Sports Gambling In Florida
The Sunshine State boasts amazing beaches, sprawling cities, a warm climate, and numerous legal options for sports gambling in Florida.
While area citizens await the reopening of domestic sportsbooks, offshore sports gambling sites are already accepting 18 and over customers in Florida.
Florida online sports betting with an offshore book allows for real money bets on all major FL teams including the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Orlando Magic, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays, and more.
College Football is big business in the state of Florida, and offshore sports gambling allows for betting on the Florida Gators, FSU Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, and all other DI NCAAF programs in the region.
That being said, it is important to address the legal status of sports gambling in Florida so as to avoid any issues or complications. This guide will explore how to safely and legally bet using the sportsbooks we’ve recommended for Florida residents and visitors, so read on to arm yourself with the knowlege to gamble on your favorite team.
Best Online Sports Betting Sites Accepting FL Residents In 2024
Below is a listing of the best Florida online sports betting sites in business today. While there are hundreds of sportsbooks on the web, we advise only using the brands included below as we only include those destinations that we have personally vetted through a very specific review process.
These sportsbooks are all legally licensed and regulated either individually or through a parent company, offer safe and reliable setting services to their customers, have legitimate bonus offers and utilize sophisticated security protocols that exceed licensing requirements.
| Site Name | Bonus Offer | USA Friendly | Rating | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 50% Max $1,000 |  | 4.9 | Play Now |
 | 125% Max $3,125 | | 4.7 | Play Now |
 | 50% Max $1,000 | | 4.4 | Play Now |
 | 100% Max $500 | | 4.2 | Play Now |
 | 50% Max $1,000 | | 4.1 | Play Now |
Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida As Of 2024?
Yes. Gambling on sports is legal in Florida through the use of offshore and domestic sportsbooks. Below we detail each type and the variables involved.
Offshore Sports Gambling In Florida
18 and over Floridians can bet on college and pro sports, political elections, and enteratainment odds (reality television, awards shows, professional wrestling, celebrity specials) with an offshore sports betting sites that operates from within a legal gambling district in an international jurisduction.
Because US gambling laws do not forbid gambling with an offshore sports betting site, Florida bettors can safely wager online without violating any current laws.
The offshore Florida sports gambling sites listed in the table below are the best in business today – click through to each one to see what they’ve got to offer.
Domestic FL Sports Gambling
In-Person: Regulated sports betting in Florida is legal and is expected to be avaialble soon at the state’s Hard Rock Casino locations in Tampa and Hollywood for in-person wagering at the age of 21. These Hard Rock sportsbooks in Florida opened briefly in late 2021, but remain closed until pending legal action is settled.
Online – The Florida legislature approved of online sports gambling and major pro and college sports via laptops/PCs, smartphones, and tablets. The Hard Rock Casino’s online sportsbook began taking bets from Floridians in 2021, but lawsuits and legal challenges forced their closure just weeks later. These legal proceedings are ongoing and appear to have a lower chance of success that the lawsuits directed toward in-person operations.
Mobile – The Hard Rock sportbook app suffered the same fate as their online FL sportsbook and remains offline until pending lawsuits are resolved.
US Federal Gambling Laws That Affect Sports Gambling In FL
The Federal Wire Act – Passed in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, the Federal Wire Act bars people from accepting wagers over the phone or through wire transmission.
In 2011, the Department of Justice established that the Wire Act only applies to US-based sports gambling, leaving offshore gambling free and clear. After PASPA’s repeal in 2018, the Federal Wire Act was again reinterpreted and places regulatory restrictions on state-regulated sportsbooks accepting wagers across state lines.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 – UIGEA provides regulatory oversight on how gambling-related transactions can be processed by the US operated banks and credit card companies. UIGEA-minded banking institutions have been known to cancel transactions they suspect are related to sports betting, but more often than not, these funding uploads occur without issue in FL.
The key takeaway here is that the offshore sportsbooks listed within this guide are not impacted by the above laws, espcially when depositing and withdrawing with cryptocurrency as altcoins are not regulated by the FL government, or any nation.
Florida Sports Betting Update
As of February 2022, several lawsuits are still pending in regard to the Hard Rock Casino and their ability to provide in-person, online, and mobile sports betting in Florida. Until these lawsuits are resolved, the Hard Rock will not be allowed to operate their domestic sports gambling enterprises in Florida, creating an environment where international sportsbook sites are the best option available.
