Florida seeks court to dismiss lawsuit contesting Seminole tribe's dominion over digital sports wagering
In a contentious legal battle, the Seminole Tribe of Florida's online sports betting continues to operate, despite a lawsuit filed by Protect the Constitution, LLC. The dispute revolves around the legitimacy of the tribe's online sports betting platform, Hard Rock Bet, which was launched in November 2023.
The controversy stems from a 2018 constitutional amendment passed by Florida voters with a resounding 71% approval. The amendment grants exclusive authority to the voters for authorising casino gambling expansions, requiring any new forms to be approved via a statewide referendum. However, the constitutional amendment does not explicitly prohibit mobile sports betting.
In 2021, the Seminole Tribe and Governor Ron DeSantis negotiated and signed a compact, aiming to comply with the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). The compact allows the tribe to offer statewide online sports betting via servers located on tribal land. The Florida Legislature approved the compact, granting the tribe exclusive rights to online sports betting statewide.
The compact's implementation has been challenged in court. Protect the Constitution, LLC filed a lawsuit in April 2023, alleging that the online sports betting platform violates the 2018 constitutional amendment because it was not approved by voters and constitutes an unauthorized expansion of casino gambling.
Florida's Attorney General and state officials argue that the compact complies with both state and federal law, as the bets are processed on tribal land. They maintain that Protect the Constitution, LLC lacks the legal standing to pursue the challenge. A 34-page motion to dismiss the lawsuit was filed by Attorney General James Uthmeier's office, but it does not address the allegation that the deal violates the 2018 constitutional amendment.
Despite the legal dispute, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to delay the implementation of the Seminole Tribe's online sports betting, allowing it to remain legal and operational. This makes Florida one of the few states where online sports betting is conducted under a tribal compact without a separate voter referendum, though the controversy persists over whether the 2018 amendment covers this type of betting.
As the legal battle continues in Florida courts, the Seminole Tribe's online sports betting remains a point of contention, with both sides presenting their arguments. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of online gambling in Florida.
References: [1] Florida Politics (2023). "Seminole Tribe's online sports betting faces legal challenge." Retrieved from https://floridapolitics.com/archives/415937-seminole-tribes-online-sports-betting-faces-legal-challenge [2] Tampa Bay Times (2023). "Lawsuit challenges Seminole Tribe's online sports betting deal." Retrieved from https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2023/04/26/lawsuit-challenges-seminole-tribes-online-sports-betting-deal/ [3] Orlando Sentinel (2023). "Seminole Tribe's online sports betting faces lawsuit." Retrieved from https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ne-seminole-tribe-online-sports-betting-lawsuit-20230426-6zg5744f5ncp534l655hx6kf7q-story.html [4] WPTV (2023). "Seminole Tribe's Hard Rock Sportsbook faces lawsuit over online sports betting." Retrieved from https://www.wptv.com/sports/seminole-tribe-hard-rock-sportsbook-faces-lawsuit-over-online-sports-betting
The Seminole Tribe's online sports betting, like Hard Rock Bet, continues to operate amidst a legal challenge, despite allegations that it violates the 2018 constitutional amendment due to its exclusivity and lack of voter approval. The controversy surrounds the legitimacy of conducting sports-betting online, without a separate voter referendum, even though the amendment does not explicitly prohibit mobile sports-betting.
