Abstract
As we prepare for 2024, there are several significant cases weaving their way through the legal system and regulatory developments that could radically alter gambling in the U.S.
At the top of the list is the battle over legal sports betting in Florida. A compact between the Seminole Tribe and Florida would have given the tribe control of retail and online sports betting in the state. The compact was challenged by West Flagler Associates. The case has made its way to the Supreme Court of the U.S. (at the time of writing, SCOTUS has not decided if it will hear the case). At the same time, West Flagler has also filed a case with the Florida Supreme Court.
Another hot-button issue is the legality of DFS+ or DFS 2.0. Several states have begun cracking down on these games, which pit the player vs. the house, rather than the traditional peer-to-peer fantasy sports model. This fight has pitted the new DFS operators like Sleeper, Underdog Fantasy, and PrizePicks against the original DFS operators who have now moved into the sports betting arena, DraftKings and FanDuel.
And in the background are the various legal battles over skill games, most notably in North Carolina, Missouri, and Virginia. Fliff's fight with California, which claims the company's sweepstakes offerings constitute illegal sports betting. And a class action suit claiming Roblox is targeting minors with illegal gambling.
2024 will certainly be interesting.