Florida Sports Betting Launch: Top Legal Florida Sportsbooks

Top Online Sportsbooks Potentially Coming to Florida Sports Betting

At this time, and for the foreseeable future, the only available Florida sportsbook will be Hard Rock Bet due to the monopoly the Seminole Tribe has over gambling in the state. This is the only app we expect to be legalized unless other operators can strike a deal with the tribe, though that would likely not make financial sense for those companies.

If there were to be expansion for Florida sportsbooks, these are the companies that would most likely appear in the state:

The experience of other states suggests that sports betting in Florida would be a highly lucrative market. Those operating it would likely issue several licenses, possibly one for each of the seven tribal casinos in the state, to encourage greater competition and a top experience for players.

Best Florida Sportsbook Launching in 2023

Now that it appears the Florida-Seminole Gaming Compact will stay intact, Hard Rock Bet Florida will have exclusive access to the state. Luckily for Florida bettors, the Hard Rock Bet app was recently revamped and is a fantastic platform with great features that you would expect from the top apps in the industry.

Best Overall Florida Online Sportsbook

Amid the fierce competition to attract customers who want to enjoy sports betting, Florida bettors will have superb brands to visit. 

While choosing the best Florida sports betting operator will ultimately be personal, it will be worth checking out the BetMGM Florida Sportsbook. In the many states where it is live, BetMGM offers a broad range of sports and markets, fantastic promos and bonuses, and an outstanding user experience on its website and app. 

Best Florida Mobile Betting Experience

FanDuel has moved swiftly to establish itself as one of the leading online sportsbook brands in the United States. It began as one of the leading providers of Daily Fantasy Sports games and pivoted rapidly after repealing the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018.

Now part of the global Flutter empire, FanDuel offers superlative online and mobile sports betting services in the states where it is licensed. Along with DraftKings, FD was attempting to persuade lawmakers to allow operators to offer mobile sports betting and online services, but fell short of the required signature total to make it onto the 2022 ballot.

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Florida Sportsbook with the Best User Experience

DraftKings was one of the brands dominating the burgeoning Daily Fantasy Sports scene in North America over the last decade. After PASPA was struck down, it pivoted rapidly to offer sportsbook services and now delivers online sports betting in several states. It complements its extensive markets on sports across North America and beyond with outstanding customer experience.  This will undoubtedly be one of the best Florida betting sites if and when it is licensed to go live.

Most Anticipated Florida Sportsbook

Barstool Sportsbook has officially been rebranded to ESPN BET following the operators' successful launch on November 14. Now in states where Barstool had previously held licenses, users can download and wager with ESPN BET.

This is the first operator with the ability to truly shake up an industry that has been dominated by four main brands for the past few years.

Other Florida Betting Options

Sports betting might still be illegal in Florida, but there are other forms of wagering allowed within the state. I'll break down the biggest thing you need to know about each type: 

Florida Lottery

The Florida Lottery currently consists of several draw games and scratch games, with occasional fast play games available from time to time. You can play the Mega Millions and Cash4Life, two multistate games that operate in Florida.

Online lottery games are not permitted in the state, so you must visit a retail location (of which there are over 13,000 authorized locations) to play the lottery in Florida. However, there is a mobile app with helpful features for you as you play.

Horse Racing

Betting on horse racing at racetracks is fully legal in Florida. Many horse racing tracks are also home to "racinos," such as the Magic City Casino in Miami and the Bonita Springs Poker Room. Such horse racing sites could become venues for retail betting if sports betting in Florida is legalized.

Daily Fantasy Sports

DFS operates in a legally gray area in Florida. It has never been declared legal in Florida - but it has never been specifically outlawed either. Players select a side from various teams and score depending on their performances.

Elections

Across the United States, it is strictly forbidden to wager on the outcome of all local, national and international elections. Even if legislators make sports betting legal in Florida, it is inconceivable that any licensed U.S. operator will offer odds on elections. However, some UK sportsbooks are offering odds on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis 2024 presidential odds.

