Florida Seminoles Sign New Compact

So...after a lot of back-and-forth (I know we were discussing this earlier this year, but searched unsuccessfully for it), Florida Seminoles (the Hard Rock casinos here) and Governor Rick Scott have signed a new compact, allowing them to continue to offer table games. The new deal also allows them to deal craps and roulette for the first time! Florida Legislature approvals are needed before they start offering the games (I believe they've continued to deal PGP/BJ/etc while this was being negotiated, even though the compact had expired).

http://www.wesh.com/news/florida-seminole-tribe-reach-3-billion-gambling-deal/36847436

Interesting. I wonder what effect this is going to have on casinos in Mississippi and Louisiana as well as the craps boat industry. Is there a lot of business lost to other locations due to not offering Craps and Roulette?

Quote: beachbumbabs

The new deal also allows them to deal craps and roulette for the first time!

That would be something!

Do that many people go on the cruise just for craps?

Quote: GWAE

Do that many people go on the cruise just for craps?

I would say yes. They have 3 tubs, never seen less than 2 open. Tables moderately to fully crowded each cruise. At the same time, they have about 20 BJ tables. Never seen more than 6 with players except one Friday night they might have had 8 with one or more seats taken.
3-4-5x, $5 mins all tables. No Fire or ATS.

Big slot crowd, fair amount of VP.

How bout tiles

Quote: Wizardofnothing

How bout tiles

No tiles. Min-bacc, UTH, 3CP, LIR, BJ, Roulette, Craps, Ecraps, Eroulette, VP, slots. Think that's all of them.

We've been waiting for it.. Hope it pans out.. I will start saving a bankroll ;)

I hope its not only for high limit while keeping us low rollers on ecraps lol

Why has it never been allowed? Same with california, just seems weird that they allow cardsand slots but no dice or balls.

Quote: GWAE

Why has it never been allowed? Same with california, just seems weird that they allow cardsand slots but no dice or balls.

In California, poker was considered a game of skill and therefore not "gambling". This was later expanded to "card" games (Blackjack, Baccarat, etc.) where the outcome of wagers is determined by cards and not balls, wheels, or dice. It is pretty crazy, especially since the Indian casinos were given permission to offer slot machines.

Quote: GWAE

Why has it never been allowed? Same with california, just seems weird that they allow cardsand slots but no dice or balls.

Also weirdly (to me ) anyway, jai alai betting has been going on for decades in Florida. Greyhound and horses also.

And of course BINGO everywhere.

But non of that is the BAD gambling.

I don't get it either.

I touch upon this in this week's premiere edition of News & Notes:

https://wizardofvegas.com/article/news-and-notes/

Quote: rxwine

Also weirdly (to me ) anyway, jai alai betting has been going on for decades in Florida. Greyhound and horses also.

And of course BINGO everywhere.

But non of that is the BAD gambling.

I don't get it either.

Speaking of jai alai, is that something that I can watch when in Florida next month? If so do I even want to? Weird how it is only played in Florida.

Quote: GWAE

Speaking of jai alai, is that something that I can watch when in Florida next month? If so do I even want to? Weird how it is only played in Florida.

There were many Jai Alai Frontons in Florida when I was growing up in the 70's but most have disappeared. Our local one, in Melbourne, ended up being a dog track.

I enjoyed betting on the games and harassing the players (hey, I was a kid...) but there were an awful lot of rumors that it was fixed in some way--which would be relatively easy with humans involved in the outcome. One rumor was that the stripe on the ball that was tossed in for the game was the color of the team that was to win.

The game has faded but I did find this link for games that look like they are being played currently...

http://www.casinomiamijaialai.com/miami-jai-alai/miami-jai-alai-results/

Is it worth going to...well that is a question. I'd like to go again and we pass through Miami on every year's trip to the Keys...but I don't think i would go out of my way to see it again. On the the other hand, seeing it once and admiring the speed of the game is interesting.

I have not been a fan of the Florida casinos. The table game limits were too high for my taste with games under $25 being hard to find and the slots just didn't seem to allow much play while vacuuming up the bankroll. I'll see what kind of limits are offered, but we will most likely pass on Florida casinos and stop in Biloxi, where decent games are offered at reasonable limits.

I do think Biloxi will suffer--if I were a craps player just looking for a game and the table limit was right, why drive to Biloxi if one is much closer to me? We have to go through almost all of Florida and Mississippi when we travel to and from the Keys, so Biloxi is easy...but I just don't get in my car and drive there from Houston (passing Lake Charles) to get some time at the table. I imagine folks in Florida being the same way.

Funny, we are talking about jai Alai , there is a semi well known ap that is in a sports illustrated story about fixing jai Alai
http://www.si.com/vault/1979/06/11/823709/the-spreading-scandal-in-jai-alai-a-player-and-three-bettors-were-charged-with-fixing-games-and-more-revelations-are-expected-as-the-probe-continues

Quote: GWAE

Speaking of jai alai, is that something that I can watch when in Florida next month? If so do I even want to? Weird how it is only played in Florida.

Last I checked, there were frontons in Tampa, Orlando, Dania (Ft. Lauderdale), Ft. Pierce, Miami, Ocala, & Hamilton County. The last two are in the northern part of the state, and seriously out in the middle of nowhere!

The trick is making sure jai alai is being played live when you go. They have "seasons" where they play only certain months of the year. Last I heard, Ocala was live only 1 month out of the year. It used to be an establishment had to have a certain number of live performances each year to maintain its "Inter-Track Wagering" (AKA "Off-Track Betting") status and poker rooms. Now, either that's not the case or some creative loopholes have been found. I would not be surprised if some locations have ceased live jai alai operations.

Personally, I love the game, and would advise you catch a performance if you can. There are those (Mrs. Joeman included) who say it is 'boring.' Those people have no idea what they are talking about! ;)

You can check the internet for the websites of frontons along your route to find out live performance days & times. If you find one, I would also call someone at the fronton and verify the schedule. I have found that some of the smaller venues do not update their websites with great frequency.

BTW, jai alai used to be played in Connecticut as well as Florida. Don't know if it still is.

[edit] -- Just found out Hamilton Downs Jai Alai permanently closed earlier this year -- only 10 years after it opened.
[edit #2] -- Looks like the Tampa fronton has been closed for a while now, although there are rumors of jai alai returning to it in the future.

In Connecticut it was in Milford and Hartford - both gone I think Milford was the last about 15 years ago

Quote: RonC

I have not been a fan of the Florida casinos. The table game limits were too high for my taste with games under $25 being hard to find and the slots just didn't seem to allow much play while vacuuming up the bankroll. I'll see what kind of limits are offered, but we will most likely pass on Florida casinos and stop in Biloxi, where decent games are offered at reasonable limits.

I'm with you, Ron. I've been to Hard Rocks in Tampa & Ft. Lauderdale. They are crowded and expensive. The closest to me is Tampa, which is a 4-hour drive. Even with the Hard Rock's increased game offerings (I likes my Craps), I would still prefer to make the 7-hour drive to Biloxi for better VP/slots, lower limits, & cheaper rooms.