Native Americans Casino Business Booms

Governor Charlie Crist may have struck an agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida in 2007, but that agreement has now been invalidated by the Florida Supreme Court.

The implications are far reaching. The original agreement gave the tribe the right to operate Class III gambling machines - the likes of which are used in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Invalid agreement
In an apparent turnaround, it has been found that Governor Crist was acting outside of his mandate by entering into agreements that fell outside of state law. The Seminole Tribe of Florida continues to operate their casinos despite the ruling. State Attorney General Bill McCollum was determined to get Washington to respond. They did:  it has been declared that "the tribe ceases its illegal activity until a valid compact can be consummated with the state of Florida."

Implications
Federal authorities have been slow to respond to the continued Class III gambling operations being conducted in Florida by the Seminole Tribe. However the historical links between America and the Native Americans run deep. Treaties between the tribal leaders and the United States allowed for legal loopholes to be created for the Native Americans.

While reservations remain on American soil, the land itself is effectively an autonomous region over which the United States has gray authority. As such, gambling on Indian reservations is technically completely legal. For now there is nothing to suggest that the Seminole Tribe will close up shop - much to the dismay of the Attorney General Bill McCollum.