Pop Culture Ceremonies

Wagering on award show events, such as the Academy Awards, Emmys or Golden Globes, is legal in some states, but not others. It is not yet known if you will be able to bet on the Oscars or other awards in Florida.

eSports

Placing bets on eSports is permitted in some states, while others outlaw it due to the relative youth of many participants and audience. It remains to be seen if Florida sports betting sites would include eSports wagers.

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How Florida Sports Betting Compares to the Other Legal States

It will be fascinating to see what shape regulated sports betting might take in Florida. Given the size of the commercial opportunity in Florida, it will be surprising if the state does not opt for a fully licensed model in which major sportsbooks are allowed to offer a complete range of online and mobile betting options, as well as a retail capability through partnerships with casinos, racinos and other physical premises.

As it stands right now, betting can only take place on Seminole Tribe-owned land.

Florida Legal Sports Betting Legislation Timeline

The path to legal sports betting in Florida has been one with lots of twists and turns. Below is a timeline of where legislation has gone in the last four decades:

• 📅 June 2023: A D.C. District Court of Appeals' decision reinstates the compact, finding that it does not violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and it should be left to Florida state courts to decide its legality. This opens the door for mobile sports betting to go live in Florida very soon.
• 📅 Aug.-Oct. 2022: The Seminole Tribe of Florida and the U.S. Department of the Interior file to reinstate the Compact.
• 📅 Jan. 2022: A FanDuel- and DraftKings-supported PAC attempts to get 1M signatures to get sports betting on the ballot for November, but falls short.
• 📅 Nov. 2021: U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich rules that the compact violated the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which regulates gambling on tribal lands, because it would allow gambling off property owned by the Seminoles.
• 📅 July 2021: West Flagler Associates, owners of Magic City Casino in Miami and Bonita Springs Poker Room in Southwest Florida, file a federal lawsuit contending that the compact lawmakers passed violates the IGRA and state Constitution Amendment 3.
• 📅 May 2021: The Florida legislature approves the Compact in a special session.
• 📅 April 2021: Florida governor Ron DeSantis agrees to the Florida-Seminole Gaming Compact, which allows the tribe to serve as the state’s hub for sports betting. The “hub-and-spoke” sports-betting plan would allow those in Florida to place sports bets using apps on cell phones, and the Seminoles would host the sports-betting activities through computer servers on tribal lands. The compact says bets made anywhere in Florida using a mobile app or other electronic device "shall be deemed to be exclusively conducted by the tribe.”
• 📅 2019: The Seminole Tribe stops making roughly $350M in annual payments to Florida, after a federal court ruled the state had violated the Seminoles’ exclusive right to offer banked card games, like blackjack, by not stopping designated-player games at pari-mutuel facilities.
• 📅 2018: State Constitution Amendment 3 is approved by 71% of Florida voters, which gives voters the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling." The Seminole Tribe is exempt from this amendment as a sovereign nation.
• 📅 2010: Gov. Charlie Crist, the Seminole Tribe and Florida lawmakers sign off on a gambling deal guaranteed to bring at least $1 billion to the state over the next five years.
• 📅 1988: The IGRA is passed, covering the operation of tribal gaming across the U.S.. This helps to codify the position of the Seminole Tribe as sole providers of gambling services in Florida.

Who Regulates Florida Sports Gambling?

There are currently no active regulators for Florida sports betting. If Florida sports betting goes live, it would be regulated by the Florida Gaming Control Commission. The FGCC was set up in the 2021 Florida-Seminole Gaming Compact to exercise "all regulatory and executive powers of the state on all forms of gambling authorized by the State Constitution or law.”

Florida Sports Betting Licenses

There are currently no licensed Florida sportsbooks. Check back here for updates as we learn more about the D.C. District Court of appeals' ruling effect on sports betting in Florida.

