The Seminole Tribe of Florida recently declared it would stop paying the state $330 million a year from gambling revenue from its seven casinos in exchange for exclusive rights to offer banked card games. The tribe contends parimutuel card rooms are violating that agreement by offering designated player poker games that should be exclusive to the tribe, and that the state has not kept its promise of vigorous enforcement.
The parimutuel card rooms claim designated player games are different from the games exclusive to Seminole casinos, but the tribe disagrees. Governor Ron DeSantis said he plans to work with the Seminoles in an attempt to negotiate a new agreement.
Jonathan Zachen, former secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, said, “In my opinion, the tribe is looking to expand their platform. I don’t think their issue is with the parimutuels themselves.” He said if the legislature passes a bill banning designated player games, poker rooms still could offer other games like Texas Hold ‘em and 7-Card stud—but designated player games are the most lucrative.
He explained, “Designated player games are very fast games, so a house taking $5 a hand is collecting money every minute-and-a-half. Hold em games can take 10 minutes with people raising and calling. Designated player games can make two, three or four times as much money.”
Izzy Havenick, whose family owns Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Racing and Poker in Bonita Springs, said, “I think the Seminole Tribe is trying to attack the commercial and local tax-paying parimutuel facilities.” He said with greyhound racing ending in 2020, the Bonita Springs track only will offer a poker room and simulcast horse and dog races. The card room offers several types of poker, including designated player games. “Losing those games could hurt us tremendously,” Havenick said.
Despite the threat, he noted Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Racing and Poker still plans to build a new card room and restaurant on the property and eventually will demolish the dog racetrack. “For us, it’s the same as it is yesterday. We’re still running our business as we’re allowed to under the laws of the state of Florida,” Havenick said.
