Legalized Sports Gambling In Florida

The sponsor of the sports gambling bill says the revenue would be used to support education in Florida. We asked you if you thought Florida should legalize sports betting, and the vote was pretty.

After the loss of roughly $350 million a year in payments from the Seminole Tribe of Florida, House and Senate leaders are rethinking the state’s approach to gambling, one of the Legislature’s. Yes, Bovada Sportsbook can legally accept customers from Florida. Since Bovada is operating legally within the international sports betting industry, they may accept bettors from around the world, including the US and Florida. Residents of the Sunshine State can place bets at Bovada without violating any state or federal gambling laws.

Florida state law has yet to change to accommodate widespread legalization of online gambling as it has in many other states. Not only has there been little movement towards legalizing online sports betting in Florida, but existing state law is not favorable for any type of online gambling. While there has been legislation that would legalize online poker has been discussed, there is little visibility as to whether and when any legislation would pass. Currently, the forces in Florida are arrayed against online gambling.

Florida Sports Betting Questions & Answers

Will sports betting be legal in Florida?

Is FanDuel sports betting legal in Florida?

Is DraftKings sports betting legal in Florida?

What is the tax rate on online lottery winnings in Florida?

What is the tax rate on sports betting in Florida?

Do Indian Tribes control betting in Florida?

Frequently Asked Questions

Will sports betting be legal in Florida?

The timeline for sports betting in Florida depends on who you talk to. Like California, the tribal casino regulations may prove a stumbling block. Most insist sports betting will overcome these hurdles. One option being discussed is to have online sportsbooks available through these tribal casino locations in 2020.

Is FanDuel sports betting legal in Florida?

FanDuel is watching the progress of legislation in the Florida legislation very closely. Like other sportsbook apps that seek to be a part of a potentially lucrative Florida betting market, FanDuel hopes to be legal when partnerships are offered with tribal casinos.

Is DraftKings sports betting legal in Florida?

DraftKings is not one of the legal sports betting options in Florida. In fact, until legislators address the concerns of the state’s tribal casino industry, there are no legal sports betting options written into Florida law for anyone inside the state’s borders.

What is the tax rate on online lottery winnings in Florida?

Like Texas, Florida is one of the six states in the country that does not assess an income tax. There is no official tax amount on any type of lottery winnings in Florida. However, all winnings above $5,000, online or retail, must be reported as income to the IRS.

What is the tax rate on sports betting in Florida?

There is a proposed tax rate for Florida sports betting of 15 percent. This would be administered as an excise tax on the total sportsbook handle. Sports betting by individuals is still illegal in the state. Winnings from outside sports bets would be taxed at the 24 percent federal amount.

Do Indian Tribes control betting in Florida?

Similar to the situation in California, the Native American Casinos have a stranglehold on the gambling industry in Florida. Many lawmakers envision a similar struggle when any debate reaches the floor in Tallahassee on how the sports betting landscape will unfold in the Sunshine State.

Gambling in the Sunshine State in 2020

Currently, Florida has laws and regulations in place that allow casinos and horse race gambling. There are casinos throughout the state on Indian reservations as well as horse tracks and parimutuels tracks that gamers can take part in. The Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act regulates gaming establishments on Indian reservations as long as those establishments are in compliance with all regulations. Parimutuels betting is also legal in Florida as long as you have a permit.

However, the Sunshine State still has not yet authorized any type of online sports betting besides horse racing and parimutuels, which must be done at the track. While many states are beginning to regulate sports gambling after the Supreme Court gave states the okay to legalize it, Florida has not yet passed any legislation authorizing it. FanDuel and DraftKings currently accept Florida players and allow daily fantasy sports betting. Florida has been extremely popular with these sites during football season as the sport dominates in interest.

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The Next Step for Florida

The biggest obstacle preventing Florida from moving forward with authorizing online and sports gambling throughout the state is the Seminole Tribe. The current agreement in place gives the Seminole Tribe a monopoly on all casino card games, in particular games like Blackjack, Roulette, and Slots. If sports betting and other types of online betting become legal, it’s certain that the Seminole gaming industry would take a hit, and this has been a major concern among legislators throughout the state. Many Floridians flock to these casinos every day where they can earn winnings. But while many sports gambling laws have changed over the last 50 years, Florida has not.

