Seminole Tribe & West Flagler end court battle with Jai Alai deal

Seminole Tribe West Flagler Associates Florida Hard Rock Bet
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The contentious legal battle between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and West Flagler Associates over the right to offer online wagering has come to an end.

West Flagler, the Seminole Tribe and other parties involved in the dispute have reached a comprehensive agreement that prevents West Flagler and its parties from engaging in any litigation regarding the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive right to offer online wagering in Florida.

The deal ends a years-long dispute between West Flagler, the Seminole Tribe and other parties that include Bonita-Fort Myers Corp. and Southwest Florida Enterprises. The agreement includes the prevention of any future litigation regarding wagering in Florida.

“This is truly a win-win agreement for the Seminole Tribe and West Flagler,” said Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen. “This agreement establishes a relationship of collaboration among the Seminole Tribe and West Flagler in the State of Florida. Rather than engaging in years of additional litigation, this agreement will allow the parties to work together to promote Jai Alai, which has played an important role in Florida’s gaming landscape for nearly 100 years.”

As part of the agreement, West Flagler and the Seminole Tribe will work together to bring Jai Alai betting markets to Hard Rock Bet, Florida’s exclusive sports betting operator. The two entities will also collaborate on promoting the sport, which is provided by West Flagler affiliate Battle Court Jai Alai, LLC. Hard Rock Bet plans to offer Jai Alai in early 2025.

West Flagler denied by Florida Supreme Court

The agreement between West Flagler and the Seminole Tribe comes after West Flagler received an unfavorable result in March following its challenge of a gaming compact.

Florida’s Supreme Court denied West Flagler’s petition for a writ of quo warranto in March challenging the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive right to offer online wagering in the state. West Flagler argued in its petition that a gaming compact from 2021 should have all online sports betting language removed and that it is unconstitutional. West Flagler argued that it was unconstitutional because it exceeded the authority of the governor and legislature.

The writ of quo warranto was denied by the Supreme Court for it not fitting within the scope of what West Flagler was challenging and for the company waiting “too long to seek relief.”

West Flagler notified the Supreme Court of the United States of the Florida Supreme Court’s response to its challenge. The company argued that the SCOTUS was the proper venue to challenge the compact. The court elected not to take up the case earlier this year.