Betting Apps In Florida
FloridaBetting.com is the leading source of information on where to bet in Florida, including sports, fantasy, and horse racing betting.
The earliest we could expect to see the introduction of sports betting in the Sunshine State is now 2022 but that could include the option to wager online using mobile sports betting apps in Florida. Online sport bets games in florida Geant bahis new yorker. Bookies valencia desayuno. Borgata canlı bahis online promotions. Best Spor Bahisleri berlin. Bookies max bet limit. Online spor bahis.
We rate and review online gambling sites and mobile betting apps that are licensed to operate in the state of Florida. Our team of experts also offers a complete database of information on Florida casinos, race tracks, poker rooms, lotteries, and off track betting facilities in the state of Florida.
Best Legal Florida Betting Sites
Florida Daily Fantasy Sports Sites
Florida Horse Racing Betting Sites
Sports Betting in Florida
- Where to Bet on Sports in Florida – while sports fans wait for legalized sports betting in Florida, residents have access to the most popular daily fantasy sports app – which are an entertaining real money alternative.
- Daily Fantasy Apps that are allowed in Florida – both Draft Kings and Fan Duel are accessible to anyone in FL, we love both brands for various reasons and highly recommend creating an account at both!
Most forms of sports betting are outlawed in Florida with the only exceptions being parimutuel horse racing, greyhound racing (until 2021) and jai alai. We’ll dig into those activities further down this page, but the main thing to note is traditional sports betting is not permitted.
The odds of Florida gaming laws to authorize sports betting are low over the near future, but there are reasons to be optimistic. Some lawmakers are now in support of legalizing sports betting and have introduced legislation to that end.
In November 2019, Senator Jeff Brandes introduced SB 968 seeking to authorize two forms of sports betting:
- Retail sportsbooks operated by the state lottery
- Online and mobile betting platforms operated by commercial enterprises (such as DraftKings, William Hill, etc.)
Any bill that attempts to legalize Florida sports betting in any form will have to overcome two key hurdles.
First, the passage of Amendment 3 in 2018 has removed the legislature’s ability to expand gambling anywhere in Florida. Now, any gambling expansion must be approved by 60% of the voting public via statewide referendum. Some have made the argument that Amendment 3 may not actually apply to sports betting, but gaming opponents argue otherwise.
The outcome of that debate will either make it fairly easy for the Florida legislature to approve sports betting or significantly complicate the process by requiring statewide voter approval.
Florida Betting Games
Second, the state’s gaming tribes hold considerable sway in all gambling matters and have said they’re not seriously considering sports betting at this time.
The closest alternative to sports betting in Florida right now is daily fantasy sports (DFS). Major DFS sites such as FanDuel and DraftKings are open for business in Florida and allow players to wager and win real money in one-day fantasy sports contests.
Horse Racing in Florida
Horse racing is a major industry in Florida and the state is home to numerous tracks that hold races year-round. Thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness racing are conducted in the South Florida area year-round at various tracks while thoroughbred races are held in the Tampa Bay area from December through May.
Florida horse racing betting is regulated by the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, which is a subdivision of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Parimutuel wagering is permitted in-person at licensed racetracks, online at licensed florida betting sites and at licensed ADW outlets located across the state.
- Tracks
- Off Track Betting Facilities
- Mobile and Online Options
Greyhound Racing in Florida
Florida is home to eleven active greyhound tracks and state law permits parimutuel greyhound betting. However, that is all set to change starting on January 1st, 2021. The fate of greyhound betting was decided by voters in the November 2018 midterm elections with a ballot initiative that asked the public if the state should outlaw greyhound racing.
Amendment 13 needed a 60% or greater yes vote in the election and easily cleared that with a final vote of 69% in favor and 31% against. With that vote, live greyhound racing will be prohibited beginning in 2021. Additionally, it will be prohibited to wager on live grey hound races held in Florida.
One bit of good news for greyhound racetrack operators is Amendment 13 included a decoupling measure that will allow the tracks to continue to offer other forms of gambling even after live racing is discontinued in 2021.
Under current Florida gambling law, racetracks are required to hold a minimum number of live races every year in order to offer other, more profitable forms of gaming. That is set to change with the decoupling measure.
