Last Updated May 25, 2022, 10:24 AM ET
Online sports betting is no longer available in the Sunshine State.
On Nov. 22, 2021, a federal judge ruled the Florida-Seminole Gaming Compact was in violation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). After exhausting all legal avenues, the Hard Rock Sportsbook announced it would be "temporarily suspending" all sports betting on Dec. 4, 2021. All told, Floridians enjoyed legal wagering for less than five weeks.
With a DraftKings-FanDuel initiative failing to garner enough support to land on the November 2022 ballot, commercial operators won't be arriving until 2025, at the earliest.
This guide to Florida sports betting will serve as your go-to resource for the latest news and updates as they continue to unfold.
No, sports betting is no longer legal in Florida. On Nov. 22, 2021, a federal judge ruled the state's gaming compact violated a federal law that requires all tribal gambling to take place on tribal lands. While a server was located on Indian land, Florida sports bettors were not, which the Court could not accept.
After the Seminole Tribe's appeals and motions for stay were denied, the Hard Rock Sportsbook paused operations on Dec. 4, 2021. The state of Florida and Seminoles will continue to defend their compact while also having the opportunity to re-work their agreement to restrict all event wagering to tribal lands.
The path of least resistance would be leaving it up to Florida residents — but this could take a while. The earliest voters could get the opportunity to vote on a commercial sports betting measure? 2024.
Engage with our interactive legal tracker for the latest information on sports wagering legislation across the country.
The Sunshine State is once again without legal sports betting. As the state government and Seminole Tribe continue to defend their current pact or hammer out a new deal here's a look back at Florida's sports betting journey to date:
April 27, 2022: The Florida Seminole tribe stops making revenue-sharing payments to Florida. With the 2021 Florida-Seminole Compact on ice, the tribe will instead make payments into escrow until the litigation is resolved.
March 7, 2022: Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver Calvin Ridley is suspended for the 2022 NFL season after betting on NFL games in 2021 with Florida's Hard Rock Sportsbook.
Feb. 18, 2022: DraftKings CEO Jason Robbins reveals that the sports betting operator didn't get enough signatures in time to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the state's 2022 election ballot.
Jan. 28, 2022: Florida Education Champions' initiative, backed by DraftKings and FanDuel, concedes defeat with less than 500,000 verified signatures gathered.
Jan. 20, 2022: The DraftKings-FanDuel initiative approaches 400,000 signatures.
Jan. 11, 2022: With just over 295,000 signatures, the FanDuel and DraftKings-backed initiative has gathered just a third of the signatures required to reach the November 2022 ballot. The deadline to reach 891,589 signatures is Feb. 1, 2022.
Dec. 4, 2021: Thirty-five days after launching, the Hard Rock Sportsbook agrees to "temporarily suspend" all operations in Florida.
Dec. 1, 2021: A group of Las Vegas Sands-aligned groups files a lawsuit against seven parties acting on behalf of the Seminole Tribe. The groups allege the Seminole Tribe has been paying off petition gatherers to prevent them from collecting signatures for a Las Vegas Sands 2022 ballot measure.
Nov. 25, 2021: After the Seminole Tribe's motion for a stay pending appeal is denied, an emergency motion for stay pending appeal is filed with the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Meanwhile, the Hard Rock Sportsbook is still operational.
Nov. 23, 2021: The Seminole Tribe files a notice of appeal and motion for a stay pending appeal with the DC federal court just one day after Judge Friedrich eradicates the Florida-Seminole Compact. The Tribe seeks to continue taking sports bets throughout the appeal process.
Nov. 22, 2021: Judge Dabney Friedrich throws out Florida's sports betting compact, putting an end to legal sports betting and the Seminole Tribe's gaming expansion plans. The judge ruled both federal (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) and state (Amendment 3) laws were violated.
Nov. 1, 2021: The Seminole Tribe of Florida goes live with an “early access launch” of its Hard Rock Sportsbook, despite at least two lawsuits challenging the state’s model of legal sports betting still working their way through federal court.
Oct. 19, 2021: Florida District Judge Allen Winsor dismisses the first of the Magic City-Bonita Springs lawsuits.
