Florida and the Seminole Trine reached a class III gaming agreement earlier this year. The new compact seeks to expand gaming and include sports betting. However, not everyone is happy with the new compact. A legal encounter is heating up as early as 15th October.
In April, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (D) came to terms with Seminole Tribe. The US Department of Interior (DOI) has also granted the Native American tribe the right to class III gaming. However, the DOI noted that the compact was approved as it was in line with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
Though IGRA set the legal framework for operating gaming on Indian lands, Florida has its law that regulates the authorization of a new form of gaming. According to the 2018 poll, 71 percent of Floridians passed a referendum that stripped lawmakers of the power to make any new forms of gambling.
Though the constitutional authorize expansion of casino offerings, the approval must be through a ballot. The 2021 Seminole compact only allows the tribe to offer roulette and craps.
Orlando Sentinel’s editorial board note that the approval of new games by the state legislature and Gov DeSantis is an indication of defiance to the 2018 constitutional amendment.
“The new games were approved by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year in defiance to a constitutional amendment passed in 2018 that says voters must approve new casino games. Not lawmakers.”
The news outlet editorial is calling for a political action committee (PAC) to challenge the state.
“We hope they come out with legal briefs blazing, and soon, the op-ed continued. Politicians who don’t respect the will of the voters need to be taught less through courts.”
