Florida Sportsbooks + Sports Betting Sites
Betting on sports in Florida is a common pastime, even though the state itself does not specifically sanction any sports betting activity, either on land or online at Internet-based betting shops operating out of the state or elsewhere in the US. While the state now has the legal authority to license and regulate sports betting businesses (thanks to the overturn of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA), it concurrently has no law to prevent its residents from using legal offshore bookies willing to accept them. The state, however, does not tolerate any sports betting businesses in its territory.
What this all means is that most Florida residents end up using the online sportsbooks in order to place wagers on all of their favorite teams. This page contains all the required information about legal online sports betting in Florida. We have shown residents exactly how to bet online legally and safely, without getting into trouble with the law. We have also presented a list of carefully researched online betting sites for Florida residents. There’s a lot of information to cover, so let’s jump right in!
2020 Florida Legal Sports Betting Efforts
Florida’s sports betting legalization process is ongoing and arduous. Last legislative session, there were three concurrent bills that each would have overseen a different aspect of the legalization process. Each of these bills was under consideration during the 2020 legislative session. Unfortunately, the end of the session came and went before there could be significant action taken on any of these bills. If you want to do any research on the specific bills, they were introduced as FL SB 968, FL SB 970 and FL SB 972. While they had their similarities, they were quite different in terms of how they were structured. For a brief moment, Florida sports bettors had hope that they could be getting state sanctioned options in the near future. However, the 2020 legislative session ended with no changes to the sports betting laws in Florida. Sports bettors will have to wait another year to see if anything gets done.
Is it Legal to Bet on Sports in Florida?
Betting on sports is not legal in Florida. Or, more specifically, accepting sports bets is not legal in Florida. That said, the state does not have any sports betting laws, on land or online, worth speaking of, and the legal status of betting is viewed by the public as being lumped in with the standard gambling laws in the state. You can view FL’s gambling laws at the official website for the Florida Statutes (Chapter 849) here.
However, this does not mean that betting on sports does not take place on the sly in Florida. Bettors in Florida might find bookies willing to accept their bets on local and national sports matches, but it is dangerous to place bets with these black market bookies as they haven’t been licensed by the state and are actively breaking the law to bring you those bets, even though you aren’t breaking any laws in placing your wagers with these outfits. Florida bettors must understand that the state does not license, regulate, or authorize any individual or company to run either land-based or online sports betting businesses.
Since it is usually too risky to bet with local bookies in Florida, most FL residents register at legal offshore online sportsbooks, which are licensed in gambling jurisdictions far from home in other countries. The online bookies we have listed here are 100% safe and legal for Florida residents to use.
Useful Article: Is online sports betting legal in the United States?
Is It Legal To Wager In Florida On The NFL?
While there has been no legislation that has started for the state of Florida that does not mean residents are stuck when it comes to betting on the NFL. There are a plethora of internet offshore sportsbooks that allow Florida residents to use them for sports wagering purposes. These sports betting websites are legal to use by all of those that wish to wager on the NFL. The reason being is they are licensed and regulated in the countries where they are located. They do not have to go through the red tape of US gambling laws. In this case, Florida has no red tape to get through when it comes to sports betting legalization. If you’re a resident of the Sunshine State, the internet is your best bet for placing legal wagers this NFL season.
Will Florida Residents Get into Trouble for Placing Bets Online?
Since the State of Florida has absolutely no laws prohibiting residents from betting on their favorite sports events at offshore online bookmakers, no Florida resident has gotten into trouble for betting on his or her favorite team. Florida residents can safely and legally register for real money sports wagering at legal online sportsbooks operating overseas, and they can place bets on local teams such as Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Florida Panthers, FSU Seminoles, the Hurricanes, the Gators, and more.
Florida residents who want to bet on sports online simply have to stick with the online bookmakers listed on this page. These online sportsbooks are operated in such a way that Florida residents will never get into trouble with their state’s laws for using them to place bets online. Licensed and regulated by regulatory bodies in far-off countries, these sportsbooks are not even based in Florida and therefore do not violate the state’s laws.
Where Can Florida Residents Bet Sports Online?
Fortunately for Florida residents, they have a ton of options as far as legal online bookmakers go. Florida bettors can use these online sportsbooks to bet on their favorite local or international sporting events. If you’re in Florida, and are interested in sports betting, you can browse through the following list of internationally regulated online bookies and choose one or a few of them. Sometimes it can be useful to sign up on more than one of these sites, as signup is free, and comes with bonuses. In addition, multiple accounts can be useful when it comes to shopping lines. The websites themselves are all licensed, regulated online bookies that adopt the latest technologies to protect bettors. We spend a lot of time gambling ourselves, and these are the websites that we use as well.
Best Online Sportsbooks That Accept Florida Residents
Bovada Sportsbook – Best Legal Sports Betting Site For Florida Residents
Betting on sports online is easy and fun at Bovada Sportsbook, an online sports betting brand that is licensed in Kahnawake, Canada. With its user friendly interface, Bovada Sportsbook is the ideal online bookie for anyone living in Florida because it offers excellent betting odds on professional as well as college sports teams. Florida residents can bet on their favorite sports such as football, baseball, basketball, and others.
Bovada Sportsbook is also generous with its new player bonuses. Newly registered bettors at Bovada can claim a bonus of as much as $250 on their first deposits. The online sportsbook also runs lucrative promotions depending on the sports season, giving bettors plenty of opportunities to grab reduced juice options, cash backs, and rebates.
