Although sports betting had a short-lived legality in Florida, it is currently suspended, largely due to an ongoing legal dispute involving the state’s casinos and a pact signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The casinos argue that the gambling agreement contravenes federal law.
The continually unfolding legal drama features a recent petition lodged by West Flagler Associates at the Florida Supreme Court. Submitted on Monday, the petition asserts that the gambling agreement necessitates modifications to the Florida constitution, in light of the current restriction where tribal operators are inhibited from offering gaming services beyond their tribal territories.
In detailing their argument, the petition pointed out the relevance of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, a law designed for gaming activities conducted exclusively “on Indian lands.” The legal submission also contended that the Tribe was unfairly allocated a “monopoly for conducting off-reservation sports betting across Florida without the prerequisite voter approval” through the 2021 signed gambling agreement.
Moreover, the petition re-emphasizes West Flagler’s assertion that the Governor overstepped his bounds by putting his signature on the gambling agreement that, in effect, handed the Seminole Tribe sole rights for both physical and online sports betting across the entire state.
“Clearly, both the 2021 Compact and Implementing Law represent an expanded reach of casino gambling in Florida, absent the mandatory voter approval for constitutional amendment via citizens’ initiative, as stipulated by Article X, Section 30. In the process, the Respondents have overstepped their authority, in clear contravention of the Florida Constitution,”
reads the recent petition filed at the Florida Supreme Court
Unceasing Legal Impediments
The ongoing legal tussle continues to hinder sports betting in the state, which is presently in abeyance. Earlier in the year, the state’s casinos had a setback in June, losing their federal case before a panel of three judges. In August, West Flagler implied it may seek an en banc hearing, a review conducted by a majority of sitting judges, differing from the traditional hearings or rehearings before standard three-judge panels.
In 2021, sports betting became legal in Florida. However, the gambling agreement currently embroiled in legal challenges enabled the state to kick-start legal sports betting on November 1, 2021. Unfortunately, the joy of sports betting enthusiasts in Florida was short-lived as, by December 4, 2021, a court declared that the gambling agreement violated federal law. Consequently, legal sports betting is presently suspended as the legal wrangling proceeds.
