The ever-changing Florida sports activities betting battle took one other flip this week. After asserting that retail sports activities wagering could be returning to the tribe’s casinos in December, the Seminoles revealed this week that cell wagering could be returning as nicely.
That transfer shortly introduced a response by the longtime plaintiffs within the case, Magic City Casino and the Bonita Springs Poker Room, often known as West Flagler Associates in authorized filings, asking the state supreme courtroom to droop operations till the courtroom guidelines on whether or not the tribe’s cell betting violates a state legislation banning gaming growth within the state.
“This launch was not previously announced and came as a surprise,” the plaintiffs famous in courtroom filings. “The widespread understanding was that the references to sports activities betting have been in-person sports activities betting.
“Taking advantage of the distraction created by their carefully crafted announcement on Nov. 1, the tribe has sought to surprise the Petitioners and this Court by presenting a ‘fait accompli’ on Nov. 7.”
Latest Seminole Betting Plans
According to media stories, cell betting resumed starting Tuesday for gamers who already had accounts when the platform operated briefly two years in the past. The platform wouldn’t fairly be open for all gamers but, nevertheless.
“The Seminole Tribe is offering limited access to existing Florida customers to test its Hard Rock Bet platform,” spokesman Gary Bitner stated.
The Hard Rock Bet web site additionally gives a ready listing for bettors looking for early entry by way of the corporate’s loyalty program. However, West Flagler’s transfer is supposed to curtail these plans if the courtroom permits for an injunction.
More Legal Maneuvers Possible
The state supreme courtroom has but to announce a choice in West Flagler’s try and nullify the growth of cell wagering as a part of the state’s compact with the Seminoles. Gaming knowledgeable and lawyer Daniel Wallach believes the tribe has a good chance of winning.
“I think Gov. DeSantis is going to prevail in the case brought against him because he appointed five out of the seven Florida Supreme Court justices, and they’ve never ruled against him on a similar kind of motion,” Wallach instructed FOX-13.
However, regardless of not too long ago passing on reviewing the case on the federal stage, Wallach believes the Supreme Court might resolve to overview the problems concerned with the equal safety elements of the case. Plaintiffs have argued that the state’s compact with the Seminoles violates this a part of the Constitution by granting “an Indian tribe a statewide monopoly to conduct online sports gaming while simultaneously making such conduct a felony if done by anyone of a different race, ancestry, ethnicity, or national origin.”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh expressed some settlement with that argument and Wallach believes the courtroom might have a look as soon as the state points play out.
“The real action is going to be in the U.S. Supreme Court,” Wallach stated. “The next decision, though, is going to be from the Florida Supreme Court. Look at it in increments. Probably between now and Thanksgiving sports betting is here to stay. Afterward it really does hinge on how different courts rule.”
