No Casinos Gets More Time To File In Florida Sports Betting Case

No Casinos Gets More Time To File In Florida Sports Betting Case
Fact Checked by Thomas Leary

The Florida Supreme Court ruled late Friday afternoon to give an anti-gaming expansion group more time to file its brief in a case regarding online sports betting in the Sunshine State.

The decision to give No Casinos a 10-day extension to file its argument might lead to additional extensions for submissions. Lawyers for Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers did not oppose the submission of an amicus brief, but questioned the need for an extension as it was initially due Friday.

The attorneys argued that if No Casinos were to receive an extension, then they would want one, too, for their response, which is currently due Nov. 1. Justices noted in their Friday ruling they would consider such a request. No Casinos' brief is now due next Monday, which will provide the latest chapter in this Florida sports betting saga.

Group Opposes Sports Betting

No Casinos is filing the brief in support of the lawsuit filed last month by West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corp. They claim that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature approved a gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida that violates the state constitution, which voters amended five years ago to require their approval for any gaming expansion off tribal lands. The compact gives the Tribe exclusive statewide control of online sports betting.

The gaming compact was signed two years ago and deemed approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior. West Flagler, which operated the Magic City Casino at the time, and Bonita-Fort Myers, which continues to operate the Bonita Springs Poker Room, filed a federal lawsuit after the federal approval, arguing, among other things, that the compact was illegal since it authorized gaming off tribal lands.

A federal district judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in November 2021 and threw out the gaming compact. However, a federal appeals court in late June of this year overturned that ruling. West Flagler and Bonita-Fort Myers are working on an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal Court Also Takes Action Friday

No Casinos getting an extension wasn’t the only legal action taking place on Friday. In addition, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia officially issued its mandate to the U.S. District Court in D.C. requiring U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich to vacate her ruling that barred the compact from being enforced.

When Friedrich issues the ruling upholding the compact, it could open the door for the tribe to resume operations. The Seminoles launched Hard Rock Sportsbook - now Hard Rock Bet Florida - in Florida in November 2021 but suspended it shortly after Friedrich’s ruling. Seminole leaders have declined to comment during the court battle, although Hard Rock’s social media team has alluded to a potential restart several times in recent months.

The tribe, though, might choose to wait until there’s a final resolution in the federal case. That might not happen until the Supreme Court either declines to take the case or makes a ruling.

Follow FloridaBet.com for the latest news and developments surrounding sports betting. We will have all the latest Florida sportsbook promo codes for you as soon as sports betting has launched in the Sunshine State.

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Author

Steve Bittenbender

Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.

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