Florida Governor Rick Scott recently met at the governor’s mansion with representatives of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Billed as a “social visit,” the attendees included Tribal Council Chair Marcellus Osceola, Vice-Chair Mitchell Cypress, Big Cypress Reservation Director and Council Member “Mondo” Tiger, Seminole Gaming Chief Executive Officer, Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen, Tribal In-House Counsel Jim Shore, Tribal Outside Counsel Gary Richard of Tallahassee-based Greenberg Traurig and lobbyist Will McKinley of PooleMcKinley in Tallahassee.
The conversation could have included the recent conclusion of the legal battle between the state and the tribe. The two sides agreed to drop an ongoing lawsuit over whether the tribe can keep blackjack tables at its Florida casinos. The settlement will allow the tribe to keep blackjack and continue to pay the state more than $2 billion a year.
The tribe sued the state in 2016 claiming dog and horse racetracks had installed card games similar to those the tribe had exclusive rights to for five years. The state counter-sued, claiming the tribe must stop offering blackjack. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle decided against the state, ruling the tribe can keep blackjack tables in place for another 14 years. The state had appealed the decision.
The discussion also may have mentioned the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, which took in more than $579 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016—more than all eight South Florida parimutuel casinos combined, based on state documents. That figure comes from the fact that, according to the Local Government Annual Distribution Worksheet, the Hard Rock Hollywood was responsible for 24.9 percent of the $2.3 billion the tribe took in for the fiscal year, or $579 million. The eight Broward and Miami-Dade horse and dog racetracks and jai-alai frontons collected $537 million in slots and $41 million in poker, for a total of $578 million.
Leading the pack was the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa took in $967 million. That casino has no competition in west-central Florida; racetracks are not permitted to offer slots. Next in revenues, after the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, was Seminole Coconut Creek ($383 million), then Seminole Classic Casino, the original bingo hall ($163 million).
In comparison, the Isle Casino and Racing in Pompano led South Florida racinos with $143 million in slot revenue and $10 million in poker revenue. Racetrack and jai-alai fronton owners pay a 35 percent tax on slot revenues, plus other fees. A bill to lower the slot tax to 25 percent and to add blackjack at the racinos failed in the state legislature this session.
Meanwhile, the Seminole Hard Rocks continue to grow. The Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood casino opened in 2004, followed by the adjacent Seminole Paradise offering bars, restaurants and shops. This area is being demolished to make way for a second, guitar-shaped hotel and additional gambling. Officials said the current hotel operates at 95 percent occupancy.
