Florida has the potential to be one of the largest sports betting markets in the United States. However, there are no legal options for sports wagering in the state currently.
The Florida legislature is working on a bill that will bring sports betting to the state. This legislative process is in response to a landmark deal between the Seminole Tribe and Governor Ron DeSantis.
Governor DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe negotiated a new gaming compact that has created an easier path to legal sports betting. The Seminole Tribe, which controls the state’s tribal casinos, did not want to legal sports betting because they did not feel protected.
There were parts of the old compact that helped the Seminole Tribe block sports wagering legislation, but the new deal gives the legislature the ability to enact a betting bill.
The new compact deals with more than legal sports betting because it’s a complete gaming enhancement for the state. It will help FL generate $6 billion in revenue for the state through 2030.
The new tribal compact is a 30-year agreement, so sports betting will be able to thrive for decades once the legislature confirms a bill. The Seminole Tribe can expand its gaming capability by adding craps and roulette to their casinos.
The tribe also received the blessing to continue expanding their Hollywood, Florida, casino. Sports betting is no longer in the hands of the tribe. The legislature must swiftly do its job to enact sports wagering by the fall of 2021, when football season begins.
The compact will be finalized on May 17 with the legislature in a special legislative session. The 2021 legislative drafting session ends on April 30, 2021. Nevertheless, leaders in the House and Senate have stated that they will call emergency sessions after April 30th, if necessary, to pass a sports wagering bill.
Florida flawlessly handled the COVID-19 pandemic, but the extra money from sports betting will still help the state. Therefore, there is a rush to finalize a sports wagering bill. Projections have shown that Florida will receive $500 million annually once sports betting is authorized.
Sports wagering will be available in a retail and online betting format when the legislature passes a bill. The compact allows for two mobile books, both of which would be run by the Seminole Tribe.
The retail sportsbooks would be built at professional sports stadiums and venues. The Seminole Tribe would also be able to open their own sportsbooks inside their casino properties.
[section label=”FL Betting Promos”]
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[section label=”Florida Betting Video”]
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[section label=”Steps to Start Betting”]
Steps to Start Legal Florida Sports Betting
- There are no legal sports betting options in Florida currently. When sports wagering is legalized and enacted, these are the probable steps to begin betting.
- You should be able to register for sports betting online at a legal sportsbook. Download the app of your choice or proceed to the desktop version of the book.
- You will need to enter some information, including your name, address, social security number, and a payment method.
- Your information is safe on these books, so do not be concerned about inputting this data.
- You will need to be 21 years of age and located in Florida to gamble on sports. You do not need to be a resident of the state, but you need to be inside state borders to place a wager.
- Your mobile device will use its GPS software to guarantee that you are in Florida.
- When you finish the registration process and make a deposit, you are all set to gamble.
- If you want to wager at a retail betting facility, the registration process is similar.
- You will need to give your personal information, but all bets will be placed and distributed at the retail book.
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Mobile Betting Apps in Florida
Florida is expected to have two mobile betting apps, but it’s unclear what platforms will be given licensure to operate in the state. It’s likely that a major sports betting platform will gain market access in FL.
Florida sports betting will be massive because of the population of retirees and tourists in the state. The largest mobile sportsbooks in the United States are William Hill, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings.
The Seminole Tribe will have the ultimate choice for the two sportsbooks that go live, which will come down to money. Sportsbook applicants are expected to offer large sums of money to gain market access in Florida.
[section label=”Physical Locations”]
Physical Locations to Bet on Sports in Florida
The retail sports betting market in Florida is going to be substantial. The tourism industry, Seminole casinos, and professional sports venues will all play a significant role in the Florida retail betting market.
The legislation has still not been signed, so it’s unclear how many retail sportsbooks will be available in FL. The Seminole Tribe has the retail sportsbook naming rights at Hard Rock Stadium.
It’s known that Hard Rock Stadium will have a retail betting property for this purpose. Here are the possible stadium retail sportsbooks besides Hard Rock, home of the Miami Dolphins.
