Some Rattlers ready to wager as sports betting becomes legal

Florida residents can now bet on all sports legally from their phone or any device with the Hard Rock Sportsbook app. Photo courtesy: Palm Beach Post

Game on, Florida. As of Monday, sports betting is now legal in the Sunshine State.

The Seminole Tribe has launched The Hard Rock Sportsbook app that is up and running, allowing Florida residents to legally place bets on any sporting events.

Betters can wager on game lines, spreads, futures and player propers. You can also bet on all sports you love, and receive your money with easy and reliable withdrawals while receiving promotions such as risk-free bets, payout boosts and bonuses.

Prior to launching the app there were three lawsuits challenging the state’s gaming contract with the Seminole Tribe regarding controlled mobile betting. One lawsuit was filed in Washington, D.C. by West Flagler Associates. Deb Haaland, secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, could still determine by Friday if online sports betting needs further investigation.

With the lawsuit still pending it could be a costly decision for the Seminole Tribe after going forth with launching the app.

However, Florida online sports betting still faces other legal challenges but will remain live for Florida residents. Many out of state students who are now legally Florida residents are excited about the launch of this app.

“I’m originally from Memphis, Tennessee so I was used to using apps such as FanDuel and Bovada, but since I’ve been a student and official resident of Florida since 2019 I’m excited to know I can continue my sports betting legally with no hassle here,” said Tamren Smith, a senior electrical engineering technology major at Florida A&M University.

For many sports fans, betting on games adds more thrill to watching the event, especially when lots of money is on the line.

“I’ve been betting on sports since I was in middle school and turned to betting on apps since 2020,” Smith said. “I’m glad this app is legal in Florida now because me and all my friends bet on many football games.”

“We usually do parlays which is when you bet on many games and get a cut from each win,” Anthony Belle, a FAMU business school graduate, said. “The most I’ve put up is $250 but I know people who’ve put up $1,000 on games.”

“In my group chat alone I’ve won 50 bets from basketball, football to baseball, and on apps I’ve won about 5 bets. So now I’m ready to win more,” Smith said.