The news of a $3 billion compact with the Seminole Tribe has prompted a senator in Florida to call for the formation of a state gambling commission.
Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, filed a legislation on Monday, proposing a five-member commission to be appointed by the governor. Under the bill, the new Department of Gaming is expected to oversee “the activities of all gaming entities.”
“The is a compelling need to create the Department of Gaming and a Gaming Commission, whose functions will be to oversee the activities of all gaming entities, to regulate their operations, to enforce gaming laws and regulations, and to audit the proceeds from gaming operations,” Sachs wrote.
Currently, Florida has different agencies that oversee gambling in the state. The Department of Lottery conducts all legal lottery gaming, while the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services registers and regulates certain game promotions.
There’s also the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which is in charge of the regulation of pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms and slot machines. The department also works as the overseer of the gaming compact between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state government.
The proposed new agency, however, will combine the duties of these three departments.
According to the Palm Beach Post, there were similar proposals made in the past four years, but all failed. Still, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli believes “it was time for the state to have such an oversight committee.”
Early this month, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe—after much delay and public posturing—finally reached a deal that will preserve the tribe’s right to offer blackjack and other house-banked card games at all seven of its casinos.
