Florida court rejects Crist's gambling deal

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday overturned an agreement Gov. Charlie Crist signed with the Seminole Tribe to expand gambling at its casinos, saying the governor had no right to allow games that are illegal elsewhere in the state.

The November deal allowed the tribe to install Las Vegas-style slot machines and games such as blackjack and baccarat at their seven casinos, including the Hard Rock Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa. But Crist overstepped his authority, the court ruled.

"The governor does not have authority to legalize in some parts of the state, or for some persons, conduct that is otherwise illegal throughout the state," the opinion said.

The opinion doesn't take issue with the slot machines, which are also legal at Broward and Miami-Dade County jai-alai frontons and horse and dog tracks, but rather with the table card games.

Comments