Florida Online Sports Betting 2021 Commercial Content 21+ T&Cs Apply. Florida sports betting is currently illegal, and it will likely remain that way for the foreseeable future. Lawmakers in the state have made some recent attempts to legalize sports betting, but the final decision will ultimately not be up to them.
- Best Online Sportsbooks For Florida Residents. Following is a list of the best online sportsbooks that accept Florida residents. These sites have been servicing the US sports betting industry for decades and are considered to be the most trusted and reliable options for US players.
- The Legality of Online Sports Betting In Florida – Kayak and Canoes from FloridaBoating Dec 16, 2020 at 4:47 am This is a great Story, Can I read more. Log in to leave a comment.
- Read this guide to Florida online gambling to learn the history of the state's gaming laws, along with other pertinent questions about online gambling in Florida. You also can read our list of site reviews for Florida online casinos, sports betting books, and poker sites that you can play at safely and legally.
Legal Sports Betting Online Florida
With 21 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.
Is Online Sport Betting Legal in Florida?
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.
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| 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.
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.
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 $3 million the Pegasus World Cup is one of the richest races in USA horse racing each year.
Other Florida Betting Articles
After a failed legal sports betting attempt in 2020, Florida State Senator Jeff Brandes has introduced a new bill that could give Florida legal sports betting in 2021. The main motivation for Florida to legalize sports betting is tax revenue. The proposed bill would net the state 15% of all revenue and charge each sportsbook a $100,000 licensing fee.
Challenges Facing Florida Sports Betting
Should sports betting clear, it would give Florida much-needed tax revenue. The economy has taken a major hit due to COVID-19 which has increased the need for alternate revenue streams.
Senator Jeff Brandes is a Republican which is the same political party as Governor DeSantis. Theoretically, the relationship between the two in the same party could see that the bill is passed.
However, the bill is conveniently missing a critical piece of legislation in Florida. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is not mentioned at all in the bill that is attempting to legalize sports betting. In order for this bill to pass, there will need to be some clarification on where the Seminole Tribe fits into legalized sports betting. Currently, they have gambling exclusivity in Florida.
It would appear unlikely that they would give up exclusive rights to gambling in the state. Thus, the state and tribe would need to work together to make this a reality.
Legal Sports Betting Cannot Happen Without The Seminole Tribe of Florida
Sports Betting Online Florida Free
The active bill from Senator Brandes is currently scheduled to reach committee status in March. Should it move past the committee, there would be legitimate optimism about the sports betting opportunity in Florida.
The caveat to this argument from Senator Brandes is that he attempted to pass a similar bill earlier in 2020. At this time, the bill does not include any language related to the monopoly that the Seminole Tribe has on gambling. Should the bill continue to the committee stage, there will need to be discussions with the Seminole Tribe to work together. They will not be left off from this bill so there is a ton of work to do on that end.
Recent Optimism For Florida Sports Bettors
Sports Gambling Florida
Thankfully, there is some reason for optimism for sports betting in Florida. Hard Rock International recently launched a digital gaming platform in conjunction with the Seminole Tribe. The willingness to work with Hard Rock is a major step forward for the state. With this, it shows that Hard Rock believes that Florida could legalize sports betting sooner rather than later.
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.
Play texas holdem for free online. How to Play Arkadium's Texas Hold'Em: Tournament. Texas Holdem is a complex game for beginners, but it's easy to learn after a few hands. Luckily, this game includes in-game tutorials on how to play and win big. To play a hand, you must offer a minimum bet and 'call' the highest bet by any player. Fans of Texas Hold'em Poker will love playing online poker games without the stress of the casino! Don't settle for the all-in poker fests in OTHER social poker games! Play the best online poker games and aim for the royal flush with PlayWPT Poker, the best Vegas-style poker app that brings authentic Texas Hold'em poker to your hands. Master the odds of real Texas Holdem by playing this free poker Texas Holdem game. Watch your skills improve as your high score shoots up with each free poker game. Each AI opponent has his own unique personality-just like real people-so you can figure out all the little quirks involved in playing real texas holdem poker. Play Great Poker provides its visitors a Free Texas Holdem Poker Game, allowing them to Play Poker online, free. Free Poker Games allow players a great opportunity to learn and improve on Texas Holdem Poker without risking their Bankroll or just have fun playing Texas Holdem Poker. Texas Hold 'Em (also stylized Texas Holdem) is not only the most popular poker variant in the United States, but it's also the most common game in U.S. Popularized by the World Series of Poker and free video poker games, you've probably heard of Texas Holdem poker before.
| 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.
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.
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 $3 million the Pegasus World Cup is one of the richest races in USA horse racing each year.
Other Florida Betting Articles
After a failed legal sports betting attempt in 2020, Florida State Senator Jeff Brandes has introduced a new bill that could give Florida legal sports betting in 2021. The main motivation for Florida to legalize sports betting is tax revenue. The proposed bill would net the state 15% of all revenue and charge each sportsbook a $100,000 licensing fee.
Challenges Facing Florida Sports Betting
Should sports betting clear, it would give Florida much-needed tax revenue. The economy has taken a major hit due to COVID-19 which has increased the need for alternate revenue streams.
Senator Jeff Brandes is a Republican which is the same political party as Governor DeSantis. Theoretically, the relationship between the two in the same party could see that the bill is passed.
However, the bill is conveniently missing a critical piece of legislation in Florida. The Seminole Tribe of Florida is not mentioned at all in the bill that is attempting to legalize sports betting. In order for this bill to pass, there will need to be some clarification on where the Seminole Tribe fits into legalized sports betting. Currently, they have gambling exclusivity in Florida.
It would appear unlikely that they would give up exclusive rights to gambling in the state. Thus, the state and tribe would need to work together to make this a reality.
Legal Sports Betting Cannot Happen Without The Seminole Tribe of Florida
Sports Betting Online Florida Free
The active bill from Senator Brandes is currently scheduled to reach committee status in March. Should it move past the committee, there would be legitimate optimism about the sports betting opportunity in Florida.
The caveat to this argument from Senator Brandes is that he attempted to pass a similar bill earlier in 2020. At this time, the bill does not include any language related to the monopoly that the Seminole Tribe has on gambling. Should the bill continue to the committee stage, there will need to be discussions with the Seminole Tribe to work together. They will not be left off from this bill so there is a ton of work to do on that end.
Recent Optimism For Florida Sports Bettors
Sports Gambling Florida
Thankfully, there is some reason for optimism for sports betting in Florida. Hard Rock International recently launched a digital gaming platform in conjunction with the Seminole Tribe. The willingness to work with Hard Rock is a major step forward for the state. With this, it shows that Hard Rock believes that Florida could legalize sports betting sooner rather than later.
The next steps for 2021 sports betting in Florida will be key. First, sports betting will need to move to the committee stage and get through it rather quickly. If the bill were to pass the committee, the bill would hit state legislative bodies. Governor DeSantis would then have the opportunity to sign the bill into law and rules would be ratified.
The absolute best-case scenario for Florida would be sports betting in Q4 2021, which is still ambitious. The Seminole Tribe still holds the keys to everything gambling-related in the state. The tribe's views will be important to monitor as the revenue-hungry state continues to move forward.
