A Hard Rock Bet launch in Florida could occur as soon as September 19. It came after the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit released its ruling Monday that denied West Flagler’s request for a rehearing. Thus, it cleared the path for the sportsbook launch in the state.
Since decisions from the appeal court take effect eight days after they are issued, the earliest possible date for the debut of Hard Rock Bet’s sports betting platform is September 19.
A Seminole Tribe representative declined to comment immediately on the verdict, but the tribe has anxiously anticipated the chance to relaunch since it briefly went live in 2021. According to experts of online gambling in South Korea, Hard Rock’s sports betting platform was active for a little over a month until the court took it down.
Launch of Hard Rock Bet in Florida
According to Korea sportsbook reports, the lawsuit centers on whether a contract between Florida and the Seminole Tribe is valid under state law. As a result of the agreement, the tribe would have a monopoly on retail and internet sports betting within the state, subject to the approval of the Department of the Interior.
It is widely believed in the legal community that West Flagler will appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States to halt the launch of the Seminole Tribe’s platform. Florida parimutuels might potentially take the dispute to state court, where they could ask for a stay against the Seminoles.
On August 14, West Flagler sought a rehearing, and on August 31, the DOI responded. The court’s response to rehearing grants typically takes months, but Monday’s verdict was swift and straightforward.
According to constitutional law scholar and NOVA Southeastern faculty member Bob Jarvis, West Flagler’s odds of success in an appeal to the Supreme Court are slim. Jarvis said that West Flagler might take their lawsuit against Amendment 3 of 2018 to a court in the state of Florida, but he thinks they will lose.
Until any changes occur in the law, Hard Rock Bet is in an excellent position to make an impact in the Florida sports betting industry. They have a chance of becoming a successful football bookie.