Popular Sports Teams to Bet On in Florida
FL Betting On College Football & Basketball
- University of Florida Gators (SEC)
- The Florida State University Seminoles (ACC)
- University of Miami Hurricanes (ACC)
- University of Central Florida Knights (AAC)
- Florida International University Panthers (C-USA)
- Florida Atlantic University Owls (C-USA)
- University of South Florida Bulls (AAC)
- Florida A&M University Rattlers (SWAC)
- Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats (SWAC)
- Stetson University Hatters (Atlantic Sun)
NFL Betting – Florida
- Miami Dolphins (AFC East)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South)
NBA Gambling In FL
- Orlando Magic (Southeast Division)
- Miami Heat (Southeast Division)
Betting On MLB In Florida
- Miami Marlins (National League East)
- Tampa Bay Rays (American League East)
NHL Betting In Florida
- Tampa Bay Lightning (Eastern Conference – Atlantic Division)
- Florida Panthers Betting (Eastern Conference – Atlantic Division)
FAQ’s About Online Sports Betting – Florida
How Do I Deposit Funs Into A FL Offshore Sportsbook Site?
Each of the sportsbook brands we feature within this guide to Florida online sports betting include varying options for depositing funds into your account using cryptocurrency and USD. Most Florida betting sites include options for depositing using credit/debit cards, money orders, money transfers, prepaid cards, and Bitcoin (BTC) as viable options. Other altcoin deposit methods outside of BTC will vary from book to book.
Is It Difficult To Get A Payout From An Offshore FL Sportsbook?
No, especially with cryptocurrency is used as a form of withdrawal at a Florida legal sports betting site that is operating offshore. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are the only option for a same-day payout as USD withdrawals typically require 48 hours or more to process.
Checks are usually the most popular method of US dollar payout withdrawals and can typically take up to 7-10 business days for delivery.
Another withdrawal option is a money transfer using a third-party company which will vary at each site. Some methods have fees associated with them while others do not. Applicable fees will vary between the policies of each FL-friendly sportsbook.
Is It Safe For Florida Residents To Place Bets At Offshore Sportsbooks?
Yes. We only recommend sites that we’ve done business with for several years. Each of the sites included within this page dedicated to Florida online sports betting have been vetted by the our review staff using strict criteria for excellence.
These sites all offer fair and honest services, timely payouts, and use secure servers in order to keep your information safe online.
Has Any Bettor From FL Ever Been Arrested for Gambling on Sports?
The only way you can get arrested in the state of Florida for gambling on sports is by doing so through an illegal bookie. That being said, the bookie faces harsher penalties than the bettor, however it’s best to use safe and secure offshore betting sites in order to avoid these issues until domestic Florida sports betting options reopen.
Do Legal Florida Sports Betting Sites Offer Sportsbook Promo Codes?
Yes! Most, if not all, of the reputable offshore betting sites in FL offer both introductory bonuses and deposit matching promotions for loyal users. These bonuses add a percentage of the deposit total to online bankrolls for use in the online sportsbook, but make sure the terms can be completed within a reasonable time frame prior to acceptance.
These extra betting dollars can be profitable, but are mostly limited to offshore sportsbooks as domestic locations are unable to match such offers.
Do I Have To Pay Taxes On My Winnings At FL Offshore Sportsbooks?
As profits from sports betting are considered taxable income, it’s important that you pay taxes on them according to your state’s laws. It would be a shame to not enjoy your winnings because you’re in prison for tax evasion. Be sure to check with a local tax specialist on how you should go about reporting your earnings.
Are There Florida Sports Betting Apps?
Yes, All of the offshore sportsbooks that we recommend utilize a web friendly, mobile optimized app so you can handle your sports betting on the go. These apps have all the same services of the web version as well as the same sophisticated security protocols.
The Seminole Hard Rock Casino debuted a 21+ sports betting app in Florida in late 2021, but lawsuits forced the tribe to remove it from thier website and discontinue mobile and online gaming until court proceedings have concluded. For now, stick with the mobile sports betting options linked to within this page.
When Will Sports Betting Be Legal In Florida?
It already is via offshore and domestic means. Offshore sports betting in FL can be taken advantage of right now at 18 and over by clicking on any of the sportsbook sites we endorse within this guide. Domestic betting on sports in Florida will have to wait until lawsuits aimed at the Seminole Tribe of Florida are wrapped up.
Will Florida Sports Betting Legislation Allow DraftKings Or FanDuel?
Not at the moment. The only domestic operator that is allowed to conduct sports betting business in the state of florida is the Seminole Tribe of Florida and their Hard Rock Casinos. DraftKings, FanDuel, and others are lobbying hard and petitioning citizens fo the state, but have had little impact thus far. FanDuel, DraftKings and others are currently able to accept members in Florida and allow them to play Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) for real money.