Seminole Tribe sues DraftKings over alleged illegal Florida sports betting

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has filed a 72-page complaint in Florida state court against DraftKings and CEO Jason Robins, alleging the company runs an illegal sports betting business in the state without a license. The tribe says DraftKings' Super App violates Florida law and the 2021 Gaming Compact between the state and the tribe.

The complaint cites public statements by Robins describing DraftKings' Florida product as functionally the same as its licensed sportsbook offerings in other regulated states. It also alleges DraftKings secretly funded five years of litigation aimed at invalidating the Compact and Florida's sports betting regulatory framework, including a lawsuit filed on 17 September 2026 against the state and its officials. The tribe distinguishes the Super App from prediction markets.

According to the complaint, DraftKings offers sports wagering in Florida without a license, depriving the state of revenue and regulatory oversight. Alleged violations include bypassing consumer protections such as mandatory age verification requiring customers to be at least 21 and restrictions on certain bet categories. The tribe also points to DraftKings marketing that describes the offering in gambling terms and promotes "Bonus" bets. Florida law authorizes the Seminole Tribe to sue to shut down illegal sports betting businesses. The tribe says the case seeks to protect its Compact rights and uphold Florida's regulated framework, which generates revenue-sharing payments for public programs including environmental conservation, water management and local government support. It says recovered funds will prioritize Florida-specific consumer protection and responsible gambling recovery programs.