Compacts | Litigation

Seminole Tribe finally gets response to gaming compact lawsuit

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Photo from Facebook

The state of Florida finally responded to the Class III gaming compact lawsuit filed by the Seminole Tribe.

The tribe filed the complaint on October 26, 2015. It accuses the state of failing to negotiate in "good faith" as required by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The state responded with a lawsuit of its own but that was consolidated with the tribe's. The state then tried to get the case dismissed but a federal judge refused so answer to the complaint was filed on January 20.

"The tribe has unjustifiably refused to perform its obligations under the compact, materially breaching the compact and discharging the state’s obligations thereunder," state attorneys wrote as one of their defenses.

The tribe has continued to offer blackjack even through provisions of a compact that was signed in 2010 expired last July. The tribe contends that it has a right to the game, accusing the state of violating the exclusivity provisions of the agreement.

The tribe has signed a new compact that promises $3 billion to the state over seven years but lawmakers have yet to ratify it amid opposition from competing interests. The tribe has shared $1 billion so far under the 2010 deal.

Get the Story:
State responds to Seminole Tribe federal lawsuit (Florida Politics 1/25)
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