The Seminole Tribe of Florida is defending a gambling compact with the state in court.

The new gambling contract between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Governor Ron DeSantis is being challenged in court. Both Tallahassee and Washington, DC, have seen lawsuits filed in federal court. This week, the tribe has taken action to counter a lawsuit brought by pari-mutuel operators by filing filings in the United States District Court in Washington, D.C.

The pari-mutuel facilities in D.C. are suing the Department of the Interior for violating the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act by approving the 30-year arrangement. The complaint targets the compact's provision for mobile sports betting, which permits wagering off tribal territories and names U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland as a defendant.

Information on Recent Legal Action and Filings Against the Tribe

The Seminole Tribe presented its argument in court papers yesterday. The tribe claims they have received government recognition as an independent country. The tribe asserts its sovereignty and calls itself a vital party, demanding that the prosecution against it be dropped.

West Flagler Associates, the company that owns the Bonita Springs Poker Room and the Magic City Casino in Florida, has launched a federal lawsuit against the tribe. In its initial early July filing, the corporation named Governor Ron DeSantis as a defendant and did so in Tallahassee. Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Julie Imanuel Brown was also named.

The pari-mutuel operator is seeking an injunction to prevent the implementation of the gambling legislation that were passed in May 2021. According to the legislation, the Tribe has the authority to decide whether or not pari-mutuels can provide sports betting.

Midway through August, a second lawsuit challenging Bryan Newland's approval of the compact on behalf of the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs was filed in Washington, DC.

Allowable but not sanctioned

After the 45-day review period ended without Newland's approval, the agreement became effective. Newland expressed his apprehension about the company's future court filings in a letter he penned as the deal progressed.

The new compact's most contentious provision concerns the tribe's right to provide internet sports betting within the state. Although the tribe's servers for internet gambling would be located on tribal territory, users would have access to services located throughout the state.

West Flagler Associates and other critics claim that this feature breaks the law in multiple different ways. Since the wagering servers will be located on tribal grounds, the Seminole people view this as legitimate. It is unclear what will happen at this point, but with the Tribe fighting back, a resolution may take some time.