Court Rules Seminole Gambling Pact Illegal
July 3rd, 2008 by Mike VasilindaThe Florida Supreme Court is telling Governor Charlie Crist he went too far when he authorized Blackjack and other card games at 7 Seminole Tribe Casino’s last November. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the ruling caught policy makers by surprise and raises as many questions as it answers.
The Indian Gaming compact was signed with great fanfare last November.
The deal was in court almost immediately. State lawmakers argued it exceeded the Governor’s authority.
The court’s order was short and to the point. The Governor did needed legislative approval before allowing games that aren’t allowed anywhere else in Florida.
The ruling creates a highly complex situation. One to which there are few answers right now.
The Attorney General’s office isn’t sure what happens next.
“We have to decide whether or not it is up to the federal government to possibly close these casinos down, if they do need to stop operating immediately or if the original state law goes into effect,” Sandi Copes, spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office said. “So that’s something that as the chief legal officer, the Attorney General is going to be taking very seriously and conducting a full review of what the situation is.”
The Governor’s office will say only that it is also reviewing the ruling.
The Seminole Tribe is still operating the black jack tables under authority from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and they are likely to remain in the high stakes gaming business until state lawmaker reject or modify the deal that Charlie Crist cut last year.
Depending on what lawmakers do, all bets on the future of gambling are off.
Posted in Charlie Crist, Gambling, State News | 1 Comment »