Bestbet continues to seek help from the courts over its poker rooms
A legal dispute has emerged between one of Florida’s largest poker operators and the state’s gambling regulator over the approval of a new card room in Hamilton County. Bestbet Holdings, Inc., which runs three poker rooms in Jacksonville and Orange Park, has filed a lawsuit against the Florida Gaming Control Commission, claiming it overstepped its authority when it allowed Hamilton Downs Horsetrack to expand its operations.
The lawsuit, filed in Leon County circuit court on October 13, centers on the commission’s June decision to let Hamilton Downs relocate its cardroom license to new property near its old horse track. Bestbet’s attorneys argue that Florida law does not permit a pari-mutuel permit holder to conduct gambling activities outside its originally approved location. The company contends the move would unfairly impact existing operators and disrupt the balance of Florida’s tightly regulated gaming industry.
Hamilton Downs has a colorful history in Florida’s gambling scene. Nearly a decade ago, it held “flag drop” horse races—events where two horses slowly trotted down a dirt path after a flag was waved—to meet state requirements for maintaining its license. While the operation no longer runs horse races, it still holds a valid permit for card games. Regulators approved the shift to a nearby property earlier this year without public debate, effectively allowing Hamilton Downs to proceed with opening a poker room.
Bestbet’s attorney, John Lockwood, previously urged the commission to reverse the decision, warning it exceeded the agency’s statutory powers. He argued that allowing such relocations could set a dangerous precedent, enabling gambling expansions into counties that have voted against pari-mutuel wagering. Lockwood also raised concerns that the approval may violate the state constitution, which requires voter consent for any gambling expansion.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission has not yet commented on the lawsuit. The outcome could shape future gambling policy in Florida, determining how far permit holders can go in relocating or expanding their operations within the state.
