Hard Rock Casino Expansion News - Page 6

orlandonative · August 20th, 2007, 08:21 PM

I was also there on Saturday and was amazed to see the amount of construction that was taking place both inside and outside. Hopefully they have enough money to keep going after I cleaned up.

HARTride 2012 · September 8th, 2007, 07:49 PM

In the cards: Vegas slots?

So far, it looks like the Seminoles can have those games, but neither roulette nor craps.

By STEVE HUETTEL and JENNIFER LIBERTO, Times Staff Writers
Published September 8, 2007

As state officials and the Seminole Tribe of Florida go down to the wire in secret talks that could bring expanded gambling at tribal casinos, some parts of the deal are taking shape.

Roulette and craps appear to be out. Las Vegas-style slot machines and card games like blackjack, however, are very much in.

Florida will share oversight of new games and may set minimum slot machine payouts comparable to those in regulated gambling states such as Nevada and New Jersey.

Local governments could get a small slice of the state's casino revenue, with the rest going to education.

These details and more leaked out Friday as Florida officials released drafts of a possible deal proposed by the Seminoles to the Times and other news organizations.

The documents reflect "agreements, proposals and discussions, but no final agreement," said George LeMieux, chief of staff for Gov. Charlie Crist. He declined to be more specific while negotiations continue.

But the talks are expected to reach an end soon. "If we're going to have an agreement, it will be in the next two weeks," said LeMieux.

The sides agree in principle on sharing new gaming revenues and a range of other issues, said Barry Richard, an attorney for the Seminoles. "The only issue is in the details," he said.

Richard said negotiators agreed in concept for the tribe to pay $50-million immediately and at least $100-million a year. LeMieux, however, said the financial issue was still unresolved.

On Tuesday, representatives for Crist and the tribe will discuss the status of negotiations with Carl Artman, the Interior Department's assistant secretary for Indian affairs.

The federal agency can authorize Indian tribes to conduct any gambling sanctioned within their states. Florida's Seminole Tribe now runs seven casinos, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa.

They now operate gaming machines that look like video slots, but actually are bingo games between players. The tribe is entitled to more lucrative Las Vegas-style slot machines since the state licensed three Broward County race tracks and a jai-alai fronton to offer them since last year.

Unlike the "racinos," the Seminole casinos don't pay state or federal taxes and aren't regulated by authorities outside the tribe.

Crist pledged in his campaign to oppose any expansion of gambling. But facing the likelihood of the feds giving the tribe upgraded slots - and leaving Florida without a share of the money or a say in how the casinos operate - he directed staffers to strike the best deal they could, said LeMieux.

Documents released Friday didn't answer one of the biggest questions: How much could the state reap?

One draft specified that 95 percent of state revenue would go to Florida's Educational Enhancement Fund, with 5 percent for local governments affected by the casinos with the new games.

The three drafts proposed giving the tribe exclusive rights to card games in the state. The Seminoles could cut off payments if the state allowed expanded gambling elsewhere in Florida, under one proposal. Another draft would let the state allow race tracks to offer video gambling machine without any penalty.

Various consumer protections popped up in the documents. The tribe proposed letting state regulators inspect its casinos and check slot machines periodically.

In one draft, the tribe agreed to waive sovereign immunity protection against personal injury lawsuits in state courts.

In another, the Seminoles proposed designated no-smoking areas for newly constructed slot machine areas and vented gaming tables. Tribal land isn't subject to the state's ban on smoking in public buildings and the Seminoles let customers light up throughout most its casinos.

Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.

[Last modified September 7, 2007, 23:24:25]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/09/08/Bu..._Vegas_s.shtml

jonknee · September 8th, 2007, 08:08 PM

I'm in Las Vegas right now (flying home tonight though) and don't want to see another slot machine for a long time. But this is good news for FL.

Jasonhouse · September 10th, 2007, 10:18 PM

What a stupid, stupid deal for the state... The Noles are going to make out like bandits.

