Florida may be home to a number of world-class casinos, but unfortunately, sports betting is still illegal in Florida. As we can therefore no longer recommend the best Florida sports betting sites for your enjoyment, we have instead dedicated this guide to explain the current legal situation around online gambling and sports wagering, other gambling options and whether we’ll be able to recommend the best Florida online sportsbooks in the near future.
As there are no legal betting sites, some Florida locals or visitors may be tempted to sign up with offshore bookmakers. We always recommend against signing up to unlicensed bookmakers, as players are not protected by the law if things go wrong. Luckily, players can enjoy everything from casino gambling, poker, horse race betting, and daily fantasy sports instead.
Current Florida Sports Betting Situation
While there is no legal way to access Florida sports betting sites, for the time being, a number of powerful gambling interests in the state are working hard towards creating a legal market. However, legalization is not without its hurdles, with government officials and tribal gaming operators failing to agree to the terms of a bill.
The state government and Florida’s Seminole tribe, who operate a number of major casino resorts including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa, have been at odds due to issues surrounding gaming exclusivity. The state wishes to allow non-tribal interests to offer sportsbooks, while the Seminoles wish to limit sports betting to their casinos.
If the Seminole Tribe is successful, it would likely mean that mobile gambling off reservations would be banned. Whatever the final result, the bill will need to be approved in a voter referendum, so it may be some time until sports betting comes to Florida.
In the meantime, you may come across a number of websites that claim to offer legal sports betting. Beware that these are not in fact the best Florida online sportsbooks they claim to be, but are in fact accepting bets illegally. Until voters approve of a sports betting bill, offshore betting sites are not safe and legal for Floridians.
Are Florida Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Available
There is no law against daily fantasy sports (DFS) operating in Florida, though there is also no law making it legal as well. This means that DFS operates in a legal grey area in the state. Regardless, players are free to sign up for major operators without fear of punishment from authorities.
DFS differs from traditional sports betting as it requires contestants to bet on fantasy lineups of players from major sports leagues, with points being scored based on their chosen players’ real-life performances. Many see this as being different from gambling as there is far more skill than luck required to win.
Two of the most popular DFS and sports betting websites, DraftKings and FanDuel, accept players from Florida. These are some of the best known and trustworthy betting sites on the market and are the closest thing to Florida online bookies available. Both sites allow players to draft fantasy lineups on all major sports leagues including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB.
Florida Online Casinos
Although there are specifically no laws against Florida online gambling sites, it’s safe to assume that Florida gambling sites of all kinds are illegal. This means that players should not attempt to sign up and gamble at online casinos, as the state may charge unlawful players for what is a second-degree misdemeanor.
However, players are still able to play social casino games, meaning that online slots, table games, and poker are all legal to play if no money is wagered. Alternatively, there are many land-based casinos and card rooms throughout Florida that are close to major metropolitan areas, including the Seminole Hard Rock Casinos and Coconut Creek Casino.
Online State Lottery in Florida
The Florida Lottery has been operating since 1988, and has since grown to offer locals and visitors a huge portfolio of lottery games. This includes both the Mega Millions and Powerball national draw games, as well as smaller statewide games and scratch games.
The lottery is one of the most successful in the country, with more than $1 billion a year raised for government programs. Unfortunately, players can not buy tickets or scratch cards online, although the Florida Lottery website can be used to check the most recent results and other important information such as game odds.
Off Track Horse Betting in Florida
Florida is home to many well-known horse racetracks, though greyhound racing was recently banned in the state. Many of the state’s racetracks allow bettors to wager on live simulcast races from across the country, making Florida a premier destination for horse race wagering. Horse racing is perhaps the best sports betting alternative available to locals.
If bettors are unable to make it out to racetracks to place bets, then there is a huge selection of off-track betting options available. These can be done at a number of Jai Alai parlors and even at many casinos. Unfortunately, there are no legal Florida online bookies that can take horse racing bets, meaning all racing wagers must be made in person.
What Would Legal Sports Betting in Florida Look Like?
Depending on whether or not Florida’s tribes and lawmakers can come to an agreement, Florida could be home to a thriving sports betting market with the best online betting sites. Some of the most beloved major league sports teams are based in the state, so there’s no doubt that Floridians will flock to bet on Miami Dolphins or Miami Heat games.
There’s a possibility that bettors would also be able to place bets on collegiate division games, including the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament. As a well-known gambling destination with over 80 casinos, we have no doubt that Florida’s sports betting market would become one of the most profitable in the United States.
In 2019, New Jersey earned nearly $5 billion from sports bets. Considering New Jersey’s population is only around 9 million whereas Florida’s is around 21 million, it’s possible that Florida’s annual sports betting takings could exceed $10 billion. This could all depend on whether mobile Florida sports betting sites are allowed and the kinds of bets lawmakers allow.
In the case that a sports betting bill is passed by voters, bettors can rest assured knowing that they will be protected by strict regulations that enforce player protection measures and a certain degree of fairness. As other states with legal sports betting have required, the market will be regulated by a government agency that sets these standards.
Final Thoughts
For the time being, the future of Florida sports betting remains uncertain. The tribal gaming industry wields a lot of power as lobbyists and is trusted and respected by many local gamblers. What is certain is that lawmakers and the tribes will both need to compromise before voters can approve of expanded gambling legislation.
Until there are Florida sports betting sites available, locals are free to place bets on daily fantasy sports, horse racing, the lottery, and many land-based casino options. We look forward to the day that we can recommend the best Florida online sportsbooks to our readers, so be sure to keep an eye on this guide when the tide finally changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have any questions about Florida’s gambling laws and the likelihood of Florida sports betting sites being legalized? Below, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about the state’s gambling industry so that you can be certain that you’re betting safely and legally.
Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Florida?
For the time being, there is no legal sports betting in Florida. Online gambling is also extremely limited in the state, with the only form of online bets that are tolerated being those on daily fantasy sports games. Until online gambling is made legal, we suggest you stick to gambling on Florida’s many legal options. You can check out our guides to other states to see where the closest legal betting options are.
What is the Florida legal gambling age?
There are two minimum gambling ages in Florida depending on which of the the legal betting options you are wagering on. If bettors want to play poker at cardrooms, bet at racetracks, play the lottery or sign up for DFS, they must be over 18 years old. To gamble at the state’s casinos, players must be over the age of 21 years old.
Are unlicensed bookmaker sites safe?
Until the current sports betting laws are changed to allow offshore bookmakers to be licensed, these sites are not safe. Licensing is an important process that ensures that websites are keeping their players’ best interests in mind, whether that be protecting underage and problem gamblers or offering fair payouts. It also ensures that they are supporting the state with fees.
Can I use off-shore or out-of-state internet betting sites to bet?
Florida is one of a number of states that will not punish residents for signing up to off-shore or out-of-state betting sites. This may seems like a good option until the laws change, but we would advise against this. This is because any site that accepts players from an illegal market is probably not trustworthy, so you’re better off placing your bets at licensed gaming facilities.
Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Florida?
Yes, you can use FanDuel or DraftKings in Florida. For the time being, contestants in Florida can only use the apps to access their daily fantasy sports features. Until it is legal for a Florida sports betting app to accept sports wagers, residents can only wager on NBA and NFL as well as other team sports via DFS apps..
Are there any Florida casinos with a sportsbook?
No, Florida’s casinos do not have sportsbooks. However, when the law changes to allow sports betting in the state, it’s likely that Florida’s casinos will either exclusively offer the only legal sportsbooks or be among a number of operators to accept wagers on sporting events. Until then, players will have to visit other states to legally wager on major sports leagues such as the NBA, NFL, NHL, & NCAA.