• The Florida Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet app was brought back online for existing users in Florida as a test phase after legal setbacks paused online sports betting.
• The Seminole Tribe, without revealing full launch details, is assessing the platform’s readiness post-app shutdown with a full launch anticipated to come by the end of the year.
• The Tribe also plans to offer live sports betting and new casino games at their Florida casinos in early December.

The Hard Rock Bet mobile sports wagering platform returned on Tuesday in a limited capacity, marking its first sign of activity since a U.S. Court of Appeals rebuffed a request to reassess a legal challenge that sought to halt online sports betting in Florida.

A representative from the Seminole Tribe of Florida informed The Capitolist that the app’s relaunch serves as a platform capability test and is, for the time being, exclusively open to existing customers who registered during its initial debut nearly two years ago. However, obtained emails indicate that individuals who signed up for Unity by Hard Rock, the casino’s loyalty program, before Nov. 6 are also open to using the Hard Rock Bet app.

“The Seminole Tribe is offering limited access to existing Florida customers to test its Hard Rock Bet platform,” said Gary Bitner, a public relations representative for the Tribe.

The Tribe offered no additional details regarding the app, including the anticipated date for a full rollout. Following ratification of the Seminole Gaming Compact in 2021, the Tribe launched its sportsbook app, allowing bettors to wager on game lines, spreads, futures, player props, and more. However, the platform was forced to shutter after the courts temporarily struck down the compact.

“The Hard Rock Bet launch happened even sooner than expected,” said sports personality Andy Slater on Tuesday, who initially reported on Nov. 1 that the app’s re-launch was imminent. “The mobile app is available right now to all existing Unity members and customers who had accounts two years ago.”

The Seminole Tribe also recently announced its plans to introduce in-person sports betting, along with roulette and craps, at its six state-wide casinos starting Dec. 7. Six Seminole casinos, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood and Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, will introduce sports betting, with other properties following in quick succession, per the tribe.