The Florida legislature will meet in March, and it’s likely that the topic of legalizing sports gambling will come up. If more states continue to pass legislation, Florida will likely follow suit. It just may take some time. The existing compact between the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe is the biggest hindrance towards moving towards a legal sports gambling system.

Florida is one of the most popular places for sports around the country with three NFL teams, two major league baseball teams, two NBA teams, and two NHL teams. Additionally, college football is even more popular with the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, and Miami Hurricanes leading the way. Sports betting would be extremely popular in the state, and sportsbooks would benefit greatly should regulation be put in place.

We will see what happens in March and if any progress is made on the betting front. Stay tuned, Floridians. Legal gambling is coming; it just may take some time.

Current Landscape in Florida

There are 26 gambling venues that currently operate in Florida. Most of these venues are racetracks, which are currently lobbying for the right to add slot machines at their facilities to enhance revenues. There are eight Native American casinos and two casino boats that pick up passengers and take wagers once the boats are offshore. Some of the Native American casinos offer both slot machines and table games, while others offer slots and video gaming. Simply stated, gambling in Florida is much more limited than it is in the Northeast as commercial casinos, and some forms of games are not permitted in the state. In addition to the casinos, there are live poker rooms as well as a vibrant horse racing industry.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Even DFS is a dicey proposition in Florida. There is a 1991 opinion from the state’s Attorney General stating that certain forms of fantasy sports would likely be illegal under state law. Nevertheless, DraftKings and FanDuel have taken the risk to remain in Florida, notwithstanding the possibility that offering these games could be illegal under Florida law. Yahoo has pulled out of the Florida market for its DFS offerings due to the legal risk. There have been several attempts to legalize DFS in the state, but each has fallen short. The tribal casinos have vigorously fought the legalization of DFS in Florida, claiming that it violates their rights to exclusivity in the Florida gaming market. Since DFS is not explicitly legal in Florida, there are no reports required, and it is difficult to tell the size of the DFS market in Florida. This scenario wouldn’t fly with sports betting. FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook nor Pointsbet sportsbook would enter the online sportsbook space without explicitly sports betting laws in place.

Previous Legislative Efforts

Efforts to legalize online gaming in Florida originate in 2011. There was a failed attempt to legalize online poker. The bill would have allowed card room operators to offer intrastate online poker. The bill was offered before Black Friday and was a means to offer consumer protection for gamblers who were betting on the national online poker sites. At the time, the Uniform Internet Gaming Enforcement Act was in effect, but the federal government had yet to crack down on online poker operators. The bill was referred to the subcommittee and was subsequently withdrawn. The bill was reintroduced in 2012 but similarly failed after opposition from the tribal casinos. Multiple efforts to expand gaming in various forms have all ended in failure.

Instead of expanding gaming, in 2013, Florida cut back on gambling in Florida, outlawing internet cafés that offered players the chance to enter contests in exchange for buying online time at the café. Some of these contests included online poker. The language of this legislation was incredibly broad and can be applied to many forms of gambling, increasing the uncertainty for those who offer and play certain games.

Florida law actually makes it illegal for residents to partake in unregulated gambling, such as offshore sports betting. Most state laws put the onus on operators who accept bets, but Florida also outlaws playing poker at an unregulated facility or over an unregulated device. Thus, it would be illegal for Florida residents to play online poker on an offshore platform. However, there have been no efforts to enforce the law against individual players.

November Ballot Initiative

Currently, there are powerful forces arrayed against gaming expansion in Florida. Disney and the Seminole Tribe are allied in lobbying for an amendment to the Florida Constitution that would require voters to approve any expansion of gaming in the state as opposed to the governor and legislature. This has been placed on the ballot for the election this coming November, and the prospects for passage are unclear, although 60 percent of the votes are required for passage. The current Florida Governor, Rick Scott, has long been an opponent of gaming in the state. In addition, the Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has issued numerous opinions against gambling and remains a steadfast opponent. However, these two state officials are term-limited out of office and will be replaced in January 2019, giving some hope to gambling proponents.

