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Hard Rock Bet Made Available to All in Florida

Davis Isabela

Updated as of December 5, 2026 at 4:35 PM EST • Read time: 1 minute and 59 seconds. Find more information on Twitter and Google News.

Florida has requested once again that three specific DFS sites depart from the state's sports betting scene.
Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a touchdown at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images/AFP.

After a long process of legal battles, setbacks, initial releases, and closures, the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet wagering platform is finally prepared to officially launch its sports betting product to the entire state of Florida.

Florida customers were surprised on Tuesday when the state’s only sports betting app became available to all. Following the limited launch of betting activity for the Hard Rock Bet brand, a full mobile launch is scheduled for Thursday, just in time for Week 14 of the NFL season.

The company had initially introduced limited sports betting in the state on November 7 as part of a “soft launch.” This week, ESPN BET is gearing up to significantly enhance their presence in Florida. The launch of retail sports betting is anticipated for Thursday.

“In a statement, spokesman Gary Bitner announced that we are excited to continue launching the Hard Rock Bet app in Florida and are eagerly anticipating the official start of in-person and mobile sports betting on Thursday.”

Many famous bettors, such as Mike Tyson, Bruno Mars, and Jon Bon Jovi, are anticipated to attend Thursday’s events.

Casino gaming going live the same day

Not only will Florida sports betting go live on Thursday, but online casino gaming will also be introduced through the Hard Rock Bet brand. The expanded compact between the tribe and the Florida government will include popular casino games such as craps and roulette.

Chairman Marcellus Osceola announced in a press release on Tuesday that the Seminole Tribe of Florida is excited to enter a new era in Florida gaming with the introduction of craps, roulette, and sports betting to their casino games. Osceola expressed pride in the tribe joining the ranks of top casinos worldwide by offering a full range of casino games.

Litigation still an issue

Legal challenges to the Seminole Tribe and Hard Rock Bet are still ongoing, with West Flagler and Associates objecting to the tribal compact signed between the Seminoles and Governor Ron DeSantis. This compact, which extends the Seminoles’ gambling monopoly in Florida, is now being brought before the state’s Supreme Court.

The pari-mutuel providers are preparing to file a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior, the government agency that sanctioned the agreement between the tribe and the Florida government.

Despite potential ongoing legal battles, the Seminole Tribe remains unfazed in their pursuit of launching sports betting and maintaining their monopoly.

The tribe first launched in 2021 and operated for 34 days before being closed down by the courts. This time around, there is a sense of confidence that the Hard Rock Bet launch will be successful, allowing Florida bettors to capitalize on the strong starts of the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Residents of Florida will now have the opportunity to participate in legal sports betting, joining more than half of the American population. Additionally, they can enjoy online casino gaming from the convenience of their own homes.

Written By:
Davis Isabela
Davis Isabela is the Editor-in-Chief of Underscoreg Review. He has been a writer, reporter and editor for more than 20 years, and his work has appeared in more than 200 publications across North America. His first book, “100 Greatest Canadian Sports Moments”, was a hardcover best-seller in Canada in 2008. He has written more than 50 sportsbook reviews and dozens of other sportsbook-related content articles. James has also been quoted as a sports betting expert in USA Today and Sports Illustrated.