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In a unanimous decision this week, the rejected a petition challenging the legality of a gambling compact that allows the Seminole Tribe to offer online sports betting throughout the state. This ruling marks another defeat for pari-mutuel companies West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corp., which have been contesting the compact in both state and federal courts.

"Quo warranto is not and has never been the proper vehicle to obtain a declaration as to the substantive constitutionality of an enacted law. For that reason, we deny the petition because the relief that petitioners seek is beyond what the writ of quo warranto provides"

The controversy originated from a 2021 agreement signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. This 30-year deal, known as a compact, features a "hub-and-spoke" model enabling the tribe to handle mobile sports bets placed anywhere in . Additionally, the compact permits the Seminole Tribe to offer new casino games such as craps and roulette and to build three new casinos in Broward County. In return, the tribe has committed to paying the state a minimum of $2.5 billion over the first five years, with expectations of significantly higher revenue over the compact's duration.

The plaintiffs, including business owner Isadore Havenick, argued that the compact violated a 2018 constitutional amendment restricting casino gambling expansion. They sought a "writ of quo warranto," a legal action questioning the state's authority to enter into such agreements. However, the court's 11-page opinion, authored by Justice Meredith Sasso, (pictured above) cited precedent to deny the petition. Sasso referenced a 1920 ruling that quo warranto is intended to challenge the right to hold office or exercise state-derived privileges, not to question the constitutionality of enacted laws.

The ruling underscores the court's stance that quo warranto is limited to questioning the exercise of state power rather than assessing the merits of legislative actions. The justices suggested that the pari-mutuel companies could pursue a more conventional lawsuit in circuit court if they wish to challenge the compact's constitutionality.

The compact has already begun to reshape Florida's gambling landscape. In November, the Seminole Tribe started accepting mobile sports bets, and by December, they had introduced new table games and sportsbooks at their casinos. Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and chairman of Hard Rock International, stated that the tribe expects to contribute at least $650 million to the state over the next year under this agreement.

Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the Seminole Tribe, celebrated the court's decision, calling it "a major victory for the people of the state of Florida." He emphasized the financial benefits, noting that the compact will provide substantial funding for state needs while offering Floridians and visitors enhanced gambling options.

The pari-mutuel companies' legal battle is far from over. In a federal case, a U.S. district judge initially ruled in favor of the companies in 2021, but an appellate court later upheld the U.S. Department of the Interior's approval of the compact. The companies have now sought a review from the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging the appellate court's decision. They argue that the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) does not permit the Department of the Interior to authorize gambling off tribal lands.

Their petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, filed in February, contends that the compact effectively bypasses state constitutional prohibitions against online sports betting conducted off tribal lands, creating a gambling monopoly for the Seminole Tribe. Attorney Hamish Hume from Boies Schiller Flexner LLP stressed the national implications, suggesting that the appellate court's decision, if left unchallenged, could set a precedent allowing other state-tribal compacts to circumvent state laws and IGRA's limitations.

West Flagler Associates and Bonita-Fort Myers Corp., which operate jai alai licenses and a poker room respectively, claim that statewide online sports betting could harm their businesses financially. Despite their ongoing legal efforts, representatives of the companies did not comment on this week's ruling.

This latest decision by the Florida Supreme Court solidifies the compact's standing but also signals potential future legal battles as the issue of state versus federal authority in gambling regulation continues to unfold.

Lea Hogg28 minutes ago

Spelinspektionen backs credit gambling ban, seeks clarity

The Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) has issued a response to the Finance Department regarding a memorandum on a proposed new ban on credit gambling (Fi2024/00442).

In its response, the Swedish authority declares its support to the proposed credit gambling ban. It agrees with the prohibition for license holders and gambling agents to facilitate or allow payments for gambling with credit cards. The ban is intended to cover all forms of licensed gambling, and the Authority is in favour of being able to grant exceptions in specific cases.

Spelinspektionen points out that the memorandum lacks an analysis of how the ban on credit card payments would affect charitable lotteries that sell tickets digitally. According to the ban lotteries would have to ensure that payments are not made with credit cards or financed by third-party credit at the time of purchase. As such, the Authority is concerned about the potential impact on these lotteries and suggests that this issue requires further examination.

In its , the Authority clarifies that while the proposal prevents players from using credit cards to pay for gambling, it does not interpret the proposal as requiring license holders and gambling agents to verify if a debit card is being used with a credit facility at every transaction. Spelinspektionen suggests that the scope regarding debit cards with credit facilities could be more precisely articulated to avoid confusion.

