Seminole Tribe defends legality of Class III games

Thursday, October 22, 2009  

The Seminole Tribe of Florida is defending its Class III games amid a new attack by a key lawmaker.

The tribe offers slot machines and table games at its seven Hard Rock casinos. The games were authorized by a gaming compact that the Bureau of Indian Affairs approved.

"Since the federal approval of the tribe's 2007 compact has not been reversed by any judicial or administrative decision, the compact remains in effect as a matter of federal law," the tribe said in a statement. "The tribe's gaming facilities continue to operate in full compliance with the 2007 compact."

But Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul says the games are illegal because the compact was struck down in state court. He is asking the National Indian Gaming Commission to fine the tribe for the Class III games or order the tribe to stop offering them.

The tribe negotiated a new deal after the court decision but Cretul and other key lawmakers have refused to call a special session to review the compact.

Get the Story:
House asks federal government to halt Seminole casino games (The Miami Herald 10/22)
Speaker: Penalize the tribe (The Tampa Tribune 10/22)
Cretul asks federal government to close Seminole casinos (The Tallahasse Democrat 10/22)
Close casinos, Florida House speaker says (The Fort Myers News-Press 10/22)
Speaker to Feds: Shut Down Seminole Gambling (News Service of Florida 10/22)

Earlier Story:
NIGC urged to take action against Seminole Tribe (10/21)