The Seminole Tribe of Florida filed a lawsuit against the Interior Department in hopes of receiving approval to operate slot machines.

The tribe has the right to offer the machines after state voters legalized them. Last September, Interior said it would approve Class III procedures for the tribe by November.

But nothing has happened since that deadline passed, the tribe said in the lawsuit. A filing pointed to a possible reason -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) asked Interior to hold off so he can negotiate a compact.

Interior usually won't issue Class III procedures if the state intends to negotiate a compact. But the lawsuit says the tribe hasn't been given a reason for the delay.

Get the Story:
Seminoles take slots to federal judge (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 1/17)
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Seminoles seek approval of slots (The Miami Herald 1/17)
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