Sports Betting In Florida
The Sunshine State is known for its athletes and competitive sports programs, so it should come as no surprise that sports betting in Florida is quite popular. The state is essentially a sports enthusiasts’ paradise, with collegiate teams such as the Florida State Seminoles and professional teams like the Miami Heat and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It may be true that there are no land-based sportsbooks in the state yet, but there are still plenty of opportunities to wager. Thousands of sports fans use online legal sportsbooks in Florida to bet on their favorite sports teams. The sites are classified as offshore online sports betting sites that are licensed to accept players from FL and the rest of the USA. These US-friendly online sportsbooks are the only way for F.L. residents to wager without having to plan an expensive trip out of the state.
Florida sports betting should and can be enjoyed by every resident of the state. Once you are familiar with the general online sports betting landscape in FL, finding online sportsbooks to join is easy. We will walk you through the A to Z of sports betting online, including the teams you can bet on, sign up options, and the legal sports betting age in FL. While it’s true state-regulated sportsbooks are slated to launch on October 14, 2021, there are still plenty of great regulated online sportsbooks to choose from now and after then.
Does Florida Have Legal Land-Based Sports Betting?
No, not yet. Now that PASPA has been repealed it is a possibility and it is something that is being discussed in the state legislature. Everyday states around the country move a little closer to offering their residents a quality local sports betting option, and maybe Florida will one day see the light. Until then, these safe online offshore sportsbooks offer the best action you can find in the state.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Florida?
Yes, legal sportsbooks in Florida are available. As part of the tribal compact signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe, online sportsbooks will be able to operate statewide. There are questions surrounding the legality of this part of the compact and it is under federal review now. How state-regulated online sportsbooks will operate is still a bit vague but it will surely run through the Seminole tribe. In any case, internationally regulated online sports betting in Florida exists and remains the best legal way to bet on sports in FL. The reason is because there is nowhere in the FL law books that punishes people for using these sites and those sites report to a different regulatory agency so the state of Florida can’t punish them either. It’s the tried and true way of betting on sports in Florida. Sites like the ones we feature have been featured on major publications like Forbes, FOX Sports, ESPN, and others.
Florida Sports Betting Laws And Statues
All the current sport Florida sports betting laws and Statutes can be found within FL SB 2-A. This bill was signed into law in May of 2021 and solidified the new tribal gaming compact signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole tribe. The bill changed the overall gambling landscape of the state by doing a number of things. Among them was giving the Seminole tribe the ability to offer craps and roulette at their casinos, as well as full-service sportsbooks. It also gives the tribe to offer their own online sportsbook as well as partner with another sports betting brand.
But, one thing this bill didn’t do was mention the use of online overseas-based sportsbooks. These legal sportsbooks in Florida are still legal to use as there are no punishments set for using them. They have served FL residents for well over a decade because they fall out of the legal bounds of state and federal laws. So even when Florida sportsbooks open in October of 2021, these online sportsbooks are still going to be available. They will provide an opportunity to shop lines and to offer betting odds on events U.S. sportsbooks aren’t yet allowed to.
Benefits of Online Sports Betting in Florida
There are many advantages to choosing an online sportsbook for Florida players. The main bonus is that you get to access a world-class sportsbook from the comfort of your own home. There is nothing better than kicking back and watching a game in your living room while you wager on the odds. There are also some superb and profitable bonuses that these sites offer which the land-based establishments cannot compete with. You will find that just making a deposit at a site will grant you access to bonus cash. These online sportsbooks are the clear winners for Florida residents looking for a great wagering experience.
Facts About Legal Online Sports Betting In Florida
- Floridians have dozens of online sportsbooks to choose from.
- Florida accounts for one of the largest sports betting markets in the country.
- It is legal to bet on sports in Florida online.
- Betting on in-state teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is legal when using online sportsbooks operated overseas.
Bovada Sportsbook - Best Florida Sports Betting Site
Bovada's online betting site is considered to be perhaps the best sportsbook in the country and it dominates in Florida thanks to its large selection of betting lines for Florida-based teams like the Florida State Seminoles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators. Bovada always supplies 5-star support and services including a welcome bonus that awards an additional 50% on top of your first deposit up to $250 is available here. Residents remark about how professional this sportsbook is and it's because Bovada has been providing legal sportsbooks in Florida for residents for over 20 years which means they have really polished their product. Besides the guarantee of participating in a legal pastime, this site offers many other forms of wagering including live in-game + mobile (smartphone) betting platforms which players absolutely love for sports betting in Florida.
SportsBetting's Sportsbook - Deposit Bonuses The Can't Be Matched
No matter if you live down in the Keys or call the Florida Panhandle your home, SportsBetting has anything you could ever imagine to bet plus some other things that you did not know were possible...trust us, we know! The mainstream sports leagues are always up for wagering here but this Florida online sportsbook also brings betting lines for TV shows like American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, Oscars + Emmy Awards, and even celebrity gossip! The group that runs this website knows that not everyone has the same experience level with wagering which has led them to develop one of the most comprehensive sports betting help systems a newbie could ask for. This detailed help section should be the first stop for anyone with a question but do know that SportsBetting has live help standing by at all hours of the day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year including Christmas and other holidays.
