Second Federal Lawsuit Filed to Stop Sports Betting in Florida

Weeks after the joint duo of Magic City Casino, West Flagler Associates Limited, and Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation signed the first lawsuit against online sports betting in Florida, another federal lawsuit with the same aim was reportedly signed on Monday.

According to the Tampa Bay Times report, the new legal action was backed by Property developer Armando Codina and local auto retailer Norman Braman-prominent Republicans known for their long-standing opposition against sports betting.

The second lawsuit challenges the new 30-year gaming compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida and seeks to stop the tribe from launching an online sportsbook starting from November 15.

Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature flouted federal Indian gaming law and the federal Wire Act “by authorizing gambling outside of Indian lands and by allowing the use of the Internet or interstate payment transmissions where sports betting is illegal.”

Lastly, the lawsuit by Braman and Codina, as reported by Tampa Bay Times newspaper, wants the court to invalidate the compact because it “violates the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.” It also allows the tribe to partner with parimutuels to manage their betting sites which illegally “sought to enrich non-tribal interests rather than protect the sovereign rights and interests of Native American Tribes and Peoples.”

The compact deal signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis permits sports bets at six of the tribe’s reservations. It allows Florida’s racetracks and jai-alai frontons to create their mobile apps and conduct off-reservation sports bets if the tribe chooses them as its partners.

Reports suggested that the plaintiffs, Braman and Codina, are particularly concerned by the 18-mile boundary provision of the compact, which could see Florida turning into a hub of commercial casinos like Vegas.

The compact clearly telegraphs their intent for casinos in Miami Beach and Doral by getting the Seminole Tribe of Florida to waive its right to object beyond the 18-mile boundary stated on the bill. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how this movie is ending and we don’t want to wait to see the white of their eyes.

Armando CodinaExecutive Chairman of Codina Partners, LLC

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