Sports betting would have to be included in any new gaming compact the Florida legislature would negotiate with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, state Senate President Bill Galvano recently said. “It’s definitely part of the discussion because that opportunity exists and they are as interested in participating in sports betting as other entities here in the state of Florida. We’re not at a point where we have a product agreed upon and know who gets that product, but we’re having those initial discussions and I think it’s something the tribe will want if we resolve this,” Galvano stated.
He added, “Right now, from the state’s standpoint and speaking on behalf of the Senate, what is paramount is to see where we are ultimately with the tribe going forward. If we are able to restabilize that relationship, which provides substantial revenue to our state budget, then the opportunity is there for exploring sports betting in the state of Florida.”
Galvano, the main negotiator of the 2010 compact with the Seminole tribe, has assigned state Senator Wilton Simpson to discuss a new compact with Seminole officials.
But there are several considerations. The now-expired compact granted the tribe exclusive rights to offer banked card games like blackjack in the state in exchange for $350 million in revenue sharing. In 2016, a federal judge ruled in favor of the tribe, which claimed the state had breached its exclusivity agreement by allowing parimutuel facilities to offer designated player games. Then-Governor Rick Scott and the Seminoles agreed the tribe would continue to make its annual payment as long as the state did not appeal the judge’s decision. That agreement will expire in May.
Also, last November voters passed a constitutional amendment giving themselves the authority to approve expanded gambling. Attorney Marc Dunbar, who represents the Seminoles, said the only way the state can offer sports betting without a constitutional amendment is through the tribes or the lottery.
Galvano said legislators may still move forward with a sports betting bill if it’s part of Seminole compact negotiations. He added attorneys who have reviewed the issue believe sports betting may not be considered Class III casino gambling under the new amendment. Galvano said, “If we get within the red zone on a deal, the governor would engage and we would occupy the role of ratifying the compact, expansion on sports betting and any other changes in the parimutuel sector to come from the legislature. If it were to happen, it’s going to be pretty close to the end of the session before we can get everything lined up.”
The 60-day legislative session began March 5 and will end May 3.
