Attorneys for the Florida House of Representatives and Gov. Charlie Crist went before the state Supreme Court on Jan. 30th and argued over whether Crist exceeeded his authority in approving a compact with Seminole Tribe lets the Indians expand gambling operations at their seven Florida casinos.

The compact, signed by Crist and the Seminoles in November and subsequently ratified by the U.S. Interior Department, allows the tribe to introduce Class III slot machines, blackjack and baccarat at their casinos in return for annual payments to the state of at least $100 million -- and perhaps far more.

During oral arguments in the lawsuit filed by House Speaker Marco Rubio, attorneys for the House argued that Crist needed the legislature's approval to enter into the compact with the Seminoles.

But attorneys representing Crist argued the governor knew that he did not enter into the compact, the Interior Department would authorize Vegas-style slots at the tribe's casinos and the state would not get any money from the Seminole gambling profits.

The oral arguments were held two days after the Seminoles moved ahead and introduced 800 Vegas-style slot machines at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL. The tribe said it expected to introduce the slots at two additional casinos by the end of March.

The Supreme Court did not indicate when it might rule in the case, though one justice asked what would happen if the court waited to see what might happen during the 2008 session of the Legislature that begins in March.

Attorneys for both the House and the governor agreed that the compact would remain in effect in the absence of high-court action.