Florida Sports Betting On Hold Till 2024 at least

Any sports betting activity in Florida will certainly not take place legally till at least 2024 after West Flagler Associates. The South Florida company applied for a rehearing of the judges decision in June to allow the Seminole Tribe to resume sports betting there.

The three man judge panel in June, US District Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the compact with the Florida government and Seminole Tribe was legal and binding and could resume.

However West Flagler Associates contend that the compact allowing exclusivity to the Tribe violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the company said, “The ruling is erroneous and will create confusion, and thus rehearing is warranted.”

“As shown by both the plain text of this provision and the overall legislative purpose of IGRA, this provision cannot reasonably be read to allow IGRA compacts to contain provisions that on their face seek to authorize gaming activities off of Indian lands.”

The request for the rehearing was petitioned on Monday and it is uncertain if West Flagler Associates will be granted the petition, however many observers feel that whatever that outcome this is destined for a final showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court which would not happen till 2024.

Although the Seminole Tribe could legally resume sports betting operations now it seems from their current state that not until the matter is fully resumed in court will Florida residents be able to place sports bets legally in the state.