US Department of Justice Appeals to Supreme Court in Florida Sports Betting Case

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has taken a significant step in the ongoing legal battle over sports betting in Florida by filing a response with the Supreme Court. This move follows a lawsuit filed by West Flagler and Associates (WFA) in April, challenging the state's betting laws.

In its response, the DoJ contends that the Florida sports betting case is not within the jurisdiction of the federal court. The crux of the issue, according to Justice Department attorneys representing the Department of the Interior (DoI), revolves around the validity of the 2021 Seminole-Florida agreement. They argue that this matter falls outside federal purview and that the agreement itself adheres to established norms.

Furthermore, the DoJ asserts that the Interior Ministry's decision to "consider it approved" did not contravene any laws. At the heart of the debate is whether the Defense Department should have sanctioned the agreement, which grants the Seminole tribe exclusive rights to online sports betting.

The response sets the stage for a pivotal decision by the Supreme Court on whether to hear the case, which could have far-reaching implications for sports betting regulation in Florida and potentially beyond.