HARTride 2012 · September 10th, 2007, 11:17 PM

The state will REALLY regret having tried to negotiate anything if the feds have to step in.

stormyguy · September 10th, 2007, 11:23 PM

The so called anti-gambling legislators are risking losing everything if they push too hard. They may end up getting zilch for Florida and the Seminoles will get what they want anyway from the Federal Gov't.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2007/...no-gambli.html

House Speaker Marco Rubio is challenging Gov. Charlie Crist's authority to craft a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe.

"It is our position that such a compact will not be valid unless it is ratified by the Legislature," Rubio wrote in a letter today, signed by other members of House leadership. Crist has asserted otherwise, but said he welcomes the Legislature's thoughts.

The letter, which makes clear Rubio's opposition to gambling, relies on a opinion by Attorney General Bill McCollum that federal law does not require Florida to allow the Tribe to conduct gambling restricted by state law. In other words, the Tribe would get slots only, not card games. And McCollum says Florida can demand payment without allowing an expansion.

"The conclusion we draw from General McCollum's findings is that, in its negotiations with the Tribe, Florida is bargaining from a position of strength, not weakness."

HARTride 2012 · September 11th, 2007, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormyguy

The so called anti-gambling legislators are risking losing everything if they push too hard. They may end up getting zilch for Florida and the Seminoles will get what they want anyway from the Federal Gov't.

My point exactly.

Tampa610 · September 11th, 2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

What a stupid, stupid deal for the state... The Noles are going to make out like bandits.

The government raped the native americans for years...now its their turn to rape the government. I'd like Florida to get a piece of the pie but even if we blow the deal I won't feel bad. It will at least help the overall tourism industry.

HARTride 2012 · September 11th, 2007, 06:43 PM

That is absolutely true. Today the feds still harass many native american tribes believe it or not. I remember going to a Cherokee reservation in North Carolina a couple years ago and hearing one of the Cherokee females rant about how the feds treat them. Its unacceptable! With the Seminoles, they've always fought the govt and won. They never backed down and always stood their ground. Now its the Seminole tribe's chance to slam at least the state govt.

smiley · September 11th, 2007, 08:54 PM

Should have listened to greco - should have been downtown - it does nothing out on I-4 (except serve as a little welcome station)

HARTride 2012 · September 11th, 2007, 09:01 PM

Downtown? Yuck. I would not want the casino to be in downtown.

jonknee · September 11th, 2007, 09:32 PM

Why not? It would have brought *thousands* of people in nightly and other development (restaurants, shopping, etc) would have sprouted up around it.

FloridaFuture · September 11th, 2007, 09:55 PM

Yea, it could've helped tons of future development and insufracture even faster. Heck, it would've helped such a good bit the cost of land would've been a bargain.

HARTride 2012 · September 11th, 2007, 10:09 PM

Where in DT would they have put though? East DT? TTT site?

FloridaFuture · September 11th, 2007, 10:43 PM

^There's lots of land downtown. It could've gone a variety of places.

stormyguy · September 11th, 2007, 11:06 PM

After doing some research online, I couldn't find a single Indian casino in a downtown cbd anywhere in the country. Actually, the location of the Hardrock Tampa is one of the closest to a downtown urban area. Many of the Indian casinos are far out from any population center (at least 20 -30 miles) and situated on reservations which typically were out in the sticks.
I can only imagine the bureaucracy of trying to get an 'off reservation' casino with all the competing forms of gov't (local, state, Federal) all stepping on each others toes.

FloridaFuture · September 12th, 2007, 12:29 AM

^It'd be more the anti-gambling citizens that would oppose it more, especially if the casino got financial breaks.

Jasonhouse · September 12th, 2007, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wslupecki

Downtown? Yuck. I would not want the casino to be in downtown.

That's why you're not an urban planner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormyguy

an 'off reservation' casino with all the competing forms of gov't (local, state, Federal) all stepping on each others toes.

This isn't quite the case... The land on Orient Rd where the Noles currently are isn't special. They have only been there since the early 80's, when the the city bought it for them as a payoff for removing the remains of Seminoles buried on the parking garage site during the 1800's... The Noles could just as easily swap land back into downtown again...

