West Flagler Associates (WFA) and Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation suffered another setback Thursday as they attempted to strike down the current agreement between the Seminole Tribe and the state of Florida that allows for online sports betting.
The Florida Supreme Court ruled the petition to challenge the compact was the improper method to challenge the agreement. This means online sports betting in Florida – Hard Rock Bet is the lone sports betting app legally available – will continue as it has, at least in the immediate future.
“This decision is not a ruling on the merits,” gaming lawyer Daniel Wallach posted on X. “The Court is simply saying that this type of constitutional challenge is improperly before the SCOFL and must instead be filed in the Florida trial courts as an action for declaratory relief — which is precisely what will happen next.”
Wallach told he expects WFA to file a constitutional challenge in Leon Circuit Court. WFA is also challenging the compact in the U.S. Supreme Court.