- Hard Rock Sportsbook has officially launched in Florida, kicking off the Florida sports betting market.
- This is the first sportsbook to go live in the Sunshine State as retail sportsbooks have yet to launch.
- Florida still has a pending lawsuit that challenges its gaming compact.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s sports betting market has officially gone live as the Hard Rock Sportsbook launched on Monday afternoon.
The sportsbook offers mobile betting state-wide and is accepting bets. Hard Rock Sportsbook went live before the retail sportsbooks in Florida launched.
Florida still has a pending lawsuit that challenges the Seminole Tribes’ ability to offer online sports betting. This launch is a good sign for the fate of this lawsuit in Florida.
WELCOME TO THE PARTY
Mobile sports betting is heading dahn to Florida #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/M7SCAfH7QO
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 19, 2021
Florida Sports Betting Live
The Hard Rock Sportsbook is powered through sports betting technology company Genius Sports. Genius is the official data partner of the NFL and has powered other major mobile sports betting apps in BetMGM and PointsBET.
“Hard Rock Digital is proud to partner with best-in-class partners like Genius Sports in order to curate the best place to play,” said Marlon Goldstein, Executive Managing Director and CEO of Hard Rock Digital. “Our aspiration is to build the best brand in digital gaming and betting, and look forward to partnering with Genius Sports on our launch and beyond.”
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Florida residents have regulated sports betting for the first time and the market is expected to boom. Sports betting is projected to see over $2.5 billion in revenue within the first five years.
The combination of professional and college teams as well as population and tourism is why lawmakers expect this level of success.
“Not only will this compact bring a guaranteed $2.5 billion in revenue over the next five years, but it also brings together Florida parimutuel businesses from across the state in a creative partnership with the Seminole Tribe providing increased access to safe and transparent sports betting in Florida,” said Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida.
Florida sportsbooks became regulated officially on October 15 but did not launch. The lack of launch was likely due to the two lawsuits that were challenging the Florida gaming compact.
While there were initially two lawsuits, one case was dismissed by a Federal Judge. The dismissal is likely what motivated the Seminole Tribe of Florida to launch the Hard Rock Sportsbook.
What’s Next For Florida Sports Betting
Land-based sportsbooks should launch next in Florida at Hard Rock Casinos across the state. The Seminole Tribe has sole authority over sports betting so these will be the only entities to offer odds.
The second lawsuit will go to court on November 5. Due to Florida launching mobile betting, it is likely the case will not affect the launch of local sportsbooks.
Florida sports betting is here to stay and with the rollout happening during the NFL season, the launch is expected to be a major hit.
After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in creative writing, Giovanni spent his professional career writing short stories for online journals. Now at USAOnlineSportsbooks, you can find him keeping fans up to date on their favorite teams best betting odds. Giovanni still tries to incorporate his passion for storytelling through the perspective of sports betting.
