The Florida House has urged the state Supreme Court to rule on its lawsuit seeking to block the casino compact Gov. Charlie Crist signed with the Seminole Tribe before a Dec. 29 deadline for federal approval of the gambling agreement.

The U.S. Interior Department, which approves gambling agreements between states and Indian tribes, has until Dec. 29 to rule on the Florida compact.

The Florida House, which is seeking to block the governor's agreement to let the Seminoles have Class III slots, blackjack and baccarat at their seven casinos, urged the state high court to rule before that date because no new gaming has yet begun.

''At this point, the question may be answered and the compact addressed without disturbing or harming the interests of other parties,'' the document said.

The Florida House is arguing that the state's constitution does not give the Florida governor to enter into an agreement expanding gambling without approval of the Legislature.

The State Supreme Court has set oral arguments in the case for Dec. 12.