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Crist, Seminoles Hope To Hit Jackpot With New Deal

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Sep 30, 2007 8:14 am US/Eastern

Crist, Seminoles Hope To Hit Jackpot With New Deal

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TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ― The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Governor Charlie Crist will resume negotiations Monday on an agreement that would allow Las Vegas style slot machines and card games, like blackjack, in their casinos.

In their negotiations, Crist is seeking an agreement that would provide the state with a significant amount of money, estimates range up to $100 million, while weighing concerns about new gambling.

The state is forced to negotiate a compact to allow the Seminoles to replace their video slot machines with the real thing at seven Florida facilities. That's because voters two years ago approved Vegas-style slots in Broward County jai-alai frontons and horse and dog tracks. Federal law allows Indian tribes to have whatever type of gambling that is allowed in a state.

But the state can't receive revenue from the tribe unless it agrees to a compact that gives the Seminoles some other sort of benefit, such as additional games not allowed elsewhere in Florida.

(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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