Online sports betting has taken its first steps in Florida, marking a significant development for gambling enthusiasts in the state. The Seminole Tribe of Florida announced that it is now providing limited access to its sports betting app for Florida residents who had previously downloaded it in 2021 before it faced legal challenges.
According to a statement from the Seminole Tribe, they are offering “limited access to existing Florida customers to test its Hard Rock Bet platform.” While the tribe has not yet revealed when they will open the online version to all Floridians, the stage is set for broader in-person sports betting and expanded gaming options that will come to life in December.
The official statement from the tribe outlined the schedule for the rollout of new gaming options, stating, “Craps, roulette, and sports betting will launch to the public on Thursday, December 7 at all three Seminole Casinos in South Florida: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood, and Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. On Friday, December 8, the new games will launch at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. On Monday, December 11, the new games will launch at Seminole Casino Immokalee, near Naples, and Seminole Brighton Casino, on the northwest side of Lake Okeechobee.”
This development follows hot on the heels of a significant legal milestone for the Seminole Tribe’s gaming expansion plans. Approximately a week ago, on October 25, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an emergency bid to block a multibillion-dollar agreement between Florida and the Seminole Tribe. This landmark deal enables the provision of online sports betting throughout the state, setting the stage for an exciting future of gambling in Florida.
