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State experts outlined a realistic view of the amount local governments could add to their finances thanks to a gambling deal with the state Seminole Tribe. Lawmakers are said to be considering government officials' predictions when they begin drawing up next fiscal year's budget.
Economists expect the gambling deal to generate up to $1.33 billion more in revenue in the fiscal year ending in June next year, and estimate another $1.28 billion in revenue for lawmakers in next January's budget negotiations. The agreement between the state and the Seminole family, which runs the state's land-based casinos, boosted profits. Under the deal, Florida grants the Seminole family the "exclusive" right to offer house bank card games. The deal extends Seminole's banking card game monopoly to 2030. During this time, the government is obliged to remove Paris Mutual, which runs a bank card game that violates tribal rights. In return, the tribe will have to pay a $1 billion annual fee in addition to the expected revenue from the game. Despite the positive news, economists warned lawmakers should be mindful of possible volatility as the figure could fluctuate under the influence of various circumstances, and also referred to the expected revenue increase as "one-time funding." In January 2018, just before lawmakers began working on the budget, economists will once again estimate the situation and provide revenue forecasts that fit the current situation. Speaking of revenue prospects, Senator R-Stuart explained that Florida enjoys a relatively stable budget. This is because civil servants are always looking for a variety of new revenue sources to boost the economy. He added that lawmakers would create a reasonable budget without spending too much. The tribe signed a gambling agreement with the state, under which the tribe was guaranteed a 20-year monopoly on slot machines and a 5-year monopoly on blackjack. But before the contract ended, the state gambling regulator infringed on tribal rights by allowing operators, not various tribes, to serve games at home. This set the Seminole family on fire, and the case was brought to court. The court extended its monopoly on Blackjack until in favor of the Seminole family. |
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