Florida asks federal court to dismiss lawsuit filed by tribe

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – The state of Florida is asking a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit filed by the Seminole Tribe.

The tribe last month sued the state in an effort to keep blackjack at its casinos, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa and Hollywood.

But lawyers for Florida contend in a motion filed Tuesday that the tribe has no legal authority or basis to file the lawsuit.

A five-year deal between the state and tribe authorizing blackjack expired this past summer. The tribe was given a grace period of 90 days to remove the tables.

But the Seminoles have refused to remove the tables and instead argue the state has breached the agreement it had with the tribe.

Florida has countered with its own lawsuit that asks a federal judge to order the tribe to remove the tables.