The Sunshine State boasts amazing beaches, sprawling cities, beautiful weather and surprisingly to some, Florida offers access to legal sports betting as well. Plenty of teams host their off-season training in Florida because of the great weather year round. Florida’s major pro sports teams include the Dolphins, Heat, Marlins, Magic, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Panthers, Lightning and the Rays, to name a few. With all this sports action, betting on sports in Florida is a popular form of gambling entertainment that bettors ranging from amateur to professional frequently do.
That being said, it is important to address the legal status of sports gambling in Florida so as to avoid any issues or complications. This guide will explore how to safely and legally bet using the sportsbooks we’ve recommended for Florida residents. In order to be a successful bettor, it’s imperative to know how to bet in your state.
Is Sports Gambling Legal in Florida?
The short answer is, yes – there is legal sportsbook gambling available to Florida residents. There are no Florida state laws and no US federal laws that make it a crime to bet on sports in the USA as long as the destination at which you placing your wagers is legally licensed and regulated. This rules out US based sports betting for Floridians, but leaves legitimately licensed offshore sportsbooks wide open. You can read more about the legal status of Florida sports gambling below where we discuss the specific laws governing sports betting in the United States.
9 hours ago According to azBookmakers, several gambling laws affect how states handle individual regulations around the activities of gaming and sports betting.
- Florida gambling law is ever-changing, as citizens and lawmakers wage constant war to push their various agendas. Legislation is perpetually being introduced to.
- The short answer is, yes – there is legal sportsbook gambling available to Florida residents. There are no Florida state laws and no US federal laws that make it a crime to bet on sports in the USA as long as the destination at which you placing your wagers is legally licensed and regulated.
- Like in most parts of the US, online gambling in Florida is in a grey area. Since the state itself doesn’t regulate online gambling, it is technically illegal. However, the law doesn’t mention anything about offshore websites.
Top Rated Online Sportsbooks For Florida Residents
Here you will see a listing of the Florida friendly online sports betting sites that we consider to be industry leaders. There are of course many more sportsbooks that what we list here, however we are highly selective about the brands that we recommend, and we only include those destinations that we have personally vetted through a very specific review process. They are all legally licensed and regulated, offer superb service to their customers, have legitimate bonus offers and utilize sophisticated security protocols that exceed licensing requirements.
Logo | Site Name | Bonus | Rating | USA | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Betonline Sportsbook | 50% Max $2500 | Visit Site | |||
Sportsbetting | 75% Max $1000 | Visit Site | |||
Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $250 | Visit Site |
US Federal Gambling Laws That Affect Sports Gambling In Florida
In 1992, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (otherwise known as PASPA) was passed and made sports gambling illegal in all but four states: Nevada, Oregon, Delaware and Montana. Unfortunately, as you can see, Florida did not make the list. This means that there are no legal forms of in-house or brick and mortar styles of sports wagering.
However, PASPA and Florida state law restrictions do not include offshore sportsbooks such as Bovada or BetOnline. These offshore sportsbooks are legally licensed and operated and used by millions. They operate outside the jurisdiction of the PASPA and allow players to place wagers without fear of penalty.
There are other laws to consider when talking about sports gambling, such as the Federal Wire Act. Passed in 1961 by President Kennedy, the Federal Wire Act bars people from accepting wagers over the phone or through wire transmission. In 2011, the Department of Justice established that the Wire Act only applies to US-based sports gambling, leaving online gambling free and clear.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 prohibits banks from processing any transactions stemming from online gambling. However, the key takeaway from these laws is that they deal with sports betting within United States borders. So, offshore sportsbooks that accept Florida residents, like Bovada and BetOnline, are legal and safe to use for sports betting.
Will State Licensed Sports Betting Be Legal In Florida Any Time Soon?
If given the opportunity, Florida may one day try to legalize sports betting, however until PASPA is repealed or drastically modified to include the addition of other states in the exemptions, there isn’t anything the state can do about it. Federal law always trumps state law, which is one reason New Jersey is facing opposition from the feds as they try to implement sports betting into their gambling repertoire without being exempted from the restictions of PASPA.
Popular Sports Teams to Bet On in Florida
As mentioned earlier, Florida has a lot of sports teams to bet on. While Florida may not boast the most dominate of sports teams in their respective leagues, there are a few teams that look poised to have successful 2017-2018 season.
