Supreme Court Denies Challenge to Seminole Tribe's Online Sports Betting Rights

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge to Florida's 2021 compact with the Seminole Tribe, which grants the tribe exclusive rights to operate online sports betting in the state. This decision upholds the compact, potentially generating billions of dollars for Florida and the Seminole Tribe. West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation, who operate racetracks and poker rooms, argued the compact violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and Florida's constitutional amendment requiring a citizen initiative to expand non-tribal gambling. The decision confirms that bets placed anywhere in Florida are legally considered to occur on tribal land due to the servers being located there. Justice Brett Kavanaugh was the only Supreme Court justice who supported hearing the case. This outcome is seen as a significant victory for the Seminole Tribe and ensures the continuation of their sports betting monopoly in Florida for the foreseeable future.