Florida’s New Gambling Deal Opens the Door for Online Poker, Blackjack and Slots

Seminole Tribe was given exclusive gambling rights in Florida in 2010. The tribe is paying the state $350 million every year.

Seminole Tribe stopped making payments as agreed to in the deal in 2019. The reason for this was that some Floridian parties offered certain card games that were part of the 2010 deal. Seminole tribe's exclusive rights to them ended in 2015. In November 2016, a federal judge ruled that the tribe could offer games such as blackjack and other cardgames for the next 14 years.

Gov. Ron Desantis and the Seminole Tribe have agreed to a new gambling deal in Florida. The deal would allow online poker, blackjack and slot games. It will also allow the tribe to take over sports betting in gambling. The Seminoles will delay the launch of the online sportsbetting platform to mid-October. House Speaker Chris Sprowls wants the bill amended to remove references to online casino games from it. He is concerned that Floridians could use their cell phones as real money slot machines. Other provisions of it are agreeable to Florida house members.

The Seminole Tribe will pay $500 million every year to the state of Florida in exchange for allowances. The deal does not secure exclusive rights to online gambling. It only entails conversations regarding the subject. Sports betting will be legal in Florida later this year. The governor hopes the deal will boost the economy and increase tourism dollars.