Florida Sports Betting Revenue Projections 2023

Under the terms of the Florida-Seminole Gaming Compact, the state would stand to collect $2.5B over five years, which would likely be the biggest expansion of gambling in Florida history. Florida received $187.5M from the deal from October 2021 to February 2022, but the tribe discontinued payments in March, according to state economists. Gov. Ron DeSantis said in 2021 that the compact would create over 2,000 jobs in the state.

As we learn more about the timeline for legalized sports betting in Florida, we have a Florida gambling winnings tax calculator available to help you get ready for your wagers and your tax returns.

Choosing The Best Florida Online Sportsbook

Selecting an online sportsbook that is right for you is, by definition, a purely personal choice. However, there are certain attributes you should look for to give you comfort that you will have an enjoyable sports betting experience.

To start with, the best sportsbooks are licensed and regulated by the relevant gaming authority and have a reputation for treating their customers honorably and fairly. You may also want a broad choice of sports to wager on and of ways to bet, or maybe your prime concern is the generosity of pricing on offer. Let's look at some of these considerations in more detail.

Read Reviews

It is worth spending some time researching the opinions of those who have signed up for particular sportsbooks in other states. Focus on how they are treated by the operator in question so that you can be sure of fair treatment. You should also find out more detail on issues such as the quality of the sportsbook app and the generosity of its pricing. We will be carrying reviews on every legal sportsbook coming to Florida to give you an in-depth look at their performance and reputation elsewhere.

What Bets Are Allowed?

It is essential that the top Florida sports betting sites offer an extensive range of options when it comes to wagering on sport. Bettors have many different preferred ways of investing their money. Some may want a simple moneyline bet on the Jacksonville Jaguars to win. Others might want to combine the Jags in a parlay with the Florida Gators, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Still more might favor player or team prop bets. Leading operators should facilitate all these wagers and more.

Odds Pricing

Sports betting should be exciting, but it should also be profitable if you are making the right selections. As your sports betting awareness becomes more sophisticated, you will know how to compare the generosity of lines offered by different operators. You will be able to calculate the margin being taken by the sportsbook. The ability to compare lines and odds is one reason why you might benefit from having accounts with several sportsbooks.

Welcome Bonus

Every good sportsbook offers a steady stream of bonuses, as well as a generous and compelling sign-up offer for new customers. Odds boosts are a great way of giving extra value to existing customers, as are parlay insurance and refer-a-friend bonuses. All Florida online sportsbooks we review and recommend will have some form of bonus for new and existing customers.

User Experience

Of course, you can have all the great bonuses in the world - but if the process of accessing them is slow and glitchy, you will take your customer elsewhere. The best Florida online sportsbooks invest heavily to ensure their desktop sites, and especially their mobile apps, are as user-friendly as possible. This means it is easy to find your way to the markets you are interested in, and quick and simple to bet on them once you are there.

Deposits & Withdrawals

All Florida betting sites will have a variety of methods for depositing money to play with. The really good ones have a broad range of withdrawal options too. Make sure that the banking methods on offer suit you and the way you like to manage your money. The most common banking options include credit and debit cards, bank transfers, pre-paid cards and e-wallets. You may want to use a combination of these to ensure the quickest withdrawal time. Flexibility and speed of payment are a key consideration when ranking mobile betting options.

Customer Service

Nobody enjoys it when something goes wrong with your online betting experience. All you can hope is that the sportsbook in question has ways of tackling and correcting that problem as quickly as possible. In our reviews we look at the availability of live chat and email, as opposed to automated systems. Ideally, you should be able to speak to a representative on a toll-free number. Also, good sportsbook websites carry detailed FAQs that might be helpful to you.

Why Sign Up for Florida Sportsbooks?

It is possible, if and when the Florida house and the rest of the Florida legislature decide to allow FL sports betting, that you simply are unable to choose one sportsbook to play with. In such circumstances, it makes sense to open more than one account. Indeed, given that it is free to sign up with a sportsbook and you should qualify for a welcome bonus at each one, it makes sense to try various operators - especially if this market is new to you.