- American Airlines Arena – Miami Heat
- LoanDepot Park – Miami Marlins
- Raymond James Stadium – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Amalie Arena – Tampa Bay Lightning
- Tropicana Field – Tampa Bay Rays
- TIAA Bank Field – Jacksonville Jaguars
- Amway Center – Orlando Magic
- BB&T Center – Florida Panthers
The Seminole Tribe’s casino properties will also be able to host retail sportsbooks. The Seminole Tribe owns eight casinos in the state. These properties are spread throughout the state, so it’s likely that all the properties will have retail sports wagering facilities.
More information will become available when the legislature passes a sports betting bill, and the tribal compact is confirmed.
Quick Glance of Sportsbook Physical Locations Coming Soon
Future Florida Sports Betting Venues & Locations
There are no retail sports betting venues in Florida currently because no bill has been passed. Therefore, many future betting locations are being scoped out as legislation continues to be drafted. Here are some future retail betting locations in FL.
- Seminole Tribe Casinos
- Racetracks
- Professional Sports Venues
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Convenience Stores
The Seminole casinos, racetracks, and professional sports venues will offer retail sportsbooks. It’s unlikely that restaurants and bars will have betting kiosks, but it’s not out of the question because no legislation has been passed.
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Florida Sports Betting Regulation & Laws
Florida sports betting has been debated since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2018. PASPA was passed in 1992, and a part of the bill dealt with legal sports betting.
The professional sports leagues used a few clauses in PASPA to limit states from offering legal sports betting. However, the Supreme Court ruled against the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and NCAA in 2018.
The southern states were slower in rolling out sports betting bills because of the conservative nature of the south. Sports betting goes against religious beliefs in the minds of many legislators, which did not help the cause for legal sports wagering.
The Seminole Tribe blocked sports betting in 2018 by passing Amendment III in their tribal compact. This prevented the state from beginning any new legislative gaming efforts.
If the state wanted to change Florida’s gambling structure, it would require a vote. This amendment gave the Seminole Tribe power for sports wagering. If FL wanted to pass a bill, they would have to work directly with the Seminole Tribe.
In 2019, negotiations began between the state and the Seminole Tribe for legal sports betting. Former Governor Rick Scott headlined the talks, but he was unable to renegotiate a new gaming compact.
The deal fell through when Governor DeSantis took office because he refused to sign the updated gaming compact. This deal would have allowed the tribe and pari-mutuels to offer sports betting.
Pari-mutuels were going to have to pay a cut to the Seminole Tribe. The state would have received $500 million per year because of the deal, but DeSantis did not think the compact was fair.
Governor DeSantis’ refusal created an array of tension between the Seminole Tribe and the state. The tribe responded by refusing to pay their annual $350 million payment to the state until sports betting was resolved.
In 2020, the FL legislature tried to legalize sports betting without the tribe through a variety of bills. Here are the three attempts that Senator Jeff Brandes pushed. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2020/968/?Tab=RelatedBills
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2020/970
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2020/972
The Seminole Tribe claimed that the state did not have the jurisdiction to complete this action. The bills went nowhere, but it showed that the state was serious about getting a fair cut of legal sports wagering.
Negotiations continued, but the state and Seminole Tribe were unable to get on the same page. In 2021, the landscape changed for FL sports wagering. Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe agreed to a new gaming compact.
The new gaming compact will be confirmed in the middle of May. The Florida legislature is actively drafting a bill. Legislators have stated that a bill will be signed in 2021, so sports betting will go live by the fall.
However, the state legislature, the Seminole Tribe, and Governor DeSantis need to overcome a multitude of hurdles for legal sports betting in FL.
What are the Tax Rates for the Retail and Online Sports Betting Operators in FL?
It’s unclear what the exact tax rates and license fees are going to be in Florida. There have been discussions that licenses will cost $100,000, and the tax rate would be 15%. These numbers are from old proposals, so they may not be applicable in the current bills that are being drafted.
