A federal judge on Jan. 4th rejected efforts by Florida's attorney general to stop the U.S. Interior Department from finalizing approval of the compact Florida Gov. Charlie Crist signed with the Florida Seminoles to allow Class III gaming at the tribe's seven Florida casinos.

Florida Atty. Gen. Bill McCollum sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the Interior Department from publishing its approval of the gaming compact in the Federal Register, arguing that the pact should not be allowed to go into effect until the state Supreme Court decides whether Crist had the power to enter into the deal.

But U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman turned down McCollum's bid for a temporary restraining order, saying there was no proof the state of Florida would be irreparably harmed if publication of Interior Department approval of the compact -- the final step before it goes into effect -- takes place as expected Monday Jan. 7th.

"If the Supreme Court says it's void, it's void,'' Friedman said. "While there may be a theoretical problem, it's unlikely to be a real problem.''

The speaker of the Florida House, Marco Rubio, has filed a lawsuit with the Florida Supreme Court challenging the validity of the governor's decision to enter into the casino compact with the Seminoles without seeking approval of the Legislature.

The Supreme Court has postponed oral arguments on the suit until Jan. 30th.

But the Seminoles have said that even if the Interior Department is able to proceed with publication of the Federal Register notice, they will not be actually unveiling the new games at any of their casinos before summer at the earliest.

The Interior Department, in urging Judge Friedman not to block its publication of approval of the compact, argued that the Florida attorney general's attempt " to interfere with the administrative process is disruptive, as well as contrary to Congress' will.

"Preventing publication will delay the transfer of $50 million to the public coffers of the State of Florida and will interfere with the sovereign undertakings of the tribe,'' the Interior Department argued.

The compact , which allows Class III slots. blackjack and baccarat at the Seminole's seven casinos, would give the state $50 million immediately upon final Interior Department approval of the compact, and then guarantee the state $100 million -- and perhaps far more -- each year for 25 years.