Some 800 Vegas-style slot machines swung into full action at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood at on Monday, Jan. 28th, with officials promising that the Class III machines will be coming to two of the tribe's other casinos, Seminole Hollywood and Seminole Coconut Creek in mid-February or March.

Table games such as blackjack and baccarat, however, apparently still remain at least a few months away, but observers would not be surprised if these make a sooner-than-expected debut as well.

The Seminoles said the equipment for the table games already has been ordered, and training of blackjack and baccarat dealers has begun. Seminole Gaming CEO James Allen told the Miami Herald the table games should debut by summer, but told the Sun-Sentinel card games might make their debut "roughly in the spring."

No one has addressed, however , what will happen to the slots and table games if the Florida Supreme Court fails to uphold the authority of Gov. Charlie Crist to enter into the compact with the Seminoles that approved the expansion of Indian gaming in return for payments to the state that will run more than $100 million annually.

A legal challenge to Crist's authority is currently pending, with the Florida Supreme Court scheduled to hear oral arguments on Jan. 30th.

If the court agrees that Crist exceeded his authority and the legislature must ratify the compact, the state may yet wind up with nothing -- but the tribe under federal law will probably get to continuing operating the Class III slots, which will replace the old Class II bingo-style gaming machines.

The lack of Vegas-style slots, according to Allen, was the most frequent complaint voiced by customers of the tribe's seven casinos.

The situation became more acute after Broward County residents voted two years ago to allow slots at four pari-mutuels. Class III slots have been in operation for some months at Gulfstream, Pompano Park and the Hollywood dog track.

Miami Dade County residents will vote on whether to allow Vegas-style slots to be installed at three pari-mutuels there on Jan. 29th.