Hard Rock Digital ordered to cease sports betting following Florida court denial
US Judge Dabney L. Friedrich denies Seminole Tribe stay on compact vacation as appeal falls on deaf ears
Hard Rock Digital’s Florida-based sportsbook is facing an uncertain future after the Sunshine State courts denied the firm’s request to continue operation while legal appeal is considered.
In the latest twist, US Judge Dabney L. Friedrich continued her hard-line stance against the Seminole Gaming subsidiary, denying the first stage of its appeal against the nullification of the Seminole’s August 2021 compact with the state of Florida.
Earlier this week, Friedrich sensationally ordered the vacation of the 30-year compact on the grounds that it violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), and the Wire Act.
The judgment was issued after two parimutuel operators sued Florida state officials for signing the compact, arguing that its institution would cause them financial damage, a claim which was ultimately upheld by Friedrich.
In the wake of the ruling, the Seminole Tribe had launched an appeal on the grounds that it had already spent a “considerable” amount of money and time launching sports betting on November 9, suggesting that it would be disadvantaged by the about face.
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The tribe had likewise asked for a stay of enforcement of the ruling, pending this appeal, and has continued to take bets from Floridians throughout the period.
In a five-page response to this request for a stay, Friedrich used the prior legal precedent of so-called “extraordinary relief,” something which, if proven, would allow for the continuation of sports betting.
Under this argument, a stay could have been granted if the Seminoles had shown it was “likely” to succeed in an appeal, whether the tribe or the other parties in this case (i.e. the state) would be irreparably injured if a stay was not granted, and if the stay was in the public interest.
In all cases, however, Judge Friedrich dismissed the tribal appeal.
She also took aim at the tribe for launching sports betting operations ahead of schedule.
“Although the tribe invokes an interest in preserving the status quo, online gaming under the compact began only on November 1, 2021, and the tribe previously represented that it would not begin until November 15,” Friedrich wrote.
“And finally, the court’s decision did not foreclose other avenues for authorizing online sports betting in Florida, including a citizen’s initiative.
“Those avenues cut against considering the general costs and benefits of online sports betting in this posture,” the US adjudicator added.
Hard Rock Digital and parent company Seminole Gaming have not commented on the court denial.