October 13, 2023, 11:43h
Last updated on: October 13, 2023, 11:43h
Unfortunately, it seems that sports betting may not become legal in Florida anytime soon.
The Supreme Court has decided to temporarily halt the proposal that would have allowed the Seminole Tribe to operate a sportsbook in Florida. This decision comes as the court reviews an appeal from local gambling companies that oppose the agreement.
Chief Justice John Roberts has issued a stay in response to a request from West Flagler Associates and Bonia-Fort Myers Corporation, the organizations behind a South Florida betting establishment.
This latest development not only delays the legalization of sports betting in Florida but also means that bettors may not have access to legal sportsbooks until after the NFL season or even next year’s March Madness basketball tournament, two of the busiest times for sports betting.
A Prolonged Legal Battle
West Flagler has spent the past two years trying to overturn a 2021 agreement between the Seminole Tribe and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This agreement would have granted the tribe a monopoly on sports betting in the state. In addition to allowing sportsbooks in the tribe’s Hard Rock casinos, the agreement also permitted online and mobile betting anywhere within Florida.
However, West Flagler sued in federal court, arguing that the deal violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act by allowing off-reservation gaming. Florida, the Interior Department, and the tribe defended the legality of online betting by highlighting that the computer servers accepting the bets were located on tribal land.
Sports betting briefly became available in Florida for three weeks in November 2021, but a federal judge intervened and blocked the agreement. The decision was eventually overturned on appeal, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Washington, D.C., circuit declined to rehear the case last month, giving hope to local gamblers. However, uncertainty has now returned.
What’s Next?
Chief Justice Roberts did not provide any reasoning for his decision. He has requested a response from the Interior Department regarding West Flagler’s initial stay request by October 18.
West Flagler is also planning to file a petition for certiorari by November 20, asking the Supreme Court to take up the case.
Meanwhile, the company is pursuing a separate legal path in the Florida Supreme Court, attempting to invalidate the gaming compact. The court has asked Governor DeSantis’ office to respond by November 21.