Florida, Seminole tribe reach $3 billion gambling deal

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Gov. Rick Scott says he and the Seminole tribe have reached a sweeping new gambling deal that will bring billions to the state while allowing an expansion of gambling in South Florida.

Scott announced Monday that he had signed the new agreement. He says it would generate $3 billion for the state over a seven-year period starting in 2017. It must be ratified by the Florida Legislature. Lawmakers start their annual session in January.

The deal would allow the tribe to keep card games such as blackjack at their casinos and permit the addition of table games such as roulette and craps.

The agreement also would allow a track in Palm Beach County to add slot machines. Slots are currently limited to Seminole casinos and tracks in Broward and Miami-Dade.