Florida
Could online sports betting return to Florida? An attorney explains the possibility.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Online sports betting could now have a path to returning in Florida.
Earlier this week, a federal appeals court denied a request from West Flagler, a gaming operator, to rehear a case that challenged the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s gambling agreement.
The agreement gives the tribe a multi-billion dollar deal for control over sports betting throughout the state.
In 2021 Gov. Ron DeSantis and Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola signed off on a 30-year deal that would give the tribe control of sports wagering.
For a little over a month that year, the tribe accepted bets on their Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app but was forced to stop.
According to News Service of Florida, the victory for the tribe earlier this week comes a few months after a three-judge panel with the U.S. Circuit of Appeals reversed a November 2021 decision by a federal judge who halted their gambling agreement.
Late Friday night, West Flagler filed a motion to stay the mandate of the DC Circuit Court of Appeals in the ongoing Florida sports betting lawsuit.
Daniel Wallach, an attorney who focuses on gaming and sports betting law, said this filing wasn’t a surprise.
“West Flagler filed a last ditch motion to stay the issuance of the mandate, basically to stay the implementation of the ruling,” Wallach said.
The attorney said courts could decide to grant or deny the motion as early as Monday.
“If it’s granted, then that might place a hold on sports betting until the Supreme Court disposes of the matter, which could be a few months from now or it could be a year to a year and a half from now,” Wallach said. “If the petition or the motion for a stay, the mandate is denied. Then that will clear the way for the Seminole Tribe to begin offering sports betting throughout the state, maybe even as early as Monday afternoon.”
Wallach noted if that motion is denied, he doesn’t believe West Flagler would go away, because he feels they could try to pursue a case before the United States Supreme Court.
“So, we could have a case where [Seminole Tribe] operates its online and in-person sports books, while at the same time, West Flagler is still challenging it before the Supreme Court and potentially before some of the state courts in the state of Florida based upon a violation of the Florida constitution,” Wallach said.
News4Jax spoke with a gambling enthusiast, George Gardner, Saturday at a sports bar.
He said he remembered the nearly thirty days in 2021 when online sports betting was happening in the state.
Gardner also joked it was one of the best times of his life.
He also said he’d be happy if it finally returns because he believes if online sports betting makes a comeback in the state, it would be good because it could benefit Florida.
“It’ll be a regulated platform that then revenue can be regulated throughout the community,” Gardner said.
Wallach said what happens Monday will be important and said is something a lot of people will be paying attention to.
Copyright 2023 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
ORLANDO, Fla. – What we know: A 23-year-old woman from Altoona was killed Tuesday morning in a crash involving a dump truck and a sedan on County Road 439 near County Road 44A, authorities said.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash occurred at approximately 8:23 a.m. when a 1994 dump truck traveling northbound on CR-439 encountered stopped traffic. The driver, a 28-year-old man from Leesburg, attempted to brake but veered into the southbound lane, colliding head-on with a 2019 Toyota Corolla.
The driver of the Corolla was transported to AdventHealth Waterman Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, troopers said. The dump truck driver was not injured and remained at the scene.
Both directions of CR-439 remain blocked as authorities continue to investigate. No additional details have been released.
A full media release will be provided as more information becomes available.
The Source: The information in this article comes from the Florida Highway Patrol.
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Neighbor acquitted of murder charge in cat dispute
A years-long legal battle over a deadly confrontation in Umatilla, Florida, has ended with a jury acquitting a man of second-degree murder charges stemming from a dispute over a cat.
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A years-long legal battle over a deadly confrontation has ended with a jury acquitting a man of second-degree murder charges stemming from a dispute over a cat.
James Taylor, 41, was fatally shot during an argument with his neighbor.
What led to the deadly confrontation?
The backstory:
The incident occurred on October 20, 2021, in Southeast Marion County, north of Umatilla, and reportedly began when Taylor’s cat crossed onto the neighbor’s property, leading to a confrontation.
According to investigators, the neighbor, Clifton Anthony Bliss Jr., armed himself with a rifle and approached Taylor’s home, where the argument escalated.
The sheriff’s office arrested Bliss Jr. on a second-degree murder charge. Last week, a jury found Bliss Jr. not guilty after determining his actions were reasonable under the circumstances.
What they’re saying:
Taylor’s fiancée, Crystal Mitchell, expressed disbelief over the tragedy. “For that to end up like that? It’s unbelievable,” she said. Mitchell, who declined to appear on camera, said Taylor was a helpful neighbor, adding, “James wasn’t the kind to walk around and just threaten anybody and everybody with violence — that was not him.”
Legal experts say such cases hinge on proving an imminent threat of deadly force.
Criminal defense attorney Michael Panella, who was not involved in the case, emphasized the importance of de-escalation in conflicts.
“Your best self-defense are … nonverbal and verbal cues, being able to de-escalate something and actually removing yourself from a dangerous situation,” Panella said. “The last resort, the absolute last resort, is using deadly force.”
Bliss Jr. declined to comment on his acquittal.
Mitchell hopes her story reminds others that violence is never the answer.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the victim’s fiancée, Crystal Mitchell.
MIAMI – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling for a special legislative session to align state policies with President-elect Donald Trump’s promised crackdown on illegal immigration, but the move has drawn resistance from Republican leaders in the state legislature.
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton sent a joint letter Monday dismissing the notion of a special session as “premature” and criticizing the governor’s proposals as lacking substance.
The session is currently scheduled for the week of Jan. 27, shortly after Trump’s inauguration.
“As you know, this Legislature will address illegal immigration, condominiums, petition initiatives and hurricane recovery this session, which starts in 50 days. Calling a special session at this time is premature,” the letter reads.
Republican leaders emphasized their support for Trump and his immigration agenda but argued that acting without detailed guidance from the federal government could hinder the incoming administration’s efforts.
“It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make, especially when uninformed or ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump’s forthcoming efforts to end illegal immigration, close our borders and protect the sovereignty of our nation,” they wrote.
The letter also took issue with the governor’s approach, saying he had presented only “fragments of ideas” without actual bill language or meaningful details for lawmakers to consider.
Read the memo in its entirety:
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