It's not clear whether the state will appeal the decision. In his ruling, Hinkle said some of the activities permitted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation were 'egregious.' The tribe and the state squared off in court for three days in early October and, during the trial, Hinkle seemed skeptical about some of the explanations state regulators gave while on the stand. Seminole tribe officials praised the ruling and said it should guarantee that jobs at the casinos - which include the Hard Rock in Hollywood and Tampa - would remain in place. Because the state allowed this monopoly to be 'easily evaded,' Hinkle ruled that the tribe could keep its blackjack tables for another 14 years.
Rick Scott allowed dog and horse tracks to put in card games that mimicked ones that were supposed to be exclusive to tribe-owned casinos for a five-year period. Hinkle ruled that state regulators working under Gov. District Judge Robert Hinkle sided with the tribe in a yearlong legal tussle that could jeopardize payments the Seminoles now make to the state. TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) - The Seminole Tribe of Florida, which runs some of the state's most popular and most profitable casinos, scored a major victory Wednesday after a federal judge ruled the tribe can keep blackjack tables at its gambling operations.
