Gaming conglomerate's donation to Gov. Scott draws scrutiny
By Troy Kinsey, Capitol Reporter
TALLAHASSEE --
Two weeks after Gov. Rick Scott signed a compact that would extend and expand the Seminole Tribe of Florida's gaming operations, a donation to Scott's political committee by a gaming conglomerate is heightening legislative scrutiny of the proposed deal.
Among other things, the deal would make available a slot machine gaming license that Genting could be in a prime position to secure after its five-figure donation to Scott, who is widely expected to run for U.S. Senate in 2018.
For years, Genting executives have been prodding legislators to allow the company to build a multibillion-dollar resort casino in Miami.
During his announcement of the compact earlier this month, Scott was mum on the potential benefits for Genting and instead keyed in on a clause requiring that the Seminole Tribe pay the state $3 billion over the seven-year life of the deal.
TALLAHASSEE --
Two weeks after Gov. Rick Scott signed a compact that would extend and expand the Seminole Tribe of Florida's gaming operations, a donation to Scott's political committee by a gaming conglomerate is heightening legislative scrutiny of the proposed deal.
Among other things, the deal would make available a slot machine gaming license that Genting could be in a prime position to secure after its five-figure donation to Scott, who is widely expected to run for U.S. Senate in 2018.
For years, Genting executives have been prodding legislators to allow the company to build a multibillion-dollar resort casino in Miami.
During his announcement of the compact earlier this month, Scott was mum on the potential benefits for Genting and instead keyed in on a clause requiring that the Seminole Tribe pay the state $3 billion over the seven-year life of the deal.
"This is a $3 billion compact," he said. "It puts a cap on the Seminole Indian gaming and it limits the expansion of gaming in the state, so this does the right thing."
However, contrary to the governor's promotional comments, the compact would expand tribal gaming by allowing the Seminoles to run new Las Vegas-style games - craps and roulette - in addition to the blackjack and baccarat card games allowed under a previous compact signed by former Gov. Charlie Crist. Under Scott's language, the tribe wouldn't be allowed to build any new casinos.
Between the proposed expansion of tribal gaming and the appearance of the Genting contribution to Scott, many already-skeptical lawmakers are predicting a tough road to legislative ratification of the compact.
"If we're going to talk about revitalizing or changing the compact, let's make sure it's good for Floridians," Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, said of crafting a new compact.
http://mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2015/12/24/gaming_conglomerate_.html
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment