• Florida Sports Betting Apps
• Michigan Sports Betting Apps

Florida may be home to a number of great tribal casinos, but for the time being there is still no legal Florida sports betting. For this reason, instead of using this guide to recommend the best Florida legal online sportsbook, we’ve focused on the current state of gambling laws in Florida.

For nearly a decade, these two companies have been competing for the top position in the US sports betting market. It all started in the Daily Fantasy. Learn the facts behind legal online sports betting in Florida. Stay up on Florida sports betting news, strategies and sports betting advice!

We’ve provided an overview of the other betting options you can enjoy when in Florida, as well as discussed what the future may bring for sports betting. On this site, we will only ever recommend you only sign up to licensed online bookmakers, so we’ve also explained why you should avoid illegal offshore bookmakers at all costs.

What Betting Options are Legal for Florida Residents

Contents

• What Betting Options are Legal for Florida Residents
• Frequently Asked Questions

Florida is no doubt a gambling-friendly state. Residents have long been free to bet on pari-mutuel racing and the lottery, and since the advent of tribal gaming in the late 80s, players can also enjoy slot machines and table games at casinos. Poker is also legal in the state, and talks of expanding current gambling laws means legal Florida online gambling may be a reality soon.

Is Daily Fantasy Legal in Florida?

Although it is not technically legal, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is tolerated by state authorities, and most major online bookmakers such as FanDuel and DraftKings accept players from Florida. For the time being, DFS is probably about as close as it gets to legal online sports betting in Florida.

DFS requires contestants to draft fantasy lineups of players from a sports league within a set budget. Contestants score points based on the performance of their chosen players in that round, and those who score the most points win the prize pool. There are a number of reputable sports betting sites that offer these games.

Are there Legal Offshore Sites for Florida Players

Florida does not have any set of laws that criminalize the use of offshore betting sites such as Bovada and MyBookie. However, this doesn’t mean to say that they are legal. As these sites aren’t licensed by a Florida regulator, they are not trusted sportsbooks. We only suggest signing up for legal websites with government-guaranteed safety and fairness standards.

Casinos

While there may be no legal online sports betting in Florida, the state offers a huge selection of casino games options for its residents and visitors. Some of the best of these are the eight Native American casinos that offer table games, slot machines and world-class entertainment.

We particularly recommend the guitar-shaped Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Florida also allows for slot machines and some table games at its racetracks, giving them the nickname of Racinos. These gaming facilities are not run by the tribes, meaning that tribes technically have no gaming exclusivity in Florida.

Racetrack Betting

Florida is known as being one of the best horse racing destinations in the world and is home to world-class tracks such as the Tampa Bay Downs Racecourse. At these racecourses, visitors can bet on both live greyhound and horse races that are taking place nationally and internationally.

As mentioned above, racetracks in the state also provide some great casino-style gambling opportunities. Horse racing in Florida is regulated by a state division of pari-mutuel wagering to ensure that the industry is efficient and fair, making it a safe betting option until legal online sports betting in Florida is allowed.

Card Rooms

If you’re looking for endless poker fun, then Florida is the state for you. There are hundreds of poker tables across the state located in card rooms at racinos, casinos, and individual card room establishments. These host everything from small games to huge tournaments with staggering jackpot prizes.

Poker games can be enjoyed 7 days a week, and the state even allows for no-limit games. As there is technically no law making online poker illegal in the state, some people choose to play online. However, like online sports betting, we suggest waiting for a licensed online casino before you trust an offshore site with your money.

Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting

Until there is a Florida legal online sportsbook available, state residents are free to travel to other states where sports betting is legal to place bets. Unfortunately, there are no bordering states that offer sports betting yet, though if it comes to betting on a major game like the Super Bowl, why not make a holiday of it?

Below, we’ve listed the closest states to Florida that offer legal sports betting.

• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Tennessee

What would Legal Sports Betting in Florida Look Like

Currently, Florida’s lawmakers are trying to come to an agreement with the tribes to decide on the terms of a sports betting bill. The tribes are unsatisfied by the proposal to allow non-tribal interests to offer sports betting, as they want their physical casinos to be the only sportsbooks in the state.

Once a Florida sports betting agreement is made, the bill will then have to be approved in a voter referendum, so the likelihood of sports betting will depend on if voters want further gambling expansion. All of these issues may mean that legal online sports betting in Florida may not happen for some time.

For the time being, you may be tempted to place bets at offshore bookmakers. In our experience, we have found that the safest betting sites are those that are regulated by state licensing agencies. These ensure that vulnerable players such as underage and problem gamblers are protected, and demand a certain degree of fairness.

