Supreme Court to Decide on Seminole Tribe’s Florida Sports Betting Monopoly on June 13
The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled a critical discussion for June 13 to determine the future of Florida’s sports betting case.
Legal Background and “Hub-and-Spoke” System
The conference will see the court’s nine justices deliberate on whether the Seminole Tribe’s monopoly on sports betting in the state aligns with federal law.
It’s a culmination of the series of legal challenges Florida sports betting has faced since the state approved a gaming compact with the tribe in 2021.
Florida’s sports betting is authorized through a “hub-and-spoke” system, where bets placed off-reservation are processed through servers located on tribal land.
The setup is intended to meet the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) requirements, which stipulate that gaming activities must occur on Indian lands. However, it has faced multiple legal challenges questioning its compliance with federal laws.
Seminole Tribe’s Statewide Launch
After overcoming various legal obstacles, the Seminole Tribe launched statewide sports betting in December 2023 under its Hard Rock Bet brand. Despite these victories, the legality of the compact remains contested.
This month, West Flagler Associates, opponents of the compact, submitted their final brief, arguing that the agreement violates IGRA, other federal laws, and the U.S. Constitution. This brief followed an earlier submission from the Department of Interior, which supported the compact’s legality.
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