West Flagler Challenges Florida Sports Betting In Supreme Court

• West Flagler is challenging the legality of Florida sports betting with the US Supreme Court.
• They propose three questions for the US Supreme Court to consider.
• West Flagler claims the Florida Gaming Compact violates the Florida Constitution and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – West Flagler Associates wants the Supreme Court of the United States to review the legality of Florida sports betting.

The Florida pari-mutuel company filed a writ of certiorari on Thursday, which requests the case that allows the Florida Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe and state of Florida to offer legal sports betting off tribal lands to be reevaluated.

West Flagler claims the Seminole Tribe’s sports betting monopoly violates both the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and the Florida Constitution. They also argue that there’s nothing in the IGRA that the compact can offer gaming outside of tribal land.

West Flagler Proposes Three Questions For Consideration

West Flagler attorney Hamish Hume presented three Florida sports betting questions for the US Supreme Court to consider.

• If the IGRA authorizes the approval of a compact that purports to allow for an online sports gambling monopoly throughout the state and off Indian lands.
• Whether an IGRA compact violates the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act if it provides for internet sports betting that is unlawful where many of the bets are placed.
• Whether the Secretary’s approval of a tribal state compact violates equal protection principles where it provides a specific tribe with a monopoly on online sports gaming off tribal lands, while state law makes that conduct a felony for everyone else.

Hume made it clear that the IGRA doesn’t allow an online sports betting monopoly like the one present in Florida. In regards to the second point, West Flagler argues any bets placed off tribal lands is unlawful under the Florida Constitution.

Now, the US Supreme Court will consider West Flagler’s argument and decide whether to grant or deny the petition. If they decide to grant West Flagler’s writ of certiorari, the legality of Florida online sports betting lies in the hands of the US Supreme Court.

This doesn’t prevent Floridians from making a bet on Super Bowl 58 or any other event until a major decision is made. Legal battles surrounding Florida sports betting are currently ongoing in the Florida Supreme Court, but Governor Ron DeSantis wants the Florida sports betting lawsuit dismissed.

News tags: Florida | Hamish Hume | Hard Rock | Hard Rock Bet | Ron DeSantis | Seminole Tribe | West Flagler