The Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by the state of Florida regarding the legality of sports betting in the Sunshine State. The decision comes as a blow to Governor Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers who had been pushing for the expansion of sports betting as a way to generate much-needed revenue for the state.
In a 6-3 decision, the justices declined to take up the case, effectively upholding a lower court ruling that found Florida’s sports betting laws to be unconstitutional. The ruling is a major setback for Governor DeSantis, who had argued that allowing sports betting would boost the state’s economy and provide much-needed funding for education and healthcare programs.
The case in question stems from a lawsuit filed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which operates several casinos in the state. The tribe argued that a 2018 law that authorized sports betting at racetracks and other venues violated their exclusive rights to offer certain types of gambling in Florida.
The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case means that the lower court ruling stands, effectively blocking the expansion of sports betting in Florida. It also means that the state will not be able to collect any revenue from sports betting, which could have amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
In a statement following the decision, Governor DeSantis expressed disappointment, saying that he believed sports betting could have been a “win-win” for the state and its residents. He vowed to continue pushing for the legalization of sports betting in Florida and said that he would explore other options to generate revenue for the state.
Opponents of sports betting in Florida, including several anti-gambling groups and religious organizations, hailed the Supreme Court’s decision as a victory for morality and public health. They argued that allowing sports betting would lead to an increase in gambling addiction and harm vulnerable members of society.
The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the Florida sports betting case is a major blow to Governor DeSantis and state lawmakers who had hoped to bolster the state’s economy through the legalization of sports betting. It remains to be seen what the next steps will be for Florida in its efforts to expand sports betting in the state.