DeSantis reaches agreement with Seminole Tribe to expand gambling in Florida
By Dara Kam article
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe finalized a 30-year gambling agreement on Friday, inking a deal that would deliver at least $2.5 billion to Florida over the next five years in exchange for giving the tribe control over statewide sports betting.
Tribal leaders, including Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr., joined DeSantis in his Tallahassee office for a ceremonial signing of the deal, known as a compact. We truly believe that this is the best deal for everybody. It’s not in favor of the tribe or the state. It’s in favor of both parties, because this is a long-lasting team, Osceola said.
The agreement finalized Friday also would allow the Seminoles to add three additional facilities to their Hard Rock casino in Hollywood.
TALLAHASSEE Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe finalized a 30-year gambling agreement on Friday, inking a deal that would deliver at least $2.5 billion to Florida over the next five years in exchange for giving the tribe control over statewide sports betting.
Tribal leaders, including Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr., joined DeSantis in his Tallahassee office for a ceremonial signing of the deal, known as a “compact.”
“We truly believe that this is the best deal for everybody. It’s not in favor of the tribe or the state. It’s in favor of both parties, because this is a long-lasting team,” Osceola said.
3 hours ago by The Associated Press (AP)
Photo: Benoit Dare
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has reached an agreement with the Seminole Tribe that would greatly expand gambling in state, including the introduction of legalized sports wagering.
The tribe would be allowed to offer sports gambling at its casinos in South Florida and near Tampa and will be allowed to license horse tracks to accept such wagers on its behalf for a share of the income.
Legislative leaders also reached agreement on more than $22 billion in school spending, including a bump in money for teacher salaries as well as $1,000 bonuses for teachers and principals that had been pitched by Gov. Ron DeSantis as a way to reward educators who helped reopen schools.
The bonus plan also includes money going to early learning instructors.
“We feel that those teachers have gone back and worked with these children,” Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said.
Another meeting expected for billions in stimulus aid
Stargel and House Appropriations Chairman Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, are expected to meet again Sunday to resolve one of the largest outstanding issues: how to spend about $10 billion in federal aid that was part of the American Rescue Plan Act, a stimulus law signed last month by President Joe Biden.