The tribal casinos are very influential in the state, and they will likely have a say in the form that any future gaming expansion would take. The tribe has deep pockets and has not been reticent to expend large amounts of money to advance its interests, as witnessed by its efforts supporting the November ballot initiative. For the tribe, if the anti-gambling forces prevail, it will perpetuate its dominant position in the state’s gambling market. Passage of the amendment may not necessarily end the prospects for gaming expansion in the state since expansion will be subject to the will of the voters. Voters could ultimately choose to expand gaming in Florida, including sports wagering, especially if they see neighboring states expanding gaming.

Future Gambling Prospects

Future gambling prospects in Florida are unclear, and the range of outcomes varies widely. In the event that control of the state’s political apparatus changes in November and the legislature retains control over gaming expansion, it could result in a rapid gaming expansion in the state. The complicating issue would be the state’s agreement with the Seminole Tribe, whereby the tribe pays the state roughly $250 million per year for the right to operate in the state. In the event that gaming is expanded, it could jeopardize the money that the state receives. At the same time, the Seminoles could tie up the gaming expansion in the courts as they would file suit to protect what they believe is their exclusive right to offer certain types of gaming in the state.

Free Betting News & Bonus OffersFind Out When You Can Legally Bet in Your State

If you are looking for info on the current state of Florida online sports betting, you have come to the right place. Frankly speaking, the situation is somewhat complex. Currently, Florida online sports betting is not available. This means that you can’t find Florida online sportsbooks (or online casinos) legally operating in this state. However, things could change in the future, as there has been recent developments as sports betting talks have begun with the Seminoles. Read up our article to learn more about what we can expect.

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Most Likely Florida Online Sports Betting Sites

Even though Florida online sports betting scene is at the moment nonexistent, we are hopeful that this changes in the months or years to come. Having in mind that several US states have already legalized online betting, we can expect Florida to follow in their footsteps should it decide to do so. This means that there will potentially be quite a few sports betting websites available.

Take a look at the table below to see which ones we expect to see. All of them feature welcome offers for new customers, so we have no reason to believe things will be different in Florida. Here are the brands we believe are likely to open their doors to FL players once Florida online sports betting becomes legal.

If you want to learn more about these brands that are available in other states with operating sports betting websites, keep on reading. We believe they will offer similar services when Florida online sports betting is regulated.

BetMGM

When you are searching for top sports betting sites, don’t look further than BetMGM. This brand offers lots of online betting opportunities for all those interested in wagering on sports. Like all the major sportsbooks, this brand has a welcome offer for all new customers interested in signing up. Additionally, there are many other promos available on a regular basis for existing players.

At the moment, this online sportsbook is accessible only to players from West Virginia, Michigan, and New Jersey. Not only do registered players have access to online sports betting with this brand, but they can also place their bets in casino and poker rooms, too. As soon as Florida online sports betting becomes regulated, we hope to see BetMGM in this state, as well.

DraftKings

Boasting to be one of the leading sports betting websites in the USA, DraftKings is currently available in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. If Florida regulates online wagering on sports in the future, we surely expect this brand to make an appearance in the Sunshine State, too.

As all reputable top sports betting sites, DraftKings has a welcome offer for new customers in the states it is currently operating in. Additionally, this brand has invested in a top-quality mobile app available for iOS and Android.

A vast selection of betting markets provides countless betting opportunities with this brand. The most popular sports include both American and international favorites, such as professional and college football and basketball, golf, MMA, tennis, etc.

FanDuel

Another brand we expect to see if Florida online sports betting gets regulated is FanDuel. At the moment only players in Michigan, Indiana, New Jersey, and West Virginia can place their wagers online with this sportsbook.

Also, they can redeem various promos available for new and existing players. Signing up with FanDuel is hassle-free and can be finished in a matter of minutes. As soon as you have finished the registration and made your first deposit, you can start placing bets. The variety of available sports is exceptional. So is the quality of customer support and banking options that this brand offers. This, too, is very important for all players.