Promotions for Florida Online Sportsbooks

The sports betting industry is ultra-competitive. Every online sportsbook is looking to secure and retain customers, and one of the best ways to deliver extra value is through Florida sportsbook promos & bonuses, especially for new customers. You should definitely take advantage of any sign-up bonus available when you open an account because it will give your balance a welcome boost.

Get The Best Line

Not all sportsbooks offer the same lines and odds on particular bets. Some will have better lines at different times. By signing up for several sportsbooks and shopping around, you will soon find out which one offers you the best value.

Intro Betting Bonuses

If sports betting in Florida is fully legalized, and statewide mobile wagering is permitted, it is certain that sportsbooks in the state will offer a range of attractive offers to lure customers in this big new marketplace. There is nothing to stop you signing up with several sportsbooks to take advantage of all the betting bonuses available.

Bet Offerings

Some betting sites use the same back-end systems as their competitors, and that includes their pricing. This means you may see the same odds on futures betting and props, and exactly the same range of sports offered. By opening multiple accounts, you increase the chance that you will have more options and will be able to compare sportsbooks to find the best value for you.

Feel the Sportsbook

When you are considering signing up for a sportsbook, it is worth taking some time to explore the website or sportsbook app. How does it feel for you? Does it suit the way you want to bet? People want different things from sportsbooks, and it is worth test-driving the various options under consideration before going ahead with the process of opening accounts.

Sportsbook Rules

There are differences when it comes to sportsbooks' rules on wagering and payouts. For instance, DraftKings refunds NFL first touchdown scorer props if no one scores a touchdown, but bet365 does not because it already carries an option to bet on no one scoring. BetMGM pays out on golf props if two players tie; not all sportsbooks do. As you become more experienced in your betting, you will see increasing numbers of differences that can influence your choice of wager.

Retail Sports Betting in Florida vs Mobile Sports Betting

Many potential bettors will appreciate the opportunity to place sports bets on retail premises if allowed the near future. It is conceivable that locations such as the Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood and other casinos operated by the Seminole tribe in Hollywood and Tampa Bay could be used for such a purpose.

The biggest difference that Florida mobile sports betting offers will be convenience. The sophistication of modern sports betting apps is such that an enormous amount of information can be conveyed via a small screen.

Given the pace of modern life, many people appreciate the ability to bet quickly and easily while they are on the go. Retail sports betting is a more relaxed and leisurely experience, but mobile sports betting is increasingly favored by bettors for the efficiency and speed with which bets can be placed.

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Available Sports Wagers At Legal Florida Online Sportsbooks

Below you'll find a breakdown of the most popular types of bets the top sportsbooks offer. These would be expected to be the types of bets available to Florida bettors if and when sports betting is legalized. 

🗣️ Learn More: How To Bet On Sports In Florida

• Moneyline Betting the moneyline is one of the easiest ways of enjoying sports betting: Which of the two sides in a game do you think will win? The favorite's odds will appear with a minus sign, such as -150; this is how much you would need to stake to win $100. The outsider's will appear with a plus, like +150. This is how much you win if you stake $100.
• Parlays If you think you have spotted the winners of more than one game, you can combine them in a parlay. But all your selections have to win for you to pick up a generous return. Increasing numbers of sportsbooks now offer same-game parlays, so that you can construct a bet from a series of props in a single event.
• Totals This is also known as over-unders. The sportsbook nominates a certain number of times it thinks a particular outcome will happen, like if the Jaguars will score 30 points in a match. If you think they will get more, you go with the "over" price; if fewer, then the "under" is the option for you.
• Point Spreads This is a way of backing favorites at better odds than the moneyline. But they will have to win by a certain amount, as decided by the sportsbook. The operator gives one side a start of a number of points. If you back the favorite to win by more than that amount and they do, you have "covered the spread" and get a return.
• Futures As well as being able to wager on games about to happen, you can also place long-term wagers on events that may not be settled for weeks, months or years. If you believe you know in May who will win the World Series in October, you will be able to place a wager on your choice.
• Prop Bets Proposition bets relate to particular outcomes within a game. It could be the total number of points by a team or player, the scorer of the first touchdown or goal, or the result of the first period. This increases hugely the number of ways in which you can bet on a sports match.
• Live Bets Advances in digital technology have made it possible for sportsbooks to update their odds instantly. This also means they can continue accepting wagers when the action is under way. Live betting is incredibly popular, especially among those who enjoy betting on their mobile devices.
• Prohibited Bets There are some types of bets that no legal and licensed sportsbook will offer. For instance, it is strictly forbidden for operators in the United States to carry odds on local, national or even international elections. In some stages, betting on college sports is restricted.

