A few years back, a gaming compact was signed between Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, thanks to the efforts of several legislators including Gov. Ron DeSantis. This agreement endowed the Tribe with exclusive rights to both retail and online sports betting. Yet, this deal wasn’t devoid of controversy as a number of stakeholders implicated in the process and affected by the compact’s outcome opposed it, arguing the compact was illegal. An ensuing legal war is ongoing to date.
West Flagler and Associates (WFA) represents one of the entities that lodged a formal legal complaint, putting into question the legitimacy of the gaming compact between the Seminole Tribe and Florida. In its lawsuit, WFA contended that the compact violated the stipulations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). The basis of their claim was the exclusivity granted to the Tribe to offer mobile betting not only on tribal lands but throughout the state.
The dispute escalated in the US Supreme Court, wherein the initial deadline assigned for the US Department of Interior (DOI) was March 13, 2024, to present a response to West Flagler’s complaint. This deadline, however, was recently extended by an additional month.
A report by Sports Handle recently confirmed that the US Supreme Court concurred with the decision to extend the response timeframe for the DOI concerning the case put forth by West Flagler. The revised deadline, April 12, 2024, provides the federal agency with a prolonged period to address the allegations made by West Flagler.
The Extended Legal War Rages On
The conclusion of West Flagler’s litigation may significantly alter the configuration of Florida’s sports betting industry. However, it remains uncertain whether the state Supreme Court will hear the case at all. This uncertainty stems from the fact that only a small fraction from the thousands of case requests received every year make it to the docket of the higher court.
Upcoming steps require the DOI to file its response before the newly established deadline. Subsequently, the Supreme terms can then consider whether to take on the case. Given the intricate nature and length of such processes, rulings might extend the proceedings by a few months.
Back in December, the Seminole Tribe unveiled its refreshed Hard Rock Bet, the only officially sanctioned online sportsbook in Florida. This was made possible by a judicial decision that upheld a lower court’s ruling. Yet, during this time, West Flagler stated its intention to persist with its legal dispute through what is known as a writ of certiorari.
