Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday the state of Florida has reached an agreement with the Seminole Tribe, extending the Tribe’s current commitment to make revenue sharing payments to the state through May 2019.
It's just an extension, nothing more. It ensures Tribe money will continue rolling in and stops state officials' panic over a constitutional amendment that could make it harder to expand gambling in the state.
To see a copy of the agreement, click here.
Under the current compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state, the Tribe pays more than $300 million a year into the state’s General Revenue fund. This agreement does not make any changes to state gaming law or expand current gaming operations in Florida in any way.
Scott said in a written statement, “Today, I am proud to announce that the state of Florida has reached an agreement with the Seminole Tribe which ensures the Tribe’s current commitment remains intact.
"Since I took office, the Seminole Compact has generated more than $1.75 billion, which has helped our state make historic investments in things like Florida’s education and environment," Scott said. "With today’s agreement, revenue sharing payments from the Tribe will carry on as the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) continues its work of aggressively following and enforcing Florida’s strict gaming laws and rules.”
Said Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr., “The Tribe is committed to its long term compact with the state of Florida and intends to continue making revenue sharing payments as spelled out in the agreement. The gaming compact, which runs through the year 2030, is good for the people of Florida and good for the members of the Seminole Tribe.
"The Tribe is investing more than $2.4 billion to expand its Seminole Hard Rock Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood," he said, "and is hiring thousands of Floridians to fill jobs in construction and as permanent team members.”
