The top executives of seven of South Florida gambling venues traveled to Tallahassee Wednesday to have a pre-arranged, closed-door meeting with Gov. Rick Scott who, in keeping with his un-even policies on transparency, kept it off his public agenda.
The officials — from the Isle of Capri, Dania, Mardi Gras, Calder, Magic City, Miami Jai Alai and Hialeah — discussed their continued hopes for the Seminole gaming compact, sources close to the casinos told the Herald/Times.
The governor must either re-negotiate a portion of the gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida by the end of July, or forfeit about $116 million of annual revenue. Although the governor negotiates the deal, the Legislature will have the final say since it must approve it.
The pari-mutuels want to use the compact as an opportunity to lower their tax rate to better allow them to compete with the tribe.
Absent from the meeting was Gulfstream race track and casino and the Palm Beach County Kennel Club, the other two South Florida pari-mutuels. PBKC’s top priority is to bring slot machines to the track and end the requirement that they race dogs in order to operate poker games.
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT’S SCHEDULE
FOR
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015
7:30-9:30am STAFF AND CALL TIME
10:00am EDUCATION BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT
Location: Chromalloy
Address: 3409 Cragmont Dr
Tampa, FL
1:15pm LUNCH WITH FSU WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM
Location: Governor’s Mansion
Address: 700 North Adams St
Tallahassee, FL
2:30pm MEETING WITH BILL MILLS, CEO OF CITIBANK, NORTH AMERICA
Location: Florida State Capitol
Address: 400 South Monroe St
Tallahassee, FL
3:00-5:15pm STAFF AND CALL TIME
5:20pm EFI BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECEPTION
Location: Governor’s Mansion
Address: 700 North Adams St
Tallahassee, FL
7:00pm EFI BOARD OF DIRECTORS DINNER
Location: Governor’s Club
Address: 202 S. Adams St
Tallahassee, FL