Florida Sports Betting Mandate Effective With Court Denial

• The DC Circuit Court denied stay for a Florida sports betting mandate, allowing the mandate to go into effect.
• West Flagler Associates’ likely next move is to file an emergency application with the Supreme Cour of the United States for stay.
• The Seminole Tribe could launch sports betting but will likely wait until key rulings for next week.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A legal Florida sports betting launch moves one step closer with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denying stay for a Florida sports betting mandate.

West Flagler Associates made the request and will now likely try their luck with a stay in the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) immediately. The DC Circuit Court’s denial means the opponents of legal sports betting launching in Florida are down to their final two options.

West Flagler filed a constitutional challenge with the Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday, and now expect to pursue SCOTUS for an emergency application to stay the sports betting mandate. There’s potential for simultaneous Florida sports betting proceedings in SCOTUS and the Florida Supreme Court next week.

Will West Flagler Be Successful In Either Supreme Court?

West Flagler faces a tough battle in SCOTUS, who are unlikely to hear their sports betting case. Their chances are lower at the state level, as Governor Ron DeSantis appointed five of the seven justices on the Florida Supreme Court.

During DeSantis five-year tenure as Florida’s governor, there have been 14 petitions similar to West Flagler’s filed against DeSantis. All 14 petitions failed to receive the writ of quo warranto that West Flagler seeks in the Florida Supreme Court, resulting in denial or relocation to circuit courts.

What’s Next For Florida Sports Betting?

The DC Circuit Court’s denial of stay allows the legal Florida sports betting to go into effect. But, the Seminole Tribe is unlikely to launch with other lawsuits pending.

UPDATE:

“It’s another positive development, but it will have no immediate effect on the Seminole Tribe’s plans.”

– Gary Bitner, Seminole Tribe Spox https://t.co/L482DIQc5B

— Bill Speros (@billsperos) September 28, 2023

“It’s another positive development, but it will have no immediate effect on the Seminole Tribe’s plans,” said a spokesperson of the Seminole Tribe.

It appears that the Seminole Tribe will wait until other ongoing lawsuits conclude to launch Hard Rock Bet and their legal sports betting operations. Regardless, the denial for West Flagler’s stay request is a huge win for Florida sports betting hopefuls.

News tags: Bill Speros | Florida | Hard Rock | Hard Rock Bet | Ron DeSantis | Seminole Tribe | West Flagler Associates