In Florida, the recently filed HB 195 would direct Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe of Florida to renew a gaming compact that would guarantee the state $3 billion from casino revenue in the first four years, or $750 million per year, up from the $350 million the tribe paid the state before stopping payments last May.
The bill would maintain the exclusive rights included in the now-expired compact, such as banked card games and slots outside Broward and Miami-Dade counties. It would prohibit player-banked games at parimutuels and would not authorize craps, roulette or sports betting at tribal casinos. The compact would take effect July 1.
In addition, the legislation would lower the tax on slots revenue in Broward and Dade counties tax from 35 percent to 30 percent.
The measure also would pay parimutuels outside of South Florida a minimum of $1 million to relinquish their gaming licenses and transform into non-gaming businesses, in order to reduce the amount of gambling allowed in Florida. Under a law passed last year, greyhound racing must be phased out this year; these parimutuels may continue to offer more lucrative card rooms.
