Online sports betting could soon be available in the Sunshine State.The U.S. Supreme Court is giving a green light to a $2.5 billion gambling deal between Florida and the state’s Seminole Tribe.This agreement spans revenue over the next five years.Gov. Ron DeSantis and Seminole Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. were all smiles in 2021, when they signed the gambling compact.It gave the Seminole Tribe permission to add more Vegas-style games at its casinos and full control of online sports betting.Several pari-mutuel owners sued, notably West Flagler Associates (Magic City Casino in Miami) and in the federal complaint, the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday gave a boost to the state and tribe.It lifted a “stay” on an appeal court ruling that gave the green light to the tribe’s sports betting plan.Whether that case continues is unknown.A spokesperson for the tribe, Gary Bitner, told WESH 2 News, “The denial of the stay by the U.S. Supreme Court is very good news. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is heartened by this decision.”The U.S. Supreme Court case is one of two lawsuits aimed at blocking the Seminole Tribe’s ability to offer sports betting through an app that would allow you to wager with just a few clicks on your phone.At the heart of the federal and state cases is the argument that the agreement is illegal under the federal “Indian Gaming Regulatory Act” because it permits gambling only on tribal lands.The group “No Casinos,” which backed a 2018 amendment giving voters the power to approve or reject expanded gambling, has just filed a brief with the state Supreme Court, that concludes, “Until and unless the voters authorize state-wide sports betting, this Court has the discretionary power and, we think, the duty to invalidate the (compact).”“And this amendment said something that gave you and me rights to decide these things that should not be ignored by the politicians either in Tallahassee or in Washington,” John Sowinski of No Casinos said. Because the state case could take several years to resolve, it remains a question mark when and if sports betting will launch in the Sunshine State.It’s estimated the state’s agreement with the Seminole Tribe could bring in more than $2.5 billion in its first five years.Previous coverage: Florida online sports betting on hold
Online sports betting could soon be available in the Sunshine State.
The U.S. Supreme Court is giving a green light to a $2.5 billion gambling deal between Florida and the state’s Seminole Tribe.
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This agreement spans revenue over the next five years.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Seminole Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. were all smiles in 2021, when they signed the gambling compact.
It gave the Seminole Tribe permission to add more Vegas-style games at its casinos and full control of online sports betting.
Several pari-mutuel owners sued, notably West Flagler Associates (Magic City Casino in Miami) and in the federal complaint, the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday gave a boost to the state and tribe.
It lifted a “stay” on an appeal court ruling that gave the green light to the tribe’s sports betting plan.
Whether that case continues is unknown.
A spokesperson for the tribe, Gary Bitner, told WESH 2 News, “The denial of the stay by the U.S. Supreme Court is very good news. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is heartened by this decision.”
The U.S. Supreme Court case is one of two lawsuits aimed at blocking the Seminole Tribe’s ability to offer sports betting through an app that would allow you to wager with just a few clicks on your phone.
At the heart of the federal and state cases is the argument that the agreement is illegal under the federal “Indian Gaming Regulatory Act” because it permits gambling only on tribal lands.
The group “No Casinos,” which backed a 2018 amendment giving voters the power to approve or reject expanded gambling, has just filed a brief with the state Supreme Court, that concludes, “Until and unless the voters authorize state-wide sports betting, this Court has the discretionary power and, we think, the duty to invalidate the (compact).”
“And this amendment said something that gave you and me rights to decide these things that should not be ignored by the politicians either in Tallahassee or in Washington,” John Sowinski of No Casinos said.
Because the state case could take several years to resolve, it remains a question mark when and if sports betting will launch in the Sunshine State.
It’s estimated the state’s agreement with the Seminole Tribe could bring in more than $2.5 billion in its first five years.
Previous coverage: Florida online sports betting on hold