An anti-casino group plans to sue over Florida's gaming compact with an indigenous group announced last spring.
However, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, before the case is filed, the state hopes a measure passed by voters in 2018 will save the multibillion-dollar deal.
At issue is the 2021 Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state that was announced by DeSantis' office April 23 and approved by the Florida Legislature in May. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) allowed the compact to go into effect after a 45-day review period expired without comment.
No Casinos Inc. President John Sowinski, claims the DOI failed to welcome input from citizen groups, local elected officials or local leaders before allowing the compact to go into effect, according to a Florida Record story published Aug. 19.
"They viewed the only parties of the compact as being governmental officials in Florida and being the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida, and that they did not have to deal with others," Sowinski said. "Clearly, they did not want to deal with us. The only people they wanted to speak with in regard to this were the Seminole Tribe and governmental officials from Florida."
No Casinos is opposed to expanding gambling in Florida "because more gambling will hurt our economy, our communities and our taxpayers," the group said on its Twitter page.
The Florida Record story also referred to a Magic City Casino lawsuit filed in federal court against the DOI earlier this week. The suit alleges the compact is unconstitutional and violates federal law because it allows sports betting on Seminole tribal land, as well as other parts of the state.
Prior to the compact, sports betting was illegal in Florida and, until the compact goes into effect Oct. 15, it technically still is. The compact also allows for online sports betting, craps and roulette, which are currently illegal in Florida.
In April, DeSantis lauded the compact.
"This historic compact expands economic opportunity, tourism, and recreation, and bolsters the fiscal success of our state in one fell swoop for the benefit of all Floridians and Seminoles alike," DeSantis said in his office's April news release. "Our agreement establishes the framework to generate billions in new revenue and untold waves of positive economic impact."
Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr., State Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls made the "collective commitment to modernizing the gaming industry in the state of Florida and setting the bar for the rest of the nation," DeSantis said.
The 30-year gaming compact, is projected to generate between $2.5 and $6 billion in new revenue for the state over the next five years.
"After thorough review under IGRA [Indian Gaming Regulatory Act], we have taken no action to approve or disapprove the compact before Aug. 5, 2021, the 45th day," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland wrote in DOI's approval letter. "As a result, the compact is considered to have been approved by operation of law to the extent that it complies with IGRA and existing federal law. The compact will become effective upon the publication of notice in the Federal Register."
Sowinski countered that it is time get the courts involved.
“We plan to do what it takes to make sure this is in front of the courts, both at the federal level and the state level,” Sowinski said Aug. 12 in a News4JAX news story.
No Casinos argues that only Florida voters can approve more gaming and that the compact violates Amendment 3 of the Florida Constitution. The amendment, which passed in 2018, permits casino gambling.
"Amendment 3 is under assault," Sowinski said. "An amendment that 72% of the people of Florida voted for is being ignored."
DeSantis said that Section C of the amendment would satisfy such concerns.
