The Seminole Tribe of Florida on Nov. 21 sought to become involved in the Florida Supreme Court case filed against Gov. Charlie Crist over the gaming compact that increases the number of games the Seminoles can offer at their casinos.

The Seminoles contended that if the court is going to decide on whether to throw out the compact that they signed with Christ on March 14th, they ought to have an opportunity to be heard.

The Florida House and Speaker Marco Rubio on Nov. 19th filed a petition with the Florida Supreme Court seeking to black Crist from permitting Class 3 gaming for the Seminole Tribe of Florida without the Legislature's approval.

The petition argues that the compact that Crist signed with the Seminoles on Nov. 14th violates the Florida Constitution's separation of powers clause and encroaches on the Legislature's law and policymaking authority.

Rubio contends that five other state supreme courts, in suits filed by legislatures, have held that "a governor may not unilaterally bind a state to a gaming compact" with Indian tribes.

The compact signed by Crist and the Seminoles would permit the tribe to upgrade its current Class II bingo-style machines to Class III Las Vegas-style slot machines at its seven Florida casinos and give the Seminoles exclusive rights in Florida for blackjack and baccarat.

The compact also calls for the Seminoles to pay the state at least $100 million a year from their gaming net revenue, with the state's share to increase on a sliding scale as the Seminole's revenue increases.

The U.S. Department of the Interior had given Crist a Nov. 14 deadline to negotiate an agreement. Without a compact, the Seminoles and Miccosukees would have been able to upgrade from Class II to Class III slots without paying anything to the state.

The Department of Interior has until Dec. 28 to approve the Crist-Seminole compact.