BetAmerica

When we are talking about top sports betting sites, we have to mention BetAmerica. This brand launched its first online sportsbook in 2019 in NJ. After that, it landed in Pennsylvania, as well.

We needn’t mention that BetAmerica has lots of promotions available to its players. This brand also has pretty competitive odds in comparison to some other online bookies on the market. The types of bets you can place are pretty standard. This means that if you are looking for those more exotic ones, you need to look elsewhere.

On the other hand, the BetAmerica app is one of the highest-rated on the market. Downloadable on iOS and Android devices (currently in NJ and PA only), it mimics the desktop site perfectly.

William Hill

One of the most famous online sportsbooks in Europe, William Hill caused quite a commotion when it opened its doors to NJ players. Claiming to be a premier sports betting destination, it seems that William Hill has managed to utilize the experience overseas perfectly and provide US players with a top-quality betting platform.

Not only does this brand have a sign up offer catering to new players, but there are also lots of those for loyal customers, too. The registration is simple, and so is making deposits and withdrawals. There are quite a few betting markets to choose from, both popular and niche ones.

Also, William Hill provides live streaming of certain sports events. This feature is available to all players who meet the required T&Cs for activating it. Additionally, live betting is available for a multitude of events. We surely hope to see them in the Sunshine State once Florida online sports betting becomes legal.

bet365

One of the biggest players in the online sports betting industry is undoubtedly bet365. This brand is one of the most recognizable bookies in Europe. So coming to the US was a major step in its resume.

The bet365 bonus offers are one of the things this brand is most known for. The betting markets and competitive odds, too. Even though the offer in the brand’s NJ portfolio is not as extensive as overseas, we expect it to grow in the months to come. As soon as you have registered and redeemed your welcome offer, you can start placing your bets and exploring top-quality betting markets. We have no reason to believe this brand won’t feature similar options in FL as soon as Florida online sports betting becomes legal.

Unibet

Another brand famous in Europe, Unibet has proved it means business in the USA. At the moment it’s available only to NJ and PA players. However, it’s pretty likely to appear in Florida, too, when this state regulates online sports betting.

Unibet’s welcome offer typically includes free bets up to a certain amount (T&Cs apply). But this brand is known for changing things up and coming up with many different promotion types. The online casino section is also very popular on the website and is surely worth visiting. Unlike other online bookies, this brand offers a variety of bet types you can place. This is good news, particularly for experienced punters.

Florida Betting Laws

Now, let’s take a look at the current state of Florida online sports betting. At the moment, this activity is illegal in the Sunshine State. In order to become regulated and legalized, Florida needs to overcome several obstacles standing in the way.

One step closer to this is the new bill by Republican State Senator Jeff Brandes. If it passes, it will allow offering tickets at self-serving kiosks by Florida Lottery. Additionally, this bill will offer licenses for taking bets on sports via apps and websites. Businesses that manage to obtain these licenses would divide their proceeds with the state.

However, regulating online sports betting in Florida has a long way to go. First, the 2020 legislative session in Florida is only two months long. This means that it’s highly unlikely that we can expect the passing of this bill in 2020.

Then, there is an ongoing disagreement regarding whether regulating online sports betting should be done via a statewide referendum. Additionally, this would mean that a new agreement with the Seminole Tribe, which controls the majority of gaming activities in FL, needs to be agreed upon.

Taking all these factors into consideration, it’s safe to say that the issue with Florida online sports betting is more than complex. One thing is certain – passing the bill will only be the first step.

States where you can already place an online sports bet today :

Updated on :

Colorado Illinois Indiana Iowa Michigan Nevada New Jersey Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia West Virginia

Florida Online Sports Betting: Events and Betting Markets

As soon as we see the resolution to regulating Florida online sports betting, we will know more details about what we can expect. First and foremost, we will have more details about potential betting markets and events that players could bet on. Right now, we can only make assumptions.

Legalized Sports Gambling In Florida Today

Common Types of Bets

All players from Florida eager to see online sports betting become available can start learning a thing or two about bet types in the meantime. Here are the most common bet types that players in US states, in which online betting is regulated, can place.

