TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida is demanding the Seminole Tribe of Florida immediately shut down blackjack tables at its casinos across the state.
The state late Friday announced it is filing a lawsuit in a Tampa federal court asking a judge to order the tribe to cease operations. Florida does not have legal jurisdiction over tribal reservations.
The Seminoles were supposed to remove the blackjack tables this week. But the tribe filed a lawsuit seeking to keep blackjack and other banked card games in place.
A five-year deal authorizing blackjack at casinos such as the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa and Hollywood expired this past summer. The tribe was given a 90-day grace period to remove them.
A spokesman for the tribe said Thursday the Seminoles believe they can continue operating the games while their lawsuit is under consideration.
