The Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida have a compact pending that would allow the Tribe’s seven casinos to offer baccarat, blackjack tables and Las Vegas Style slots. For this the state would receive their share of the proceeds which would be at a minimum of $100 million the first year alone. The game of baccarat however would change the demographic of Florida and bring more high rollers and experienced players to their casinos.
"Baccarat is the game of choice for the biggest gamblers in the world, especially among Asians and internationals," said Joe Weinert, gambling industry analyst with New Jersey-based Spectrum Gaming. "From a profit standpoint, a major casino would much rather have 10 baccarat tables than 100 roulette tables." "Baccarat is not a mass market game," Weinert said. "It is usually played in an intimate, quiet atmosphere, sometimes in an Asian games room with a noodle bar.”
"Serious gamblers like it because the odds are pretty good," said David Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. "This will let the Seminoles go after those players who stay in Atlantic City in January because baccarat wasn't available in South Florida."
There is however some opposition to the deal. Steve Geller, State Senate Minority Leader, says that baccarat would bring in high rollers but the compact has loopholes that could allow the Tribe to bring in other card games such as pai gow poker which is illegal in Florida. Also Marco Rubio, House Speaker, filed a petition against the agreement stating that the governor violated the state constitution by making the deal. The state Senate agreed so more legalities are sure to come.
The attorney for the Seminole Tribe, Barry Richard, said the tribe is considering refitting the casinos to accommodate only the games named in the compact. Those games are blackjack, baccarat and chemin-de-fer , which is a variation of baccarat.



- 2007-12-28