Based on the tribal compact, the state will receive $2.5 billion in the first five years of legal sports betting. Florida will earn $6 billion by 2030, and the average annual profit for the state is $500 million.
Legal Florida Sports Betting Timeline
- The Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018.
- PASPA’s unconstitutional ruling allowed states to legalize sports wagering.
- The Seminole Tribe passed Amendment III in 2018, which gave them power over sports betting in Florida.
- In 2019, the state and the Seminole Tribe created a deal to bring sports betting to FL.
- The Seminole Tribe was given ultimate control over sports wagering.
- Governor DeSantis rejected the updated compact when he took office.
- The Seminole Tribe was angered by DeSantis’ refusal to sign the bill.
- In 2020, the FL legislature attempted to pass a gaming bill without the Seminole Tribe.
- There were three pieces of legislation in the Senate that made no progress.
- In 2021, Governor DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe created a deal for a new tribal compact.
- The new compact created a pathway for legal sports wagering in Florida.
- Sports betting needs to be passed by the state legislature through a new bill.
- The goal is to pass legal sports betting in 2021 in time for football season.
List of Sports Wagers Allowed in Florida
Moneyline: Picking a winner straight up.
Point spread: An amount that a team must win by or be within.
Totals: The most common total is the over/under.
Props: Side wagers on things that may happen. Typically revolve around players.
Live betting: Real time wagers with constantly changing odds.
Futures: A bet on a future outcome.
Parlays: A traditional wager grouped together. All legs must hit for a successful bet.
Teasers: Spread or total bets where the bettor can put the odds in their favor.
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Florida Sports betting Bonuses & Bonus Codes
The Florida sports betting landscape has not been established at this time. Florida online betting is going to be a significant market. There will probably be two online skins in the state, but the bonuses will be plentiful.
Bonus codes are a great way to entice people in FL to wager. The largest online sportsbooks in the United States are expected to apply for licensure in Florida. These platforms will provide significant bonuses for betting in Florida.
TABLE OF TOP BONUSES FOR FLORIDA PLAYERS COMING SOON
[section label=”Promo Codes”]
Florida Promos, Promo Codes and Promotions
The number of professional sports teams in FL is going to cause sportsbooks to provide countless promotions. The first promotion that people will experience with Florida online betting is a welcome bonus.
Sportsbooks will offer a promotion for new players. The best FL wagering promotions will be deposit matches. Risk-free bets are another possible promotion in Florida sports wagering, but these are not superior to deposit matches.
The professional sports teams will also help sportsbooks offer promotions. Florida sports wagering sites will base promotions around teams in the state. For example, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may receive an odd boost on game days during the season.
WE WILL INSERT A FEED OF THE LATEST PROMO POSTS HERE. CATEGORY → Promos TAG → <state>
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Best Florida Sports Betting Cities
There are many sports betting cities in Florida. The best sports betting cities have professional teams or tourist attractions and casinos in the area.
Miami
Miami will be a prominent sports betting city in FL when sports betting is legalized. There are two professional sports teams in Miami, including the Dolphins (NFL), Marlins (MLB), and Panthers (NHL). There is also a Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in the city.
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a future hotbed for sports wagering and professional sports. Tampa Bay is home to a Seminole Hard Rock Casino as well as the Rays (MLB), Lightning (NHL), and Buccaneers (NFL). The Buccaneers and Lightning have recently won championships.
Orlando
Orlando could have a retail betting facility at the Amway Center, which is the home of the Magic (NBA). There are no Seminole Hard Rock Casino properties in Orlando, but this city is a tourism capital. Many people traveling to the area will wager at the Amway Center or on their mobile devices.
