The Seminole Tribe of Florida sued the state Monday, setting in motion what could be a protracted legal fight over the tribe’s exclusive rights to offer “banked” card games like blackjack at most of its casinos. The agreement included a provision, under which the tribe was granted the exclusive right to operate banked card games at most of its gambling venues for a period of five years.
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Meanwhile, blackjack, baccarat and other table games continue at the three Seminole casinos in Broward County, as well as the Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa and the tribe’s casino in Immokalee.
While a tribe spokesman said in a statement the Seminoles are making “significant progress” toward negotiating a new gaming agreement with the state, the tribe has also filed a lawsuit. But the state sees the situation otherwise, and in July, sent the tribe a letter asking the tribe to provide it with a plan and proposed timeline for the closure of banked card games at its tribal facilities.
Scott and top legislators have tried for the past several weeks to reach a new deal.
Any gaming agreement between the tribe and Florida must be approved by the state’s legislature.
Under the current talks, the Seminoles would pay the state at least $3 billion over seven years in exchange for exclusive rights to roulette and craps, according to sources close to the negotiations. The tribe also said that it hopes for a positive outcome and a legislative resolution that would be in the best interest of all involved parties. “The Tribe has no option but to file in order to protect its interests and those of the 3,100 employees and their families whose jobs are in jeopardy”. The Seminoles have previously pointed out that they do not intend to stop providing the games even after the deadline expires.
The Seminoles say they can keep the games rolling, in part, because Florida regulators violated the compact by allowing race tracks in South Florida to offer electronic versions of card games such as blackjack.
In 2010, state lawmakers and the Seminoles reached a 20-year agreement that authorized slot machines and table game operations. “We’re going to do the right thing for the state”. The tribe then filed the federal lawsuit to ensure that no harm was to come to the casino.
Though the negotiations are ongoing, a pact is likely to be struck, as both Florida and the Seminole Tribe heavily rely on monies and tax revenues received from casinos.
“Nevertheless, the tribe today filed suit, according to the remedies spelled out in the Seminole Compact and the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act”.
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“I’m not sure it’s a vicious lawsuit”, he said.
