The Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is still trying to shut down the game of Blackjack from the Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in the city of Tampa. This is the third attempt by Mr. McCollum has tried to shut down the game.

Mr. McCollum sent a letter to the National Indian Gaming Commission to try and stop the game from being played at the casino. The letter was sent to Chairman Philip N. Hogen and McCollum stated in the letter: "Only swift enforcement action by the [National Indian Gaming Commission] will stop the illegal gaming activities and force the Tribe to negotiate with the State of Florida for a valid compact.”

The Commission is reviewing the letter and a spokesman for the Seminole Tribe stated that the tribe would not be commenting on the actions yet.

Last year the governor of Florida approved a compact that had the tribe paying millions of dollars to the state while being allowed to operate card games that are considered illegal in the state of Florida. Games included are blackjack and baccarat.

Since that time the Tribe has been in legal battles with conservative legislators in Florida and the compact was declared invalid. Even so the federal law deems the compact valid and it became federal law.



- 2008-11-26