The Seminole Tribe, which defeated the state and federal governments in court three decades ago to usher in the Indian casino era, said Thursday it will immediately install Las Vegas-style machines at its Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. The games go public Monday, just two days before a crucial Supreme Court hearing on whether a deal approving the new games is even legal.
The timing is typical for the Seminoles, who have a proud tradition of bucking authority and fighting any attempts by state government to regulate their actions or interfere with their operations. As a sovereign nation they have been largely successful, and attorneys and tribal leaders said they are confident they will prevail again.
"The tribe has a right to proceed with the games, and in fact, they have an obligation to proceed because every day they don't, the state loses money," Seminole attorney Barry Richard said. "The tribe has already given the state $50 million, and they are just doing what they've already agreed to do."
In November, Gov. Charlie Crist reached a compact with the tribe that allows it to upgrade slot machines, install blackjack and baccarat tables, and host high-stakes poker games at its seven casinos. The tribe agreed to pay $50 million up front to the state, part of a guaranteed minimum of $375 million over the first three years.
The agreement also calls for the tribe to give the state a minimum of $100 million annually thereafter, and possibly much more, based on a percentage of total revenues outlined in the compact.
The state Legislature objected and filed a lawsuit challenging Crist's authority to act without its approval. On Wednesday, the state Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case, which both sides say will play a key role in the future of gambling on Seminole reservations.