Inside Gaming: Seminoles Gain Hard Rock Rights, Battle State in Court Over Compact

This week’s installment of Inside Gaming updates three ongoing stories involving the Seminole Tribe of Florida, including its recent acquisition of the Hard Rock International brand, the sudden vote to remove its longtime chairman, and the tribe’s federal court battle with the state over a new compact.

As the week concludes, Hurricane Matthew has understandably occupied the attention of most Floridians as it makes it way up the state’s eastern coast. Meanwhile as far as industry news is concerned, the previous week has been something of a whirlwind for the Seminole Tribe of Florida who have been involved in multiple stories of significance.

Early in the week the tribe announced it had purchased the remaining rights of the global Hard Rock Hotel and Casino brand. That came on the heels of the tribe’s abrupt decision to remove its longtime chairman. Meanwhile the Seminoles this week battled in federal court with the state of Florida over a new compact, including the tribe’s desire to keep exclusive statewide rights to offer blackjack and baccarat.

Seminoles Gain Exclusive Ownership of HRI

Last Friday came the announcement that the tribe now exclusively owns Hard Rock International Inc., a brand which had been formerly split among multiple owners for more than three decades.

In its press release, Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen noted how it had been over 35 years since HRI had one controlling ownership, calling it a “historic day for the brand… that we believe ignites the path for further expansion around the globe.”

The tribe is now “exclusively entitled to develop, own, license, franchise and manage Hard Rock Casinos and Hotel-Casinos in the western U.S., including Minnesota and state[s] west of the Mississippi River, as well as in Australia, Brazil, Israel, Venezuela and …

continue reading in source www.pokernews.com