Last week the Seminole tribe in Florida opened blackjack tables at their casino in Immokalee despite the game being illegal in the state. The move followed the commencement of banked card games at the tribe’s facilities in Hollywood in October and Tampa in November. Florida’s Supreme Court voided the compact between Governor Charlie Crist and the Seminoles that gave the tribe the exclusive right to the table games in return for revenue payments to the state, but the tribe insists it is not under Florida jurisdiction and has federal approval.

While the Seminoles continue to add table games at their venues with little fanfare other than huge billboards on state highways advertising the arrival of blackjack at the casinos, the Florida legislature is considering its options. The gambling expansion seems to be a fait accompli, with dealers already being trained for the Coconut Creek operation, but yesterday the creation of a special committee to review the Seminole Tribe's gambling compact with the state was announced.

The purpose of the select committee is apparently to thoroughly review the gambling compact and allow for public comment. Whereas before the November election the Florida legislature seemed determined to stop expanded gaming at the tribal casinos, the tone has now changed. The possibility that a new compact could bring more benefits to Florida makes the deal more palatable. Whether the Seminole will want to rewrite the terms of the compact signed with Governor Crist remains to be seen. The select committee is to produce recommendations by 3 March 2009 and in the meantime the cards continue to be dealt at the casinos.
(E-12.10.08)

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