The Authority endorses the proposal to grant it the power to issue regulations concerning the action plans that license holders must develop under Chapter 14, Section 1 of the Swedish Gambling Act. This would give the Authority more control over ensuring that license holders comply with the requirements to prevent credit gambling.

Want to hear more from the experts on payments and latest regulations? Join us at the upcoming from the 2nd to 5th June.Shirley Pulis Xerxen3 hours ago

Thai province near Malaysia border eyes casino development to boost tourism 

A proposal for southern Thai province of Songkhla, bordering Malaysia, to host a casino to stimulate tourism has been raised. This proposal has been proposed by Songchai Mungprasithichai, President of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association.  

According to a report by The Bangkok Post, Mungprasithichai suggested that the area around Ban Dan Nok, ’s southernmost entry point, could attract gambling tourists. This location is often overlooked by Malaysian visitors in favour of Hat Yai, a more popular destination. 

Mungprasithichai highlighted that tourism operators in Ban Dan Nok report a quiet market. Even Hat Yai, a traditionally busy tourist hub, experiences inconsistent tourist flows. During festivals, 90 percent of foreign tourists in Hat Yai are from Malaysia, but these visitors now have more travel options than in the past.  

Mungprasithichai said he believes that the proximity of Songkhla to Malaysia's Resorts World Genting could make it an appealing alternative for gamblers who typically visit the Genting Highlands. 

For the casino development to succeed, Mungprasithichai emphasises the necessity of local approval. He called for an awareness campaign to inform the community about the benefits of an integrated resort. He was quoted saying that despite being an Islamic country, Malaysia allows legal casinos in Genting and he pointed out that a similar approach could work in Songkhla if the economic benefits are clearly communicated. The development would include hotels, shopping, and other attractions, not just gambling, to ensure it appeals to a broad audience. 

The call for a casino in Songkhla follows Malaysia’s Prime Minister's recent not to issue a second casino licence. This decision came after unverified reports suggested discussions about a potential casino near Singapore's border. Despite these denials, the interest in expanding casino operations in the region is evident. , with the potential establishment of its first integrated resorts, is becoming a focal point for the land-based casino industry. 

Last month, the Thai government took a significant step towards the within integrated resorts, with the cabinet endorsing a report from a special House committee that recommends this course of action. 

Macau welcomed approximately 2.6 million visitors last month, representing about 76 percent of the visitor numbers from the same month in 2019. Despite a monthly decline of 4.4 percent, there was a significant yearly increase of 14.4 percent, highlighting a recovery trend in tourism.  

Based on the from the Statistics and Census Service, Macau faces challenges in extending visitor stays, with same-day visits reaching 1.35 million, a 23 percent increase from the previous year. In contrast, overnight visitors totalled 1.25 million, marking a modest yearly rise of 6.3 percent. The higher rate of same-day visits indicates a need for strategies to encourage longer stays. 

Mainland China remains the largest source of visitors, contributing 1.73 million arrivals in April, a 25.3 percent increase from the previous year. However, the number of visitors traveling under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) saw a slight yearly decline of 3 percent, totalling 793,351. 

Hong Kong visitor numbers decreased by 22 percent year-on-year, down to 581,646. In contrast, Taiwan saw a substantial increase in visitors, up 120.6 percent to 73,460. Compared to 2019, visitation from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan reached 74.2 percent, 83.5 percent, and 80 percent, respectively, indicating varying degrees of recovery across these regions. 

's efforts to boost international tourism are yielding positive results, with international visitor numbers rising by 92 percent year-on-year to 208,297, or about 89 percent of April 2019 levels. South Korea contributed nearly 38,000 visitors, approximately 61 percent of pre-pandemic levels, while the Philippines accounted for 35,800 visitors, about 87 percent of the 2019 figures. 

From January to April 2024, Macau recorded a total of 11.47 million visitors, achieving about 83 percent of the visitor numbers seen in the same period of 2019. This data reflects a strong recovery trajectory, although it also underscores the need for continuous efforts to fully restore tourism to pre-pandemic levels.  

Macau's visitor statistics for April 2024 indicate a significant recovery in tourism, driven by increases in both same-day and overnight visits, particularly from mainland China and Taiwan. The substantial growth in international visitors highlights the success of 's efforts to attract tourists from diverse regions. However, the disparity between same-day and overnight visitors suggests that further initiatives are needed to encourage longer stays and enhance overall tourism revenue. 

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