Existing racetracks will still be able to offer those games, but nevertheless the long-term future is clear: greyhound racing will slowly wither and die in Florida. While existing racetracks continue forward as long as they can, no new tracks will be built and eventually the whole industry that once lived around greyhound racing will crawl to a stop.
Racing fans will still be allowed to bet on races held in other states via simulcasting, but greyhound racing as it occurs in Florida has a clear expiration date: 1 January 2021. Horse racing betting and online greyhound betting will be unaffected.
Poker, Slots, Blackjack, and Casino Games in Florida.
Florida is home to many casinos with slots, blackjack, roulette, craps and other standard gambling games. The types of games offered at any one casino vary depending on where that casino is located and who runs it due to a complex myriad of state laws, county laws and tribal gaming compacts.
There are three major types of casinos in Florida: tribal casinos, parimutuel facilities or “racinos” with attached casinos, and excursion casinos located on cruise ships.
Tribal casinos offer the most game variety of all land-based casinos in Florida. The Seminole tribe has exclusive rights to offer slots, blackjack and other casino-backed card games. The Miccosukee Tribe operates one casino in Florida, but otherwise the Seminoles dominant Florida tribal gaming.
Horse tracks, greyhound racing tracks and jai alai frontons are permitted to offer poker and video gambling machines such as electronic blackjack and electronic roulette. Additionally, racetracks and jai alai frontons located in Broward County and Miami-Dade County are allowed to host slot machines.
Cruise ship casinos offer the greatest variety of gambling options in Florida because they navigate to international waters where they may offer all types of casino games and sports betting.
Florida once had multiple cruise ship casinos to choose from, but the industry has hit hard times and now just a single cruise ship casino operates in the state. Victory Casino Cruises still sail seven days a week on five and six-hour excursions from Port Canaveral.
Florida Lotteries
Florida lotto games can be played in three main formats – draw games, scratch off games, and fast play games. A legal framework for a Florida online lottery does not exist, so players will have to visit an authorized retailer to purchase tickets in person.
Many states have legalized online lotteries and we hope Florida legislators will do so soon.
Florida Gambling Laws Explained
Betting Apps In Florida Keys
Most forms of land-based gambling are legal in Florida. The state has legal poker rooms, casinos, racing, jai alai betting and even sports betting if you count the casino cruise ship that travels to international waters every day.
Online betting in Florida is also allowed in the form of daily fantasy sports and online racing betting. Online sports betting, casino games and poker are prohibited – but we are hopeful that will change soon.
Where it gets confusing is understanding exactly when and where the various forms of gambling are legal in Florida. A combination of state law and tribal gaming compacts restrict certain types of gambling to certain locations.
We’ll dig into the details on another page, but the key points to understand Florida gambling laws follow:
- Horse racing tracks, greyhound racing tracks and jai alai frontons may offer racing/jai alai betting and host player-vs-player poker games
- In Miami-Dade County and Broward County only, those same facilities may also operate slot machines and electronic table games not run by human dealers
- The Seminole Tribe of Florida has the exclusive right to offer slot machines outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties
- The Seminole Tribe of Florida has the exclusive right to offer house-backed card games such as blackjack, baccarat and three card poker run by human dealers
- The Miccosukee Tribe is permitted to offer slots and poker at its casino in Miami
The Seminole gaming compact plays an important role in shaping Florida betting law and the tribe holds considerable sway over lawmakers due to the amount of money it pumps into state coffers every year.
- Seminole Tribe: Florida’s largest gaming tribe and operates six casinos. The Seminoles pay the state more than $300 million a year in return for the exclusive right to offer dealer-operated card games such as blackjack and to be the only provider of slots outside of Miami-Dade County and Broward County
- Miccosukee Tribe: Operates one casino in Miami with slots, poker and bingo. The Miccosukee Tribe has refused to pay taxes on gaming revenues for years and is now fighting the federal government over a $1 billion tax bill
The sport of jai alai is unique to Florida in the USA and although the industry has certainly seen better days, there are still a few places to bet on jai alai. For the most part, jai alai serves as a means for Miami-area casinos to stay compliant with state law that requires gambling venues to host horse races, greyhound races or jai alai matches.
