Date Posted: October 29, 2024, 10:26h.
Last Updated: October 29, 2024, 10:35h.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida, owners of Hard Rock, and West Flagler Associates, a parimutuel operator, have reached a resolution after a legal dispute over sports betting in Florida.
Both parties announced on Monday that West Flagler will refrain from further legal action, and the Seminoles will include Jai Alai wagering on their Hard Rock betting app.
Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming, expressed, “This is truly a win-win agreement for the Seminole Tribe and West Flagler. This agreement establishes a relationship of collaboration between the two parties in the State of Florida.”
Allen added, “Rather than engaging in years of additional litigation, this agreement will allow the parties to work together to promote Jai Alai, which has been a significant part of Florida’s gaming landscape for almost a century.”
Lengthy Legal Battle
West Flagler, headquartered in Coral Gables, owns the World Jai Alai League and Bonita Springs Poker Room near Fort Myers.
The Seminoles have been offering mobile sports betting on their app since last December, after the US Supreme Court rejected a request by West Flagler to halt the operation.
In 2021, West Flagler initially filed lawsuits against the US Interior Department and the State of Florida to void a $2.5 billion gaming compact that granted the tribe a monopoly on mobile sports betting in the state.
In one federal lawsuit, West Flagler argued that the compact violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which prohibits off-reservation tribal gaming, as the tribe’s mobile betting app was considered. The state lawsuit contended that the compact breached a 2018 Florida constitutional amendment requiring public approval for casino gambling expansion.
SCOTUS Rejection
In 2021, a US district judge ruled in favor of West Flagler, but an appeals court overturned the decision in 2023. The Florida Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
The US Supreme Court also rejected the plaintiff’s appeal, affirming victory for Florida and the Seminoles.
Now, Jai Alai content from West Flagler will be available on the very app it tried to eliminate.
Isadore Havenick of West Flagler stated, “We are excited to partner with the Seminole Tribe to support their gaming operations in Florida and promote Jai Alai, a key part of Florida’s gaming industry since the 1920s. Jai Alai will be featured on the Hard Rock Bet app, and we anticipate building a strong partnership with the Seminole Tribe.”