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Blackjack In Florida’s Dog Tracks?

You should know by now that the Seminoles are offering blackjack games in their casinos. Naturally, the state is not happy about this and it is also to be expected that other gambling operators are going to make some noise about it. This is exactly what’s happening. The Naples News ran this story early this week:

Less than two weeks after blackjack tables opened in Immokalee, non-tribal gaming operators said Tuesday the deck is stacked in the Seminole Tribe’s favor and the state is losing out on hundreds of millions as a result.

South Florida gambling facilities could pump nearly $500 million a year into state coffers if allowed to compete head-to-head with tribal casinos, a group of owners said Tuesday as they urged lawmakers to drive a harder bargain with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

If not, the state risks losing longtime corporate citizens that cannot compete with the tribe as the situation stands. The pact is already taking a toll, say members of the newly formed South Florida Gaming Coalition.
Broward and Miami-Dade owners say they are losing money to the tribe since it introduced Las Vegas style gaming at its casinos around the state. While declining to get too specific, owners say that parity in tax rates, hours of operation and allowable games could translate into a windfall for the cash-strapped state.

This kind of argument can result in either of two things: the state will be forced to do something about stopping the Seminoles from offering blackjack OR the state will be forced to allow blackjack to be offered in other gambling venues. Which route will they take? Heck if I know!