West Flagler Associates’ motion to suspend online Florida sports betting was denied Friday by the State Supreme Court.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is currently offering legal online Florida sports betting on a limited basis via the Hard Rock Bet app.
In addition to the Hard Rock Bet app, six Seminole casinos will debut legal in-person sports betting in December.
The Florida Supreme Court case now goes forward.
Tribe pleased by Florida sports betting
A spokesperson for the Seminole Tribe said: “The Seminole Tribe of Florida is pleased with this unanimous decision by the Justices of the Florida Supreme Court.”
The denial reads as follows:
The “Motion to Expedite Consideration of Request for All Writs Relief Pending Resolution of Petition for Writ of Quo Warranto and Suspend the Sports Betting Provisions” is hereby denied.
Lead-up to Friday court decision
West Flagler filed the motion for suspension on Nov. 7. Hard Rock Bet relaunched in the Sunshine State that same day, albeit only to existing customers.
It is arguing in state court that expanded gambling is in violation of the Florida Constitution.
The Seminole Tribe has 30-year sports betting exclusivity via a gaming compact it agreed to with Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Seminole Compact took effect as of Aug. 11, 2021.
Florida sports betting case filing dates
West Flagler has until Dec. 11 to file a petition with the US Supreme Court.
DeSantis has until Dec. 1 to file a response to West Flagler in the State Supreme Court case.
The governor had asked for, and received, a 30-day filing extension.