HARTride 2012 · September 12th, 2007, 02:50 AM

yessssssssssssssssssssss.........................I'm just stating my opinion. I stated in another thread. Please don't take my comments too seriously. I'm not an expert in real estate and such by any means. But I post in these forums because transportation and architecture have long since been strong interests of mine. I'm also very interested in seeing where Tampa goes from the present times. I'm just not making a career out of either of those fields because of personal reasons (don't ask please).

HARTride 2012 · September 12th, 2007, 01:59 PM

U.S. Officials Review Gaming Talks
By JEROME R. STOCKFISCH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 12, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - The U.S. Department of the Interior remains prepared to step in and issue rules for Class III gaming in the state's Seminole casinos but will continue to hold off doing so while the tribe and governor's office work on a deal of their own.

Representatives from the federal government, the tribe, and the governor's office held an hourlong status conference Tuesday on negotiations on a gambling agreement known as a 'compact.'

'Both sides provided a status report on negotiations and indicated those negotiations are being conducted in good faith,' said Anthony De Luise, a spokesman for Gov. Charlie Crist.

Representatives of the Interior Department could not be reached. Barry Richard, an attorney for the Seminole tribe, said Carl Artman, the department's assistant secretary for Indian affairs, was 'a lot more specific and a lot more forceful' in asserting that the department was ready to issue its own procedures should talks break down or a Florida compact be derailed.

That scenario is not out of the question, as this week legislative leaders insisted that the full Legislature must ratify a compact. Crist says he believes he has sole authority over a deal.

Legislators also have registered dismay that the governor's office is considering allowing the Seminoles to provide additional Class III gaming such as blackjack and other card games. That sort of deal could allow the state to share in gambling revenue. A state-tribe deal also would give the state much more regulatory authority than federal procedures would provide.

Richard said federal officials were told that the tribe and Crist's office expect to have an agreement in about a week.

'They are still overseeing what is happening, and they do expect us to move toward a compact or the secretary will do his duty and issue procedures,' Richard said. 'It wasn't a threat to anybody, but I think they recognize their responsibility and they are fulfilling it.'

Reporter Jerome R. Stockfisch can be reached at (850) 222-8382 or jstockfisch@ tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/sep...ks/?news-metro

September 11th, 2007, 08:54 PM	#110
smiley Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,097 Likes (Received): 0	Should have listened to greco - should have been downtown - it does nothing out on I-4 (except serve as a little welcome station) __________________ Do I contradict myself? Well then, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes. I don't pretend 'cause I don't care.

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August 20th, 2007, 08:21 PM	#101
orlandonative Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 239 Likes (Received): 0	I was also there on Saturday and was amazed to see the amount of construction that was taking place both inside and outside. Hopefully they have enough money to keep going after I cleaned up.

