Florida, Seminole tribe battle over deal for table games

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has sued the state to keep its blackjack tables at tribal casinos open, charging Florida breached the gaming compact that has produced more than $1 billion in revenue over the last five years.

The lawsuit claims the state violated a five-year-old agreement with the tribe in two ways: by allowing dog tracks and other gambling venues in south Florida to hold electronic black jack games, and by permitting pari-mutuel facilities around the state to operate card tables for poker and other games where players bet against each other. The announcement about what could turn into an extremely long legal battle came at a time when the Seminoles revealed for the first time that certain progress has been made in their negotiations with Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s administration towards a new deal between the tribe and the state. While the deadline for the tribe to close its tables is days away, Scott says he’s not in a rush.

An October 29 deadline now looms, although the state hasn’t indicated it is eager to force any kind of shutdown. “The court will say if it’s OK or no. Or the state and the tribe will reach an agreement that will render it moot”. But the deal was never finalized because top legislators opposed it.

The Seminoles and the State have unsuccessfully tried to negotiate a new deal. “We’re going to do the right thing for the state”. A major sticking point was the state’s demand that the tribe substantially increase its payments to the state. The compact authorized the tribe to operate class III slot machines and “banking” or “banked” card games, including baccarat, chemin de fer, and blackjack. In exchange, the tribe would be granted the exclusive right to offer craps and roulette at its casinos.

Even if the state and the tribe reach agreement on the parameters of a new compact, getting the requisite blessing of the Legislature could be tough.

Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, a Miami-Dade Republican and the House’s chief negotiator on the deal, has likened the complicated gambling deal to a “Rubik’s cube”.

“The tribe and the state are negotiating either an extension of the compact or a new compact”, said Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the tribe.

Commenting on the lawsuit, the Seminole Tribe said in a Monday statement that it had to bring the matter to court in order to protect the interests of the 3,100 people employed at its casinos as well as those of their families.

While both sides are in mediation to renew the blackjack deal, the tribe also filed suit in federal court in Tallahassee as a backup measure to preserve its rights. You can view the Terms of Use on our website.