The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge to an agreement between the Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida that gives the tribe exclusive rights to handle online sports betting. This was a blow to opponents of the deal, including West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation, which operate racetracks and poker rooms in Florida.
The companies argued that the compact gives the tribe a sports betting monopoly in the third most populous state in the country, which goes against the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. They questioned whether online sports bets, which can be placed from anywhere in Florida, are considered to be on tribal land when only the computer servers hosting the betting services are located there.
In 2018, voters passed an amendment to the Florida Constitution that required a citizens’ initiative to expand casino gambling outside of tribal land. The tribe has claimed that this amendment does not change their authority over where online gambling occurs. However, opponents argue that DeSantis and legislative leaders exceeded their powers by allowing sports betting off tribal lands in the compact.
Attorneys for DeSantis and legislative leaders contended that sports betting is distinct from casino gambling and therefore is not prohibited by state constitutional law. The tribe’s online sports betting operation began late last year, and Florida has already received more than $120 million in revenue sharing for 2024. State economic forecasters estimate that total revenue sharing from tribal gaming could reach $4.4 billion by the end of the decade.
