Florida's Hard Rock Bet Goes Live Ahead of Schedule
Date: 2023-12-06 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: SPORTS BETTING, EVENTS
Seminole Tribe’s Legal Triumph
The Seminole Tribe's journey to bring online sports betting to Florida has been a legal odyssey marked by years of challenges. Despite legal hurdles, a beta version of the platform was introduced last month, exclusively accessible to account holders and members of the Hard Rock loyalty scheme.
Defying Legal Challenges
Facing legal stays in both the US Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Florida, the Seminole Tribe and Hard Rock persisted in moving forward. Their exclusive statewide rights to online sports betting were secured in 2021 when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a gaming compact with the Seminoles, utilizing a unique "hub-and-spoke" model to bypass land requirements.
Twist in the Legal Saga
The legal saga took an unexpected turn when parimutuel betting operators, WFA and Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation, challenged the compact. Despite initial victories for the parimutuels, the courts ultimately sided with the Seminoles, validating the compact against federal objections.
Seminoles’ Bold Move Amid Appeals
Despite ongoing legal appeals, the Seminoles proceeded with the online sports betting launch. However, a cloud of uncertainty lingers, as a Supreme Court ruling favoring the parimutuels could potentially force another shutdown of Hard Rock Bet.
Legal Developments
This week, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody urged the state Supreme Court to dismiss WFA's legal challenge. Moody argued that WFA's delayed filing, over two years after the 2021 compact, is grounds for dismissal. WFA contends that the compact violates federal regulations and has appealed to the US Supreme Court, seeking relief through federal courts.
Future Ventures
The court has granted an extension until February for WFA to present its case. Meanwhile, the Seminole Tribe plans to introduce craps, roulette, and in-person sports betting at their casinos, anticipating positive economic impacts on tourism and employment throughout Florida.
