Legal sports betting is underway in Florida.
Hard Rock Digital , the online arm of Seminole Gaming , launched midway on Nov. 1 on its Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app. It was a surprise move, as there was no promotional push or announced date.
The question is how long the Seminole Tribe of Florida will be able to keep the platform live. In just four days, a US District Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments in cases brought by multiple parties including the owners of Magic City Casino and the Bonita Springs Poker Room contending that the 30-year compact allowing the Seminoles to offer state-wide Florida mobile sports betting is illegal.
It’s at least unprecedented but passed its first hurdle in August when the Department of the Interior granted tacit approval by not ruling the sweeping new deal either legal or illegal. In allowing it to pass into law without judgment, Bureau of Indian Affairs Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland in effect set up the courts to decide.
And now, with the state of nearly 22 million and one of the most glittering prizes on the legal sports betting map actively taking bets, the courts will be tested on un-ringing the proverbial bell.
Seminole Tribe spokespersons did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the move.
AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark said: “With the availability of legal sports betting in Florida, more than half of all American adults now have access to legal sports betting in their home market. As with other legal markets, we’re glad that Floridians have a safe, legal and regulated alternative to the predatory and pervasive illegal market.”
It’s unclear whether sports bets are being taken at the retail parlor windows being built in the Seminoles’ six Florida casinos, but that hardy matters anymore. Every inch of the sprawling state from Pensacola to Key West is now, in essence, a sportsbook.
It is also currently unknown whether the Seminoles have begun offering craps and roulette at their casinos, which was also awarded them in the deal in exchange for upwards of $500 million in yearly revenue share payments for […]
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