The Miami Dolphins reached the playoffs for the first time since 2008 this season under new Head Coach Adam Gase. They ultimately lost out in the first round to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but to their credit were missing starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who had helped lead the Dolphins to a 10-5 record up to that point. The Dolphins are sure to hit the 2017-2018 sense with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on the playoffs. The players seem reinvigorated under Coach Gase and QB Ryan Tannehill will be looking to come back strong from his injury. This team is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were expected to make the playoffs this year but ended up missing out on a tiebreaker. Regardless, star quarterback Jameis Winston continues to improve in the NFL and the Bucs are looking to be the most dominant NFL team in Florida. If not for a series of injuries throughout the season, the Bucs could have possibly gone to do something unexpected in the playoffs. They’ll be another team worth watching in the 2017-2018 season.
While the Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t have as memorable of a season as their Florida NFL counterparts, they could obtain a few pieces in the offseason with trades and the Draft that could set them up for success.
As far as the NBA goes, Florida has the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. While the Heat no longer have the Big 3 (Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh) anymore, they are still a contender in the East. The Orlando Magic are also a team on the rise. These two teams are worth watching on a game-to-game basis. With the high amount of games played in an NBA season, there are plenty of opportunities to cash in.
One thing that makes Florida stand out in sports is in college football. The University of Miami, University of Florida and Florida State University have all been trading off in terms of dominance over the years. As it stands now, FSU is the best in the state. However, UM is another strong contender in the ACC. The 2017-2018 season will be an interesting one with some star players heading for the Draft and new recruits coming in, so these three teams will definitely be worth watching.
NFL Teams in FL
NBA Teams in FL
MLB Teams in FL
NHL Teams in FL
Popular College Sports Teams in FL
FAQ’s About Betting On Sports
How Do I Deposit Funs Into An Offshore Sportsbook Site?
Each of the sportsbook brands we feature include varying options for depositing funds into your account. Gold of persia. However, most include credit/debit cards, money orders, money transfers, prepaid cards and even Bitcoin as viable options.
Is It Difficult To Receive My Winnings From An Offshore Sportsbook?
Checks are usually the most popular method and can typically take up to 7-10 business days to process. Bitcoin is becoming the future of currency because it allows for streamlined deposits and payouts. There are even services that allow you to convert your Bitcoins into cash with ease. Another withdrawal option is a money transfer using Moneygram or Western Union. Some methods have fees associated with them while others do not. Applicable fees will vary between the policies of each sportsbook.
Is It Safe For Florida Residents To Place Bets At Offshore Sportsbooks?
Without a doubt. We only recommend sites that have been around for about ten years and have been vetted by the players that use them and respected industry professionals. These sites all offer fair and honest services and payouts and use secure servers in order to keep your information safe online. As successful as these sites are, they take their customer service very seriously and would not jeopardize that success with substandard customer care or unreliable security.
Has Any Bettor From Florida Ever Been Arrested for Gambling on Sports?
The only way you can get arrested in the state of Florida for gambling on sports is by doing so through an illegal bookie. That being said, the bookie faces harsher penalties than the bettor, however it’s best to use safe and secure offshore betting sites in order to avoid these issues.
Do These Sites Offer Any Type Of New Customer Perks or Bonuses?
Yes! Most, if not all, of the reputable offshore betting sites offer both introductory bonuses and bonuses for loyal users. These bonuses make for bigger earnings and higher customer satisfaction. In-house sportsbooks like the ones in Vegas can’t match that!
Do I Have To Pay Taxes On My Winnings At FL Friendly Offshore Sportsbooks?
As profits from sports betting are considered taxable income, it’s important that you pay taxes on them according to your state’s laws. It would be a shame to not enjoy your winnings because you’re in prison for tax evasion. Be sure to check with a local tax specialist on how you should go about reporting your earnings.
Can I Place Bets From My Mobile Device?
Yes, All of the offshore sportsbooks that we recommend utilize a web friendly, mobile optimized app so you can handle your sports betting on the go. The app has all the same services of the web version as well as the same sophisticated security protocols. You can place bets, manage your account and check the status of the events you have bet on, all from your smartphone or tablet.
Are There Any Sports Teams in Florida That Have A Shot At Winning A National Title in 2017/2018?
Realistically, no. However, there are some promising teams on the rise that could pull something incredible off. The best odds at a Florida championship come through either the NFL or college football, so whether or not you place a futures bet on your team winning it all depends on your confidence in your team. There are no clear frontrunners for Florida at the time of this writing.
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?Florida Bingo Laws And Regulations
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.
Florida Raffle Law
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.
ContentsThe Next Step for Florida
Pch games real. 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.
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