It may seem that Florida sports betting legalization is a long shot, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Both the tribes and lawmakers understand that there is money to be made from legal sports betting, and there are doubtless millions of Floridians wanting to bet on major sports leagues teams such as the Miami Dolphins or Miami Heat.

What are the Florida Gambling Laws

Florida’s history is dotted with huge milestones that have led it to have one of the richest gambling cultures in the United States. In fact, Florida sports betting was first legalized in 1932, though this was later repealed by subsequent governments. It was also the first place to allow for legal Native American gaming.

The Florida Lottery was established in 1986 and has since grown to be incredibly popular. Slot machines were legalized in 2004 at Seminole Tribal gaming facilities, resulting in an explosion of casino gaming popularity. This was boosted in 2010 when the $2 limit on poker games was lifted.

In many respects, Florida offers a gambling experience that few other states do. Aside from sports betting, players can enjoy almost all forms of popular gambling activities. Additionally, where many states’ tribal casinos are located in reservations away from large populations, a number of Florida’s casinos exist in major metropolitan areas.

Florida laws stipulate that players must be over the age of 18 to participate in the lottery, place bets on pari-mutuel races, or to legally play poker. As alcohol is served in most casinos, players need to be over 21 to enjoy table games and electronic gaming machines in Florida.

It’s likely that if in-person sports betting or legal online sports betting comes to Florida, players will need to be over the age of 18 to bet. However, this will all depend on where betting is available, as 18-year-olds can bet at Racinos freely but may have difficulty at a Seminole tribal casino.

What is the Future of Sports Betting in Florida?

For the time being, it seems as though legal sports betting in Florida may take a few more years to materialize. This is because there are major disagreements between the current state governor and the tribes. Even when an agreement is made, a strong campaign will need to convince state voters to approve it.

Nevertheless, if legal online sports betting in Florida happens, we have no doubt that it will be one of the most popular legal sport betting states in the country, as the state is represented in every major sports league. For the time being, bettors will need to travel out of state to safely and legally place sports bets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any more questions about Florida sports betting and whether or not you are able to make legal online bets? In this section, we have answered a number of questions that are commonly asked about Florida gambling laws.

Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Florida?

Both online gambling and sports betting are not legal in Florida. Although there is no law that technically says they are illegal either, the lack of legalization means these activities are not licensed. For this reason, there is nothing stopping dangerous websites from taking advantage of players and ripping them off.

What is the Florida legal gambling age?

This depends on what you bet on. There are two minimum gambling ages in Florida. Firstly, players must be over the age of 18 to gamble at racetracks, to play poker, to sign up for DFS or to play the lottery. Players must be over the age of 21 to play at the state’s Seminole gaming facilities.

Are offshore bookmaker sites legal and safe?

Though offshore bookmakers are not technically illegal, this does not mean that they are safe. Any website that accepts players from unlicensed or illegal markets is not trustworthy, as it proves that they are more concerned about profiting than respecting local laws.

Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Florida?

Players can use both FanDuel and DraftKings in Florida, making them the closest thing to a legal Florida sports betting app available. However, players can only use them to play daily fantasy sports, with their sportsbook functions disabled in the state until legal online sports betting in Florida is legalized. So it is currently not possible to bet on NFL until new laws are put in place.

Choosing Where to Bet Online in Florida

The online sports betting industry is already full of options and increasing all the time. We want to give you more information on what to look for when choosing a sportsbook to bet with. There are a few things to consider when finding the right sportsbook for you.

What to consider when choosing a sportsbook

So what should you be looking for from an online sportsbook?

One of the main points to check is the sports markets available from the bookmaker. You want to make sure that they offer bets for your preferred sports. Once you have ascertained this, you should also check out the bet types on offer. Again, you want to know that a sportsbook is offering the wagers you would choose.

With the online sportsbook industry being so competitive, you can find many bonus offers available at bookmakers. These will often be sign-up offers, and sometimes recurring bonuses such as free bets. Once you’ve found a sportsbook, check out the bonuses that they offer. Make sure that you’re benefiting from placing bets with that bookmaker.

One last thing to take note of is the operator’s terms and conditions. This includes things like wagering requirements, deposit and withdrawal fees, and any limits for certain payment methods. Don’t sign up for a sportsbook that isn’t offering you transparent and fair options.

Registering to an online sportsbook

Registering to most online sportsbooks is a straightforward process.

1. Once you’ve found one that suits your preferences, you will need to fill in some basic details to create your account. This will usually involve your name, age, and address.
2. Often, you will also need to provide some proof of identification, in the form of a photo of your ID, passport or driving license. You may also be asked for proof of billing address in the form of a recent bank statement or utility bill.
3. Once your account is set up and verified, you’ll be able to start placing your bets!

