Sports Betting's Return Won't Permanently Harm Florida, DOI Tells Supreme Court

A reaction was submitted by the Department of the Interior on Wednesday to a recent demand by two gaming business to the U.S. Supreme Court to stay an appeals judgment launched earlier this year concerning Florida sports wagering.


The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in June essentially restored a video gaming contract in between the state of Florida and its Seminole Tribe. That compact given the Seminole exclusivity over retail and online sports betting websites in the state, but it was thrown out in late 2021, triggering a shutdown of the tribe's Acid rock Bet sportsbook in Florida.


U.S. Department of Interior tells Supreme Court there's no requirement to remain a lower ruling that could bring legal sports wagering back to Florida by means of Hard Rock Bet. Two video gaming companies want that stay, but DOI argues, amongst other things, no long-term economic damage will be done. pic.twitter.com/B7ylDWlgip


However, the appeals court judgment teed up a possible return of Acid rock to Florida. Then came further legal wrangling in the appeals court, followed by the current request to the Supreme Court to remain the decision while the gaming business petitioned for a full evaluation of the case.


U.S. Chief Supreme Court Justice John Roberts purchased last Thursday that the appeal court's mandate be recalled and stayed pending any additional order from the leading judges. The Supreme Court offered the DOI up until this Wednesday to react to the application for a stay.


Playing the classics


The action filed by the DOI strikes numerous of the same notes played in the lower courts, namely, that the Florida compact is constant with federal gaming law and the DOI was within its rights to approve the contract.