House ratifies Seminole gaming compact

The Florida House of Representatives voted 74-39 to approve the
gambling compact signed by Gov. Charlie Crist with the Seminoles, which
would give the tribe exclusive run of banked card games in the state.
In return, the state will receive at least $1 billion in the next five
years. The Tribe can offer baccarat, chemin de fer and blackjack in
five of its seven Florida casinos, and slot machines in all seven.
Questions still remain about what decision the state will make on recent proposals for South Florida casino resorts, although Sen. Dennis Jones said the compact would not prevent those proposals from coming to fruition. [Miami Herald]