Seminole Gaming

The U.S. Department of the Interior, which was the defendant in the lawsuit filed by two pari-mutuel facilities, is holding its cards close to the vest about whether it intends to file an appeal.

A political committee backed by two major online sports-betting platforms has filed a proposed constitutional amendment to appear on the 2022 ballot.

A 30-year gaming compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida would allow gambling options akin to those available in Las Vegas. It would also legalize sports betting.

Senators approved the compact on Tuesday and the House is expected to sign off on the proposal Wednesday.

The online betting provision has drawn scrutiny from gambling opponents and conservative lawmakers, prompting the tribe to issue a letter assuring that the language in the compact is benign.

State lawmakers would have to sign off on the agreement, which is known as a “compact.” A special session to consider the issue is scheduled for May 17.

A Senate panel has advanced measures that would create a new gambling commission and would decouple most pari-mutuel gambling.