Seminole Tribe shockingly launched sports betting in Florida

Peter LewisPeter Lewis | November 5, 2021
Seminole Tribe shockingly launched sports betting in Florida

In a major stunner over in the Sunshine State, the Seminole Tribe shockingly launched sports betting in Florida earlier this week. Despite Florida still facing multiple federal lawsuits to try and put the kibosh on the agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe for them to take the lead on sports betting in Florida, citizens were actually able to sign up for an online sportsbook in Florida and place wagers.

Seriously, who in the world saw this coming? No one did, which is why this was such a shock. There had been a new date of Nov. 15 to potentially get sports betting in Florida rolling. Things were supposed to get going on Oct. 15, when sports betting was technically made legal. However, no one was able to make a wager because the launch of things was indeed delayed.

Things changed in a massive way on Monday, though, as the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Sportsbook opened the door for folks to download the app, check out the odds via the best sportsbooks and then make multiple different wagers. Folks were able to check out the best NFL betting odds, plus hockey, soccer and more. It really brought in plenty of excitement for everyone who loves betting.

Interestingly enough, a judge will be hearing from both sides this week on another federal lawsuit that’s trying to prevent Florida sports betting from going through. The fact that the Seminole Tribe had its betting app go live in the same week really tells you about how much confidence they have that things won’t be stopped, especially after the first federal lawsuit presented was thrown out by a judge.

Florida is waiting for the full green light to launch sports betting

Folks all over the southeast will be sitting on pins and needles to see what the judge decides in the next lawsuit. As things stand, Florida is waiting for the full green light to launch sports betting. Again, things were all set to get underway in mid-October, and even though the law technically passed and things were legal on Oct. 15, the Seminole Tribe halted things. They clearly didn’t want to risk any kind of damage.

This is all part of the 30-year agreement Florida signed with the Tribe that is set to bring Florida in $20 billion. Part of that deal guaranteed $2.5 billion over the first five years. This is something governor Ron DeSantis is incredibly excited about. Ever since this agreement was launched earlier in the year, the countdown has really been on for everyone. People are tired of waiting and want to take the next step.

“Not only will this compact bring a guaranteed $2.5 billion in revenue over the next five years, but it also brings together Florida pari-mutuel businesses from across the state in a creative partnership with the Seminole Tribe providing increased access to safe and transparent sports betting in Florida,” DeSantis said as part of his statement in the spring.

The good news for people who want things to get finalized is that a judge indeed tossed out the first lawsuit that was reviewed. There was a bit of panic when the judge first went over things, as sports fans were worried that perhaps some bad news could be coming in. The opposite was the case, however, as Florida and the Seminole Tribe were able to take the next step here with the case being dropped.

What’s next for the Florida sports betting battle?

As you might be wondering, so many people want to know what’s next for the Florida sports betting battle? Well, it all comes down to the results of the lawsuit presented by the owners of Magic City Casino in Miami-Dade County and Bonita Springs Poker Room in Southwest Florida. The owners of these casinos have filed multiple suits claiming that this pact between Florida and the tribe is against federal law.

At the same time, the owners of those casinos are suggesting that the Seminole Tribe overseeing sports betting will have a majorly negative impact on their businesses. This makes sense from their standpoint, as countless folks are surely going to make their way to the casinos and sportsbooks owned by the Seminole Tribe if sports betting can be done by fans with ease. Already, things have been fantastic.

We’ve already seen how popular the sports betting app has become. Countless individuals haven’t wasted a minute in downloading the app and placing their bets. Especially with the NFL in midseason, and the postseason getting here soon enough, it’s only going to make people even more jacked up to check out all kinds of different odds and then move forward and place some sort of a bet.

Once places open up and you can make wagers in person, then things are only going to get even more intense. Matter of fact, it’s going to inspire more and more people to travel to Florida and take vacations there. It will be great for local businesses and the state as a whole. There’s plenty of optimism for things to get going in full swing on Nov. 15. Should the lawsuits on the table get tossed, folks will surely celebrate.

 

Peter Lewis

Peter Lewis Jr. comes from Mississippi where he and his family spend their days discussing college football and basketball. He's written sports journalism for years after studying journalism at a local university.