Hard Rock Bet has recently launched a new product called “Games,” described as “Powered by Past Motor Racing.”
This offering is a form of against-the-house sports betting using results from historical NASCAR races to determine outcomes. Unlike traditional slot machines, these games do not rely on random number generators.
Designed to mimic the appearance and feel of online slots, each spin of these games is actually based on real racing results. This makes them legally distinct from casino slots under Florida law.
The news comes on the heels of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa announcing a massive $2 million progressive jackpot building on its Dragon Link slot machines. A man also recently won 389 jackpots in one day.
What Hard Rock Bet Offers
Hard Rock Bet is an online platform for sports betting and casino games. It's run by Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe and is the only legal way to bet on sports online in Florida. In some states, it also offers casino games.
Hard Rock Bet is Florida's only legal app and website for online sports betting, thanks to an agreement between the Seminole Tribe and the state.
Users can bet on a variety of sports, such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, and more. They can also make live bets, combine bets (parlays), and bet on player stats and future events.
The platform also offers casino games, including slots and table games, available in New Jersey and a few other states where it's legal.
How the Hard Rock "Games" Work
The approach is similar to historical horse racing (HHR) products available in other states. These also use past sporting results to determine outcomes.
Players place bets based on historical NASCAR races, with those results dictating player outcomes. While the interface mimics slot machines with familiar symbols and spinning reels, the underlying mechanism connects to actual past sporting events. Players can click a button to view the specific race and results determining their outcome, adding a layer of transparency.
Typically, states explicitly permit HHR games to provide casino-like gambling experiences under federal parimutuel legislation. In contrast, Hard Rock Bet operates under a compact with Florida, allowing it to offer sports betting where players compete against the house.
What is the Legal Basis of "Games?"
The legality of these games is grounded in the 2021 gaming compact between Florida and the Seminole Tribe, allowing wagering on past sporting events. This compact permits Hard Rock Bet to offer sports betting statewide, provided servers are on Seminole land, and specifically authorizes bets on these past events.
While these games resemble slots, they are not classified as such under Florida law, which prohibits online casino slots but allows sports betting on past events. Additionally, while horse races are governed by parimutuel law, motor races are not.
Market Impact and Reception
The launch is seen as a creative workaround to Florida’s strict casino gambling laws, allowing Hard Rock Bet to offer what feels like slots but is classified legally as sports betting. The games are available to select Florida customers, featuring 21 titles in the Games lobby, with a minimum bet of $1, matching the minimum sports betting wager allowed by Hard Rock Bet.
This new product marks a significant innovation in the Florida sports betting market, leveraging the legal framework of the 2021 compact to deliver a unique, slot-like experience categorized as sports betting.
