The House says no to card games. The Senate says yes. And in the middle is a governor who just wants the money.
The unbalanced equation has some gamblers and Indian tribes going mad as they try to figure out what will and won't be allowed once the state's budget is finally adopted.
The House passed a gambling bill Tuesday that would strip casinos like the Seminole Hard Rock of virtually any games except the hypnotizing Las Vegas style slots. The compromise - and we use that term loosely - was completely opposite of what the Senate passed last week.
Under that proposal, the Seminoles would receive a winner-takes-all package - slots, black jack, roulette and craps. A gambler's paradise to say the least. All they had to do was share the wealth.
Currently, the Seminoles are operating black jack and baccarat games along with slots and poker under a signed agreement with Gov. Charlie Crist. The state Supreme Court has already said the pact was illegal, but no one has had the marbles to go on Seminole Reservation land and shut the games down.
Ultimately, this could all end in a stalemate and the Seminoles will continue raking in the money and operating card games.
The chances the Seminoles agree to the House bill are about the same as a black jack player taking it hit when they already have 21.
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For you mathematicians out there, that's one in a gazillion.