September 8th, 2007, 07:49 PM	#102
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	In the cards: Vegas slots? So far, it looks like the Seminoles can have those games, but neither roulette nor craps. By STEVE HUETTEL and JENNIFER LIBERTO, Times Staff Writers Published September 8, 2007 As state officials and the Seminole Tribe of Florida go down to the wire in secret talks that could bring expanded gambling at tribal casinos, some parts of the deal are taking shape. Roulette and craps appear to be out. Las Vegas-style slot machines and card games like blackjack, however, are very much in. Florida will share oversight of new games and may set minimum slot machine payouts comparable to those in regulated gambling states such as Nevada and New Jersey. Local governments could get a small slice of the state's casino revenue, with the rest going to education. These details and more leaked out Friday as Florida officials released drafts of a possible deal proposed by the Seminoles to the Times and other news organizations. The documents reflect "agreements, proposals and discussions, but no final agreement," said George LeMieux, chief of staff for Gov. Charlie Crist. He declined to be more specific while negotiations continue. But the talks are expected to reach an end soon. "If we're going to have an agreement, it will be in the next two weeks," said LeMieux. The sides agree in principle on sharing new gaming revenues and a range of other issues, said Barry Richard, an attorney for the Seminoles. "The only issue is in the details," he said. Richard said negotiators agreed in concept for the tribe to pay $50-million immediately and at least $100-million a year. LeMieux, however, said the financial issue was still unresolved. On Tuesday, representatives for Crist and the tribe will discuss the status of negotiations with Carl Artman, the Interior Department's assistant secretary for Indian affairs. The federal agency can authorize Indian tribes to conduct any gambling sanctioned within their states. Florida's Seminole Tribe now runs seven casinos, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa. They now operate gaming machines that look like video slots, but actually are bingo games between players. The tribe is entitled to more lucrative Las Vegas-style slot machines since the state licensed three Broward County race tracks and a jai-alai fronton to offer them since last year. Unlike the "racinos," the Seminole casinos don't pay state or federal taxes and aren't regulated by authorities outside the tribe. Crist pledged in his campaign to oppose any expansion of gambling. But facing the likelihood of the feds giving the tribe upgraded slots - and leaving Florida without a share of the money or a say in how the casinos operate - he directed staffers to strike the best deal they could, said LeMieux. Documents released Friday didn't answer one of the biggest questions: How much could the state reap? One draft specified that 95 percent of state revenue would go to Florida's Educational Enhancement Fund, with 5 percent for local governments affected by the casinos with the new games. The three drafts proposed giving the tribe exclusive rights to card games in the state. The Seminoles could cut off payments if the state allowed expanded gambling elsewhere in Florida, under one proposal. Another draft would let the state allow race tracks to offer video gambling machine without any penalty. Various consumer protections popped up in the documents. The tribe proposed letting state regulators inspect its casinos and check slot machines periodically. In one draft, the tribe agreed to waive sovereign immunity protection against personal injury lawsuits in state courts. In another, the Seminoles proposed designated no-smoking areas for newly constructed slot machine areas and vented gaming tables. Tribal land isn't subject to the state's ban on smoking in public buildings and the Seminoles let customers light up throughout most its casinos. Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384. [Last modified September 7, 2007, 23:24:25] http://www.sptimes.com/2007/09/08/Bu..._Vegas_s.shtml

September 8th, 2007, 08:08 PM	#103
jonknee Downtown resident Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,285 Likes (Received): 0	I'm in Las Vegas right now (flying home tonight though) and don't want to see another slot machine for a long time. But this is good news for FL.

September 10th, 2007, 10:18 PM	#104
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,272 Likes (Received): 8	What a stupid, stupid deal for the state... The Noles are going to make out like bandits.

September 10th, 2007, 11:17 PM	#105
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	The state will REALLY regret having tried to negotiate anything if the feds have to step in.

September 10th, 2007, 11:23 PM	#106
stormyguy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 59 Likes (Received): 0	The so called anti-gambling legislators are risking losing everything if they push too hard. They may end up getting zilch for Florida and the Seminoles will get what they want anyway from the Federal Gov't. http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2007/...no-gambli.html House Speaker Marco Rubio is challenging Gov. Charlie Crist's authority to craft a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe. "It is our position that such a compact will not be valid unless it is ratified by the Legislature," Rubio wrote in a letter today, signed by other members of House leadership. Crist has asserted otherwise, but said he welcomes the Legislature's thoughts. The letter, which makes clear Rubio's opposition to gambling, relies on a opinion by Attorney General Bill McCollum that federal law does not require Florida to allow the Tribe to conduct gambling restricted by state law. In other words, the Tribe would get slots only, not card games. And McCollum says Florida can demand payment without allowing an expansion. "The conclusion we draw from General McCollum's findings is that, in its negotiations with the Tribe, Florida is bargaining from a position of strength, not weakness."

September 11th, 2007, 06:43 PM	#109
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	That is absolutely true. Today the feds still harass many native american tribes believe it or not. I remember going to a Cherokee reservation in North Carolina a couple years ago and hearing one of the Cherokee females rant about how the feds treat them. Its unacceptable! With the Seminoles, they've always fought the govt and won. They never backed down and always stood their ground. Now its the Seminole tribe's chance to slam at least the state govt.

