The ongoing battle over sports betting in Florida has reached new heights as the federal government has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to step in and stop a challenge from two Florida-based companies.
The companies, Cutler Bay-based United Florida Horsemen and Miami Gardens-based Magic City Casino, have been fighting against a 2018 constitutional amendment that allows sports betting in the state. The amendment was passed by Florida voters in November 2018, and since then, the companies have been trying to block its implementation.
The latest development in the case came when the federal government filed a petition with the Supreme Court asking them to stop the challenge from the two firms. The government argues that the companies are not directly affected by the amendment and therefore do not have the legal standing to challenge it.
In their petition, the government also points out that the amendment was approved by a majority of Florida voters and that the state legislature has already passed laws to regulate sports betting in the state. They argue that the companies are trying to circumvent the will of the people and interfere with the state’s ability to regulate gambling within its borders.
The companies, on the other hand, argue that the amendment violates the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which prohibits states from authorizing sports betting. They claim that the amendment is unconstitutional and should be struck down.
The Supreme Court will now have to decide whether to take up the case and potentially make a ruling that could have far-reaching implications for the future of sports betting in Florida and across the country.
This latest development comes at a time when sports betting has been gaining momentum in the United States, with more and more states legalizing the practice. If the Supreme Court does decide to hear the case, it could set a precedent for how states are able to regulate and legalize sports betting in the future.
Overall, the battle over sports betting in Florida continues to evolve, with both sides entrenched in their positions and fighting for their interests. It remains to be seen what the Supreme Court will decide and how it will impact the future of sports betting in the state.
