Getting legalized sports gambling off the ground is a complicated subject. The picture has not gotten any clearer with the recent news that local businessmen have filed a second suit against the Seminoles as well as the state of Florida. They allege that the deal that was approved by the Interior Department is in violation of several laws.
Legal Sports Betting Launch in Florida is Complicate
The process of getting legal sports betting off the ground in Florida is as complicated a process as you’ll find in the country. That is not a unique situation of course but given the financial potential that legal sports betting market in Florida have, interested parties will not give up the fight. That’s good news for sports betting fans in the state.
What isn’t good is the number of roadblocks that seem to be popping every time they turn around. The announcement that real estate developer Armando Codina and billionaire auto retailer Norman Braman have filed suit with the U.S District Court on Monday will not be well received. The pair claim that the secretary of the U.S Department of the Interior allowed the state to bypass the Florida constitution through the gaming compact that agreed to with the Seminole Tribe.
Suit Claims Compact Violates Multiple Laws
That compact gives the tribe a monopoly on sports betting and the opportunity to expand on their current gaming options as well as build more casinos. According to the lawsuit, this also violates the federal Wire Act and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. How much weight this lawsuit has is anyone’s guess but it isn’t the first. This lawsuit was filed by Codina who is a real estate developer and Braman, who is a billionaire car retail dealer is the third in regards to the compact.
None of this has stopped the Seminoles from moving forward with their plans for a launch. According to the compact, they would be able to launch as early as mid-October. Reports indicate however that the Seminoles are looking toward a November launch. The compact was made law in May and as a result, the tribe has moved forward with hiring and training new staff for when they are indeed ready to launch.
There is Still More Opposition to Come
There is a ballot initiative being worked on by a group of potential operators that allow commercial wagering that would be independent of the Seminoles. Considering the fact that the compact mentioned earlier gives the tribe a monopoly, this would be in direct opposition to that. That would make at least four parties in direct opposition and it doesn’t end there.
Two other political committees have been backed by the Las Vegas Sands Corp with the intent of asking local voters to allow new commercial casinos in Florida. This could be yet another potential hurdle as voters might want the right to decide for themselves.
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