The Seminole Tribe of Florida announced today that it has sued DraftKings and CEO Jason Robins, alleging that the company is operating an illegal sports betting business in Florida.
According to a press release, sent to Action Network by Gary Bitner at the Bitner Group, the tribe filed a 72-page complaint in Florida state court.
The lawsuit claims DraftKings’ activities violate state law and the 2021 gaming compact between the Seminole tribe and the State of Florida.
The allegations have not been established in court. The tribe’s announcement did not include a response from DraftKings or Robins. Action Network has also reached out to DraftKings for comment.
Seminole Tribe Challenges DraftKings’ Florida Product
The lawsuit focuses on a product the tribe calls DraftKings’ “Super App.” According to the release, the complaint alleges that DraftKings offers sports betting to Florida customers without a license to provide sports wagering in the state.
DraftKings described the app as a “Super App” that brings together several products in one place, including:
- DraftKings Sportsbook, where legally available
- DraftKings Predictions
- DraftKings Casino, where legally available
That unified setup is said to make it easier for eligible customers to move between products.
The tribe says the complaint cites public statements by Robins describing the Florida product as functionally identical to DraftKings’ licensed sportsbook offerings in other states.
The complaint also argues that the product differs from a genuine prediction market in several key ways, according to the release. The announcement does not explain those differences in detail.
The tribe further alleges that DraftKings markets the offering as gambling and attracts customers with “Bonus” bets.
Dispute Centers on Florida’s 2021 Gaming Compact
The lawsuit adds another dispute over the 2021 gaming compact, the agreement between Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida that governs the state’s regulated sports betting framework.
According to the tribe’s announcement, earlier challenges to the compact in federal and state courts were rejected.
The tribe also alleges that DraftKings secretly funded a series of legal challenges over five years aimed at overturning the compact and Florida’s sports betting rules. Those challenges include a lawsuit filed against the state and its officials on Sept. 17, 2026, the release says.
That funding claim is an allegation described by the tribe, not an independently verified finding.
Tribe Raises Revenue and Consumer Protection Concerns
The Seminole Tribe says Florida law allows it to sue to stop illegal sports betting businesses in the state. The lawsuit aims to protect the tribe’s rights under its gaming agreement with Florida and support the state’s regulated sports betting system.
Under that agreement, the tribe shares gaming revenue with the state. Those payments help fund environmental conservation, water management and local governments.
According to the complaint, the tribe plans to give priority to using any money recovered from DraftKings to protect Florida consumers and support programs that help people recover from gambling problems. In short, the money will help fund responsible gambling recovery programs.
About the Seminole Tribe of Florida
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is headquartered in Hollywood.
According to the release, it has about 4,500 members living on and off reservations across the state.
The tribe owns Hard Rock International, while Seminole Gaming manages six Florida casino properties, including the Seminole Hard Rock hotels and casinos in Hollywood and Tampa.
