Another lawsuit aims to block online sports betting in Florida

Developer Armando Codina and auto retailer Norman Braman are behind the legal action.

US.- A second federal lawsuit aims to stop sports betting in Florida. Filed in the District of Columbia against the US Secretary of the Interior, the legal challenge comes from developer Armando Codina and auto retailer Norman Braman, both outspoken critics of gambling.

They are suing Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, claiming the federal approval of the gaming compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe allows the state to circumvent Florida Constitution in order to authorise illegal off-reservation sports betting.

Codina and Braman want the court to block the launch of sports betting as they claim it will cause damages to their businesses by “increasing neighborhood traffic, increasing neighborhood congestion, increasing criminal activity, reducing open spaces, and reducing property values.”

The lawsuit states that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature violated federal Indian gaming law and the federal Wire Act “by authorizing gambling outside of Indian lands and by allowing the use of the Internet or interstate payment transmissions where sports betting is illegal.”

A previous lawsuit was filed last week by Magic City Casino and Bonita Springs Poker Room. The first indications about the direction of both lawsuits will be given on November 5. The federal court has scheduled a hearing for oral arguments on a motion for summary judgment filed by West Flagler.

See also: Magic City and Bonita Springs sue federal government to block sports betting in Florida