Oct. 15, 2021: October 15 arrives, but legal sports betting does not.
Sept. 27, 2021: Two Florida businessmen and anti-gambling group No Casinos file the third lawsuit — the second in D.C. The motion claims no gaming expansion can occur in Florida without voter approval, citing Amendment 3.
Sept. 27, 2021: Magic City Casino and Bonita Springs Poker Room file their second lawsuit — this time, in D.C. The lawsuit claims Florida online sports betting would violate several federal laws.
Aug. 17, 2021: Magic City Casino and Bonita Springs Poker Room file a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior and Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, challenging the validity of their Seminole Tribe Compact approval.
Aug. 6, 2021: Florida’s pact with the Seminole Tribe passes its 45-day approval period. By neither approving nor denying the Seminole-Florida Gaming Compact, the U.S. Department of the Interior gives Florida the OK to move forward with their proposed October 15, 2021, launch date.
May 25, 2021: Gov. DeSantis quietly signs a new tribal compact. The agreement would allow the Seminole Tribe to expand its gaming library and offer retail and online sports betting. Pari-mutuel facilities would also be permitted to offer online betting through servers located on tribal lands.
May 2019: Gov. DeSantis refuses to sign off an agreement reached between Sen. Wilton Simpson and the Seminole Tribe. The pact would have allowed for tribal casinos and racetracks to offer sports betting.
Nov. 6, 2018: Voters pass Amendment 3, effectively prohibiting the Florida Legislature from passing new gambling expansions without the approval of the Seminole Tribe.
May 14, 2018: SCOTUS overturns the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Individual states are now permitted to legalize and regulate sports betting.
The Hard Rock Sportsbook has hit the pause button in Florida. The Seminole Tribe's emergency motion for stay has fallen short, and the tribe will now attempt to defend their gaming compact or reach a new agreement with the state. Doing so while bypassing the voter approval process, however, will lead to further litigation.
Unfortunately, with Florida Education Champions' inability to collect enough signatures before the Feb. 1, 2022 deadline, online sports betting will not be on the November 2022 ballot. Florida will now be without the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings until 2025 at the earliest.
When legal sports betting returns, adults 21 and over will be permitted to place sports wagers on a legal sportsbook app or website and eventually be able to do so in person at a tribal casino.
Here's a brief look at what to keep in mind for Florida sports bettors:
Legal ageIf you’re 21 or older, you will be allowed to place a sports bet in Florida.
Mobile bettingMobile betting has not been available since Dec. 4, 2021. If it returns, sports bettors may be able to place wagers from anywhere in the state or have to be physically located on tribal lands to confirm their picks.
Remote registrationFlorida sports bettors were able to register with Hard Rock from anywhere in the state. If all betting is restricted to tribal lands in the future, however, Floridians may have to visit a sportsbook in person to get started.
Within state bordersIn states that have legalized sports betting, online sportsbooks use geofencing to ensure all users have both feet firmly planted in the state. This process is no different in Florida.
Retail sportsbooksIt would stand to reason that brick-and-mortar sportsbooks will be located in most if not all of Florida’s tribal casinos. Pari-mutuel betting facilities were also in line to partner with the Seminole Tribe and offer sports betting, but the Department of the Interior nixed those plans.
Hard Rock Sportsbook in Hollywood, FL will be a top option for in-person betting.
Taxable winningsWith no state income tax, Florida sports bettors will only need to fork over the federally mandated 24% on gambling winnings over $600. Luckily, gambling losses can offset these winnings as well.
If Floridians are looking for sports betting alternatives, few options exist. Mississippi has legalized sports betting — but only in licensed casinos. Tennessee, on the other hand, is the nearest option for mobile betting.
Although Florida no longer offers legal sports betting, the state is further along in the process than many other jurisdictions. Unfortunately, a DraftKings and FanDuel-backed initiative came up short and will not appear on the November 2022 ballot.
If the Seminole Tribe retains exclusive rights to offer sports betting in Florida, bettors will be unlikely to be offered the most favorable betting lines.
