Chris Boline
Things simply keep getting more and more controversial when it comes to sports betting in the state of Florida. While it was expected to launch statewide on Oct. 15, don’t expect that to happen, as yet another injunction has been filed to block Florida sports betting. There’s a hearing scheduled for Nov. 5, with Florida eyeing a new legal betting date of Nov. 15 for its citizens.
However, with this new injunction, it’s really making it seem completely up in the air if bets will be able to be made or not, which is causing panic for millions. Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe reached a massive deal recently giving them control of sports betting in the state. In turn, Florida would receive around $20 billion over the 30-year agreement. This has caused plenty of push back.
Magic City Casino, on behalf of West Flagler Associates, filed this second injunction trying to prevent things from moving forward. The first injunction was filed on Sept. 15 in the U.S. Federal Court. Now, the second one has arrived less than two weeks after that first one. This just goes to show you how serious they are in blocking things. Straight up, the group doesn’t want legal sports betting to make its way over.
The lawsuit is taking issue with sports bets being made off Indian reservations, which can be done should folks use the internet or other online forms to place their bets. With life being so mobile these days, people can take advantage and place their bets from whenever. However, with Oct. 15 now out of the question, we should know by Nov. 5 whether or not things will end up being given the green light.
NEW: West Flagler files 2nd motion for summary judgment and preliminary injunction to block Nov. 15th launch of online sports betting in Florida. Like the DC filing, this FL motion asserts that OSB via compact violates IGRA, Wire Act, UIEGA & Equal Protection Clause. pic.twitter.com/71DgjOlvVH
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) September 27, 2021
Nov. 5 hearing will be historic for Florida and its sports betting
It goes without saying, but the Nov. 5 hearing will be historic for Florida and its sports betting moving forward. There are countless folks trying to block this from officially being made legal, but DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe have other ideas. Ever since their 30-year agreement was announced, the work has been going through to try and get sports betting to take off for Floridians.
It’s expected that the Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa Bay and the Hollywood Florida Hard Rock are going to be among the most popular places in the state for legal sports bets once things are processed. Folks have been dreaming of this day for years now and DeSantis is ready to see the first wager be processed. He fully knows how beneficial this will be for the state financially too.
“The final approval of this historic gaming compact is a big deal for the State of Florida,” an excited DeSantis said in a statement after the pact with the Seminole Tribe was announced in the spring. “This mutually beneficial agreement will grow our economy, expand tourism and recreation and provide billions in new revenue to benefit Floridians.”
From a tourism standpoint, legal sports betting will bring in even more folks to Florida than before. Think of people in other states who plan their vacations for Las Vegas or other main cities where sports betting is legal. With more than half the US states now allowing legal sports betting, this is a major sell for folks to travel. DeSantis has bought into the benefits, which is why he was so happy. Now, his plans are in the air.
West Flagler has filed a 2nd motion for summary judgement and preliminary injunction to block the Nov. 15 launch of Florida online sports betting. @WALLACHLEGAL discussed Florida's online sports betting chances with us following this new lawsuit. https://t.co/PdPW7Pe4rb
— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) September 27, 2021
What’s next for Florida sports betting?
You might be asking yourself what’s next for Florida sports betting? That’s a fair question, as the anticipation for legal sports betting has been on the table here for a while. With that said, we’ll know more about things after the Nov. 5 hearing. While people might be a bit dejected right now, there still is hope and optimism that the U.S. Federal Court will rule in favor of DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe.
The two parties are confident that the courts will rule in their favor, especially since there’s so much money on the line here. As part of the agreement, the state is set to receive $2.5 billion over the first five years from the Seminole Tribe. That’s a massive chunk of change and can really help with so many different initiatives going on in Florida. This money will be used to benefit all of the citizens in Florida.
On top of that, people want to stop having to travel elsewhere to check out different NFL, NBA, MLB odds and more from the Las Vegas sportsbooks to make wagers. Why travel elsewhere when you can place your very own sports bets close to home? It just doesn’t make sense for a state as big as Florida to be behind everyone else when it comes to making things legal. DeSantis is tired of waiting and so are sports fans.
Come early November, we’ll have the answers we’ve been waiting for. Until then, there’s going to be plenty of stress and worry over how things turn out. Will the U.S. courts side with DeSantis, or will a major road block come in for Florida in its efforts to have legal sports betting made available for everyone to enjoy? The anticipation truly is through the roof.
