The State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe could soon reach an agreement in the dispute concerning the future of blackjack and other banked card games at the tribe’s casino’s in the state. Mediation was at the request of the tribe after negotiations stalled last spring.

The dispute is part of a $1 billion, five-year deal that was in the process of being negotiated when the groups hit a standstill. Reports show both have agreed mediation is the next best option and have agreed on a mediator, though the state denies the official acceptance and claims they are still determining details, including when and where the mediation session will occur.

Initially, the groups had decided they would request attorney Thomas Brewer to oversee negotiations, but he declined to serve due to scheduling conflicts. The probably next option is a Long Island-based attorney at the firm of Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein and Breitstone, and according to the firm’s website, has worked with Mick Jagger, Leona Helmsley, and Luther Vandross, and has served as an arbitrator on the Commercial Arbitration Panel of the American Arbitration Association for 10 years.

The mediation will address the Seminole Tribe’s ongoing exclusive rights to offer banked card games at five of its seven casinos in Florida. Since 2010, the tribe has paid the state at least $1 billion over five years in exchange for the right to include the card games at the casinos. This arrangement expired the end of July, but the tribe has 90 days to continue operating the games. Both sides are hoping to finalize an updated pact by the time the 90 days expires. To date, the Seminole have stated they refuse to stop the games at the casinos, even if time runs out.