BIA faces deadline to approve Seminole compact

Friday, December 21, 2007  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has until December 29 to approve or deny the Class III gaming compact for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The fast-approaching deadline prompted Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum to file a lawsuit on Thursday. He wants the BIA to stop its review until a legal challenge to the compact can be heard in state court. [Complaint | Memo | Motion]

The oral arguments in the state lawsuit are scheduled for December 30. Republicans say Gov. Charlie Crist (R) overstepped his authority by authorizing slot machines and certain card games at Seminole casinos.

Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the BIA has 45 days to review gaming compacts. The agency can approve or deny a compact. In the alternative, a compact is considered "deemed approved" to the extent its provisions do not violate federal law.

Get the Story:
Attorney general seeks delay of Seminole Tribe gambling pact (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 12/21)
pwday
Gambling deal is no sure thing (The St. Petersburg Times 12/21)
McCollum sues to delay pact with Seminoles (The Miami Herald 12/21)
McCollum Sues Over Indian Gambling (AP 12/21)