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South Florida residents will soon be able to enjoy Vegas slots in the Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Resort. The casino will begin operating 1,000 Vegas-style slot machines, long before anyone expected the new games to come online starting Monday January 28. Seminole Tribe spokesman Gary Bitner said manufacturers were able to deliver the machines sooner than expected. But there is controversy ensuing over the new slot machines. The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments next Wednesday about whether the compact is valid. Florida's popular Governor Charlie Crist and Seminole Tribe leaders signed a compact allowing Vegas-style gaming, including slots, blackjack and baccarat and that agreement has been challenged by lawmakers in the state. A major ad blitz points out the benefits of such a compact. Crist and Max B. Osceola Jr., Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida believe that the 25-year compact has the potential to provide billions of dollars to Florida's schools. In exchange for significant revenue sharing of profits, the agreement gives the tribe the exclusive right to operate slot machines and card games in the seven existing facilities on tribal lands. This means that blackjack tables will also be coming to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino by the end of February.
"This
historic agreement
comes after 16 years
of negotiations
between the State of
Florida and the
Seminole Nation,"
Crist said. "Today's
agreement will
benefit the entire
state for
generations to come,
as well as benefit
the tribe." ---- Rolland Strauss, Gambling911.com Originally published January 24, 2008 10:58 pm EST
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Hard
Rock Casino in
Hollywood, Florida
to Get Vegas Slots,
Blackjack