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For the first time after nearly two years, Florida residents and visitors will have the opportunity to place legal bets using the Hard Rock Bet online sportsbook.
The Seminole Tribe won a ruling from the US Supreme Court in late October that denied a stay in the Florida sports betting case. Then, last week the Tribe announced that retail sports betting and expanded gambling resume at its Florida casinos in December.
There was no official date on when the Tribe would relaunch its app. However, it has confirmed testing the app with existing customers. As the Seminole Tribe spokesman confirmed with PlayUSA:
“The Seminole Tribe is offering limited access to existing Florida customers to test its Hard Rock Bet platform.”
Users in Florida have also indicated on social media this morning that the Hard Rock Bet mobile sportsbook is available.
Hard Rock Bet app users can place online bets
Florida sports betting enthusiasts can now log in to the Hard Rock Bet app and place bets, according to reports from the state.
Seminole Tribe representatives announced a plan to launch sports betting at their casinos on Dec. 7. Once the rollout happens, it would mark a first step in the progress of gambling in Florida.
The announcement came after nearly two years of challenging the legality of the gaming agreement, which allowed the Tribe to offer in-person and online sports betting in The Sunshine State. The Seminoles could also offer craps and roulette games to their casinos.
As the Seminole Tribe and Seminole Hard Rock have already announced, they plan to celebrate “A New Era in Florida Gaming” with celebrations in December. The Seminoles will celebrate the launch of craps, roulette and sports betting at all six Seminole Casinos.
Meanwhile, the lawsuit remains pending at the Florida Supreme Court.
Seminole Tribe of Florida announces gaming expansion for December
Wednesday’s news release, issued by the Seminole Tribe and Seminole Hard Rock, indicates the following release dates:
- The Seminoles will launch sports betting, craps and roulette at the Tribe’s three South Florida casinos on Dec. 7
- The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa will begin offering the games on Dec. 8
- The Tribe’s casinos in Immokalee and Brighton will roll out offerings on Dec. 11
Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and chairperson of Hard Rock International, said: “This is a historic milestone that immediately puts Florida in the same league with the world’s great gaming destinations.”
According to the release, the Tribe’s new initiative will create jobs and increase tourism in the area. It will also provide billions in added revenue” for the state.
Wednesday’s announcement specified initial sports betting will be limited to the Tribe’s facilities. The agreement states bets “using a mobile app or other electronic device, shall be deemed to be exclusively conducted by the tribe.”
The agreement also allows the Seminoles to add three casinos on tribal property in Broward County. In return, the Tribe will pay the state at least $2.5 billion over the first five years, with more money in the coming years.
