Fla. gov. and Seminoles agree on new gaming deal

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Indians have agreed on a new deal to expand gaming at the tribe’s casinos in the state.

Crist said Monday that he would sign the proposed compact, even though it doesn’t meet all conditions set by the Legislature.

He said he thinks it’s close enough to win lawmakers’ approval, however. They could vote on it at a special session expected to be set for October.

The Florida Supreme Court threw out an earlier compact Crist signed because the Legislature had not approved it.

Lawmakers directed the governor to try again, but they set limits on the expansion and sought a bigger payout for the state.