The new compact between the state of Florida and the Seminole tribe took one successful step forward in the Florida Legislature. And then took another step back.

The House Regulatory Affairs Committee voted 12-6 on Tuesday, approving the 20-year gaming compact that see the state get a $3.1 billion revenue guarantee in a period of seven years. A mix of Democrats and Republicans voted on either side of the deal, which shows why compacts of such nature—pitting pari-mutuel casinos, horse and dog breeders, the Seminole tribe and anti-gambling groups against each other—has had a hard time in the Legislature.

Even Regulatory Affairs chairman Jose Felix Diaz, R-Miami, admitted it was a tough day for him and other lawmakers, telling the Sun-Sentinel: “If you were to tell me when I was running for office that I would be graced with the privilege of negotiating this compact, I probably would have run the other way.”

Still, it was a successful first step for the tribal gaming compact in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, not so much.