The Seminole Tribe of Florida announced plans Wednesday to move forward with expanded casino games based on the Gaming Compact signed and approved by the Tribe and the State of Florida in 2021.
Craps, roulette and in-person sports betting are set to launch to the public on Thursday, Dec. 7 at all three Seminole Casinos in South Florida.
“This is a historic milestone that immediately puts Florida in the same league with the world’s great gaming destinations,” said Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and Chairman of Hard Rock International.
This announcement comes just a week after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an attempt to block implementation of the Compact.
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“The Seminole Tribe thanks the State of Florida, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Justice for defending our Compact," said Marcellus Osceola Jr., Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. "By working together, the Tribe, the State and the federal government achieved a historic legal victory.”
The deal, known as a compact, included allowing the tribe to offer online sports betting, but it had drawn legal challenges from Florida pari-mutuel companies.
Now, the Seminole Tribe and Seminole Hard Rock will celebrate “A New Era in Florida Gaming” -- with star-studded celebrations in December for the launch of craps, roulette and sports betting at all six Seminole Casinos.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reacted to the launch announcement, saying he is excited to see it come to fruition.
“The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s new initiative will create jobs, increase tourism, and provide billions in added revenue for our state,” DeSantis said in a statement. “I was proud to work with the Tribe on our historic Gaming Compact and I look forward to its full implementation.”
In 2021, an online sports betting app was launched for 34 days before shutting down due to the legal challenges.
Technically, there’s nothing standing in the way of the Seminole Tribe relaunching online sports betting. But because of a recent lawsuit filed with the Florida Supreme Court, they risk having to halt the operation again, just like in 2021.
At this point, I think the Seminoles have gotten tired of waiting therefore have decided to launch in sports betting while they wait for all of the litigation to wrap up on mobile sports betting.”
"Yes, the Seminoles could start remote sports betting. There’s nothing technically standing in their way but no question that West Flagler would file a request with at least the Florida Supreme Court that that be stopped until the lawsuit is resolved," Nova Southeastern University law professor Bob Jarvis said.
