The Seminole Tribe partnered with the state of Florida in 2021, leading to a monumental agreement that could change the game in terms of mobile sports betting legality throughout the state. State lawmakers, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, played a pivotal role in designing the legislative framework that ultimately accorded the Tribe sole rights to both online and retail sports betting. Despite obtaining approval for this contract and the Tribe’s short-lived launch of betting opportunities, the compact found itself entangled in a protracted court dispute.
Two pari-mutuel corporations in Florida, Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation and West Flagler and Associates (WFA), challenged the gaming compact’s legality. These entities contend that the Tribe exploited a legal discrepancy to achieve exclusivity over statewide mobile betting. This occurred by enabling the Tribe to accept wagers from across Florida, given the servers necessitated for the venture are housed on tribal lands.
A statement circulated by the Associated Press reveals the defense put forward by these two firms: “This Compact evidently aims to circumvent the Florida Constitution through its contrivance.” Furthermore, the attorneys on behalf of these two enterprises highlighted: “The Compact’s primary objective is to serve as a vehicle for evading Florida’s constitutional demand for a public referendum that sanctions off-reservation sports betting.”
US Department of Interior Granted Deadline Extension to Present Response to the US Supreme Court
West Flagler isn’t willing to stand by and accept matters as they stand, leading to the company’s decision to dispute the gaming compact in court. The company’s contention is rooted in the belief that the alliance between the Seminole Tribe and Florida breaches the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). This argument stems from the IGRA’s strict regulation limiting gambling activities offered by the Tribe to tribal lands only.
Despite multiple unsuccessful attempts and court decisions refuting West Flagler’s perspective, the company petitioned the US Supreme Court regarding the gaming compact. The initial deadline for the US Department of Interior to deliver a response was slated for March 13, 2023. However, this date was moved to April 12, 2024, thus providing the agency with extra leeway to investigate and address the complex case at hand.
While West Flagler has remained determined in its efforts, the fate of its case in front of the US Supreme Court remains unclear. This outcome is highly likely given the court’s history of hearing only a fraction of the numerous cases presented annually. Nonetheless, the company remains hopeful that the highest court will support its argument, potentially leading to substantial changes in Florida’s legal betting environment.
However, as it stands for now, the Seminole Tribe holds the exclusive rights to manage sports betting. The Tribe recently revived Hard Rock Bet in December – currently the only legal sportsbook operator within the state.
