The battle over the future of Florida sports betting may not yet be over, but the Seminole Tribe is about to increase their scope of operations anyway.
Beginning Thursday, December 7, retail sports betting services will be available in select casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe. The on-site launch comes more than two years after they were forced to roll back their sports betting operations in Florida following a lawsuit that remains open today.
This move is a no-brainer for the Seminoles. They have already relaunched their Florida sports betting app. And the Florida Supreme Court recently denied West Flagler Associates’ attempt to have a “stay” put on all sports gambling operations. With betting on the NFL and betting on college football heating up as we inch toward the start of 2024, there’s plenty of revenue to be made by accepting wagers both online and in-person.
Still, this move isn’t necessarily a permanent one. The Seminoles have clearance to set up shop once again. The Florida Supreme Court effectively upheld their gaming compact with The Sunshine State from 2021. However, the litigation of the matter is far from over. There is a chance the Seminoles could have to halt sports betting operations again down the line.
Everything essentially rests on the United States Supreme Court at this stage. They are currently reviewing the lawsuit and must decide whether to hear the case. It isn’t immediately clear what they will do. And if they do decide to take the case, we also don’t know if they’ll require Seminole Tribe sports betting operations to cease while it plays out.
Indeed, despite the relaunch of Florida sports betting, there’s still so much uncertainty ingrained into the matter. Right now, we are left seeking answers to important questions. What will retail sports betting in Florida look like in December? What’s the current status of the lawsuit brought by West Flagler Associates? Do we have any sense of how or when this entire saga will end? Let’s attempt to shed some clarity on what remains an incredibly ambiguous matter.
Florida Officially Becomes 37th State to Offer Sports Betting in Casinos
Well, it’s happening more than two years behind schedule, but it is, in fact, happening: Casino sports betting will be available throughout the state before the end of 2023. The launch (or relaunch) was confirmed this past week. Many had wondered whether it might be delayed until the start of 2024. The Seminole Tribe has clearly decided they want to capitalize on Florida sports betting revenue as soon as possible.
Residents throughout the state were initially a little fuzzy on the details. Would sports betting be available at every casino in Florida? Are there any stipulations? Do you already need to have a house account with a casino to partake? Marc Berman addressed some of the most important details in a piece for The Palm Beach Post:
“It was not ahead of the curve, but in December, Florida will make history as it becomes the 37th state—and largest—to offer sports betting in casinos. The rollout will be a slow-moving process, beginning with just Seminole Tribe-controlled casinos in South Florida. So-called retail sports betting will begin Thursday, Dec. 7, at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, the Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood and the Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek. On Friday, Dec. 8, the in-person sports gambling starts at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa. That will be followed by Dec. 11’s rollout at Seminole Casino in Immokalee and Seminole Brighton Casino. Down the road, other pari-mutuel spots in Florida will have the option of sports betting, though a significant cut will go to the Seminole Tribe.”
Basically, if you’re trying to wager on sports at a Florida casino not operated by the Seminole Tribe, you’re out of luck. And it’s not clear when that’ll change.
Will Online Florida Sports Betting Also be Part of the Launch?
The answer to this question is both yes and no.
Yes, Florida online sports betting will be legal. It’s actually already relaunched. However, residents can only wager with the Seminole Tribe sports betting app. Because the Seminoles have exclusive rights to gaming throughout the state, other online sportsbooks in the United States are not part of the rollout.
What’s more, not even all Seminole sports betting app users are eligible to place wagers. At present, only customers who created an account before services were halted in 2021 can place bets. This should change down the line. It’s just not apparent when that’ll be.
Many have also asked whether they need to be on Seminole Tribe property to bet online. The answer to this is no. For now, at least, the Hard Rock sports betting app brought to you by the Seminole Tribe is considered an extension of their tribal property. Therefore, if you have an account, you should be able to place wagers from wherever you reside in the state.
What’s the Status of the Florida Sports Betting Litigation?
There has been no real movement on the Florida sports betting litigation. Since West Flagler Associates asked the Supreme Court to build their case, updates have been few and far between.
Once the plaintiffs have finalized their argument, that’s when the clock starts ticking. The Supreme Court will review the matter and decide whether to take the case. Many sports betting experts seem to think the matter will eventually be formally heard. That could put the rollout of Florida sports betting in long-term jeopardy.
At the same time, many experts also expect this process to take a bunch of time. The Supreme Court’s review could take months. And from there, they would then need to actually hear the case.
This essentially means that Florida sports betting should be safe to start 2024. What happens beyond the first few months of next year, though, is anyone’s guess.
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