Column: Seminole Tribe still holds the cards

Thursday, July 10, 2008  

"The blackjack tables at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood were buzzing with action at lunchtime Wednesday.

In the cigarette smoke-filled gambling pit, it was as if the Florida Supreme Court and its July 3 ruling striking down Gov. Charlie Crist's gambling compact with the tribe didn't exist.

In a way, they don't.

The casino resort is sovereign tribal land overseen by federal authorities, meaning the tribe plays by another set of rules.

State law and state jurisdiction don't apply here, unless the tribe goes along.

When blackjack started last month, Seminole gambling CEO Jim Allen didn't seem too concerned when I asked what would happen if the Florida Supreme Court struck down the compact. He noted the agreement had already been placed in the federal registry.

"The fact is the state has no jurisdiction over us," Allen said."

Get the Story:
Michael Mayo: Seminoles still hold the cards in gambling saga (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 7/10)

Another View:
Daniel Ruth: It Means Let The Good Times Roll (The Tampa Tribune 7/10)