Florida has been rocked by a blow to the opponents of an agreement between the Seminole Tribe and the state that grants the tribe exclusive rights to handle online sports betting. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge to the compact, which was brought forth by West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation, operators of racetracks and poker rooms in Florida.
The companies argued that the compact gives the tribe a monopoly on sports betting in Florida, which goes against the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. They questioned whether online sports bets, which can be placed from anywhere in Florida, are considered to be on tribal land when only the computer servers hosting the betting services are located there.
Governor Ron DeSantis and legislative leaders were accused of exceeding their powers by allowing sports betting off tribal lands in the compact. The companies argued that this creates a way around a requirement for a citizens’ initiative to expand casino gambling outside of tribal land, which was passed by voters in 2018 as an amendment to the Florida Constitution. The tribe has claimed that they have the authority to decide where online gambling occurs and that this amendment does not change that.
Attorneys for DeSantis and legislative leaders contended that sports betting is distinct from casino gambling and therefore is not prohibited by state constitutional amendments. The tribe’s online sports betting operation began late last year, and already Florida has received more than $120 million in revenue sharing for 2024. State economic forecasters estimate total revenue sharing from tribal gaming could reach $4.4 billion by 2030.[