Since that time the two parties have gone back and forth in the courts with Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of the Interior named as defendants. In November 2021, the Seminoles launched their Hard Rock betting app to the public but that was immediately met with legal action by West Flagler, claiming only the servers where the wagers were received were on tribal grounds but the bets themselves were originating all over the state.Ī court agreed with West Flagler and within about 30 days, the Seminoles turned the switch off their mobile app per the ruling. However, a compact was crafted between Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Indian Tribe that allowed the Seminoles and their Hard Rock brand to obtain what amounted to a monopoly on sports betting in the Sunshine State in exchange for billions of dollars to the state. West Flagler Associates is a parimutuel company in Florida that would desperately like a piece of the online sports betting industry in its home state. If you enjoy learning about the inner workings of the legal system then this case is for you. The Seminole Tribe, owners of the Hard Rock casinos and mobile sports betting app, have green-lighted online sports betting again in the Sunshine State despite the murky legal waters surrounding Florida sports betting, and their nemesis West Flagler wants it stopped.
