How DeSantis’ Extension Request Helps Florida Sports Betting

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis requested a 30-day extension with the Florida Supreme Court to file his response towards West Flagler’s sports betting petition.
• West Flagler’s petition to review the Florida sports betting case is weaker if DeSantis’s extension request is granted.
• If request is granted, DeSantis’s required response would be extended until Dec. 1.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis filed a 30-day extension request for his response to West Flagler’s Florida sports betting petition. DeSantis claims the citing council has a “particularly heavy workload.”

The recent development in the legal sports betting case for Florida has a bigger impact on the outcome than expected. A court-granted extension through Dec. 1 makes it harder for West Flagler to convince the Supreme Court to review the Florida sports betting case.

How Does Extension Impact Florida Sports Betting Case?

The opponents of legal Florida sports betting (West Flagler) intends on challenging the reinstatement of the 2021 Florida Gaming Compact in the US Supreme Court. They’re doing that by filing a writ of certiorari, which must be filed no later than Nov. 20.

However, DeSantis’s state court response is due Nov. 1. If the request is granted, DeSantis wouldn’t have to file his response until Dec. 1.

That means West Flagler won’t be able to cite inconsistencies with DeSantis’s response in time for their petition to stop sports betting at the federal level. West Flagler can still site inconsistencies by the state of Florida from earlier statements or replies.

Will The Florida Supreme Court Grant The Request?

The court likely understands the tactical move of requesting an extension but might have no choice but to grant it. DeSantis stated it’s the respondents’ first extension request and No Casinos Inc. received a 10-day extension for their brief in support of petitioners against Florida sports betting.

DeSantis also cited 15 different cases that the Florida Solicitor General’s Office have to work on in the time a response is due.

NEW: Governor DeSantis asks the Florida Supreme Court for a 30-day extension of time, through Dec. 1, to file his response to West Flagler’s petition for writ of quo warranto in the Florida sports betting case, citing counsel’s “particularly heavy workload.” pic.twitter.com/4FcFHQ7pbr

— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) October 19, 2023

The petitioners blundered with their extension request and DeSantis is taking advantage of that. The Florida Supreme Court has a handful of reasons to grant the extension, which helps the chances of legal online sportsbooks coming to Florida.

News tags: Florida | Ron DeSantis | Seminole Tribe | West Flagler