The Seminole Tribe relaunching Florida sports betting via Hard Rock Bet by the start of NFL season on Sept. 7 could be in doubt.
In a somewhat surprising development Wednesday, the DC District Court of Appeals requested a response regarding the petition filed by West Flagler Associates for a rehearing en banc. The Department of the Interior has 15 days, or until Aug. 31, to respond.
That would leave little time for an ultimate decision to be reached by the DC District Court of Appeals on the FL sports betting case before NFL kickoff.
Florida sports betting case order
The order reads as follows:
“The response may not exceed 3,900 words. Absent an order of the court, a reply to the response will not be accepted for filing.”
One legal expert told LSR that under the rules, there’s not a required response.
“This is typically within the court’s discretion to deal with, with or without a response. Requesting a response is a departure from the standard operating procedure,” the legal expert said.
NCAA football opener also in jeopardy
The start of the NCAA football season also appears to be in significant jeopardy for legal Florida sports betting.
The NCAA football season kicks off on Aug. 26.
It is also worth noting that the Florida State Seminoles begin their NCAA football season on Sept. 3 against LSU.
West Flagler applied for rehearing
West Flagler Associates filed its petition for a rehearing en banc on Aug. 14.
The move was expected, though experts told LSR the pathway was considered a long shot, and did not automatically grant a stay.
Therefore, the start of the NFL season was thought to be in play, should the court issue a fast ruling.
Florida sports betting statement
On June 30, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals had unanimously overturned a District Court decision that blocked sports wagering in Florida.
The tribe put out a statement reaffirming as much on Aug. 14, via its spokesperson.
“It’s important to note the three Judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a unanimous decision in favor of the US Department of the Interior, which approved the Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida.”
