Seminole Tribe appeals decision to block Florida sports betting

The Seminole Tribe of Florida said it will appeal against Judge Dabney Friedrich’s ruling that blocked sports wagering.

US.- The Seminole Tribe of Florida has announced it intends to appeal after US District Court Judge Dabney Friedrich found that its agreement with the state of Florida violated a federal rule that requires a person to be physically on tribal land when wagering.

The judge ruled that sports betting may be offered via smartphone or laptop, but the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) limits that to tribal lands. However, a day after the ruling, the tribe was still accepting sports bets from players. It has called for the judgement to be suspended pending its appeal.

Marcellus W. Osceola, chairman of the Seminole Tribe, said: “The tribe’s online sports betting authorized by the compact is now in operation, and is generating millions in revenue per week.’’ 

“The tribe is using these funds to pay back the development costs for its online sports book, make revenue-sharing payments to the state and fund important tribal programs.”

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.”

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