West Flagler Files Motion to Suspend Live Florida Online Sports Betting

Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY SportsWest Flagler Associates has filed a motion to suspend Florida online sports betting until a court decision is madeNo prior warning given that online sports betting would be launchedThe Hard Rock Bet online sportsbook app went live on Tuesday, Nov. 7, to give users “early access” to test its platform

West Flagler Associates noticed that the Hard Rock Bet online sports betting app went live yesterday and they’re not pleased.

Counsel for West Flagler filed a motion with the Florida Supreme Court to expedite the exercise of its all writs jurisdiction and immediately suspend Florida online sports betting pending a final ruling on its petition for writ of quo warranto.

Basically, West Flagler is asking the court to suspend Florida online sports betting until it makes a final ruling on its lawsuit to strip online sports betting from the 2021 Florida gaming compact.

No Warning Given

Raquel A. Rodriguez, counsel for West Flagler, wrote in the motion that the Seminole Tribe launched its online sports betting app on Tuesday, Nov. 7, with no prior warning, just days after it announced it would be launching in-person sports betting on Dec. 7.

“Taking advantage of the distraction created by their carefully crafted announcement on Nov. 1, the Tribe has sought to surprise the petitioners and this court by presenting a ‘fait accompli’ on Nov. 7. It has indeed taken live bets as of today,” she noted.

The only solution, she wrote, is for the court to immediately suspend online sports betting until the court has the opportunity to rule on West Flagler’s lawsuit.

Currently, the Florida Supreme Court is waiting on a response to the lawsuit from Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his counsel on Dec. 1. Due to this schedule, the court will likely deliver a final ruling sometime in early 2024.

“In the meantime, absent an expedited ruling on petitioners’ ‘all writs’ request, the tribe will apparently continue with its off-reservation sports betting operations in contravention of the Florida Constitution…potentially raking in millions of dollars in sports bets that this court may eventually find were authorized in contravention of the Florida Constitution and derogation of the people’s rights to decide on the expansion of casino gambling,” Rodriguez wrote.

The decision to launch online sports betting and “side-step” the will of the citizens and Florida constitution mandates the court exercise its “all writs” power and suspend online sports betting, she wrote.

Online Sports Betting Launched

Multiple readers alerted Sports Betting Dime yesterday morning that the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet sports betting app was live in the state. A Seminole Tribe representative confirmed the news.  It’s been more than two years since Florida online sports betting was first launched (and shut down after less than a month) by the Seminole Tribe.

The Hard Rock casinos are also still planning to launch in-person sports betting, roulette, and craps throughout the state on Thursday, Dec. 7.

While the Hard Rock Bet sportsbook is currently live in the state, a Seminole Tribe spokesperson said it would only be offered through “limited access” at the moment.

“The Seminole Tribe is offering limited access to existing Florida customers to test its Hard Rock Bet platform,” the spokesperson said.

No additional information was provided to Sports Betting Dime as to how long the sportsbook app will be available, if it would be turned off after the testing phase was completed, or when it would be available for all Florida customers.

Florida online sports betting was first launched on Nov. 1, 2021, but shut down the app in early December 2021 after its gaming compact with Florida was dismissed by District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich.

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— Hard Rock Bet (@HardRockBet) November 7, 2023