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Locals still optimistic about future of expanded gaming in Immokalee

By TRACY X. MIGUEL (Contact)
9:53 p.m., Thursday, July 3, 2008

LEXEY SWALL-BOBAY

A scene from the first official pull of the Vegas-style slots at the Immokalee Seminole Casino is Thursday. The Elvis-themed debuted 400 Class III machines that will allow patrons to play against the house. The difference between the Class III slots and Class II slots, called Bingo slots, is players will be playing against the house instead of against each other.

DAVID ALBERS

Eighty-year-old Al Staso, of Pittsburgh, Pa., plays a Las Vegas-style slot machine at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday, June 6, 2008, in Hollywood, Fla. A Florida gaming compact approved in January, permits the Seminole Tribe to use the Class III slot machines in their casinos, arriving Thursday at the Seminole Immokalee Casino.

STORY TOOLS

It’s not a bust, but it’s no jackpot either.

Within a month of debuting the Vegas-style slots at the Seminole Immokalee Casino, the Seminole Tribe gambling expansion is facing a setback.

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday overturned the agreement Gov. Charlie Crist signed with the Seminole Tribe to expand gambling at its casinos.

The decision was not final and will not have immediate impact on the tribe’s gaming operations until it has ruled on “any motion for rehearing,” according to Seminole Tribe spokesman Gary Bitner.

“The tribe is studying the ruling and plans no immediate change in the games that are offered,” Bitner said.

Indian gaming is regulated at the federal level, not the state level.

Bitner said the Seminole Tribe has a number of legal options available.

“The legislative body will still enact it,” Rice said. “It’s just going to take a little longer.”

Class III gaming, including blackjack, baccarat and other table games, was approved as part of the gambling agreement Crist signed in November. The U.S. Department of the Interior approved the compact with the National Indian Gaming Commission in January.

Under federal law, that approval remains effective, according to tribe officials.

Of the Immokalee casino’s almost 800 machines, more than 400 have been switched to Class III Vegas-style slots.

The Seminole tribe agreed to pay the state $100 million the first year and continue with incremental increases, according to tribe officials.

The tribe has already given the state $60.4 million as part of the deal.

Collier officials wondered what the decision would do to those payments.

“I think that the non-gambling legislators (who) passed this issue to the Supreme Court did themselves a disservice because now they will not get the $100 million a year,” said Fred Thomas, a longtime Immokalee activist and chairman of Immokalee Master Plan Visioning, referring to what was promised to the state in Crist’s deal. The Supreme Court’s decision could strip local schools and independent fire districts of funding, Thomas said.

Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta, whose district includes Immokalee, was surprised by the Florida Supreme Court decision.

“In the end, I just hope that Immokalee comes out OK,” Coletta said. “There’s a lot of elements ... that hinge on this deal,” he said, mentioning the new jobs and opportunities that will come from the new casino and hotel.

The new slots and games would not only benefit the casino, they would help the community, officials said.

The expansion of four Seminole casinos will create an additional 10,000 to 15,000 jobs, according to tribe officials.

The Immokalee Seminole Casino will be one of four tribal facilities that will be expanded.

Dick Rice, executive director of the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce, is one of many civic leaders who believe an agreement will be reached.

“I think there was just a difference of opinion of who had the right to do it,” Rice said.

Since officials allowed Class III gaming in Broward County, Thomas believes that the Seminoles should be able to offer the games across the state.

“I believe that the (Seminole) Indians wanted exclusivity rights,” Thomas said. “The state should have said thank you very much.”

Comments

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The new games would help the community Mr Colletta?

More jobs at minimum wage, and more shoes for over age Immokalee football players. Yeeee Haw!

Meanwhile, a parent gives up her three kids for beer there?

This is gambling people...not a miracle from God.

Immokalee needs more help than a casino...they are trying...but the Indians can only do so much here...no matter how many new games come in.

When will Collier County Comm.'s realize that Immokalee needs more economic diversity to support the quality of life for citizens?

#1 Posted by beetlejuice on July 4, 2008 at midnight (Suggest removal)

"Collier County Commissioner Jim Coletta, whose district includes Immokalee, was surprised by the Florida Supreme Court decision."

Of course Coletta was surprised. He is the most out of touch with the citizens in his district Commissioner we have ever seen!
Tell us Commissioner; What about the Immokalee Jetport?? And the International Trade Port at the airport??
And the Aircraft factory??
And..And..And..

I got 2 words for you Jimmy:
ALONSO 08

#2 Posted by DGNR8 on July 4, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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