Florida Sports To Bet

Florida is home to at least more than one team from every major league sport, including the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, as well as multiple college teams. I expect Florida sports betting to include all the major sports as betting markets if and when it does go live in the near future.

NFL Betting

Football is big business in every corner of the USA, and Florida is no exception. Football is a sport that lends itself brilliantly to a host of betting opportunities, and the Super Bowl is the biggest annual betting event in the world. Three teams in the NFL, the richest sports league in the world, call Florida home. 

They include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who won the 2021 Super Bowl, the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Click the links below to track their playoff chances and Super Bowl odds all season long.

NBA Betting

Of all the Big Four sports, basketball was always the one most keen to embrace the potential of sports betting. The NBA is enormously popular, with the sheer volume of events on the calendar enhancing its status as a favorite medium for investment by regular bettors. The presence in Florida of two NBA teams, including the 2023 Finals-winning Miami Heat, ensures a high level of betting interest in hoops.

MLB Betting

The World Series has not been won by a Florida team since the Marlins (then known as the Florida Marlins) prevailed in the Fall Classic of 2003. Nevertheless, baseball remains America's Game, and sports bettors old and new enjoy the numerous wagering opportunities that a game and season present. This is a sport that, with its numerous breaks and non-stop stats, is a perfect in-play betting medium.

NHL Betting

Hockey's status as a genuinely national sport has been enhanced by the exploits of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Stanley Cup finals winners in both 2020 and 2021. The NHL attracts a high level of wagering interest in states where sports betting is permitted. And the more adventurous sportsbooks find that markets on the big European leagues keep hockey bettors entertained too.

College Sports Betting

Wagering on college sports teams is a gray area. In some states, no bets can be taken on any NCAA action. In others you are prevented only from betting on in-state college teams' games. Elsewhere, however, betting on college football and other sports is permitted. It remains to be seen whether Florida sports betting sites are allowed on college sports - with a wealth of top-flight teams in the state, this is a question many bettors will want answered.

