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Paul Seago Brings "No Casinos" Message to NORWF

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Paul Seago, Eecutive Director of No Casinos, Inc., spoke at the January Northwest Orange Republican Women Federated (NORWF), meeting at Apopka Golf & Tennis at Errol Estate.

Paul's presentation included a review of the history of casino gambling in the U.S. and Florida. The Florida milestones include:

  • DSC_00151978 - Florida voter reject casino gambling referendum
  • 1986 - Florida voters again reject casinos, but approve the Lottery
  • 1988 - The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) is approved by the U.S. Congress and signed into law. IGRA required state governments to allow gambling on Indian-tribe lands.
  • 1989 – Small stakes Poker legalized. Because of IGRA the Tribes were allowed to open Poker Rooms.
  • 1994 – Florida voters again reject casino gambling.
  • 1996 – Pari-Mutuals allowed to open small stakes Poker Rooms.
  • 2003 – Pari-Mutuels allowed high stakes Poker Rooms.
  • 2004 – Florida voters approve slot machines. Because of IGRA the Tribes were allowed to operate Slot machines.
  • 2010 – Florida signs Compact with Seminole Tribe. Tribe pays Florida $130 Million per year and is allowed to operate Blackjack and Baccarat tables.
  • 2011 – Legislation introduced to build what would be the largest casino in the world in Miami.

Paul closed by describing the implications of the new Seminole Compact signed by Governor Scott in December 2015.

If approved by the Legislature the new compact would give the Tribe the exclusive right to operate blackjack in the state and to add craps and roulette. The proposed 20-year deal would also open the door for pari-mutuels to operate new slot casinos in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties and allow existing South Florida “racinos” to seek local voter approval to operate limited blackjack tables.

Paul encouraged the audience to go online and watch a short, 3-minute video called, "Gambling Creep: A Short History of Gambling in Florida."

NORWF's next meeting is a Membership Brunch on Thursday February 18, 2016 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and the home of NORWF President, Joyce Brocker.

Contact Sharon Lee Gates at sharonleegates@gmail.com for more information.


 

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