Florida judge sets July trial date for Seminole casino lawsuit

US District Judge Robert Hinkle last week rejected a request from Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office to dismiss the case, which is the latest action of a legal dispute stemming back six years.

Part of the five-year compact between the state and Seminoles signed in 2010 that gives tribal casinos the exclusive rights to offer banked card games, such as blackjack, expired last July. After the end of a 90-day grace period that allowed the tribe to continue offering the games, the Seminoles filed a lawsuit in October in federal court in Tallahassee, Florida.

The lawsuit accused the state of acting in bad faith about negotiations on a new deal and asked a judge to allow the tribe to keep offering card games. Less than a week later, the state filed a separate lawsuit that sought to stop the games. Florida argued the federal law only requires states to negotiate initial contracts and not renegotiate deals after expiring.

“Any reading of the act that would suggest a state has no duty to negotiate at that time would make no sense,” said Hinkle. “It would mean that when a state’s first compact with a tribe ended, the state would be relieved of any obligation to negotiate a new or extended compact.”

Meanwhile, Florida Governor Rick Scott arrived at a new agreement with the Seminole tribe last month. Under the new pact, the tribe would be granted authority to continue offering blackjack as well as other games, including roulette. However, the deal would require approval of the Florida legislature before the parties can formally enter into the contract.

Lawmakers responded by saying that the governor’s proposed compact would have to be modified to receive approval. A Senate committee is expected to discuss the compact at a meeting next week.