Legalizing sports betting in Florida opened the industry’s doors to one of the largest markets in America. However, the state’s unique setup has controversially separated it from many other top gaming states.
Heading into 2026, the Florida sports betting market is still under a gaming monopoly controlled by the Seminole Tribe, which is in a partnership with Hard Rock Bet.
Florida sports betting: Where things stand
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed sports betting into law May 25, 2021. However, years of legal battles quickly caused the market to shut down until the statewide launch of mobile sports betting Dec. 7, 2023.
Calls for gaming expansion have fallen on deaf ears. State lawmakers in November forwarded House Bill 189, which would make operating and promoting an online sports betting or iGaming platform not affiliated with the Seminole Tribe a felony, and participating in the platform’s offerings a misdemeanor.
Florida sports betting includes a vast array of betting markets for retail and online customers. That includes betting lines for in-state colleges and universities, which are outlawed by many other states.
Bettors can wager on team outcomes, but they cannot gamble on individual performances via college player props.
Operators are charged either 10% (mobile) or 13.75% (retail) of their net winnings in taxes.
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What's next?
The state has learned from recent sports betting scandals and is getting ahead of potential issues. There’s a plan to revive a piece of legislation that would institute a felony charge for individuals who place sports bets on fixed (rigged) outcomes.
This comes after Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested by the FBI for allegedly exiting an NBA game early, allowing his associates to cash bets by betting the under on his player prop lines. The incident occurred when he played for the Charlotte Hornets in 2023.
The same bill also aims to classify fantasy sports platforms, which have existed in a gray area that did not require them to receive state licensing. That changed in 2024, when Betr, PrizePicks, and Underdog were sent cease-and-desist orders for offering prop-style games.
Notes and quotes
“The bill strengthens penalties for illegal gambling, authorizes the operation of fantasy sports contests, clarifies employee prohibitions governing the Florida Gaming Control Commission, revises reporting requirements related to changes in ownership for pari-mutuel wagering permitholders, and preempts local governments from regulating gaming activities unless expressly provided in Florida law” - summary of a bill to crack down on non-Seminole sports betting.
“Hard Rock Bet, and more specifically the Seminole Tribe of Florida, offer statewide sports betting based on a 30-year exclusive gaming compact. As a result, Hard Rock Bet is the ONLY legal sports betting option for Floridians” - Hard Rock Bet’s website.
“When the voters of Florida decided to add (the gambling amendment) to the Constitution, they understood that it would give them the sole right to authorize sports betting. Today, by legislative fiat, betting on sporting events occurs across the state, all without the people's authorization. That is unconstitutional” - Protect the Constitution said in a rejected lawsuit challenging Florida’s sports betting market.
Year in review
Dec. 12, 2025: HB 591 is introduced and contains a plethora of gaming reforms, including prohibiting betting on athletics contests with fixed outcomes, various other illegal gambling acts, and certain forms of advertising.
Nov. 19, 2025: House Bill 189, which would enforce penalties for promoting or participating in non-Seminole gaming platforms, was advanced.
Oct. 30, 2025: Hard Rock Bet launched “Games powered by Past Motor Races,” a slot machine game featuring real races from the past.
May 6, 2025: Officials withdrew a bill to restrict sweepstakes casinos.
March 26, 2025: A Florida committee unanimously approved a bill to impose penalties for using inside information for sports betting and participating in non-Seminole online gambling.
