Adversaries end dispute

The Seminole Tribe has cut a deal with its longtime adversary in the California gambling arena, West Flagler Associates Ltd, to end a legal battle that began in 2021.

agreed to no longer challenge the Seminoles

CBS News reported that on Monday the tribe’s perennial parimutuel plaintiffs agreed to no longer challenge the Seminoles in court over Florida gaming. 

In return, the tribe will promote a West Flagler-owned sports brand on its Hard Rock Bet app. The Seminole-owned digital sportsbook will debut the parimutuel’s Jai Alai market early 2025. 

Antagonists become allies

The Hard Rock Bet app is the only legal online sports betting platform in Florida and West Flagler owner Isadore Havernick was quick to ditch his firm’s old arguments in favor of the Seminole sports betting access deal.  

In a news release, Havernick stated West Flagler was “thrilled to be partnering with the Seminole Tribe in support of their gaming operations in Florida and to promote Jai Alai.”

critical component of Florida’s gaming industry since the 1920s”

The Havernick empire includes multiple gaming, sports, and entertainment facilities Florida-wide, including World Jai Alai League operations, which is based in Coral Gables and Bonita Springs Poker Room. Havernick said in the Monday news release that the sport of Jai Alai has “been a critical component of Florida’s gaming industry since the 1920s.”

“We are proud that Jai Alai will be featured on the Hard Rock Bet app” Havernick stated, adding West Flagler was looking forward to “developing a strong partnership with the Seminole Tribe.“

Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen on Monday also affirmed the tribe’s intention to promote the US variation of the Spanish sport pelota, stating Jai Alai has “played an important role in Florida’s gaming landscape for nearly 100 years.”

Allen also sounded relieved, terming the deal a “win-win” outcome that puts an end to engaging West Flagler in “years of additional litigation.”

Slate wiped clean 

West Flagler’s ongoing lawsuits against the Seminoles hinge on compact SB 2-A agreed between the tribe and Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021. The compact granted the tribe exclusive rights to Florida sports betting in a 30-year revenue-sharing deal. 

West Flagler, however, argued the amended contract illegally gave the green light to off-reservation sports wagering, contesting Florida-wide online wagering hosted by servers on tribal lands did not equate to physically betting on tribal lands.

While West Flagler still had the option to revive a suit in state courts, Monday’s deal is an official declaration the hatchet is finally buried.