Sports betting in Florida has not gone live yet, but that’s not stopping the Seminole Tribe from starting the hiring process for its once and future retail Hard Rock Sportsbooks.
Seminole Gaming recently listed numerous sportsbook positions on its job board and several popular job-hunting websites. It also held a hiring event on Oct. 19 strictly for sportsbook agents.
Florida sports betting has been on hold since November 2021, a few months after state lawmakers ratified a gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe that effectively gave it exclusive rights to mobile sports wagering in the state. West Flagler and Associates sued the federal government, saying the compact violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). When a federal judge ruled for West Flagler, the tribe shut down its Hard Rock Bet Florida app after only a couple of months in operation.
A federal appeals court vacated that ruling in June, opening the door for sports betting to return to the Sunshine State. While West Flagler has appealed that ruling, Hard Rock’s recent job openings signify another step toward Florida’s legal sports betting struggles becoming a thing of the past.
What type of sports betting jobs are being offered by Hard Rock Casinos in FL?
Seminole Gaming operates six casinos in Florida, including its two premier Seminole Hard Rock Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa. Its internal job website lists sportsbook openings at the Hollywood property and Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.
Seminole casinos are currently looking for part-time and full-time sportsbook agents, plus the perfect fit for the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood sportsbook supervisor role. Some of these jobs were listed in the first week of October, so get your application in ASAP if you’re interested.
Further opportunities exist on the Hard Rock Digital side, which focuses on the company’s operations surrounding online sports betting, online casinos and social casinos worldwide. Open positions include:
- Trading proposition manager
- Social media and digital marketing specialist
- Quality assurance (QA) analyst
- Senior account manager
- General accounting manager
New job openings show confidence in future rulings
The future of Florida sports betting lies in a favorable Supreme Court ruling of West Flagler’s appeal. If it considers the case legitimate, the request will proceed. If not, the Seminole-state compact looks to take effect once more.
Recent delays in the Supreme Court’s ruling have caused the federal government to weigh in, adding pressure on the court to make a decision.
Additionally, West Flagler and Bonita-Fort Myers Corporation filed another lawsuit with the Florida Supreme Court against the State of Florida after the ruling was vacated. The state has a Dec. 1 deadline to file a response to the lawsuit.
The group No Casinos has also sided with West Flagler. It joined the fight in 2021, saying the compact violates a state amendment requiring any expansion in gambling to be approved by voters.
However, the Seminoles clearly believe the court will deny West Flagler’s request. They believe the compact complies with the IGRA and the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA), and they are ensuring they have the staff to expand as soon as possible.
Reinstated compact would also bring craps and roulette to FL casinos
In addition to legalizing sports betting, the 2021 gaming compact included verbage to bring craps and roulette to Florida casino floors for the first time.
And just like sports betting, Seminole Gaming has already begun planning as if the compact will be reinstated. It first began advertising “dealer school mixers” for craps and roulette in July, enrolling prospective dealers in an eight-to-12-week class.
The first class started on Aug. 8, and PlayFL reported the earliest classes would graduate in October or November. Bob Jarvis, a gaming law professor at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, said Christmas or New Year’s seemed like plausible dates for craps and roulette tables to open.
Efforts continue on the hiring front, too. Seminole Gaming had a craps and roulette hiring event this past weekend, on Oct. 20, and Seminole Casino Immokalee posted a new craps/roulette dealer position that same day.
Ample opportunities will continue to come as long as the tribe’s hunches are correct about its ability to offer sports betting, craps and roulette. We will keep you posted as future positions open and hiring events occur.
