TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge is moving ahead with a high-stakes lawsuit that could affect the casinos run by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Tuesday scheduled a two-week trial for July. The trial will determine whether or not the Seminoles can continue to have blackjack tables at their casinos.
The tribe filed the lawsuit last October after a 5-year deal with the state expired.
Gov. Rick Scott in December reached a new $3 billion deal with the tribe that would let them keep blackjack and add table games such as craps and roulette.
But the deal needs approval from the Florida Legislature. Lawmakers so far have been skeptical that the proposal can get enough votes to pass during this year's session.
