Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida on Nov. 14th, 2007 signed a 25-year casino pact to allow the tribe to operate Class 3 gaming -- including blackjack and baccarat card games as well as Vegas-style slots -- at its seven casinos in return for giving the state a minimum of $100 million a year.

The Seminole casino compact was approved by the U.S. Interior Department, the Seminoles have paid the first installment to the state, and by late June were offering Vegas-style slots at several of their casinos and table games at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood.

But the future of table games was thrown into doubt July 3rd when the state Supreme Court ruled that Crist exceeded his authority in expanding gambling in Florida.

Meanwhile, three new racinos have been approved to open at Miami-Dade County parimutuels in addition to the four Broward County parimutuels allowed to offer Class 3 slots, but not table games. The parimutuels pay a 50 percent tax to the state, and contend Seminole deal gives the tribe a huge advantage.

For the latest news about Florida casinos, check back often with the Florida Casino Report.

Florida Casino Report - July 2008 - News About Casinos, Slots, Gaming

Judge Rules Courts Lack Power to Halt Blackjack at Seminole Casino The Isle Asks US Court to Halt Blackjack at Hard Rock in Hollywood Sterling Casino Lines Ends Operations from Port Canaveral Florida Supreme Court Rules Against Blackjack at Seminole Casinos

Florida Casino Report - June 2008 - News About Casinos, Slots, Gaming

Blackjack Options Grow as Crowds Abate at Seminole Hard Rock Blackjack Era Dawns in Florida at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood

Florida Casino Report - May 2008 - News About Casinos, Slots, Gaming

Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa Latest to Offer Vegas-Style Slots

Florida Casino Report - Apr. 2008 - News About Casinos, Slots, Gaming

Man Dies After Found Bleeding From Head on Sun Cruz Casino Ship

Florida Casino Report - Mar. 2008 - News About Casinos, Slots, Gaming

Florida Senate Approves Limited Expansion of Gaming to New Areas Seminoles Plan to Hire 3,650 Dealers for Florida Table Games Seminoles: Vegas-Style Slots to Debut in Tampa in Early Summer Gulfstream Pulls Suit Seeking to Block Vegas-Type Seminole Slots Vegas-Style Slots Go Into Action at Seminole Coconut Creek Casino

Florida Casino Report - Feb. 2008 - News About Casinos, Slots, Gaming

Plans for Slot Racino at Dania Jai-Alai Put on Indefinite Hold Debut of Slot Racinos in Miami-Dade County At Least 18 Months Off Florida Legislature Moving to Require Its Approval of Tribal Gaming

Florida Casino Report - Jan. 2008 - News About Casinos, Slots, Gaming

Florida Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Validity of Casino Pact Miami Voters Authorize 3 New Slots Racinos at Dade Pari-Mutuels Vegas-Style Slots in Action at Hard Rock in Hollywood; More on Way Vegas-Style Slots to Debut at Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood Jan. 28 Miccosukees Defer Efforts to Get Class III Games at Their Casino Feds: Florida Casino Compact With Seminoles 'Is Now In Effect' U.S. Judge Rejects Bid to Block Florida Seminole Casino Pact Florida Atty. Gen. Asks Court to Block U.S. Approval of Casino Pact Interior Dept. Expected to Activate Florida Casino Pact Next Week The Stealth 'Seventh' Seminole Casino: A Handful of Slots in a Tent

Florida Casino Report - Dec. 2007 - News About Casinos, Slots, Gaming

Casino Compact 'Deemed' Approved, But One More Step Needed Seminoles Do Not Expect OK to Expand Casino Lands Until 2009 2 New Suits Filed in Bid to Block Florida Seminole Casino Compact Seminoles: No Class III Slots at Florida Casinos Before Summer Florida Court Defers Action on Seminole Casino Pact Until January Miami to Vote Again on Authorizing 3 Slots Racinos on Jan. 29th Florida House Urges Quick Court Action on Seminole Casino Pact Crist Tells Court Bid to Block Seminole Casino Pact Is Premature

Florida Casino Report -- 2007 Archive of Stories About Slots & Casinos