Legal Sports Betting in Florida Update: Online Betting Expected To Relaunch Soon

Florida residents have been anxiously awaiting for the return of legal online sports betting. They got a taste of it in 2021 when Hard Rock Bet went live. But it was quickly shut down after just one month, and sports bettors in the state have been unable to bet legally ever since. However, they got a very encouraging update earlier this week, and online sports betting in Florida could be back for good very soon.

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Legal Sports Betting in Florida Update

In November 2021, two gambling competitors in the state of Florida (Bonita Springs Poker Room and Magic City Casino) challenged Hard Rock’s agreement with the Seminole Tribe, claiming it was illegal. Soon after, Hard Rock had to shut down its operations in Florida after U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich deemed the agreement to be against the law.

Earlier this summer, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reversed the decision made by the District Court that only allowed the tribes to proceed with their gambling operations on tribal land. This reversal in favor of Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe gave them exclusive access once again to online sports betting.

West Flagler Associates, the parent company of Bonita Springs Poker Room and Magic City Casino, asked for a rehearing from the U.S. Court of Appeals but was officially denied on Monday. As a result, Hard Rock is free to launch its online sportsbook in the state of Florida once again and could return very soon, potentially as soon as next week.

Hard Rock Bet’s Twitter account shared a meme following the news, teasing their relaunch in Florida.

Congratulations, sports fans in Florida. After almost two years, it appears you can legally bet on sports soon enough, and this time, it will be around for good.

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