The federal government will appeal a November court decision in the District of Columbia that overturned a 2021 Seminole Tribe compact authorizing online sports betting in Florida, according to court documents.
The defendants in the case, the U.S. Interior Department and Secretary Deb Haaland, filed a notice of appeal last week in the D.C. court. In November, D.C. district Judge Dabney Friedrich concluded the compact’s provision allowing people to make sports bets outside of tribal lands violates the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
The case was originally brought by two Florida pari-mutuel wagering entities. But this week that case was consolidated with an appeal filed by the Seminole Tribe, according to an order issued by the D.C. Court of Appeals.
A spokesman for the tribe declined comment on the Interior Department’s move, but a Florida group that has opposed the compact criticized the appeal.
“Interior’s decision to double down on the illegal compact is unfortunate,” John Sowinski, president of No Casinos, told the Florida Record in an email, “but also not unexpected. We will participate in the appeal and continue the fight to ensure that Florida is protected from the unlawful expansion of gambling.”
The compact, which was negotiated with the Governor’s Office, would have had long-term fiscal benefits for the state government. It was expected to bring $2.5 billion into the state’s coffers over three decades.
November’s ruling invalidating federal approval of the Florida compact led to the tribe shutting down its sports gaming app in 2021. With last year’s compact now in legal limbo, the tribe is now operating under a previous compact that took effect in 2010.
No Casinos Inc. argues that the compact violates the Florida Constitution. More than 70% of state voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 that states, “Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling in the State of Florida,” according to No Casinos. This suggests that expansion of gaming in the state can only happen through a statewide vote, the group argues.