Florida’s online gambling scene in 2024 is complex and evolving. This overview covers the legal status of various formats, including the ongoing disputes in sports betting, the unrecognized status of online casinos and poker, DFS in a gray area, and legal horse racing betting.
Are you searching for the name of an online casino in Florida you can play in? Read the latest details related to Florida online casino sites and apps.
Florida Legal Gambling Overview
No state has gone through the ups and downs and challenges to get online sports betting available to the public more than the battles that have raged in Florida. Requiring constitutional change to legalize sports betting, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did an end run on the state constitution. Working hand in hand with the Seminole Tribe, which controls the majority of casino gambling in the Sunshine State, they applied for a sports betting license through the Federal Department of the Interior.
That was approved and for a brief time in 2021, legal and regulated sports betting was operating in Florida. However, opponents of the way DeSantis got it done, known as the West Flagler Associates, took the ruling to court and won. Sports betting was ordered shut down shortly following its debut in the state.
However, in December of 2023, it launched again after the DC Court Of Appeals ruled in favor of the Seminole Tribe. The battle may not be over. Failing in March of 2024 to get the appeal overturned by the Florida State Supreme Court, the West Flagler group is now petitioning the US Supreme Court. Their argument is that the Seminole only have control over gambling when it takes place on tribal land and that should not include state-wide online sports betting.
Along with sports betting, Floridians can also bet at casinos, on horse racing, jai-alai, the lottery, bingo, poker in licensed card rooms, daily fantasy sports and sweepstakes casinos.
Florida’s Best Gambling Sites
There is just one option in terms of sports betting sites in the state of Florida, whether you are wagering in person at a brick and mortar retail site, online or via a mobile app. That option is Hard Rock Bet.
Partnered with the Seminole Tribe, they are the only game in town – or in the entire state, for that matter. However, Hard Rock Bet CEO Jim Allen has allowed that he’s open to the idea of adding more sports betting sites to the Florida landscape.
Hard Rock Bet
The welcome offer at Hard Rock Bet is money back on your first three bets up to $100. If any of your first three bets with them close as losers, they will return the funds to you in bonus bets up to a maximum amount of $100. Inside the Hard Rock Bet site, you’ll find action on all of the major sports markets, including extensive live in-play betting. The Hard Rock Bet app offers regular promotions delivering free bets and they are known to be quick with payouts when you cash a winner.
Gambling Verticals and Legal Status in Florida
| Gambling Vertical | Legal Status in Florida | Examples of Legal Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Betting | Retail betting launched on December 7th, 2023. Online betting is not available. | – |
| Online Casinos | Not Legally Recognized | – |
| Online Poker | Not Legally Recognized | – |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | Operates in a Gray Area | DraftKings, FanDuel |
| Horse Racing Betting | Legal | Various licensed sites |
| Lottery | Physical Only | – |
Florida’s legal framework for online gambling remains complicated, with clear legal avenues limited to horse racing betting. The future of online sports betting, online casinos, and poker in the state remains uncertain due to ongoing legal disputes and lack of clear legislative direction. Residents and visitors should stay informed of any legal changes or developments.
Florida Sports Betting
On December 7, 2023, retail sports betting commenced in Florida, initiated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This launch involved offering sports betting services at their various hotels and casinos, including those with Hard Rock partnerships. There is no online sports betting in the horizon at the time of writing.
Florida Horse Racing Betting
Horse racing and betting are legal and active in Florida. The state has a vibrant horse racing industry with renowned tracks like Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Floridians can engage in pari-mutuel betting at these racetracks and through off-track betting facilities. Additionally, online horse race betting is permitted in Florida, with various licensed platforms offering betting services to residents.
Florida Online Casinos
There’s no online casino action currently on the docket in Florida. As far as land-based casinos, the Seminole tribe operates six of them – two in Hollywood, Florida, and one each in Coconut Creek, Immokalee, Okeechobee and Tampa. The Miccosukee Tribe are owners of a casino in Miami.
Floridians interested in casino games must visit physical casinos, such as those operated by the Seminole Tribe or casino boats that operate in international waters.
As we said, Florida’s current laws prohibit online casinos, but residents can still enjoy social casinos like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots. This overview contemplates the potential future of online casino sites in Florida, highlighting the expected entry of major operators like BetMGM and Hard Rock Casino once legalization occurs.
Online Poker in the Sunshine State
Online poker, like online casinos, is illegal in Florida. The state does not permit real money online poker games. Poker players in Florida can play at land-based casinos, including those owned by the Seminole Tribe, which offer poker rooms. Alternatively, players use sweepstakes or social poker sites where they can play without real money wagering.
Lottery
The Florida Lottery exists but restricts online play to physical ticket purchases only.
Florida Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes or social casinos don’t accept real money for play on their slot machines or table games. You can play for free with gold coins, or utilize sweeps coins to compete for prizes.
