The legal battle over Florida sports betting continues, even after a win for the Seminole Tribe at the U.S. Supreme Court this week.
On Wednesday, the high court rejected an emergency request to halt a 2021 gambling deal between the tribe and Florida. The compact gave the Seminoles exclusive statewide control of online sports betting in exchange for a minimum $2.5 billion in payments to the state over five years.
But the Supreme Court decision does not definitively resolve the dispute. A federal lawsuit filed by rival gambling companies still claims the compact violates federal law by allowing sports betting outside tribal lands.
Another pending state lawsuit argues the agreement infringes on a 2018 Florida amendment. That amendment gave voters the final say on expanded FL gambling, not just state lawmakers.
So when will Florida residents finally be able to place mobile sports wagers? Expert predictions vary, but statewide betting may not arrive until 2024 or later.
“It’s like waiting for Santa Claus,” said law professor Bob Jarvis. “You know he is going to show up; you just don’t know when.”
The compact was championed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and approved by the Department of Interior. If allowed to stand, it could bring in $6 billion in state revenue through 2030.
The Seminoles previously launched a sports betting app in late 2021 before shutting it down amid legal challenges. The tribe hasn’t indicated if or when it might try relaunching.
For now, Florida sports fans eager to bet on their favorite teams must keep waiting. More court battles loom before legal mobile wagering comes to the Sunshine State.
When it does arrive, Florida could quickly become a US sports betting juggernaut. Residents wagered $900 million just on the 2022 Super Bowl. The market’s revenue potential is in the billions.
But until the courts resolve the ongoing legal debates, sportsbooks and gamblers alike are stuck on the sidelines. Millions in tax revenue remains on the table for the Seminoles and lawmakers.
All eyes now turn to the pending federal and state lawsuits. Their outcomes will determine when Floridians can finally bet on sports from their phones. For anxious fans and investors, the waiting game continues.
