Sovereign Immunity: Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Florida (1996) Summary: The "Seminole Tribe of Florida vs. Florida" case of 1996 centered on the question of whether the state of Florida had the authority to regulate and tax gambling activities carried out by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The case arose after the tribe began operating high-stakes bingo games on their reservation in 1979, leading to a dispute with the state over the legality of their gaming activities. In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) was passed by the US Congress, which gave tribes the ability to have gaming activities on their lands under certain conditions. However, the Seminole Tribe continued to face opposition from the state, which argued that they had no right to offer Class III gaming activities (such as slot machines and casino-style games) without a valid compact between the state and the tribe. The Seminole Tribe sued the state of Florida, arguing that the state's actions violated the IGRA and their tribal sovereignty. The case ultimately reached the US Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the Seminole Tribe in a 6-3 decision. …show more content…
The Court also rejected Florida's argument that Congress had required the state's consent before the tribe could engage in Class III gaming activities. As a result of the ruling, the Seminole Tribe was able to continue offering Class III gaming activities on their reservation without interference from the state, although they were still required to negotiate a compact with the state to regulate and tax their gaming