These are among the more popular sweepstakes casinos accessible to Florida players.
BetRivers.net
Operated by Rush Street Interactive, the same company behind the BetRivers.com real money casino and sportsbook operations, one of the major perks at BetRivers.net is that you can not only play casino games inside their social casino, but they also offer virtual sports betting that is similar to what they provide through their real money sportsbook, except that you aren’t betting with or winning actual cash.
Pulz Casino
If it’s exclusive games that you are seeking from a social casino, then pulsate on over to the Pulsz Casino. Offering a library of more than 500 casino games, the Pulz Casino is adding to that number on a weekly basis. There are numerous methods that they offer to acquire free coins to play their games.
High 5 Casino
The High 5 casino has it all. Their site offers slot games, table games and even card games. In 2023, they were voted the number one social casino by egaming Review. There’s over 800 games to play inside the High 5 Casino and they even deliver a player loyalty rewards program.
Florida Online Gambling FAQs
There are no legally authorized online casinos in Florida, as the state’s laws don’t allow for online gambling.
You can’t play casino games on the internet until the law changes and the authorities issue licenses to operators who want to run casinos for the state’s residents.
There is no guarantee that Florida online casinos will ever be made available, but the huge popularity of gambling in this state means that there are plenty of people who would be happy to see this happen sooner rather than later.
Florida Social Online Casinos
In Florida, sites like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots are popular. These sweepstakes casino platforms in Florida offer a variety of games and are known for their engaging user interfaces and promotional offers.
Online Casinos for Real Money in Florida
Based on the current laws in Florida BetMGM, Caesars, Harrahs are among the first casinos expected to go live in the state in 2023.
FLORIDA’s most expected online casinos:
- BetMGM Casino
- Hard Rock Casino
- Golden Nugget Casino
- Harrahs Casino
It is difficult to know which casinos would look to operate in Florida if online gambling became legalized here. Perhaps the best idea we can get is by looking at the American states where this industry has already been regulated.
In these cases, the new casinos that have gained licenses have been big-name operators that provide a large selection of games and some healthy welcome bonuses for new players who join them.
Best Online Casino Games in Florida
No matter which casinos appear in the state in the future, we can expect a rich variety of games from them. The best online casinos in Florida should have slots from top developers, with titles such as Book of Dead, Thunderstruck II, and Queen of the Desert popular in other states.
Table games generally cover roulette, poker, blackjack, and more. The added offer of live dealer games has proved to be a hit with American players too.
FL Online Casino Apps and Bonuses
Another aspect of Florida online casino playing that we can expect is the use of mobile apps. Many of the top operators use this hugely convenient way of accessing their games that you would expect to aim for a Florida license when available.
These apps can be downloaded to just about any mo dern device at no cost and let you switch seamlessly from desktop to mobile whenever you feel like it.
For some players, a set of free spins is the best possible welcome offer. Others prefer to see their first deposit increased by 100% or more. If online casinos appear in Florida, you should be able to take your pick from great offers like these.
Top Land-based Gambling Venues in Florida
- The Seminole Brighton Casino at Okeechobee has a variety of the most popular casino games, as well as a 24-hour restaurant.
- The Tropical Breeze Casino in Port Richey gives you the chance to get out on a ship and play a few games.
- In Davie, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has stylish rooms and lots of good facilities such as a spa and live music shows.
Will online casinos become available in Florida?
There is no way of knowing just now whether an online casino in Florida will happen. There is a lot of support for new online gambling laws, but not everyone is as keen on this happening.
Can I play online casino games for money in Florida?
No, not at the moment and it is unknown when it will be legal. Look out for the latest information on any changes that are being considered in terms of the gambling legislation in Florida.
Are social casinos available in Florida?
Yes, the introduction of these sites with dummy cash has given residents a way of playing casino games in Florida while they wait for real-money sites to be authorized in the state.
What is the Legal Gambling Age in Florida?
You need to be over 21 to play casino games in Florida, although there are other forms of betting that can be carried out at the age of 18. These include poker, lottery, and bingo playing. It isn’t known which of these limits would apply to Florida’s online casino players.
Tax When Gambling in Florida?
Although there aren’t any Florida casino sites or apps at the moment, if you manage to land a big win while gambling in the sunshine state, you can expect to pay tax on it. A flat tax rate of 24% is often quoted for this state, but you should declare it to the IRS together with other taxable income in your annual return.
Is it legal to gamble in Florida?
Although both online and land-based sports betting is allowed legally, there are currently no apps or sportsbooks available in the state. Gambling in Florida is regulated by the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
What is the status of online sports betting in Florida?
Currently under legal dispute and not clearly defined.
Where can I get help with problem gambling in FL?
While gambling can be enjoyable, it can become problematic for some people. If you, or a friend or relative, is struggling to cope with their gambling, help is available. Florida – National Council on Problem Gambling (ncpgambling.org).
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