BetOnline Sportsbook - Lines On All Florida Pro And College Teams
Florida is perhaps one of the most popular vacation spots in America, and what better way to vacation then to earn money while experiencing some of the funniest theme parks in the world. BetOnline is a leader in online sportsbook betting especially in the Sunshine State, where it’s reported 14% of their user base is from. It isn't hard to see why as BetOnline is famous for providing some of the best services in the business with matching sportsbook bonuses that can go all the way up to 50% extra ($1,000 max) along with other offers that include $25 free for trying out live betting. No matter what your tastes are BetOnline is sure to have something for everyone and it's never been easier to handle money as the sportsbook's cashier that works with some of today’s most popular services like American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and cash wire transfers among the dozens of other selections.
Top Florida Sports Betting Sites
Does Florida Allow Pari-Mutuel Betting?
Florida has a handful of pari-mutuel horse racing and greyhound tracks spread throughout the state. This includes Calder Race Course near Miami, Gulfstream Park, Hialeah Park Race Track, and Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa. There are also a number of racetrack casinos in Florida that allow gamblers to play electronic card games and slots.
Other Types of Gambling in Florida
Other than thoroughbred racing and online gambling, Florida residents can play bingo in any one of many bingo halls, pull tabs, and lotteries.
Does Florida Have Legal Land Based Sports Betting?
No, not yet. Now that PASPA has been repealed it is a possibility and it is something that is being discussed in the state legislature. Everyday states around the country move a little closer to offering their residents a quality local sports betting option, and maybe Florida will one day see the light. Until then, these safe online offshore sportsbooks offer the best action you can find in the state.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Bet Sports Online In Florida?
The first aspect of online sports betting in Florida that every bettor should be familiar with is the legal sports betting age. To bet on sports in Florida, you will need to be at 21 years old. After you turn 21, you can bet at any online sportsbook that accepts FL bettors. There may be some sites that start taking players at 18 or 19, but Florida law requires that you wait until your 21st birthday. Always keep this in mind to avoid running into issues with underage gambling. The possible penalties include having your account with legal sportsbooks in Florida either temporarily or permanently suspended, and also having all of your funds forfeited. Once you are of age, you can enjoy betting on sports as much as you want.
What Teams Can I Bet On In Florida?
When it comes to sports betting, there are not many other states that boast as many options as the Sunshine State. There are more than a dozen different teams that you can bet on in Florida, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and NCAA sports. Not only is the state impressive in their selection of sports, but also with the accomplishments of the teams. The Miami Heat have claimed 3 league championships and 11 division titles. The Florida State Seminoles have won 18 conference titles and 6 in their division. With all of the talented teams in the state, there is certainly a lot of money up for grabs!
College Sports Teams:
- Florida State Seminoles
- Florida Gators
- Miami Hurricane
- Florida Atlantic Owls
- University of Central Florida Knights
Professional Sports Teams:
- Miami Marlins (MLB)
- Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
- Miami Dolphins (NFL)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)
- Miami Heat (NBA)
- Orlando Magic (NBA)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Is Betting Real Money Online Safe?
Many bettors are concerned about if betting real money online is safe, and the answer is yes. Using cash at online sportsbooks is no different than any other online retailer you might visit. Online sports betting sites actually go the extra mile when it comes to protecting your information. All financial transactions are encrypted using the latest security protocols. There are special features built in to ensure that bettors can safely put money in and out of their accounts. When it comes to your contact information, it is never sold to third parties or disclosed on other sites. You will not get in any trouble for real money online betting, and you can always depend on legitimate online sports betting sites that accept Florida residents. When you choose to bet on sports online, you have nothing to worry about when making deposits or requesting withdrawals.
Can I Signup At More Than One Sportsbook?
Sports enthusiasts in Florida can feel free to sign up at more than one sportsbook for sports betting in Florida. This is a practice that we actually recommend to sports bettors that want to make maximum profits. When you line shop, you are able to compare the best betting odds and lines from various sports betting sites that take Florida bettors. This allows you find the best value, which results in greater returns in the long run. You can also redeem exclusive bonuses and rewards each time you open a new sportsbook account. These bonuses can quadruple your deposits or provide the opportunity to take risk-free bets. One other advantage of joining multiple sportsbooks is that if one site does not offer the market that you want to bet on, another will. Many sports bettors use different books for different purposes.
A Final Word About Sports Betting In Florida
As you can see, there are many options for sports fans for sports betting in Florida. There might not be any land-based establishments right now, but the online venues will meet all your needs. Each legal sportsbook in Florida has something unique to offer Florida sports bettors, and we recommend checking out each one. It is free to sign up at any of these sites, so there is no harm in creating an account and exploring everything they have to offer.