After Justices’ ruling, will Florida OK sports betting?
TALLAHASSEE — The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law banning sports gambling in most states on Monday, opening the door for lawmakers in Florida and other states to legalize sports betting.
In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 unconstitutionally interfered with New Jersey’s ability to modify its laws related to sports gambling.
Currently, Nevada is the only state where sports gambling is legal. Whether state lawmakers will move to legalize it in Florida, however, is an open question.
The ruling also raises several issues beyond whether it will become legal to bet on sports games in the state.
Florida has a compact with the Seminole Tribe that gives them a monopoly on card games such as blackjack, but the future of the agreement is in limbo, and sports betting could add a new element to negotiations.
“It’s going to take some time to understand what this means in states outside of New Jersey, in Florida and for Indian tribes around the country,” said Seminole Tribe spokesman Gary Bitner. “It will really require some research in terms of the law and how it may be applied.”
State leaders have struggled to renew part of the deal with the Seminole Tribe and pass gambling legislation since the compact was approved in 2010. Gov. Rick Scott’s administration sealed an agreement with the Tribe last month to keep monthly payments of $19.5 million flowing to the state.
What happens beyond that is uncertain. Florida’s Legislature is not scheduled to meet again until March 2019, and by then there will be new legislative leaders and a new governor.
Parimutuels, the dog and horse racetracks that offer poker and other limited card games, see sports gambling as a new way to boost revenue, both for themselves and the state.
“The decision by the Supreme Court today on sports betting represents a significant opportunity for Florida,” said Marc Dunbar, a gambling lawyer and lobbyist for the Stronach Group, which owns the Gulfstream Park horse track in Hallandale Beach. “Florida is uniquely positioned to take advantage of sports betting. This ruling specifically benefits destination states like Florida and could result in a significant boom for the state’s tourism economy.”
There is also the question of the anti-casino amendment on the November ballot. If Amendment 3 is approved by at least 60 percent of voters, any future casino expansion would require voter approval.
“The next question is, who should have the final say on [sports betting],” asked John Sowinski, president of Orlando-based No Casinos, a group pushing the amendment. “Should it be Tallahassee legislators and gambling lobbyists, or should it be the people of Florida? We think that decision belongs in the hands of the people of Florida.”
The amendment only specifies that the expansion of casino card games, slotlike games and anything classified as a “Class 3” game under federal law would be subject to future voter approval. But Sowinski said he assumes sports betting would fall into that category.
“[Even] if it weren’t, shouldn’t it be? Shouldn’t Florida voters have the final say on something as significant as that?” Sowinski added.
Out-of-state casino conglomerates looking to move to South Florida and Florida’s dog and horse racetrack parimutuels, which offer limited card games, have frequently pushed for the expansion of gambling in the state. Central Florida tourism giants such as Disney, however, have tried to thwart large-scale casino expansion.
Disney, which did not respond to a request for comment, and the Seminole Tribe have put $5 million apiece into the push to pass Amendment 3.
Florida lawmakers could still legalize sports betting if the amendment is approved but might take it as a sign that voters want a say.
Sen. Bill Galvano, next in line to become Senate president after the November elections, indicated as much.
“The ruling does not automatically change the gaming landscape in Florida,” Galvano, R-Bradenton, told the News Service of Florida. “I believe it will create more interest in pursuing some types of sports betting. … But all of that is overshadowed by the pending constitutional amendment, which may create tremendous obstacles for any type of sports betting to come into the state.”
All major professional sports leagues spoke out against expanded legalized sports betting, but National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver has said he would like to see it legalized at the federal level but heavily regulated.
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court opens the door for states to pass laws legalizing sports betting,” Silver said in a statement. “We remain in favor of a federal framework that would provide a uniform approach to sports gambling in states that choose to permit it, but we will remain active in ongoing discussions with state legislatures. Regardless of the particulars of any future sports betting law, the integrity of our game remains our highest priority.”