It’s Tuesday, Orlando. Expect partly cloudy skies to start the day, with occasional showers rolling in by the afternoon. Temps will reach around 88 degrees 🌡️ Here’s what’s on deck:

• Seminole Tribe Secures Major Sports Betting Victory

• Maitland's $19M Library Begins to Take Shape

Let’s dive in.

STATE LAW

Seminole Tribe Secures Major Sports Betting Victory

The Big Picture: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a 30-year deal allowing the Seminole Tribe exclusive control over sports betting in Florida. This decision marks a significant win for the tribe and the state's gambling revenue.

What Happened:

• The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge from two pari-mutuel companies, maintaining the status quo of the 2021 agreement. The original deal, approved by Governor DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe, includes online sports betting, with bets placed statewide and processed on tribal land.

Key Details:

• The compact (aka gambling deal) promises Florida at least $2.5 billion in the first five years and around $20 billion overall.

• The Supreme Court’s decision follows a previous ruling by a federal district judge against the compact, which the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later reversed.

Why It Matters: The decision ensures the Seminole Tribe retains control over sports betting, potentially cementing their position for decades.

Looking Ahead:

• The pari-mutuel companies still have potential legal avenues to challenge the compact, both at the state and federal levels.

• This ruling could accelerate the introduction of broader online casino gaming in Florida, controlled by the Seminole Tribe.

Bottom Line: The Supreme Court's decision is a landmark victory for the Seminole Tribe, securing their dominance in Florida's lucrative sports betting market and setting the stage for future expansions in online gambling.

Read more here (Orlando Weekly)

CONTRACTS

Maitland's $19M Library Begins to Take Shape

What's happening: Maitland City Council approved a $2.3 million contract with HBM Architects to design a new public library and improvements for Quinn Strong Park. The contract, which includes the design for the two-story, 20,000 square-foot facility, marks a significant step in the long-anticipated project.

Background:

• Established in 1907, the current library lacks modern amenities like a sprinkler system, adequate classroom and office space, and accessibility features.

• After agreeing in 2018 to build a new facility, Maitland selected Quinn Strong Park as the location in 2020.

Funding: The March referendum secured $14 million in public bonds, adding to the $5 million already available, bringing the total project cost to an estimated $19 million.

The big picture: The new library aims to be more than just a place for books. Library Director Stacie Larson, who has vouched for improvements since 2013, envisions it as a community hub, continuing the current library's tradition of bringing residents together.

Looking ahead: Questions remain about the future use of the existing library building and the provision of senior services once the current senior center is demolished. Yet, the new library project promises to enhance community engagement and access to educational resources in Maitland.

Read more here (Orlando Sentinel)

QUICK HITS

In Other News…

1. Two Orlando restaurants made Southern Living’s “most legendary” list.

2. Crayola billboards across Orlando aim to reconnect adults with their childhood art.

3. Orlando’s SunRail gets a tech revamp, with a new ticketing experience and mobile app.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s edition of the newsletter. See you back here tomorrow.

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