Understanding Sports Betting Odds

Sportsbook odds are the way that bookmakers tell you how much money you will make from winning a bet. It’s always important to check what odds are available and make sure you’re getting the best offer. Odds can be displayed in a few different ways, as we’ve explained below.

Decimal Odds

Decimal odds are also known as European odds. They are most commonly seen at sportsbooks based in Europe, Australia, and Canada. They are straightforward to understand and compare and are therefore a preferred representation for many sportsbooks around the world.

The odds shown for decimal odds represent the profit you would make from a bet of $1. So the formula for calculating the winnings is as follows:

Stake x Odds = Payout.

For example, if you place a successful $100 bet at odds of 2.75, then the calculation would be:

100 x 2.75 = $275.

Therefore, you would make a profit of $175 on a successful bet.

Fractional Odds

Fractional odds are the original form of odds used in horse racing bets. They are most commonly used in UK or Ireland based casinos.

Fractional odds represent the profit yielded, without the inclusion of the original stake. The denominator represents the amount wagered, and the numerator represents the potential profit, so they would be written as follows:

profit/stake

As an example, let’s say you’re betting on a football game with 10 to 15 fractional odds. This means you would win $10 for a successful bet of $15. Below is an example with a wager of $150:

Odds 10/15: $150 bet + $100 profit = $250 winnings.

American Odds

American odds are the ones you will see the most on sites that offer betting in Florida. These are also known as moneyline odds. American odds are the easiest to understand and compare. The odds shown represent the amount of money required to make a profit of $100.

In the odds for each match, one team will be the favorites and one team the underdogs. The odds for the favorites will be prefixed with a minus (-) and the odds for the underdogs will be prefixed with a plus (+). The higher the number for the favorite, the more likely their chances of winning. The higher the number for the underdogs, the less likely their chances of winning.

If the favorite odds are -$150, then you need to bet $150 to win $100. If the underdog odds are set at +300, then you would win $300 on a successful wager of $100. So remember, for favorite odds you are risking that amount to win $100, and for underdog odds you are risking $100 to win that amount.

Types of Bets

Florida Sports Betting Apps

While some sportsbooks will offer special bets for certain events, there are several common bet types that you will find available for most events. We have listed these for you to have an idea of what’s on offer:

Win Bets

These are by far the most common and most wagered bet available. This is the traditional bet where you simply select which player or team you are expecting to win the match.

Point Spreads or Straight Bets

These are a popular bet in the US, and you will find many on offer at Florida sportsbooks. With these bets, the bookmaker will decide on a point spread for both the favorite and the underdog.

The favorite needs to win by a greater margin than the spread for a successful bet. The underdog needs to either win or lose by less than the margin for a successful bet.

Handicap Betting

This form of betting is intended to either increase your chances of winning, but at lower odds, or lower your chances of winning, but at higher odds.

The bookmaker will offer some different options for handicap bets. This will usually involve awarding ‘extra goals’, or removing goals from the final score to change the outcome of the match. Each handicap option will have its own, adjusted odds.

Mobile Betting Apps

Many sportsbooks nowadays will also offer a downloadable app. This will allow you to view the available odds and place your bets from your iPhone or Android device. Most apps will also be available for android devices.

Using a mobile app is a great way to take your online sportsbook on-the-go. It can be especially useful when placing live bets, as you can place your wagers from wherever you are. Some sportsbooks will also offer live streaming of matches through their mobile apps.

Types of Sports to Bet on in Florida

There are many types of sports available to bet on at online sportsbooks. The following sports are those most popular with online bettors in Florida.

Bet on Football

Many sportsbooks will offer a huge range of betting markets for American football. This is the most popular sport for bettors in Florida and the US. You can find betting lines both for Professional level teams and for college football tournaments within the state. There will be a huge range of bet types offered for the majority of football games.

Bet on Basketball

Again, you can find betting lines available for both professional and college basketball tournaments. Basketball is another huge market for US online sportsbooks. You can also find plenty of bet types available for basketball. You will be able to bet on the top Florida teams, including Gainesville Galaxy and the Jacksonville Giants.

Bet on Baseball

Florida has a plethora of teams for Baseball, and all bettors will want the opportunity to back their favorite. Luckily, this is another popular sport at US bookmakers. You will be able to find various bets available on games with the Jacksonville Suns, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, and the Bradenton Marauders, among others.

Sports Betting Bonuses

All online sportsbooks will offer some kind of bonus to entice or hold onto their customers. These will range from matched deposits to free bets, to bonus cash. It’s always worth checking the current bonuses on offer from a sportsbook, especially when you’re signing up for a new account.

What are welcome bonuses?

Welcome bonuses will be available at the majority of online sportsbooks. These will usually be the most competitive offers available. Sportsbooks want to offer new customers a reason to join them over a competitor.

