And the Seminoles, until now, largely had sought to restrict competition. Out-of-state casino operators for years have sought entrée to the Sunshine State, but House Republicans had long frowned on the possibility of expanded gambling.

Lawmakers approved the agreement, known as a “compact,” during a three-day special session last week. opens the door for other gambling behemoths to establish a footprint in the nation’s third-most populous state, which draws tens of millions of tourists annually. Ron DeSantis and tribal Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr.

Though racetracks and jai alai frontons in Miami-Dade and Broward counties also offer slots, the Seminoles are in control of the only full-fledged casinos in Florida.īut a multibillion-dollar deal announced last month by Gov. The tribe’s facilities have been a go-to place for Florida bettors to play popular Las Vegas-style card games such as blackjack, while also being able to take their chances on slot machines.

TALLAHASSEE - For more than a decade, the glitziest casinos in the state have operated on lands owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

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