Hard Rock Bet Shockingly Launches in Florida

Fans view the A Perfect Moment in Time statue as we look at the details surrounding the Seminoles launching Hard Rock Bet mobile betting in Florida. — Fans view the A Perfect Moment in Time statue featuring the likeness of Don Shula being hoisted by Nick Buoniconti and Al Jenkins in celebration of their perfect season outside of Hard Rock Stadium on May 22, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Shula, who died May 4, 2020, is being remembered by the Miami Dolphins with a socially distanced viewing of the statue due to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a series of events. Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images via AFP.

The sporadic legal sports betting situation in Florida has taken a new turn as the Seminole Tribe quietly launched their Hard Rock Bet brand on Tuesday. Customers who had previously signed up for the betting product in the Sunshine State now have access to the service. Unfortunately, Florida residents are still unable to use the top sports betting apps available.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson announced that the Seminole Tribe is providing a select group of existing Florida customers with the opportunity to test out its Hard Rock Bet platform.

The Seminole Tribe has had the opportunity to launch Hard Rock Bet in the Florida sports betting market for a few years now, but legal challenges have prevented them from doing so. Be sure to read our review of Hard Rock for more information.

Just last week, the Seminole Tribe revealed their plans to launch in-person, retail sports betting at their casinos in the state. The rollout is scheduled to take place from December 7 to 11, starting with three facilities offering sports betting on the first day.

The surprise mobile launch of Hard Rock Bet on Tuesday marks a significant step forward in the Seminole tribe’s sports betting initiatives. It demonstrates that the renegotiated tribal compact, agreed upon by the tribe and Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021, is resilient against any legal challenges.

Ramifications

When the Seminoles announced last week that they would be launching retail sports betting, Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and chairman of Hard Rock International, described it as a significant moment that would elevate Florida to the level of the world’s top gaming destinations.

The launch of mobile sports wagering in the state on Tuesday ignites a fire under its reputation, solidifying its position as one of the top legal sports betting jurisdictions in the country.

With a population of 21.5 million residents, Florida boasts a thriving tourism industry and is home to multiple professional sports teams including three NFL teams, two MLB teams, two NBA teams, two NHL teams, two Major League Soccer teams, and 13 NCAA Division I college teams. These teams have been pushing for the legalization of sports betting in the state, as they stand to benefit from it in various ways.

Availability

The Hard Rock Bet platform has been quietly launched in a limited capacity. Despite the lack of a major press release accompanying the latest Florida sports betting launch, industry insiders are referring to it as a “soft re-launch” aimed at providing Florida sports bettors with a mobile platform.

After a two-year legal battle, Hard Rock Bet will now be accessible to current customers as a trial run before eventually expanding its availability to a wider audience.

Unfortunately, customers in Florida who have signed up for a Hard Rock account can start placing sports bets right away, just in time for Week 10 of the NFL season. The only downside is that the Miami Dolphins have a bye week during that time.

History teaches caution

Even though the Seminoles have a dominant position in the gambling industry in Florida, they have taken a cautious approach to launching a legal sports betting platform in the Sunshine State.

In November 2021, Seminole resources were dedicated to launching the Hard Rock mobile app following the implementation of the newly signed compact between the state and the tribe. However, just 34 days after its launch, more litigation led to the tribe shutting down their mobile sports betting platform.

The debate over a mobile sports betting model for Florida customers has become a major point of contention among both supporters and opponents of gambling in the state. The proposed “hub-and-spoke” model, which involves locating servers for the sports betting platform on tribal lands, is at the center of the ongoing battle over the Seminole tribe’s plans for mobile sports wagering.

It’s anyone’s guess as to what makes this launch attempt different.

Legal challenges remain

West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corp., the owners of Magic City Casino and Bonita Springs Card Room, are continuing to fight against the Seminole Tribe’s compact in the state of Florida and may consider appealing the matter to the Supreme Court.

West Flager’s latest attempt to meet the necessary requirements for another stay on the issue was unsuccessful, meaning Hard Rock Bet can proceed with going live.

Despite lingering concerns about the wording of the Seminole/Florida State compact, the efforts of the pari-mutuels have not been sufficient to prevent the launch of Hard Rock Bet.

Is the launch of Hard Rock Bet going to be successful? When can new customers in Florida sign up for mobile sports betting? The answers to these questions are still unknown and we eagerly await more information.

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.