Seminole Tribe doubledown against casino expansions

Owners and operators of seven out of eight tribal casinos in the Florida, the Seminole Tribe is putting its considerable weight behind an effort to stop politicians having the ability to authorise gambling laws without voter consent.

Recently released campaign finance data from the Florida Division of Elections revealed that the tribe has made a $1m donation to Voters in Charge, alongside some $2.875m from entertainment giants, Disney.

The group is currently attempting to put a gambling amendment referendum before the Florida public that would require any future gaming expansions to be decided by voters directly, wrestling the final say away from state legislature.

It is widely believed that the voting public are resoundingly opposed to an increase in gaming in the state.

Seeing as the Seminole Tribe renegotiated its state compact earlier this year it is unlikely operations would be ever be lessened, so moving for the public to have final say on any proposed expansion looks likely to be an effective safeguard to the tribe’s market dominance for the foreseeable future.