Florida Sports Betting Lawsuit – The casino and poker room that sued to block the Seminole Tribe of Florida from offering online sports betting in order for them not be able control it has now issued an motion. The federal appeals court document continues their effort as they try one last time before ruling on whether or not this will happen at all, so stay tuned.
The latest in a legal case against the US Department of Interior and Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland by Magic City Casino is just another example as to why tribes should have access across all states.
Without this right we will lose revenue from poker rooms that provide jobs for our people while also promoting tourism on reservations where they live or work.”
It’s a complex case, as both the plaintiffs and the federal government oppose a motion by the Seminole Tribe to be included in the case so it can seek its dismissal.
“While the federal government and the tribe both seek reversal, the tribe’s preferred path is in tension with circuit precedent and, if adopted, could functionally nullify the (Administrative Procedure Act’s) waiver of federal sovereign immunity in the wide swath of cases where federal agency action benefits a tribe or state that cannot be joined to litigation without consent,” the Interior Department stated in its filing on Monday.
The suit started more than a year ago, with Magic City and Bonita Springs filing their respective suits.
That’s after the Interior Department allowed an amended compact between Florida’s Seminole Tribe of Indians and State Of The US to Be approved–including provisions allowing them to offer online sports betting across state lines; something which has been challenged by other parties under federal law ( IGRA).
The plaintiffs argued -and US District Judge Dabney Friedrich agreed-that this particular agreement went against what was laid out in 1978 as opposed to Indian Gaming Regulatory Act(IGRA)which pertains specifically.
District Court was Correct to Invalidate the IGRA Approval.
“The Seminole Tribe should not be allowed to join this legal battle because they have a shared goal with Interior Department: To defend Secretary Zinke’s decision of approving the compact.
The Interior and tribe argue that they have legal precedence to base their arguments on Florida law, but the plaintiffs say this is absurd because online gaming isn’t covered by any other states’ compacts.
The record leaves zero doubt that the compact was intended to obtain IGRA authorization for the betting it permits from off Indian lands,” the plaintiffs’ filing states. “That is the only way such gambling could be authorized in Florida without a referendum, and that is what the tribe and Florida sought to obtain. But IGRA cannot authorize such gambling, and the district court was correct to invalidate the IGRA approval.”
The court is yet to schedule oral arguments in the case.
The DC Circuit’s decision is likely to be appealed, and if it gets taken up by the Supreme Court they don’t have necessarily need for ayes.
If this ends up being decided in favor of the Interior Department, or if they are allowed to join forces with Seminole Tribe it could lead online gaming opportunities for many tribes across America.
However there is little chance that these cases will be settled anytime soon so keep watching your newsfeed.
Florida Sports Betting Lawsuit Detailed Overview
Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe of Florida reached an amended gaming compact in April 2021 that gave them exclusive rights to operate sports betting.
This includes online wagering throughout all 50 states for 30 years, starting with this upcoming December 1st deadline.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida has agreed to make payments in exchange for receiving sports betting exclusivity, as well rights give craps and roulette at their casinos. The total amount paid over five years will be $2Billion dollars.
The amended compact calls for a “hub-and spoke” sports betting network with pari-mutuel gaming operators.
To host these kiosks, approved entities will get involved in the proceeds of gambling games and take Shares as their royalty payment from tribes’ revenue streams.
Magic City and Bonita Springs sued the US Department of Interior, arguing that their agreement with regards to online sports betting should have been rejected because it violated IGRA. The two businesses also noted they could not offer such services on their own if they were not part in this tribe’s network – which would hurt plenty.
The Seminoles’ Hard Rock Sportsbook shut down early last December after the tribe lost a legal battle with Florida.
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