Sports activities betting in Florida might turn into a actuality once more, due to a possible relaunch of the Exhausting Rock sportsbook by the Seminole Tribe. This might coincide with the extremely worthwhile NFL season, with some specialists predicting it may generate over a billion {dollars} in income. Nevertheless, final week, the house owners of Magic Metropolis On line casino and Bonita Springs Poker Room have been denied a rehearing by a full circuit court docket. Because of this on-line sports activities betting may doubtlessly resume as early as Monday, in response to sports activities gaming legal professional Daniel Wallach.
Wallach emphasizes the urgency of this determination, stating that delaying till subsequent yr would lead to a lack of income alternative exceeding $1 billion. Nevertheless, he additionally acknowledges the challenges forward. Convincing the Supreme Court docket to listen to the case is statistically unlikely, however Wallach believes the case possesses components that may catch the court docket’s consideration. He highlights the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act because the federal regulation governing gaming on Indian land, which solely permits playing on such lands.
Opponents of the Seminole Tribe argue that on-line sports activities betting ought to be allowed throughout the state, not simply restricted to Indian land owned by the tribe. In 2021, the state granted unique management over all sports activities betting to the Seminole Tribe. They launched the Exhausting Rock Sportsbook app throughout that yr however needed to halt operations shortly after as a result of authorized challenges from West Flagler, the house owners of Magic Metropolis On line casino and Bonita Springs Poker Room.
The Seminole Tribe expressed satisfaction with the court docket’s determination however didn’t disclose any particulars concerning a possible relaunch. West Flagler has remained silent concerning the continuing authorized battle.