Florida Sports Betting Could Face Indefinite Delay in Court

• A motion filed to the DC Circuit US Court of Appeals delays Florida’s sports betting launch at least a week.
• West Flagler Associates’ wish to appeal Florida sports betting to the Supreme Court of the United States after the DC Circuit denied their rehearing request.
• A stay in the Supreme Court would delay legal Florida sports betting indefinitely.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The ongoing Florida sports betting saga continues with West Flagler’s intentions of bringing the case to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). West Flagler Associates is a gambling entity that owns Magic City Casino and other gambling operations across the state.

Their consistent opposition towards legal sports betting in Florida is because the Seminole Tribe would monopolize the industry under a 2021 gaming compact. West Flagler claims that legal sports betting would have a devastating impact on their gambling operations.

Now, West Flagler’s motion to stay its mandate with the DC Circuit Court of Appeals and SCOTUS delayed a potential Florida sports betting launch at least a week. Many thought Hard Rock could launch on Monday, as the date marked the final day for the DC Circuit to order their mandate.

But, West Flagler’s motions delayed Monday mandate until next Monday at the earliest.

The mandate would be an official decision that could have cleared the way for Hard Rock Bet to launch.

When Will Legal Florida Sports Betting Launch?

Florida sports betting won’t be available until the issue is settled in federal court. The Seminole Tribe won’t launch the Hard Rock Bet app with an ongoing lawsuit.

If the 2021 gaming compact between the Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida is re-instated, there will be no legal opposition towards launching sports betting in the Sunshine State. The problem with that is no one knows when the compact will be reinstated.

Depending on the outcome of stay requests with the D.C. Circuit and SCOTUS, it could take anywhere weeks or months. It could be years before legal Florida sports betting launches if either court grants the stay.

News tags: Florida | Hard Rock | Hard Rock Bet | West Flagler Associates