Seminole Tribe of Florida greenlights sports betting across casinos
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Seminole Tribe of Florida publicized this week that its casino locations will offer in-person sports betting across several days, beginning on Dec. 7.
“The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s new initiative will create jobs, increase tourism, and provide billions in added revenue for our state,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a release, per ESPN. “I was proud to work with the Tribe on our historic Gaming Compact and I look forward to its full implementation.”
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Seminole Classic Casino, both located in Hollywood, are a part of the initial launch. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is the other location.
Additionally, in-person sports betting will be launched at Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa Dec. 8. and Seminole Casino Immokalee and Seminole Brighton Casino on Dec. 11.
Hard Rock Casinos ceased operating sports betting after a brief period in November 2021 after legal challenges emerged.
“With the expansion of the new scope, we are creating over 1,000 new jobs made possible by the Compact,” said Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and Chairman of Hard Rock International. “This is a historic milestone that immediately puts Florida in the same league with the world’s great gaming destinations.”
Availability of online sports betting is an ongoing issue in Florida.
The decision follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week upholding the tribe’s compact with the state permitting sports betting. The announcement also concludes a prolonged legal battle over retail sports betting between the Seminole Tribe and other gaming operators.
After a 45-day review, the U.S. Department of Interior previously approved Florida’s gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida in August 2021.
At the time, the compact was expected to generate $2.5 billion in new revenue to Florida over the next five years and a projected $6 billion to the state through 2030.
“The final approval of this historic gaming compact is a big deal for the State of Florida,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a release. “This mutually-beneficial agreement will grow our economy, expand tourism and recreation and provide billions in new revenue to benefit Floridians.”
Before 2018, legal sports betting was largely based and monitored out of Nevada, ESPN reported.
After the U.S. Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Act of 1992, 35 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, initiated sports betting.
