The Seminole Indian Tribe in Florida is reportedly close to signing a deal with the government that would allow them to operate Las Vegas-style casinos in the southern US state.
Following extensive negotiations, Governor Charlie Crist is understood to have offered the tribe permission to run Las Vegas-style slots card games at its casinos.
In return, the state would receive a share of tribe’s gambling revenue. As they form a sovereign nation, the Seminole people do not currently pay state tax.
If the deal goes ahead, the state’s share could begin at US$50m in the first year, rising to $75m in the second year and $100m in the third, the sources said.
