A Florida lawmaker is trying to push the state and tribes to come to an agreement, and finally open up legal sports betting. State Senator Jeff Brandes proposed three bills in late December, all concerning sports betting.

Bill 392 would authorize the Department of the Lottery to operator sports wagering. In addition, Bill 394 would impose at 15% tax on “sums received from a sports pool,” and Bill 396 creates a $100,000 application and renewal fee for sports wagering licenses. Revenues from the bills would be dedicated to funding education for the state.

Although the bills have strong motivation to pass, considering Florida has an expected $3 billion shortfall in revenue for the next two years, the bills are perceived to be more of a message to the Tribes and state to fix their gaming pact. The legislature ended its 2020 session with no agreement reached.

The Seminole Tribe has objected to Florida’s push to legislate sports wagering without a referendum. A 2018 amendment legislated that any expansion of gambling be voted on by the people, and require 60% to pass. The Seminole Tribe then stopped making monthly payments to the state when their compact expired in 2019, and hasn’t reached a new deal since, citing “a mechanism to shut down the illegal banked card games.”