The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Governor Charlie Crist requested a re-hearing to challenge the court’s ruling in July that baccarat and blackjack are illegal at the Seminole’s Hollywood Florida Casino. The Supreme Court of Florida denied that request on September 11th.

The Court did not state a reason for their ruling against the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino owned by the Seminoles. This property is the only casino in Florida that operates baccarat and blackjack tables. The Seminoles have 71 baccarat and blackjack tables and they began operating on June 22nd of this year.

Although the court has ruled the table games illegal, the Seminoles have no intention of shutting down game play. Barry Richards, the Attorney for the Seminoles, has stated they will continue to operate the tables as they believe they are legal under federal law.

Since the September 11th ruling there has not been any court injunctions or legal action taken against the Seminole tribe that would halt baccarat and black jack game play. The Seminoles have stated they believe the games are legal because the United States Department of the Interior approved a compact between Governor Crist and themselves that permitted them to add baccarat and blackjack. This was approved in January 2008. The compact also allowed the tribe to upgrade their slot machines to a Class III Las Vegas style machine.

Leaders in states legislature oppose any expansion of gambling and do not plan to negotiate with Crist on a new Seminole compact. However some believe that legislature will come about in 2009 that will create a new compact, where the Seminoles would retain baccarat and blackjack but pay higher revenue to the state.


- 2008-09-16