Florida has come close to having legal online sportsbooks. The relaunch of sports betting in Florida is uncertain due to a recent legal motion filed by West Flagler and Associates in September 2023. Previously, a request for a rehearing by the U.S. Court of Appeals was denied, and the case might conclude if West Flagler chooses not to pursue further legal action against the Seminole Tribe. Florida had a brief stint of online sports betting through Hard Rock Bet app in November 2021, halted by legal challenges from two local casinos against the state-Seminole Tribe compact, which a judge deemed illegal. However, the landscape keeps changing in the Sunshine State. Keep up to speed with Florida sports betting laws and get ready for the best sportsbooks and apps.
Expected Florida Top Betting Offers & Sportsbook Promos
| Florida Sportsbook Expected | Likely New Player Offers at Launch |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook | First Bet Match Up to $100 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | First Bet Match Up to $50 |
| BetRivers | Bet Insurance up to $500 |
| BetMGM | Free Bet up to $1k |
| DraftKings | Get a deposit bonus up to $1k |
| Caesars | Bet insurance up to $1,250 |
| ESPN Bet | Free Bets up to $500 |
| SI Sportsbook | Free Bets up to $200 |
Florida Sports Betting Bonus Types
We predict that Florida online sportsbooks will run a range of promotions and welcome bonuses.
- Deposit match bonus
- Free bets
- Risk-free bets
- Refer-a-friend
- Enhanced odds
- Profit boost
- Parlay boost
- Parlay insurance
- Loyalty program
- In-play betting specials
- Super Bowl specials
How to Claim Your FL Sports Betting Bonus
Online Sports Betting in Florida
Florida launched mobile sports betting, before quickly having it shut down again.
There’s a glimmer of hope, stemming from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals’ favorable ruling for the Seminole Tribe in September 2023, which could potentially pave the way for the digital relaunch of Hard Rock Bet in Florida. This ruling might set a precedent that could help in navigating the legal challenges, although appeals and further legal hurdles are still on the horizon.
The dominant Seminole Tribe–which operates casinos across Florida–launched a mobile sportsbook app in November 2021 in partnership with Hard Rock Casino. Despite the pair having a compact that was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a federal judge ruled the deal was illegal.
The shutdown was a lesson to other tribes in states that don’t have sports betting laws trying to form their own compacts in violation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Major operators including DraftKings and FanDuel are supporting the Florida Casino Gaming Expansion Initiative. This would allow sports betting in the state outside Seminole Tribe properties.
The initiative ultimately failed but could be resurrected in a new ballot in 2024. Alternatively, the Seminoles would have to be persuaded to give up exclusive rights to online sports betting in Florida.
Florida Fast Facts:
- Legal Sports Betting Y/N: No
- Year Legalized: n/a
- Retail Sportsbooks?: No
- Online Sportsbooks?: No
- Mobile Sportsbooks Y/N: Yes
- College Sports Betting Y/N: No
Florida Betting Markets and Sports
Under the new proposals, pretty much all forms of sports betting would be legal in Florida. You will be able to bet on everything from moneyline to parlays and everything in between. Some restrictions are likely to be enforced on college sports betting.
- Football
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Baseball
- Tennis
- Golf
- Soccer
- Motorsports
- E-Sports
- MMA/Boxing
Betting Types:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Totals (over/under)
- Team props
- Player props
- Futures
- In-play betting
Sportsbook Regulation in Florida
Sports betting will likely be overseen by the Florida Gaming Control Commission. The body is currently responsible for regulating poker rooms, pari-mutuel wagering and overseeing tribal compacts. Sportsbooks will fall under the FGCC’s jurisdiction, including licensing and responsible gambling adherence.
Retail Sportsbooks to Visit in Florida
There are no physical sportsbooks to bet at in Florida. However, this could change depending on the result of the two propositions in November 2022. Tribal casinos could end up opening retail sportsbooks and accepting bets on games. These would include:
- Seminole Casino-Hotel Immokalee
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
- Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
- Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
- Seminole Casino Brighton
Florida Sportsbook Deposits & Withdrawals
It’s unclear what online banking options FL sports bettors will have access to if the state legalizes betting. We expect to find the same level of deposit options as other states offer.
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Discover
- American Express
- PayPal
- PayNearMe
- VIP Preferred (ACH/e-Check)
- Online bank transfer
- Prepaid card
- In-person deposit at retail sportsbook
Florida Online Sports Betting FAQ
No, but two propositions will be voted on in November 2022 to see if Floridians want legalized sports betting. Propositions will cover online betting and retail sportsbooks.
Hard Rock opened Florida’s first mobile sportsbook in 2021 but it was shut down following a federal challenge. Hard Rock could re-open if Florida passes any new sports betting laws.
One proposition being voted on by the FL public would legalize online sportsbooks in Florida. Mobile apps and online betting sites would be made available from some of the biggest operators in the US.