Despite a Florida Supreme Court Ruling that states that the Governor of the state violated the law by signing a compact with the Seminole Tribe to allow expanded gambling, the Tribe is still offering the game of Baccarat to their players along with many others.

Under federal law the Tribe would be able to expand their gambling operations so the Governor signed a compact to get the state a percentage of their earnings. In the compact, the Tribe could add baccarat and other card games to their casino. Once voters approved gambling to be expanded in South Florida and the Tribe could then expand.

Jim Allen, a spokesman for the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, stated that the game of blackjack was on this past Thursday morning about ten till five. The general manager of the Casino talked on the intercom and told the players that they could be a part of history. He then stated that the gaming tables were open.

Along with baccarat, the players could enjoy blackjack, pai gow, let it ride, 3-card poker, Texas hold’em bonus poker and Asia poker. Even though the Florida Supreme Court says the compact is illegal thus making the games illegal, the Tribe states that it has a valid legal agreement with the United States of America and they intend on continuing to operate. The state is not allowed to step in and stop the games as the Tribe is a sovereign nation.



- 2008-11-17