The most common form of welcome bonus is a matched deposit offer. The bookmaker will offer to give you a percentage of your initial deposit for free. This will then either be available for free bets or can be withdrawn as cash. Bonus money will be subject to wagering requirements, so read the terms and conditions when claiming a bonus offer.

What are Free bets?

Free bets will be offered either as part of a welcome bonus or to continuing customers as a loyalty reward. The sportsbook will offer you a certain amount of money, usually dependent on a deposit, to place on bets.

These allow the customer to have the opportunity to make a profit without losing their stake on an unsuccessful bet. You won’t receive the stake with your winnings on a free bet. The only money you make is profit.

Often, there will be limits on free bets, such as minimum odds or particular types of bets. This is to encourage bettors to try something new or take a bigger risk with their free bet.

What are Risk-free bets?

This is again usually offered to new sportsbook users. If a player places an unsuccessful bet, then the sportsbook will credit them bonus money of the same amount of the wager. This means that if you have a successful bet, you can keep the stake and the profit. However, if you’re unsuccessful, the bookmaker will return your money so you can try again.

Top Florida Sports Betting Events

There are certain events in the sporting season that bettors do not want to miss. We have listed the most popular events for sports bettors in Florida. Make sure you don’t miss out on the chance to back your favorite.

Super Bowl

Most people won’t need to be reminded of the biggest annual event of the National Football League (NFL). The super bowl is enjoyed by spectators around the world and is hugely popular with sports bettors. This is the championship game of the NFL and is played every year between mid-January and early February.

Many online sportsbooks, particularly those that have customers in the US and Florida, will offer special markets for the super bowl. This gives an even wider range of options than usual. Bettors can be very specific in their choices and have the option to try out new betting types for this significant event in the sporting calendar.

NBA Final

Again, this is a huge event for sports bettors. Anyone who regularly bets on basketball will not miss the opportunity to have their say on the championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The teams will play the best-of-seven game series, which will decide the league champion.

This is the biggest basketball event of the year. Similarly to football, many sportsbooks will offer special bet types for this event. The odds for these prestigious events are often very competitive, so make sure you’re getting the best offer for your wager.

World Series

The World Series is the annual championship for Major League Baseball (MLB). It is a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champions and the National League (NL) champions.

This series is played by the best basketball teams from two different leagues. These are extremely competitive matches and so offer huge excitement for baseball bettors. Again, you will often find special markets available for World Series bets.

Florida Top Sports Teams

Florida has teams playing in all major league sports. If you’re interested in betting in Florida, it’s natural to want to show support for your local teams. Here, we’ve given you some more information about the top sports teams in Florida, so you can be sure you’re placing the right bets.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the most notable names in American Football. The Jaguars compete in the NFL, playing their home games at TIAA Bank Field. The Jaguars originally joined the league as an expansion team in 1995. They were winners of the division championships in 1998, 1999, and 2017. They have also qualified for the playoffs on seven separate occasions.

Orlando City S.C.

Soccer in America has been rising in popularity in recent years. The Orlando City Soccer Club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Orlando City SC began playing in 2015, becoming the first Florida MLS team since Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny.

Miami Heat

Miami Heat is Florida’s top NBA basketball team. They began playing as an expansion team in the 1988-89 NBA season. The team gained notoriety throughout the 1990s under head coach Pat Riley, whose trades brought the team four division titles in the following years. From 2010 until 2016, Miami Heat attended the NBA Finals every year and has won the championship three times.

Payment Methods for Sports Betting in Florida

Individual online sportsbooks will offer various payment methods for placing betting deposits. However, there are a few payment methods found at most casinos. The most popular payment methods are listed below.

Credit or Debit Cards

The most straightforward and most used form of payment for betting sites. Online sportsbooks will usually support fully secure transactions for both VISA and MasterCard.

Bank Transfer

This is again widely available at online sportsbooks. The downside of bank transfers is that they generally take longer than other methods for withdrawal and deposit.

Michigan Sports Betting Apps

E-wallets

This is an extremely popular form of payment for online sportsbooks. It includes online payment methods, such as Skrill and Neteller. While a lot of sportsbooks support these methods, they are sometimes excluded from deposit offers.

Prepaid cards

The most common of these is Paysafecard, which you can buy in many local stores. It’s worth knowing that this is only available as a deposit method, and can’t be used for withdrawal.

PayPal

Unfortunately, PayPal isn’t available at all online sportsbooks. However, for those that do support it, it’s an extremely reliable and secure method of payment.

Sports Betting in Florida - the Legal Situation

Face-to-face sports betting is illegal in Florida, due to agreements between the state and the Seminole Tribe. However, placing online bets with bookmakers based outside the state is a grey area in the law. You are not breaking any legal statutes by placing online bets on a variety of sports from the state of Florida.