Compacts | Litigation

Seminole Tribe and state remain at odds for new casino compact

Thursday, December 3, 2015

A view of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Tampa, Florida. Photo from Facebook

The Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida remain at odds over a new Class III gaming compact.

Key provisions of a 2010 compact expired at the end of July. When talks failed to produce another agreement, the tribe sued in federal court, accusing the state of failing to engage in "good faith" negotiations as required by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The state followed up with its own lawsuit against the tribe. But that case has been transferred to the federal court for the Northern District of Florida at the tribe's request, the Associated Press reported.

The tribe has continued to offer blackjack and other banked card games at its facilities despite the end of the earlier agreement. The tribe argues that the state has allowed non-Indian facilities to offer the same types of games.

Despite the litigation, talks have continued for a new compact. But the tribe continues to oppose attempts to expand non-Indian gaming, The Miami Herald reported.

The tribe reportedly offered $3 billion over seven years in exchange for craps and roulette and regional exclusivity. Since 2010, the tribe has paid more than $1 billion to the state.

Get the Story:
Judge Transfers State Lawsuit Against Seminoles (AP 12/3)
Gambling operators see red over prohibition on card games (The News Service of Florida 12/3)
Forecast uncertain for gaming revenue as Seminole compact still unresolved (Florida Politics 12/2)
Florida Supreme Court agrees to take up slot machine dispute (AP 12/1)
Talks continue over how to limit but still expand gambling in Florida (The Miami Herald 11/27)