Hard Rock Bet Launch in Florida: Seminole Tribe’s Plea Rejected
The Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. turned down the Seminole Tribe’s plea to stop the introduction of Hard Rock Bet.
The plea was submitted last week, and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) argued against it earlier this week (September 26th). The Seminole Tribe’s plea for a postponement was their most recent effort to hinder the launch of Hard Rock Bet in Florida. In May 2021, the Seminole Tribe was given exclusive rights to provide sports betting in Florida after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis approved an agreement with the tribe. The Washington D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the motion yesterday (September 28th). The document stated: “Having considered the defendant’s motion for a postponement pending the Supreme Court’s decision on the petition, or alternatively, a postponement pending the defendant’s application for a postponement to the Supreme Court, and the opposition to the motion, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is denied.”
Tribe spokesperson Gary Bitner said the ruling will not alter any of the tribe’s immediate plans. “This is a positive development, but it won’t have any immediate impact on the Seminole Tribe’s plans,” Bitner said.
What does this signify for the Seminole Tribe?
The connection between the Seminole Tribe and the Sunshine State has always been intricate and filled with ups and downs. However, recent occurrences have been particularly significant.
Shortly after the Department of the Interior voiced concerns, the state of Florida initiated legal action against DeSantis and the Florida Legislature. The state asserts that DeSantis and the legislature exceeded their powers in endorsing the accord.
The disagreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe originates from the state’s defeat in a legal case filed in June against Deb Haaland, the Secretary of the Interior, by the state and another operator, Bonita-Myers.
The state submitted a request for re-evaluation in August, but it was ultimately dismissed.
This defeat reversed a November 2021 decision by a D.C. judge. The decision prohibited the Seminole Tribe from offering sports wagering in Florida. The judge determined that the arrangement between the Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida contravened the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
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