Politics

White Folks Want to Run Blackjack, Too

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Non-indigenous casino owners are suing the state of Florida over an agreement between Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Indians that grants the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino the exclusive rights to "offer blackjack, baccarat, around-the-clock poker and six high-stakes poker tournaments annually," in exchange for $100 million a year to the state's coffers:

"The Isle Casino of Pompano Beach claims the agreement between the state and U.S. Interior Department violates the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which allows tribes to play only those games already authorized in Florida.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Tallahassee, also alleges that Isle Casino would suffer irreparable injury if the tribe is allowed to open the blackjack games as planned on June 23 at its Hard Rock Casino near Hollywood."

Do the plaintiffs have a pretty good case against rent-seeking? Or, as a few sympathizers might point out, is the state finally making amends for a long history of mistreatment?

More reason on Indian gambling here.