Stakes high in deal for Seminole gambling

Florida Legislature has last chance to act

The Florida Legislature is showing its hand in another attempt to bring the Seminole Tribe into a new, lucrative gambling agreement with the state.

Th new deal would potentially end greyhound racing, bring craps and roulette to Seminole casinos and allow designated-player games.

Under a draft agreement the tribe has shown several state lawmakers, it would now be willing to consider designated-player games and fantasy sports leagues such as FanDuel and DraftKing, both of which it had previously said were in violation of its agreement with the state.

“We’re close on the structure of an agreement, but we still need to look into the details,” said state Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Palm Coast, the sponsor of a Senate gambling bill.

The draft proposal by the Seminoles has not yet been voted on by tribal members, according to Hutson. It marks a significant reversal for the tribe, which previously won a lawsuit over designated-player games violating the tribe’s exclusive right to offer banked card games such as blackjack.

A spokesman for the tribe would not comment on details of the draft.

“I can confirm that a document does exist that the tribe has developed and shared with leaders of the Legislature,” said tribal spokesman Gary Bitner. “However, that document has