Actual jai alai betting is somewhat rare, but the following facilities do still support jai alai betting markets:
- The Casino at Dania Beach: Evening matches Wednesday – Sunday at 7 PM, matinee matches Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 1 PM
- Magic City Casino: Matches every Wednesday – Sunday at 3PM and 7PM
- Casino Miami: Weekend matches at 12PM and 7PM (seasonal availability only)
- King’s Court Jai Alai & Poker Room: Jai alai coming June 2019
Florida may be home to a number of great tribal casinos, but for the time being there is still no legal Florida sports betting. For this reason, instead of using this guide to recommend the best Florida legal online sportsbook, we’ve focused on the current state of gambling laws in Florida.
We’ve provided an overview of the other betting options you can enjoy when in Florida, as well as discussed what the future may bring for sports betting. On this site, we will only ever recommend you only sign up to licensed online bookmakers, so we’ve also explained why you should avoid illegal offshore bookmakers at all costs.
What Betting Options are Legal for Florida Residents
Contents
- What Betting Options are Legal for Florida Residents
- Frequently Asked Questions
Florida is no doubt a gambling-friendly state. Residents have long been free to bet on pari-mutuel racing and the lottery, and since the advent of tribal gaming in the late 80s, players can also enjoy slot machines and table games at casinos. Poker is also legal in the state, and talks of expanding current gambling laws means legal Florida online gambling may be a reality soon.
Is Daily Fantasy Legal in Florida?
Although it is not technically legal, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is tolerated by state authorities, and most major online bookmakers such as FanDuel and DraftKings accept players from Florida. For the time being, DFS is probably about as close as it gets to legal online sports betting in Florida.
DFS requires contestants to draft fantasy lineups of players from a sports league within a set budget. Contestants score points based on the performance of their chosen players in that round, and those who score the most points win the prize pool. There are a number of reputable sports betting sites that offer these games.
Are there Legal Offshore Sites for Florida Players
Florida does not have any set of laws that criminalize the use of offshore betting sites such as Bovada and MyBookie. However, this doesn’t mean to say that they are legal. As these sites aren’t licensed by a Florida regulator, they are not trusted sportsbooks. We only suggest signing up for legal websites with government-guaranteed safety and fairness standards.
Casinos
While there may be no legal online sports betting in Florida, the state offers a huge selection of casino games options for its residents and visitors. Some of the best of these are the eight Native American casinos that offer table games, slot machines and world-class entertainment.
We particularly recommend the guitar-shaped Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Florida also allows for slot machines and some table games at its racetracks, giving them the nickname of Racinos. These gaming facilities are not run by the tribes, meaning that tribes technically have no gaming exclusivity in Florida.
Racetrack Betting
Florida is known as being one of the best horse racing destinations in the world and is home to world-class tracks such as the Tampa Bay Downs Racecourse. At these racecourses, visitors can bet on both live greyhound and horse races that are taking place nationally and internationally.
As mentioned above, racetracks in the state also provide some great casino-style gambling opportunities. Horse racing in Florida is regulated by a state division of pari-mutuel wagering to ensure that the industry is efficient and fair, making it a safe betting option until legal online sports betting in Florida is allowed.
Card Rooms
If you’re looking for endless poker fun, then Florida is the state for you. There are hundreds of poker tables across the state located in card rooms at racinos, casinos, and individual card room establishments. These host everything from small games to huge tournaments with staggering jackpot prizes.
Poker games can be enjoyed 7 days a week, and the state even allows for no-limit games. As there is technically no law making online poker illegal in the state, some people choose to play online. However, like online sports betting, we suggest waiting for a licensed online casino before you trust an offshore site with your money.
Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting
Until there is a Florida legal online sportsbook available, state residents are free to travel to other states where sports betting is legal to place bets. Unfortunately, there are no bordering states that offer sports betting yet, though if it comes to betting on a major game like the Super Bowl, why not make a holiday of it?
Below, we’ve listed the closest states to Florida that offer legal sports betting.
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
What would Legal Sports Betting in Florida Look Like
Currently, Florida’s lawmakers are trying to come to an agreement with the tribes to decide on the terms of a sports betting bill. The tribes are unsatisfied by the proposal to allow non-tribal interests to offer sports betting, as they want their physical casinos to be the only sportsbooks in the state.
