West Flagler Ends Legal Battle, Partners with Seminoles

After years of contentious litigation, West Flagler and Associates has partnered with Florida’s Seminole Tribe to promote jai alai betting through the Seminoles’ Hard Rock Bet app. This partnership follows a lengthy court battle that concluded in June, when the US Supreme Court declined to hear West Flagler’s case against the 2021 Florida-Seminole compact. Now, West Flagler and the Seminoles are set to bring jai alai back into Florida’s gaming scene, marking a significant turning point in the state’s gambling landscape.

West Flagler and Seminoles Partner to Launch Jai Alai Betting on Hard Rock Bet

In a surprising move that ends a prolonged legal standoff, West Flagler and Associates has forged a partnership with Florida’s Seminole Tribe to launch jai alai betting on the Hard Rock Bet app. The agreement signals a shift in strategy for West Flagler, which spent the last three years challenging the legality of the Seminole gaming compact. Now, with the US Supreme Court allowing a prior appellate decision to stand, West Flagler has agreed to support the Seminoles’ digital betting platform and to “refrain from engaging in any future litigation” against the tribe’s gaming operations.

Key Points:

• West Flagler ends legal battle, partnering with the Seminoles to promote jai alai on Hard Rock Bet.
• The 2021 Seminole-Florida compact grants exclusivity to the Seminoles for digital sports betting in Florida.
• Revenue-sharing agreement: Commercial partners must pay the Seminoles 60% of gross gaming revenue to operate.

According to constitutional law expert Bob Jarvis of NOVA Southeastern University, West Flagler’s legal pursuit was a costly endeavor with limited chances of success. “As I said when this litigation first started, West Flagler had no chance to prevail,” Jarvis remarked, suggesting that the partnership offers a practical path forward. Jarvis emphasized that the new agreement allows the Seminoles to focus on their plans for digital sports betting and potential future expansion into online casino offerings.

The 2021 Seminole-Florida Compact and What’s Next

The 2021 Seminole-Florida compact, which granted the tribe exclusivity over digital sports betting within Florida, allows wagers placed through a server in Indian Country to be considered legal. Although the compact does not authorize online casino gaming, it includes language that could allow the Seminoles to expand into online casinos if Florida legalizes them. As Jarvis noted, this clause opens doors for the Seminoles to push for more comprehensive mobile gaming options.

Under the compact, the Seminoles have committed to paying the state $2.5 billion over five years, covering revenues from sports betting and their six land-based casinos, including Hard Rock properties. However, the compact also bars commercial entities from offering online wagering without partnering with the Seminoles. To do so, operators must pay the tribe 60% of their gross gaming revenue and host their software on the Seminole server, a condition that some major operators have found cost-prohibitive.

Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen praised the new partnership, calling it a “win-win” that moves both parties toward a more cooperative relationship. “Rather than engaging in years of additional litigation, this agreement will allow the parties to work together to promote jai alai, which has played an important role in Florida’s gaming landscape for nearly 100 years,” Allen remarked. This partnership represents the first time that the Seminoles have formalized such a relationship, potentially setting a precedent for future collaborations.

Jai Alai and the Future of Florida’s Digital Gaming Market

With jai alai betting expected to launch on Hard Rock Bet by Q1 2025, the Seminole-West Flagler partnership brings new energy to Florida’s gaming scene. Jai alai, which has deep cultural and historical ties to Florida, aligns with the Seminoles’ strategy to broaden the scope of their offerings under the digital sports betting model. By incorporating this traditional sport into the digital landscape, the Seminoles are capitalizing on Florida’s unique gaming history while paving the way for expanded online gambling options.

The compact’s phrasing around “any new game authorized by Florida law” means that, if online casino gaming is legalized, the Seminoles could add this vertical to their offerings. As Jarvis explained, “We will soon see the tribe go back to the state and begin negotiating for full mobile betting…. The real question will be: how much does Florida demand for authorizing full mobile betting?”

The new partnership between West Flagler and the Seminole Tribe marks an end to years of legal conflict and a fresh start for Florida’s digital gambling industry. By agreeing to promote jai alai on Hard Rock Bet, both parties are contributing to a broader vision for digital gaming in Florida. With this foundational collaboration, the Seminoles are well-positioned to expand their influence, while West Flagler gains entry into a lucrative market. As Florida’s gambling landscape evolves, this alliance may open doors for further partnerships, ultimately driving growth in the state’s digital gaming sector.