Florida Teams to Bet

With multiple NFL teams in Florida alongside multiple NBA teams and NHL teams as well as major college athletic programs littered throughout the state, there is a plethora of Florida teams so bet on when the state goes live with betting apps.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Twice since the turn of the century, the Bucs have brought the Vince Lombardi home at Raymond James Stadium. It's a real turnaround for a team known as perennial losers in the first two decades after their foundation in 1976. If FL sports bets are allowed soon, fans will love the chance to wager on their team.
• Miami Dolphins The Dolphins' two Super Bowl wins were as long ago as 1972 and 1973, and they have not made it to the big game since 1985. They remain, however, seriously popular in Miami. If the Florida legislature decides to legalize sports betting, there will inevitably be a huge level of interest in the Dolphins' fortunes among their fans.
• Jacksonville Jaguars Never at any time since their first season in 1995 have the Jags threatened to become a force in the NFL. They are one of only four franchises never to make it to a Super Bowl. Despite their popularity in the local area, there are persistent rumors that the franchise might be moved to London. The chance to enjoy online sports betting on the Jags action would, nonetheless, be seized upon by fans locally and across Florida.
• Miami Heat The Heat's status as the No.1 basketball team in Florida was cemented by three NBA finals wins since the turn of the century. NBA action is always popular with sports bettors, and basketball is a sport whose structure lends itself well to sports betting. Expect plenty of action around the Heat if Florida sports betting is legalized soon.
• Orlando Magic Like the Heat, the Magic were an expansion team that joined the NBA in the late '80s as the league strove to become truly national. The teams have had a strong rivalry ever since, but the Magic have only two losing NBA finals to show for all their efforts. They attract a loyal crowd to matches at the Amway Center and that devotion would undoubtedly be shown in betting action on their games too.
• Miami Marlins Starting life as the Florida Marlins in 1993, the team stunned the baseball world by winning the World Series just four years later as a wild card. They followed up with another Fall Classic triumph in 2003. However, they have never won a conference title and recent seasons have been underwhelming. Baseball remains perennially popular with American sports fans and you can expect a good level of interest in the Marlins if a new sports betting law is passed.
• Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays have come close twice to bringing World Series glory to their St. Petersburg home. Most recently, they won the American League pennant in 2020 before succumbing to the LA Dodgers. That has helped to spread the baseball gospel to this corner of Florida, and the Rays have a substantial following in the local area. Baseball is a sport that lends itself to wagering, and those fans would love the opportunity to bet on the Rays.
• Tampa Bay Lightning The Sunshine State is not an obvious location for hockey, but the Bolts have done their best to show the sports has a home here. They have won the Stanley Cup three times since the turn of the century, including back-to-back triumphs in 2020 and 2021, to send fans at the Amalie Arena into raptures. The NHL commands a steady level of interest with sports bettors and the Lightning would be no exception.
• Florida Panthers The success of the Lightning has highlighted the difficulties faced by their Miami-based state rivals, the Panthers. Since their sole Stanley Cup finals appearance in 1996, just three years after the Florida Panthers first took to the ice, they have struggled to compete at the top level. Hockey remains a great sport to wager on, so interest on their matches among bettors will inevitably be high.
• Orlando City SC Orlando City blazed the trail for a new era of Major League Soccer in Florida when they took to the field for the 2015 season. They made the play-offs in 2020 and attendance figures have been consistently high in recent seasons. Again, the club will benefit from the global prominence enjoyed by soccer, and familiarity with wagering on the world's No.1 game will no doubt keep betting interest in them high.
• Inter Miami CF Co-owned by English soccer legend David Beckham, Inter Miami made their bow in Major League Soccer as recently as 2020. Given the global popularity of soccer, it will be intriguing to see how much attention and loyalty the side will capture among the cosmopolitan citizens of Miami. Soccer is also the biggest sports betting activity driver in the world, so expect plenty of action at Florida sportsbooks around their matches as the franchise's popularity grows.
• Florida Gators The flagship university of the Sunshine State, University of Florida athletics represent one of the largest fanbases in the country. A member of the heralded SEC conference, the Florida Gator football and basketball teams will be some of the most wagered on teams in the state should betting on collegiate sports be permitted under future laws.
• Florida State Seminoles Named after the local Seminole tribe, the Seminoles represent Florida State in NCAA action and command enormous support among students and the local population in Tallahassee. Their eternal rivalry with the Florida Gators in all sports adds extra spice to matches - especially when the two face off in college football. The legality of wagering on college football and other NCAA sports in Florida has yet to be decided.
• Miami Hurricanes The University of Miami Hurricanes were the cream of the crop in college football back in the 90's and 2000's but have yet to regain that form after joining Florida State in the ACC. Although the fanbase is mostly segmented to South Florida, the fact that the Hurricanes play in Hard Rock Stadium means you should expect sportsbooks to market around the team if possible under law.
• UCF Knights Self-proclaimed "2017 National Champions," the University of Central Florida has been the most prominent non-Power 5 school over the last few years thanks to an undefeated season and some consistent success following losing every game of the 2015 season. With the Golden Knights now set to joint the Big12, expect UCF to be a popular betting option if Florida legalizes betting.