Judge denies Seminole Tribe’s request for stay on sports betting ruling
The Seminole Tribe had hoped to continue taking bets while it appeals against the ruling that found its sports betting agreement with the state violates federal law.
US.- The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request to put a temporary hold a ruling that invalidates the tribe’s online sports betting operation has been denied. The state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe are to appeal against Judge Dabney Friedrich’s ruling that the recently launched Hard Rock Sportsbook app violates federal law. The tribe had hoped to continue taking bets in the meantime.
US District Court Judge Friedrich ruled on Monday that a compact under which the Seminole Tribe in Florida operates an online sports betting app for use anywhere in the state violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). She ruled that sports betting can be offered via a smartphone or laptop only on tribal lands.
In her Monday ruling, Friedrich concluded that the compact signed between the tribe and Gov. Ron DeSantis should never have been approved by the US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.
In its appeal, the tribe said it “would be irreparably injured if it is required to cease online sports betting pending the outcome of an appeal.” However, Judge Friedrich said the tribe had not shown that it will be irreparably injured if it is not allowed to keep taking bets while it appeals the decision.
After the motion for a stay was denied, the Seminoles will have to go to the Circuit Court of Appeals in an attempt to reinstate sports gambling, however, the result may not come until 2022.
The app began taking wagers on November 1, granting the Seminoles a monopoly on mobile sports betting in Florida.
See also: Seminole Tribe appeals decision to block Florida sports betting
