The Seminole Tribe of Florida leaders announced on Monday that they reached an agreement with pari-mutuel companies that gives the tribe statewide control over online sports betting.
Pari-mutuel companies West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corp. have unsuccessfully fought the sports-betting plan in state and federal courts.
The agreement includes the Seminole Tribe, West Flagler Associates, Bonita-Fort Myers Corp., Southwest Florida Enterprises, Inc. and the pari-mutuels' owner, Isadore Havenick, according to a news release.
The Tribe will accept Jai alai wagering on the Hard Rock Bet app in early 2025.
The Seminole Tribe has conducted full-scale betting on its app and at casinos since early December 2023.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the tribe agreed to a 30-year compact of nearly $20 billion that includes $500 million in annual revenue to the state for the first five years.
The agreement also allowed the Seminoles to offer craps and roulette at tribal casinos.
Companies argued that the compact gives the Seminoles a sports betting monopoly and that the U.S. Department of Interior wrongly approved the compact even though it violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of requiring gambling on tribal lands.
The app is the only way to bet legally on sports in the state of Florida.
West Flagler owns several gaming, sports and entertainment facilities throughout Florida, including World Jai Alai League operations in Coral Gables and Bonita Springs Poker Room.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with the Seminole Tribe in support of their gaming operations in Florida and to promote Jai Alai, which has been a critical component of Florida's gaming industry since the 1920s," Havenick said in a news release.
Seminole Gaming manages six Florida casino establishments for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, including:
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood
- Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood
- Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
- Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
- Seminole Casino Brighton
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