Florida Sports Betting
Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, filed a proposal (SB 392) on Monday aimed at legalizing sports betting in Florida. Under the proposal, the state lottery department would oversee wagering. Florida Incentivized to Legalize Sports Betting Texas introduced a bill in February 2019, to legalize sports betting. However, it is still in the negotiation stages and currently, offline sports betting in Texas is illegal. Casinos on the Sea. 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. The Sunshine State is one of the strangest and most fun in the United States and off-track betting shines bright here. Florida hosts a slew of horse tracks with a rich history both on the track and on the books. With online sports betting in the horizon, OTB Florida can only explode. Florida is in a bit of a mess when it comes to sports betting or indeed any other form of online gambling expansion. However, history looks to be on the side of legal sports betting. Certainly, the Seminole Tribe is in favor of its introduction, at least in principle.
Which Are the Safest No Deposit Online Casinos?. Red dog casino free spin codes. With 20 million residents it should come as no surprise that a significant portion of the sports betting in the United States takes place in the State of Florida.
Florida does not allow betting within the State, but that does not stop Florida from being a hotbed for sports betting on the East Coast. Florida residents simply use offshore sports betting sites that are licensed outside of the USA in order to legally place their wagers.
On this page I’ll talk about the legality of sports betting in the State of Florida, give you a list of some of my favorite betting sites that accept Americans, and also touch on sports betting in some of the bigger metropolitan areas within Florida.
Florida Sports Betting Legal
Is Online Sport Betting Legal in Florida?
Florida Sports Betting Laws
This question needs a two part answer.
The first part is to say that it is not legal to accept bets in the State of Florida. This is because Florida does not license or authorize anyone to be a sports betting operator within the State. If you see any online betting sites claiming to be licensed within Florida you can be certain that site is not legitimate.
The second part of the answer is to say that it is NOT illegal for Florida residents to bet on sports through betting sites licensed outside of Florida. These offshore sportsbooks do not violate Florida’s gambling laws because they are licensed and regulated by a separate governing body in a separate jurisdiction. So in conclusion, it is legal for Florida residents to open betting accounts and place wagers with offshore sportsbooks that accept American sign ups.
Best Sportsbooks for Florida Residents
These are my two favorite sportsbooks for Florida residents.
| Sportsbook | Rating | Bonus | Review | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% up to $1000 | ||||
| 100% up to $250 |
Offline Sports Betting in Florida
There is currently no offline sports betting allowed or available in Florida. If you do come across a bookie operating in the State you should realize that the bookie is running their business illegally.
The only way to place sports wagers in the State of Florida is through an offshore betting site, like I outlined above.
Even Florida Casinos are unable to take sports bets. The closest place for Florida residents to legally place offline sports bets would be Nevada, which is quite the hike for Florida residents.
Major Sports Teams in Florida
Florida is a hotbed for sports in the south east and as such there is a long list of professional sports teams that reside in Florida. Below I’ve included a list of all of the top professional teams from the State and which city they play out of. Click on the city name for more specific information about sports betting in that particular location.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)
- Florida Panthers (NHL)
- Miami Dolphins (NFL)
- Miami Heat (NBA)
- Miami Marlins (MLB)
- Orlando City FC (MLS)
- Orlando Magic (NBA)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
- Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
Horse Racing in Florida
It is legal to bet on horse races at the track in Florida. Below I’ve listed the two major tracks located in Florida, and two of the most prestigious races you will find in the State each year.
I should note that you can also place wagers for any races at either of the tracks below at our recommended betting sites I’ve listed above.
Florida Sports Betting Laws
Major Tracks
- Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach
- Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa
Major Races
- Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. A prestigious Grade 1 race for 3-year-olds with the winner usually going on to compete at the Kentucky Derby.
- Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. With a purse of $12 million this race will become the richest horse race in the world when it is inaugurated in 2017.
Florida Sports Betting News
Other Florida Betting Articles
Legal, state-regulated sports betting is spreading rapidly from coast to coast across the US. In Florida, State Sen. Jeff Brandes has introduced three bills that would bring legal sports betting to the Sunshine State.
- S968 authorizes sports betting under the authority of the state lottery.
- S970 sets the license fees for entities that offer sports betting.
- S972 sets the taxes to be paid by the new sports betting operators.
If all goes well, the bills will pass, and by the end of 2020, legal sports betting in Florida could become a reality for retail and online.
Florida Sports Betting 2021
That’s the good news. The bad news is that it’s very unlikely to happen this year. The stumbling blocks are just too high. The state is in a legal dispute with the Seminole Indian Tribe, which claims it has the rights to almost all casino gambling in Florida (with the Miccosukee Tribe), and last November, Florida voters approved constitutional Amendment 3, which stated:
“This amendment ensures that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling by requiring that in order for casino gambling to be authorized under Florida law, it must be approved by Florida voters pursuant to Article XI, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution. Affects articles X and XI. Defines casino gambling and clarifies that this amendment does not conflict with federal law regarding state/tribal compacts.”
What this means for sports betting is still not clear. We’ll take a look at the political and legislative background, then provide a comprehensive guide to what legal sports betting in Florida will look like whenever it finally arrives.