Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet Brings Mobile Sports Betting Back to Florida

• Florida’s betting scene is back with a bang!
• After a suspenseful hiatus, the Seminole Tribe ushers in a new era of mobile sports betting with the exclusive launch of Hard Rock Bet.
• Anticipation peaks as early access opens for select bettors and Hard Rock loyalty members, marking a monumental revival of the Sunshine State’s gambling spirit.
• Dive back into the game with Hard Rock Bet’s unparalleled mobile betting experience, designed for those who live and breathe sports.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has proudly reintroduced mobile sports betting to enthusiasts across the state with the launch of Hard Rock Bet. This exclusive online sports betting platform is now accessible to previous bettors and qualifying members of the Hard Rock loyalty program, Unity by Hard Rock.

This strategic move comes shortly after the Tribe’s announcement of their sports betting comeback in Florida. Starting from 7 December, patrons can indulge in craps, roulette, and sports betting at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, the Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood, and the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. The next day, on 8 December, the same offerings will be available at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, with the Seminole Casino Immokalee and Seminole Brighton Casino following suit on 11 December.

Announced via X – previously known as Twitter – Hard Rock Bet disclosed the exciting news of the early access availability. The platform’s message was clear and inviting: “Early access to Hard Rock Bet is now live in Florida! Bet now if you have previously engaged with Hard Rock Bet Florida or are a qualifying Unity by Hard Rock loyalty member.”

The path to this moment wasn’t without its challenges. The Seminoles have been navigating a complex legal landscape in their quest to relaunch sports betting. The U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of a motion to stay by the pari-mutuel betting operator West Flagler Associates in October was a beacon of hope. This development didn’t clear all hurdles but provided the Seminoles with a precious opportunity to advance.

Hard Rock Bet initially went live in 2021 following Governor Ron DeSantis’s endorsement of a gaming compact, granting the Seminoles exclusive rights to offer sports betting in Florida. However, this was interrupted when the District of Columbia ruled the compact in violation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) after legal challenges by West Flagler and Bonita-Fort Myers, who questioned the legality of offering sports betting via tribal-based servers.

The disputes intensified in September as West Flagler launched a legal challenge against DeSantis and the Florida state legislature. The claim: an overreach of authority in approving the 2021 gaming compact. And as recent as August 2023, West Flagler persisted, seeking a rehearing on the case it lost against Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland in June 2023.

Despite the legal turbulence, the Seminole Tribe remains steadfast in their commitment to providing a secure and exhilarating betting experience, harnessing the power of technology to bring mobile sports betting back to Florida’s shores.