Legal Battle Erupts Over Seminole Tribe's Sports Betting Expansion
Date: 2023-11-09 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: SPORTS BETTING, EVENTS
Opponents Have Already Rallied in Resistance
The legal maneuver comes shortly after the Seminole Tribe’s announcement that in-person sports betting would resume at its casinos in December. The US Supreme Court’s decision not to block a $2.5 billion compact between the Tribe and the state paved the way for sports betting in Florida, but the launch of Hard Rock Bets surprised most industry stakeholders.
Challenging the Tribe's Authority
The Tribe’s sudden move to reintroduce its mobile sports betting app led West Flagler Associates to file a new challenge. The petition contends that the Tribe overstepped its constitutional authority by expanding casino gambling without citizens’ approval. West Flagler Associates is seeking an immediate suspension of the off-reservation sports betting provisions.
Concerns About Monopoly
Taking advantage of the distraction created by their carefully crafted announcement on 1 November, the Tribe has sought to… present a ‘fait accompli’ on 7 November.
West Flagler Associates Court Statement
The group advocates for a return to the status quo of no sports betting statewide until courts issue final rulings in the ongoing court cases related to this matter. West Flagler argued that the relaunch would allow the tribes to make millions in profit despite the possibility of the court ruling against their monopoly.
Florida Sports Betting May Still Be Some Ways Away
West Flagler’s motion is the latest development in an epic two-year legal dispute regarding the 2021 gambling deal between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Commercial gambling interests led by West Flagler Associates opposed the Tribe’s monopoly from the onset, forcing it to suspend its wagering offerings shortly after its official 2021 start.
