Florida State Supreme Court Rejects West Flagler's Motion to Suspend Hard Rock Bet's Online Sports Betting

West Flagler filed a motion earlier this month seeking to halt Hard Rock Bet's online sports betting operations in Florida. The motion urged the court to expedite the suspension until a final ruling on West Flagler's petition. Despite the effort, Florida’s State Supreme Court rejected the request on Friday, refusing to suspend online sports betting provisions.

In its motion, West Flagler criticized Hard Rock Bet for the unannounced launch of online betting in Florida. The launch caught West Flagler off guard, as the tribe failed to mention off-reservation mobile betting in its prior announcements. The court's denial has left West Flagler with the option to file a petition with the Supreme Court in response to the ruling.

This recent court ruling is the latest chapter in a legal saga that has spanned almost two years. Hard Rock Bet initially launched in 2021 after Florida's governor approved a gaming compact, granting the tribe exclusive sports betting rights. Legal challenges ensued when the compact was ruled a violation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Despite previous setbacks, the Seminoles successfully launched sports betting in November, leading to the current legal standoff.