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Gaming approval raises stakes

Florida's attorney general urges a judge to block the deal as soon as possible.

By STEVE HUETTEL, Times Staff Writer
Published January 3, 2008

Attorney General Bill McCollum wants a U.S. judge to rule this week on his request to block federal approval of a deal allowing expanded gambling at casinos owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The Interior Department gave its blessing Monday to the compact signed by Gov. Charlie Crist and the tribe that would legalize Las Vegas-style slot machines and games of blackjack and baccarat at seven Seminole casinos, McCollum said. Interior officials didn't return phone calls Wednesday for comment.

Approval becomes final when notice of the decision is published in the Federal Register. That could happen as soon as Monday, said McCollum, who sued last month in federal court in Washington, D.C., seeking an injunction to prevent publication. He will seek a hearing no later than Friday before U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman.

Florida House and Senate leaders say the compact is illegal without consent of the Legislature and have asked the state Supreme Court to decide if Crist overstepped his authority. Oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 30.

McCollum contends federal officials shouldn't approve the deal before the state Supreme Court rules. Allowing the new games "undermines the state's sovereignty and its ability to set public policy for the state," said a brief filed by attorneys for McCollum in the federal case Wednesday.

The state would get $50-million from the tribe once Interior's decision becomes final. In the second year, the state is guaranteed $125-million and at least $150-million in year three. After that, Florida's share is based on gambling revenues, which negotiators for Crist and the Seminoles say would escalate rapidly.

Seminole gaming officials say it would be five or six months before their casinos could offer the new slots and state's first legal blackjack. "They need to purchase and install the equipment, hire and train the dealers," said spokesman Gary Bitner.

Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.

[Last modified January 2, 2008, 22:55:40]