{"id":316459,"date":"2024-04-04T16:49:14","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T21:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=316459"},"modified":"2024-04-05T08:52:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-05T13:52:24","slug":"florida-allocates-seminole-casino-money-environmental","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/florida-allocates-seminole-casino-money-environmental\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Allocates Seminole Casino Money to Environmental Management Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation on Thursday requiring most of the state’s money received from its Class III gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe be used for environmental initiatives<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs legislation earmarking revenue received from the state’s gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe for environmental purposes. Seminole Tribal Council Chair Marcellus Osceola Jr. looks on behind the governor. (Image: WINK News<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

DeSantis and the powerful tribe reached new compact terms in 2021 that expanded the Seminoles’ permitted games to include sports betting, both retail and in-person, plus the addition of roulette and craps at its tribal brick-and-mortar casinos.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In exchange for the sports betting monopoly<\/a> in the Sunshine State and the added table games, the tribe committed to paying the state $6 billion through the life of the compact that runs through 2030. The money from the Seminole and Hard Rock casinos<\/a> wasn’t specifically allocated until Thursday, when DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1638. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The bill, called “Funding for Environmental Resource Management,” requires that most of the compact revenue go towards supporting water quality improvement programs, environment infrastructure, and the ongoing acquisition and management of conservation lands. <\/span><\/p>\n

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SB 1638 provides $150 million for necessary repairs and upgrades to the Central and South Florida Water Management System.<\/p>\n

I was proud to add to our record investments in conservation. pic.twitter.com\/9TACmmg8om<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 4, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n