Governor Charlie Crist is expected to announce a deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida allowing Las Vegas-style slot machines and card games at its Hard Rock casino in Hollywood and six other sites, in exchange for USD 100 million or more in annual cash. Under the pact, revenue sharing by the Seminoles with the state would grow each year, depending on the success of the games.The deal satisfies the US Department of Interior’s deadline for the governor to complete negotiations with the tribe.

The deal satisfies the US Department of Interior’s Thursday deadline for the governor to complete negotiations with the tribe. It also satisfies the governor’s need for a piece of good economic news on Wednesday, when state economists are expected to forecast a USD 2 billion budget shortfall in 2007 and 2008 – the worst economic outlook in more than a decade.

Under the pact, revenue sharing by the Seminoles with the state would grow each year, depending on the success of the games, but the tribe would guarantee a minimum of USD 100 million each year.