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FL Teams to Bet On
There are numerous teams in Florida for people to wager when sports betting is legalized. It’s unknown if college sports betting will be legal, but FL has many professional sports teams that compete in the state.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins compete in the AFC East Division of the NFL. The team competes inside Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins have made the playoffs 23 times since 1966, and they have won three Super Bowl Championships.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won two Super Bowl Championships, including LV following the 2020-21 season. This was Tampa Bay’s second Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars compete in the AFC South Division of the NFL. They have never won a Super Bowl or AFC Championship. Their home venue is TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat plays in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The Heat have won three NBA Championships, with their latest coming in 2013.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic was established in 1989. Orlando is a member of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team has been to two NBA Finals, but the franchise has never won the league.
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins play in the National League East Division of the MLB. The Marlins were established in 1993, and they have claimed two World Series titles.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays play in the American League East Division of the MLB. The Rays have won two American League Pennants, but they have never hoisted the World Series trophy.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers became an NHL franchise in 1993. Their home is the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL, which is in the Miami area
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been more successful in the NHL than the Florida Panthers. The Lightning was founded in 1992, and they compete inside Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay has won two Stanley Cups.
[section label=”FL Betting Revenue Numbers”]
Florida Sports Betting Revenue Numbers
Sports betting has not been legalized in Florida yet, but there are revenue estimates for the state. Florida is expected to earn $6 billion by 2030. In the first five years of sports wagering, the state will gain $2.5 billion.
The annual revenue for Florida from the Seminole Tribe will be $500 million. The market has the potential to be extensive when it becomes established.
Quick Glance at Florida Gambling & Industries
Florida has a major gambling economy, and sports betting will add depth to the market.
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Florida Horse Racing Status
There are many horse tracks in Florida. The most popular venues are Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park, and Peninsula Racing Center. Online horse race betting is already legal in the state.
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DFS / Daily Fantasy Sports in Florida
Daily fantasy sports have never been officially legalized, but people can access DFS apps in the state. Florida never legalized sports wagering because of potential financial conflicts with the Seminole Tribe.
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FL Online Casino Play
Online casino gaming in Florida is prohibited. It’s unclear if it will be legalized in the future.
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Florida Online Lottery
The Florida Lottery is available in an online format. You can buy lottery tickets online and at 13,000 retailers across the state.
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Florida Poker Rules
Poker is legal at racinos, which are race track and casino combinations. Poker is also available at Seminole Tribe casinos throughout the state. There are no legal online poker sites that are available in Florida.
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Florida Esports Scene
Esports betting is not legal. It’s uncertain if Esports betting will be included with future sports wagering bills drafted in the Florida legislature.
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How to Become a Sports Betting Affiliate in Florida
It’s uncertain how to become a sports betting affiliate in Florida. There will be an application process and a licensure fee. However, the legislature has not passed legal sports betting yet. Some rumors are indicating that there will only be two online skins in Florida.
The Seminole Tribe is going to have a significant amount of control over sports wagering. The application process will most likely deal directly with the tribe, but this will be known after the legislature passes a sports wagering bill.
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FAQ for Florida Betting
1. Is it legal to bet on sports in Florida?
No, it’s not legal to bet on sports in FL yet. A bill is expected to be passed during the 2021 legislative session.
2. Does Florida offer mobile sports betting or retail only?
FL will offer mobile and retail betting when sports wagering is legalized.
3. Can I sign up to bet on sports in FL remotely, or do I have to physically visit the retail sportsbook location?
The registration process is unknown for sports wagering in Florida because a bill has not been passed.
4. Who regulates Florida sports betting?
No regulator has been named for FL sports wagering.
5. When was Florida sports betting legalized?
Florida sports wagering has not been legalized at this time.
6. Who placed the first bet in the state of Florida?
The first bet in FL has not been placed yet.
7. Can you bet on “in-state” college games in Florida?
It’s unknown whether you will be able to bet on in-state college games in FL.
8. Are wagers for all professional sports leagues and teams accepted in FL?
All wagers for professional sports are expected to be legalized in Florida.
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Latest Florida Sports Betting News
Nothing for the writer to write here. We will list our “feed” of the latest news in this state. Category = News->Industry Tags = <State>