Uncertainty amidst lawsuitsMonopolized market may lead to lackluster betting linesCommercial sportsbooks unlikely before 2025If both retail and mobile sports betting are legalized, Florida sports bettors will have the option of visiting a physical sportsbook or legal sports betting website or app to get started.
Before placing a sports bet in Florida, it will be important to identify which sportsbook best suits your betting needs. Hard Rock was the only option after its initial launch, but other providers could enter the market in the future.
Keep an eye on sign-up bonuses, betting lines, and the ease of making deposits and withdrawals. Don’t forget to read over reviews as they become available.
Floridians will be able to register, make deposits, and place bets — all from the comfort of their own homes or anywhere else in the state.
In November 2021, the Seminole Tribe and the Hard Rock Sportsbook offered a $100 risk-free bet to new sports gamblers in Florida. Other popular bonuses include deposit matches and no-deposit bonuses, which Florida sportsbooks could offer in the future.
Sportsbooks offer a variety of methods to fund your account. Florida sports bettors will be able to use PayPal, credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, PayNearMe, or cash when gambling in person.
Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the relevant terms and conditions to avoid any unexpected transaction fees.
You’ll be able to find all of the popular bet types in the Sunshine State. These include moneylines, point spreads, Over/Unders (totals), parlays, prop bets, and futures.
After you’ve chosen a sportsbook, claimed your bonus, and funded your account, you’ll be ready to place your first sports wager. Remember, if you find superior odds elsewhere, there’ll be nothing stopping you from hopping over to another sportsbook.
Withdrawing your sports bet winnings should be straightforward in Florida. These transactions tend to take a bit longer to process than deposits, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait a few days to access your bankroll.
Reading sports betting odds is not as difficult as it may seem. American odds are used as the default option in the United States, and they use minus (-) and plus (+) signs to indicate favorites and underdogs.
Favorites are shown with a minus sign, and the number you see tells you the amount you would have to wager to win $100. For example, -160 odds show you that a $160 bet would net you $100 in winnings.
Underdogs are slightly different. A plus sign is used to show the amount you’d stand to win when placing a $100 bet. For example, +110 odds tell you a $100 bet would lead to $110 in profit.
Some sportsbooks also show odds as fractions and decimals. Check out our odds converter to cycle through all three types of betting odds.
Keep an eye on this space for the latest figures from Florida's foray into legal sports betting.
| Year | Total handle | Revenue | Hold percentage |
| 2021 | - | - | - |
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
| 2021 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | - | - | - |
When legal sports betting returns, Floridians will be able to bet on all professional, college, and Olympic sports online.
Illegal offshore betting websites operate in Florida, but it’s best to steer clear of these sportsbooks as they are unlicensed and have been known to mishandle user accounts.
Politics will be off-limits in Florida. No state has legalized this type of wagering to date.
Florida isn't likely to permit betting on celebrity award shows such as the Grammy Awards or Oscars.
It remains to be seen if esports betting will come to Florida. For now, there is no way to legally bet on esports in the Sunshine State.
Bettors will be permitted to place online wagers on Florida-based college teams — or college games taking place in Florida. Individual player prop bets will be off-limits, however.
Industry and political insiders were caught off-guard by Hard Rock, who launched their mobile sportsbook in Florida on Nov. 1, 2021. The excitement was short-lived, however, as a federal judge ruled against the Florida-Seminole Compact on Nov. 22, 2021.
| Online sportsbook | Mobile app | Odds provider | Online casino | Dates active |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hard Rock Sportsbook  |
Yes | GiG | No | Nov. 1, 2021 - Dec. 4, 2021 |
| Sportsbook | Venue | Address | Phone number | Odds provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
It’s ok to place a bet on your favorite team — but always ensure your bets are well-researched and not clouded by your home team bias. Our how to bet guides are an excellent resource for new and intermediate bettors alike.
Floridians have plenty of gambling options. While tribal casinos generate the bulk of the betting action, the Sunshine State is also home to one of the largest horse racing markets in the nation. In fact, pari-mutuel horse race betting is the only form of legal online gambling in Florida.
