Florida Group Challenges Seminole Tribe's Casino Expansion
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A Florida-based casino opposition group, No Casinos, Inc., has embarked on a fresh offensive against the Seminole Tribe’s 2021 compact, seeking its invalidation. Their primary ammunition? A constitution amendment specifically drafted to stymie an expansion of casino gambling sans voter consent. The constitutional safeguard, which won the backing of 71% of Floridians in 2018, seemingly rebuffed the growth of casino gambling within their vicinities.
However, in what appears to be a flagrant disregard for the people’s will, Governor Ron DeSantis sanctioned a deal in favor of the Seminole Tribe three years after Florida voters’ overwhelming rejection of unapproved casino expansion. The controversial compact positions the tribe to broaden their casino offerings and facilitate sports wagering. Importantly, bets could be taken online, provided the servers facilitating the wagers were stationed on tribal land.
In the eyes of No Casinos, Inc., the government-endorsed compact tramples on the explicit intent, principle, and public stance embodied within their constitutional safeguard. The organization, alongside pari-mutuel operators West Flagler Associates, is steadfastly appealing to the Florida Supreme Court to dismiss the gaming compact and associated legislation formalized by the state’s lawmakers.
Curiously, Florida remains one of the most significant US states devoid of a legal sports gambling setup. This peculiarity is a reflection of the long-standing, multifaceted legal battle spearheaded by opponents such as West Flagler Associates. They assert that online betting is firmly at odds with Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s prohibition of off-reservation gaming.
The fluid, ongoing dispute took a new turn only last week when the US Supreme Court compelled the gaming compact to maintain status quo as it readies to address opponents’ petition. Florida’s state court received No Casinos’ brief outline, which argues that the question of the “hub and spoke” model’s suitability under state law has been artfully dodged by federal courts.
According to them, the state’s supreme court should declare the compact’s authorization of off-reservation gaming void. An endorsement of gambling via mobile devices by the governor or legislature is, in their view, a stark overstepping of their authority.
Ironically, while West Flagler’s lawsuit has targeted the Department of Interior with the aim of invalidating the former’s approval of the contentious gaming compact, the Seminole Tribe revealed they wouldn’t file a response.
As this saga unfolds, we continue to underscore that safe, regulated online gaming can be an enjoyable pastime for responsible adults. We at West Island Blog have compiled a list of Canada’s best online casinos for your perusal. Remember, it’s not just about the thrill of the game but playing responsibly.
