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The deal allowing blackjack and other table games at Seminole casinos in the state is just about up. As Matt Galka tells us, the state is wondering when the Tribe will end those games.

Cards are still being dealt at Seminole Casinos around the state…for now.  The provision in the Seminole Compact that gives the Tribe exclusive rights to deal blackjack and other table games expires August 1^st.

The state’s top regulator Ken Lawson sent a letter to the tribe Monday asking when they’d stop the games.  The deal says the Tribe has 90 days to end the card games because the two sides have not yet reached an extension.

Gaming law expert Marc Dunbar says he doesn’t see the Tribe folding on the games anytime soon.

“I think they’ll be dealing blackjack in Tampa and Hollywood for several more years to come regardless of what happens in court, again, there are strengths and weaknesses in both sides of this equation,” he said.

The Seminoles say the state already violated the compact by allowing electronic versions of the game in other parts of the state.  Their view: they can still offer the games and not pay the state revenue because of the violation.

The two sides aren’t exactly talking about chump change. The compact has made about a billion dollars for the state in the last five years.

Dunbar says all signs seem to be pointing to a date in front of a judge.

“This is all a precursor, probably, to a dance in a federal court in front of a judge sometime in October, if they don’t resolve things. I think the timing of this is trying to position things for time at a negotiating table, they’ll work it out, and we’ll probably see maybe an October special session,” he said.

The tribe had requested a meeting with the Governor last month to come to a resolution. That has yet to happen.State officials have requested to meet with the Tribe in the next 15 days to discuss the Tribe’s timeline for shutting down the card games. The Seminole Tribe sent their own letter to the Governor’s office Monday, requesting mediation with the state in the next 30 days to continue allowing card games and expanding where they can do so.