• Moneylines – This is the most popular betting type. It shows you the amount you need to wager to get $100 (or how much you can win if you wager $100).
• Totals (Over/Under) – You typically choose if the total number of points that both teams are going to score is going to be over or under a listed total number of points.
• Prop bets – Allow you to wager on events that are going to take place in a game, season, or series. They do not include betting on the outcome though.
• Spread bets – You place this bet on the team you think is going to win or lose by a certain number of points.

Most Popular Sports to Bet On

The online betting community enjoys placing wagers on a multitude of different sports, both popular and niche ones. Here are the sports and leagues that attract the most attention.

• NFL
• NBA
• NHL
• MLB
• Tennis
• Golf
• Soccer

Popular Florida Events

There are many popular sports events that attract a lot of attention in Florida. If Florida online sports betting becomes legal, all those interested in online wagering will surely be able to place their bets on them.

• Super Bowl
• NCAA March Madness
• NBA Championships
• Stanley Cup Finals
• Masters
• US Open Tennis
• Triple Crown

Best Teams to Bet On

Many people like to support their local teams when they are placing their bets. Luckily, Florida has quite a few of them.

• Orlando Magic
• Miami Dolphins
• Miami Heat
• Florida Panthers
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Tampa Bay Rays

Common Payment Options

Let’s take a look at some of the most common payment methods that players have at their disposal when betting online. We expect them to be available at top sports betting sites in Florida when they become legal.

• Credit/debit Cards
• PayPal
• NETeller
• PayNearMe
• Prepaid Cards
• eCheck/ACH

Florida Casinos

Even though there are no online casinos in Florida at the moment, there are quite a few brick-and-mortar ones. We have listed a few of the most famous land-based casinos in Florida below.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

This establishment is owned by the Seminole Tribe that boasts of opening the first brick-and-mortar casino on Indian land in Florida. Casino enthusiasts can visit this casino’s 245,000 square feet gaming space. There, they can find more than 5,000 slots, almost 200 table games, and as many as 46 poker tables.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

Another establishment run by the Seminole Tribe, this casino is a very popular venue in Florida. Whether you are looking for poker, table games or slots, you’ll find all these and much more in Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.

Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino

Hallandale Beach in Florida is home to Gulfstream Park, a popular racetrack and casino. This venue hosts a significant number of high-profile races from December to October. Additionally, the casino offers 20 live-action poker tables, 64 high limit slots, and more than 700 Las Vegas-style slots.

Legalized Sports Gambling In Florida 2020

Hialeah Park Racing & Casino

If you are looking for more establishments that combine racing and casino, Hialeah Park is the place for you. As far as horse racing is concerned, you can watch winter Quarter Horse racing meets. And the casino is open year-round with slots, table games, poker, and lots more at your disposal.

Florida Online Sports Betting FAQ

Here are some of the most common questions people have regarding the Florida online sports betting situation.

Are sports betting sites legal in the United States?

Sports betting sites are legal in several US states, but not all of them. When it comes to Florida online sports betting, there are no sites operating legally in this state at the moment.

What do I need to register at an online betting site in Florida?

As Florida online sports betting is still unregulated, you cannot register in this state at the moment. Once this matter resolves and Florida online sportsbooks become legal, we’ll include all the info you need on registering.

Legalized Sports Gambling In Florida 2019

Is it safe to deposit money at sports betting sites in Florida?

Given that Florida online sports betting is not legal, you cannot make deposits at Florida online sportsbooks at the moment.

Can I set betting limits?

All reputable online bookies allow you to set betting limits as they promote responsible gambling. As soon as Florida online sports betting becomes legal, we’ll have more details about this option from legal sportsbooks.

Legalized Sports Gambling In Florida State

Final Thoughts on Betting in Florida

Legalized Sports Betting In Florida

We are eager to see how the Florida online sports betting matter resolves in the upcoming months. One step in the right direction is for the bill proposed by State Senator Barnes to pass. If this happens, this will facilitate the establishment of Florida online sportsbooks. We’ll make sure to keep you updated on any developments.