In Florida, the Seminole Tribe can rest just a little easier as they have to deal with one less legal challenge. Per a recent report from the state, a Leon County circuit judge has rejected a lawsuit alleging that a state deal allowing the Seminole Tribe of Florida to offer online sports betting violated a 2018 constitutional amendment aimed at limiting casino gambling. Judge Jonathan Sjostrom, in a decision issued Friday, said the plaintiff in the case, Protect the Constitution LLC, did not show it had legal standing to pursue the challenge. While he dismissed the lawsuit, Sjostrom gave Protect the Constitution until November 21st to file a possible revised version.
For this report, SBS will be covering the latest gaming news coming from the Sunshine State, along with a variety of notes and updates you can find only at SBS.
Also covered in the same report, the lawsuit identified Protect the Constitution as a Delaware company and said each of its members “offers products in the state of Florida and has suffered harm, including reduced revenue, as a result of the legislation purporting to authorize ‘casino gambling’ throughout the state.” Moreover, the lawsuit did not name Protect the Constitution’s members. In granting a motion by the state to dismiss the case, Sjostrom wrote that because the lawsuit “fails to provide meaningful information regarding the identity, activities, location, business, and business methods of its constituent members, it fails to allege facts to demonstrate standing.”
Sjostrom did not rule on the underlying constitutional issues raised by Protect the Constitution. The 2018 constitutional amendment said it “ensures the Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide to authorize casino gambling” in the state. It required a vote through a citizens’ initiative “for casino gambling to be authorized under Florida law.”
The lawsuit, filed in April, centers on a deal that Gov. Ron DeSantis reached with the tribe in 2021. The deal, which was ratified by the Legislature, allowed the tribe to accept mobile sports bets placed anywhere in the state, with the wagers run through servers on tribal land. Such gambling started in late 2023. Protect the Constitution, the national report notes, has contended that the deal, known as a compact, violated the constitutional amendment because it did not get voter approval. A key issue, however, has been the sports bets running through Seminole Tribe servers, as the constitutional amendment included an exception for gambling that takes place on tribal lands.
Additionally, the amendment said “nothing herein shall be construed to limit the ability of the state or Native American tribes to negotiate gaming compacts pursuant to the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act for the conduct of casino gambling on tribal lands. Or to affect any existing gambling on tribal lands pursuant to complaints executed by the state and Native American tribes pursuant to IGRA.” The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, or IGRA, plays a key role in tribal gambling issues across the country. As many regular readers of this space are aware, the IGRA comes into play in almost every instance of tribal gaming being discussed in the United States.
However, the report says, Protect the Constitution has argued that it does not make the sports betting deal constitutional. “When the voters of Florida decided to add (the gambling amendment) to the Constitution, they understood that it would give them the sole right to authorize sports betting,” Protect the Constitution said in an Oct. 20th court document. “Today, by legislative fiat, betting on sporting events occurs across the state, all without the people’s authorization. That is unconstitutional.”
The deal, which also included such things as allowing the tribe to offer craps and roulette games at its casinos, called for the state to receive a minimum of $2.5 billion over the first five years and possibly billions of dollars more through the pact. The lawsuit named as defendants the state, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, and the commission’s members. It came after pari-mutuel companies West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corp. filed unsuccessful challenges to sports betting in state and federal courts. Of course, with the Seminoles having so much monetary and political sway in the state, it will take a lot of concerted efforts to dampen their hold on the sports betting industry in Florida, which they have built up over many decades of powering the state. Indeed, there is never a dull moment when it comes to Florida sports betting news.
After you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gaming notes coming from the Sunshine State, make sure to check out all the additional insights available to you at SBS. For even more additional analysis on the state in question, the Florida sports betting guide has eligible customers covered with all kinds of updates and notes from the region. Conversely, for those intrigued by the latest in online outlets, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is a must-read page. Here you can explore more about the outlet and also how qualified patrons can check it out if it makes sense for them. Finally, for those interested in maximizing their wagers, the best bonus betting sites breakdown is a must-read page. Here you can find a breakdown of the latest and greatest welcome bonus offers available to customers.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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