CasinoThe Seminole Tribe owns and operates six major casinos in Florida, with the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood standing as its most prominent facility. The Hard Rock features over 3000 slots, almost 200 table games, and live poker.
The Miccosukee tribe operates a seventh tribal casino, while eight pari-mutuel facilities offer slots, poker games, horse racing, and jai alai betting.
Online casinos are not permitted in Florida, but the addition of online sports betting could open the door to future online gambling discussions. The Seminole Tribe does have a social casino app, Seminole Social Casino, where players can play a variety of table games and slots for non-cash prizes.
PokerNearly all of Florida’s tribal casinos feature several poker tables, with Seminole Hard Rock boasting over 40 tables itself.
There are no legal online poker websites for Floridians to enjoy. Global Poker, a sweepstakes website, is the only option for card sharks in the Sunshine State.
Horse racingHorse racing is legal in Florida. The most popular tracks include Gulfstream Park, Hialeah Park, Tampa Bay Downs, and Isle Casino Pompano Park.
Pari-mutuel horse race betting is allowed, and it’s the only form of online betting that is legal in the Sunshine State. Online bets can be placed in Florida using TwinSpires, TVG, and BetAmerica —the best horse racing betting sites in the U.S. The Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering oversees all betting activity.
Daily fantasy sportsDaily fantasy sports remain unregulated in Florida. DraftKings and FanDuel continue to operate in the state.
The state of Florida offers numerous resources to tackle problem gambling and support those who suffer from gambling addiction. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling is the best resource available.
Individuals may voluntarily exclude themselves from all betting activity by joining Florida’s self-exclusion program. With the soon-to-be arrival of sportsbooks, players will be given tools to limit their betting activity. Options to set deposit, wager, and loss limits will allow players to take preemptive measures to restrict their gambling activity.
Visit the Florida Council on Compulsive GamblingStates have been permitted to legalize and regulate sports betting since 2018. The following states have already done so:
Some sportsbooks in Florida may appear to be legitimate, but any website currently operating in the Sunshine State is illegal. Legal, regulated options will be coming soon, so don't risk your hard-earned cash with sportsbooks that don't play by the rules.
No, sports betting is no longer legal in Florida. On Nov. 22, 2021, a federal judge ruled the Florida-Seminole sports betting compact was in violation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The Hard Rock Sportsbook took its last bet on Dec. 4, 2021.
There is no way to legally gamble on sports in Florida.
All of the popular bet types will be available in Florida when sports wagering returns. These include Over/Unders, moneylines, point spreads, parlays, and more.
There is only one online sportsbook in Florida — but it is no longer operational. The Hard Rock Sportsbook launched on Nov. 1, 2021 and suspended all operations on Dec. 4, 2021.
No, you cannot bet on sports online in Florida.
This remains to be seen. The Seminole Tribe may look to set their own odds in Florida. If third-party providers eventually work their way into the Florida market, they will use odds found in Vegas to be sure.
The minimum age to bet in Florida is 21.
No, bet365 is not licensed to operate in Florida.
Florida sports betting was previously limited to one online sportsbook — Hard Rock. When legal betting returns, there may be more operators joining the Seminole-run platform. Retail betting could be in the cards as well.
You will be able to place wagers on Florida’s professional and college teams when legal sports betting returns.
No. When sports betting was legal, Florida’s rules stated that bettors must be physically present in Florida. Therefore, both residents and visitors were eligible to place sports bets.
This remains to be seen. Florida was set to pull in $2.5 billion in revenue sharing over its first five years with legal betting, as per the agreement with the Seminole Tribe.
Previously, Florida bettors could place wagers with the Hard Rock Sportsbook. Now, no legal options exist.
If statewide mobile wagering returns, expect Florida’s most populous cities to drive the betting action. Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa Bay, and Florida City should lead the charge.
Jeff Watters is a content editor at Covers. Before he began supporting Covers experts in making smarter sports bettors in 2021, the well-traveled Nova Scotian and Atlanta Braves fanatic spent time writing about education, software, and NHL prospects.
Established in 1995,
