Indian Country

Tallahassee, Florida (AP) April 2010

Florida lawmakers have reached a tentative $1.5 billion gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe.

The Legislature’s lead negotiator, Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, says the House, the Senate and the tribal council must all still approve the deal.

The tribe’s attorney, Barry Richard, says a final agreement between the state and the Seminoles seems more likely than it has in the past, but he won’t consider it a done deal until all parties have given official approval.

The plan would give the tribe exclusive operation of black jack at two casinos in Broward County and casinos in Immokalee and Tampa. All seven tribe casinos in Florida would continue to operate Las Vegas-style slot machines and make payments to the state for 20 years.