''We think it's important to have these resources to get through the next year and couple years,'' said Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, the Senate's lead negotiator.

Negotiations were tense throughout the day. At one point, House chief negotiator Rep. Bill Galvano declared that the Senate was ''moving backwards'' and abruptly walked out of gambling talks.

''I'll look at your offer and will let you know if it's necessary to meet further,'' he said.

Eight hours later, the Senate capitulated. The House arrived at a ''final offer'' and presented it to Alexander, while Senate President Jeff Atwater, Republican Leader Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Gov. Charlie Crist and the representatives of the Seminole Tribe watched.

Alexander briefly conferred with Atwater and then announced they had reached agreement.

The deal lowers the tax rate for South Florida casinos to 35 percent from 50 percent. It no longer penalizes other dog and horse tracks and jai alai frontons across the state and in South Florida for seeking additional games including video lottery terminals, which are slot machine look-a-likes. Under the previous compact with the tribe, if the parimutuels had won approval for the games, the tribe would have been allowed to cease payments to the state.

Under the new plan, the tribe could not reduce its annual minimum $150 million payments to the state even if competitors outside Miami-Dade and Broward win legislative approval for additional games and also win local referendums.

The two requirements are large hurdles that displeased even veteran parimutuel lobbyists.

''It'll probably put us out of business,'' said Ken Plante, lobbyist for Tampa Bay Downs.

Miami-Dade and Broward casinos, however, were pleased.

''This is great for Gulfstream,'' said Marc Dunbar, lobbyist for Gulfstream Race Course in Hallandale, which offers slot machines. He said the lower tax rate and a provision that allows slots players to compete for bigger winnings will help boost attendance, he said.

Dan Adkins, president of Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale, had fought hard for the lower tax rate, saying it was needed to level the playing field -- but he had hoped to win blackjack for the track to help it compete with tribal casinos.

''I'm still trying to absorb it,'' he said.

If South Florida parimutuels want to add more games, such as blackjack, they would have to win legislative approval and a local referendum. And the tribe would still have to pay the state its minimum annual payments -- unless the tribe's net win drops below $1.37 billion.

The previous compact allowed the tribe to end payments to the state of $100 million a year if any additional games were approved anywhere in Florida.

Legislative leaders say the deal with the Seminoles is similar to those passed in other states.

''It's a deal they will be hard-pressed to not accept,'' Galvano said, but he said he doesn't expect a unanimous vote from lawmakers. ``It's still a hard lift in the House.''

Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@MiamiHerald.com.