The Florida Supreme Court has postponed oral arguments on a suit seeking to block Gov. Charlie Crist's casino compact with the Seminole Tribe until Jan. 30th, greatly increasing the likelihood that the federal government will approve the gambling agreement before the lawsuit is decided.

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

Crist entered into the compact with the Seminoles on Nov. 14, permitting the tribe to offer Class III slots, blackjack and baccarat at its seven Florida casinos in return for annual payments to the state of at least $100 million -- and perhaps much more.

But House Speaker Marco Rubio subsequently asked the Supreme Court to block the compact, arguing that Crist was violating the state constitution by entering into the compact with the Seminoles without seeking the Legislature's approval.

The Supreme Court originally planned to hear oral arguments on Dec. 12th, but postponed the hearing until after the first of the year without offering an explanation for the delay.