then-Gov. Charlie Crist and approved by the Legislature. In exchange for the exclusive right to offer Las Vegas-style slots and banked card games outside South Florida, the tribe pays the state $250 million a year.

Legislation filed by state Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, and Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, would bust up that exclusive agreement by authorizing three mega-resort casinos in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Fresen last week described the Seminole compact as "toast."

Billie called such comments "incorrect and inappropriate."

I dont believe those legislators have ever read our compact, said Billie.

Tribal President Tony Sanchez Jr. said, Rumors and hopes of casinos seem to be exploding all over the state. It is time for both the tribe and state to protect our mutual interests, as defined by the compact."

See "Casino Bill Could Face Long Odds."