NIGC asked to shut down Seminole casinos

Monday, September 22, 2008  

Florida attorney general Bill McCollum wants the National Indian Gaming Commission to shut down the casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe.

In a letter to the NIGC, McCollum said the tribe is offering Class III games without a valid tribal-state compact. The Florida Supreme Court invalidated the agreement in July.

The tribe says it will continue to offer slot machines and card games unless told otherwise. A notice of violation from the NIGC could force a halt to the Class III games.

In a similar situation, the NIGC refused to take action against the Oneida Nation of New York after the tribe's compact was invalidated in state court. The Interior Department later said it lacked authority under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

In a more recent case, the NIGC issued a notice of violation to the Seneca Nation of New York after a court determined the tribe's off-reservation casino violated IGRA because it is not located on Indian land.

Get the Story:
Fla. AG wants illegal gambling to stop (The Jacksonville Business Journal 9/22)
Florida attorney general seeks help from feds to shut down blackjack, slots at Seminole Tribe's casinos (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 9/20)
McCollum hopes to halt Seminole gambling (The Tallahassee Democrat 9/20)