September 11th, 2007, 09:01 PM	#111
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	Downtown? Yuck. I would not want the casino to be in downtown.

September 11th, 2007, 09:32 PM	#112
jonknee Downtown resident Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,285 Likes (Received): 0	Why not? It would have brought thousands of people in nightly and other development (restaurants, shopping, etc) would have sprouted up around it.

September 11th, 2007, 09:55 PM	#113
FloridaFuture Former Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tampa/Gainesville Posts: 5,234 Likes (Received): 0	Yea, it could've helped tons of future development and insufracture even faster. Heck, it would've helped such a good bit the cost of land would've been a bargain.

September 11th, 2007, 10:09 PM	#114
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	Where in DT would they have put though? East DT? TTT site?

September 11th, 2007, 10:43 PM	#115
FloridaFuture Former Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tampa/Gainesville Posts: 5,234 Likes (Received): 0	^There's lots of land downtown. It could've gone a variety of places.

September 11th, 2007, 11:06 PM	#116
stormyguy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 59 Likes (Received): 0	After doing some research online, I couldn't find a single Indian casino in a downtown cbd anywhere in the country. Actually, the location of the Hardrock Tampa is one of the closest to a downtown urban area. Many of the Indian casinos are far out from any population center (at least 20 -30 miles) and situated on reservations which typically were out in the sticks. I can only imagine the bureaucracy of trying to get an 'off reservation' casino with all the competing forms of gov't (local, state, Federal) all stepping on each others toes.

September 12th, 2007, 12:29 AM	#117
FloridaFuture Former Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tampa/Gainesville Posts: 5,234 Likes (Received): 0	^It'd be more the anti-gambling citizens that would oppose it more, especially if the casino got financial breaks.

September 12th, 2007, 02:50 AM	#119
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	yessssssssssssssssssssss.........................I'm just stating my opinion. I stated in another thread. Please don't take my comments too seriously. I'm not an expert in real estate and such by any means. But I post in these forums because transportation and architecture have long since been strong interests of mine. I'm also very interested in seeing where Tampa goes from the present times. I'm just not making a career out of either of those fields because of personal reasons (don't ask please).

September 12th, 2007, 01:59 PM	#120
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	U.S. Officials Review Gaming Talks By JEROME R. STOCKFISCH, The Tampa Tribune Published: September 12, 2007 TALLAHASSEE - The U.S. Department of the Interior remains prepared to step in and issue rules for Class III gaming in the state's Seminole casinos but will continue to hold off doing so while the tribe and governor's office work on a deal of their own. Representatives from the federal government, the tribe, and the governor's office held an hourlong status conference Tuesday on negotiations on a gambling agreement known as a 'compact.' 'Both sides provided a status report on negotiations and indicated those negotiations are being conducted in good faith,' said Anthony De Luise, a spokesman for Gov. Charlie Crist. Representatives of the Interior Department could not be reached. Barry Richard, an attorney for the Seminole tribe, said Carl Artman, the department's assistant secretary for Indian affairs, was 'a lot more specific and a lot more forceful' in asserting that the department was ready to issue its own procedures should talks break down or a Florida compact be derailed. That scenario is not out of the question, as this week legislative leaders insisted that the full Legislature must ratify a compact. Crist says he believes he has sole authority over a deal. Legislators also have registered dismay that the governor's office is considering allowing the Seminoles to provide additional Class III gaming such as blackjack and other card games. That sort of deal could allow the state to share in gambling revenue. A state-tribe deal also would give the state much more regulatory authority than federal procedures would provide. Richard said federal officials were told that the tribe and Crist's office expect to have an agreement in about a week. 'They are still overseeing what is happening, and they do expect us to move toward a compact or the secretary will do his duty and issue procedures,' Richard said. 'It wasn't a threat to anybody, but I think they recognize their responsibility and they are fulfilling it.' Reporter Jerome R. Stockfisch can be reached at (850) 222-8382 or jstockfisch@ tampatrib.com. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/sep...ks/?news-metro