Once a Florida sports betting agreement is made, the bill will then have to be approved in a voter referendum, so the likelihood of sports betting will depend on if voters want further gambling expansion. All of these issues may mean that legal online sports betting in Florida may not happen for some time.
For the time being, you may be tempted to place bets at offshore bookmakers. In our experience, we have found that the safest betting sites are those that are regulated by state licensing agencies. These ensure that vulnerable players such as underage and problem gamblers are protected, and demand a certain degree of fairness.
It may seem that Florida sports betting legalization is a long shot, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Both the tribes and lawmakers understand that there is money to be made from legal sports betting, and there are doubtless millions of Floridians wanting to bet on major sports leagues teams such as the Miami Dolphins or Miami Heat.
What are the Florida Gambling Laws
Florida’s history is dotted with huge milestones that have led it to have one of the richest gambling cultures in the United States. In fact, Florida sports betting was first legalized in 1932, though this was later repealed by subsequent governments. It was also the first place to allow for legal Native American gaming.
The Florida Lottery was established in 1986 and has since grown to be incredibly popular. Slot machines were legalized in 2004 at Seminole Tribal gaming facilities, resulting in an explosion of casino gaming popularity. This was boosted in 2010 when the $2 limit on poker games was lifted.
In many respects, Florida offers a gambling experience that few other states do. Aside from sports betting, players can enjoy almost all forms of popular gambling activities. Additionally, where many states’ tribal casinos are located in reservations away from large populations, a number of Florida’s casinos exist in major metropolitan areas.
Betting Type | Law |
---|---|
Sports Betting | Not Legal |
Online Sports Betting | Not Legal |
Online Casino | Not Legal |
Poker | Legal |
Racetrack Betting | Legal |
Florida Gambling Age | 18+ for Lotto, Poker, Racing. 21+ for Table Games, Electronic Gaming Machines |
Florida laws stipulate that players must be over the age of 18 to participate in the lottery, place bets on pari-mutuel races, or to legally play poker. As alcohol is served in most casinos, players need to be over 21 to enjoy table games and electronic gaming machines in Florida.
It’s likely that if in-person sports betting or legal online sports betting comes to Florida, players will need to be over the age of 18 to bet. However, this will all depend on where betting is available, as 18-year-olds can bet at Racinos freely but may have difficulty at a Seminole tribal casino.
What is the Future of Sports Betting in Florida?
For the time being, it seems as though legal sports betting in Florida may take a few more years to materialize. This is because there are major disagreements between the current state governor and the tribes. Even when an agreement is made, a strong campaign will need to convince state voters to approve it.
Nevertheless, if legal online sports betting in Florida happens, we have no doubt that it will be one of the most popular legal sport betting states in the country, as the state is represented in every major sports league. For the time being, bettors will need to travel out of state to safely and legally place sports bets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any more questions about Florida sports betting and whether or not you are able to make legal online bets? In this section, we have answered a number of questions that are commonly asked about Florida gambling laws.
Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Florida?
Betting Apps In Florida Panhandle
Both online gambling and sports betting are not legal in Florida. Although there is no law that technically says they are illegal either, the lack of legalization means these activities are not licensed. For this reason, there is nothing stopping dangerous websites from taking advantage of players and ripping them off.
What is the Florida legal gambling age?
Betting Apps In Florida Keys
This depends on what you bet on. There are two minimum gambling ages in Florida. Firstly, players must be over the age of 18 to gamble at racetracks, to play poker, to sign up for DFS or to play the lottery. Players must be over the age of 21 to play at the state’s Seminole gaming facilities.
Are offshore bookmaker sites legal and safe?
Though offshore bookmakers are not technically illegal, this does not mean that they are safe. Any website that accepts players from unlicensed or illegal markets is not trustworthy, as it proves that they are more concerned about profiting than respecting local laws.
Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Florida?
Betting App In Florida
Players can use both FanDuel and DraftKings in Florida, making them the closest thing to a legal Florida sports betting app available. However, players can only use them to play daily fantasy sports, with their sportsbook functions disabled in the state until legal online sports betting in Florida is legalized. So it is currently not possible to bet on NFL until new laws are put in place.