Despite myriad media reports to the contrary, the Seminole Tribe in Florida was not at liberty to launch its sports betting platform Monday. And the latest timeline set in motion by Friday’s filing by Miami-based parimutuel West Flagler and Associates likely means a legal launch is a minimum of three weeks away, but probably much, much longer.
According to the court rules, when West Flagler filed its “motion to stay mandate” Friday, a 10-day clock started for the U.S. Department of the Interior to respond. The DOI now has until Sept. 25 to file a reply. From there, West Flagler will have seven days to respond, or until Oct. 2.
At that point, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit would then consider the motion, though there is no specific timeline for the court to issue a decision. Should it approve the motion, the stay that is preventing the Seminole Tribe from legally launching its Hard Rock Bet platform could be in place for as long as 90 days – or until West Flagler files its writ of certiorari at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court traditionally takes months, if not years, to decide to accept a case, hear it, and rule.