The late June update from Vegas Sports Betting once again highlights the state of Florida. One of the more intriguing aspects of sports gambling is how certain states are modeling their plans after what “the Sunshine State” has done. For example, it appears Wisconsin is very much into this process. However, the cheese state is taking it up a notch.
The problem for Wisconsin is they have 11 tribes where Florida has just one. By now, it is unlikely that online betting sites of a legal nature will be in Wisconsin or Florida in 2026 and 2027. Wisconsin has to negotiate take-rates and that is something Florida does not have to do. 11 different compacts mean more problems. It is a big reason why the door is open but nothing may come through right away.
Florida’s hub and spoke model with Hard Rock Bet will work better in some states compared to others. That was always inevitable. If Wisconsin’s plan does eventually function feasibly then that opens doors wide open. Again, it is complicated, unlike Florida, but the ramifications are amplified much more. After all, Wisconsin might lead to say California come 2028 or later.
With more and more wagering choices, Florida’s model remains more successful because of how simple it is. Again, keeping the commercial sportsbook out is the goal and the state has triumphed better than any other state.
Florida complications do seem to be rising somewhat. Yes, Florida again has a solid buffer with several states near it not having legal sports betting. However, the best online casinos still feel a bit like the “Wild Wild West”. As a result, there are some slight chinks in the armor. The D.C. Circuit Court has asked for a response on West Flagler Associates.
En banc hearings can be tricky. Honestly, the Seminole Tribe has until August 31st to respond. Typically, the district court may not be the biggest problem here. Again, this is something that can take months. Eventually, one has to wonder if this winds up going to the Supreme Court. That may be a different matter entirely.
“It’s important to note the three Judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a unanimous decision in favor of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which approved the Gaming Compact between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida,” the Seminole Tribe spokesperson wrote.
Again, the odds that West Flagler gains a victory here is a longer shot to say the least. This has been an on-going legal matter for five years and the Seminole Tribe has seemingly come out victorious when it counts each time. One has to admire the tribe, they do not seem concerned in the least.
If anyone needs a reason why Florida has adopted some different tacts, it is this. The legal gambling age for casinos is 21. Yes, there are always various online deposit methods with the casinos and books. Then again, illegal gambling operations are a different matter entirely. It seems several of the major credit cards have knowingly or unknowingly violated parts of the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act).
Again, the problems mount quickly. James Uthmeier, Florida’s Attorney General, has asserted a number of problems with VISA and that is the just the beginning. Mastercard and American Express have apparently been guilty as well. Hence a cease-and-desist order has been issued. That was issued on June 10th. What comes next is a bigger question.
Remember that typically the credit card giants are not phased by one state taking such an action. However, this is a clear escalation and Florida is taking a stronger stance against these payment processors. The beginning of 2026 has seen Florida go after illegal machines but again the processors were a different thing entirely.
Fee expected Uthmeier to go after these giants with this kind of aggression. If there are other legal options at his disposal, what are they? This depends on who you ask. However, it is clear that Florida is not messing around here. Hard Rock Bet is the only legal method for sports gambling and gambling in Florida. Anything else is fair game for investigating.
Yes, tensions are rising between Florida, Colorado, and other states too. The better question is what might happen next. Honestly, with the amount of in-fighting, that answer remains unknown. For these states are trying to interpret state and federal regulations. While Florida is fighting the contention of where a bet is made, other tribal nations are trying to seize on this in other states.
Take the Cayuga Nation case versus Caesars that is in its infancy. Geofencing at state borders is one thing but the argument over technology aiming at smaller, more micro areas is increasing. The idea of doing this around colleges or universities seems unenforceable to some but what others want.
Tribal land commanding gaming protections is nothing new. Now, Florida has fought this effectively and stayed the course since 2021. The question becomes how does Caesars respond next. What about the prediction markets and what they might do in the coming months as well? There are plenty of questions and what feels like a long, legal road to go.
Finally, it again boils down to Florida versus Colorado here. When that case gets an ultimate ruling may be when there is a resolution. Then again, Florida seems to always find a legal way to stand in these cases. Stay tuned!
