State economists: Rebooted gaming compact to give $344M boost to state coffers

The slots are clanking again, cards are turning and dice are tumbling. That means the money from the Seminole Gaming Compact is flowing into the state again.

The Seminole Tribe began sending compact-related revenue payments to the state in January, following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to stay a lower court order approving the compact. So far this year the Tribe has sent $120 million to the state.

In total, Florida will receive nearly $344 million from the Tribe by June 30, the end of the fiscal year, state economists project. Economists on the Revenue Estimating Conference met last week and project the state to receive $4.43 billion over the next six years.

At the same time, lawmakers are moving forward with a plan to spend nearly all the compact revenues on environmental programs.