BetOnline – Fast Payouts For Florida Sports Gamblers
BetOnline is North America’s favorite sportsbook. Home to an ever-growing community of online bettors, BetOnline Sportsbook is very popular not only for its sports betting options, but also for its bonuses and rewards for loyalty. Other hot features of the online bookie include convenient and hassle-free payment methods, quick payouts, and 24/7 customer care service.
Launched in 1991, BetOnline quickly evolved into a topnotch online casino, racebook, and sportsbook, offering a wide range of props, lines, and futures on popular US sports such as baseball, football, basketball, soccer, hockey, golf, auto racing, boxing, MMA, and others. One of the best features of BetOnline Sportsbook is its live in-play betting, enabling bettors to bet as and when the action unfolds.
New FL customers who sign up for BetOnline today can take advantage of BetOnline’s sportsbook welcome bonus, which is a first-time deposit match perk worth up to $1000. BetOnline also has a Bonus for Life program which gives returning customers a maximum $1000 bonus every time they refill their accounts.
MyBookie – One Of Florida's Best Online
Sportsbook
MyBookie Sportsbook may have a very straightforward name, but once you enter the site, you will see just how detailed this website really is. The site itself is very visually appealing and the after clicking or tapping on the sportsbook tab, all of their betting lines for that day are prominently posted. MyBookie famous variety of betting options makes it one of the most robust sportsbooks you will find at any site, as their bet types, lines, banking methods, bonuses, and features all provide FL bettors with dozens of wagering choices for each and every contest.
Create an account at MyBookie Sportsbook and you can inherit the unbelievable benefits and money-making opportunities the service provides. Sign up by entering some basic personal information and begin your journey into the world of online sports wagering. It doesn’t get much better than winning money betting on your favorite players and teams, and MyBookie is a fantastic place to indulge in such activities. New FL customers who sign up can pick from a host of bonus options, including a 25% deposit-match cash bonus, which is the best cash perk in the entire industry, bar-none. (Remember, cash bonuses are different than the industry-standard free-play bonuses, as they are more versatile and can help build your bankroll even faster than free-plays.)
XBet – The Best Florida Sportsbook
XBet is as good as it gets. XBet is a newer, sleeker version of the online sportsbooks you know and love, with a lot of focus placed on customer care in two ways. First, XBet focused on the experience of placing a bet, the experience of using their website and optimized it so that it would be maximally enjoyable. Second, XBet focused on providing high-level customer service, by making payment processing work as fast as possible, and providing a hotline to call if you have any problems.
One last thing to keep in mind when you place bets at XBet is that there are a ton of possible promo codes you can use on signup or log in or deposit in order to get bonuses on your bets. For example, if you got to XBet right now, you can use the promo code XBET50 when you make your first deposit, and receive a 50% matching bonus on said deposit, up to $300!
5Dimes – One Of The Oldest Sportsbooks That Accept Florida Players
5Dimes Sportsbook offers the best betting odds on all popular US sports, such as baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and ice hockey. Besides great wagering options, the online sportsbook runs exciting promotions, which include their branded Reduced Juice program (which lowers the house take and maximizes your payouts), cashbacks and rebates, and other generous bonuses like up to $520 in sportsbook free-plays for new FL customers. Bettors only have to stay alert to grab these offers as and when they come.
There are two ways for bettors to wager through 5Dimes' sportsbook—through an online account or a phone account. If players register for an online account, they can bet on their favorite sports events around the clock, while telephone-based wagering has more limited hours of operation and comes with larger wagering minimums.
Since 5Dimes Sportsbook is a brand belonging to a reputed bookmaking company which has ample, multiple-decade experience, bettors can expect the ultimate gambling experience in a 100% secure atmosphere.
BetDSI Sportsbook Review –Brand New Site For FL Sports Bettors
BetDSI Sportsbook is a professionally designed, legal, secure, and incredibly enjoyable online sports gambling site that players of all skill levels will enjoy. They have quickly become one of the most-used online sports betting sites on the web and provide players with betting lines on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, international soccer and cricket, college sports, the UFC, and much more.
BetDSI provides several different banking methods for their players, so simply decide how you wish to fund your account, sign up for BetDSI, and deposit some money into your sportsbook wallet. It takes no time at all to get started, and new members can get an industry-leading 100% free-play bonus worth up to $500. Wayne Gretzky once said “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Well, you miss 100% of the bets you don’t make when you aren’t signed up for BetDSI. Can you be the next Great One?
Best Florida Online Sportsbooks
| Florida Sports Betting Sites | New U.S. Player Bonus | Go To U.S. Betting Site | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Review | 50% Up To $250 | |
 | Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! | |
 | Review | 50% New Member Bonus! | |
 | Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! | |
 | Review | 100% Up To $300 | |
 | Review | 50% Up To $520 | |
 | Review | 100% Up To $500 NEW! |
Florida does not have any sports betting laws worth speaking of. With PASPA overturned, the state could initiate legislative proceedings to legalize land-based and in-state online betting, but they have not yet broached the issue meaningfully, and there are no pending sports wagering bills at this time. Nevertheless, the lack of sports betting laws in the state does not prevent a number of illegal bookies from accepting bets from gullible residents.
Remember: Since Florida does not have the required online sports betting laws, it cannot license any operator to run online sports betting sites in the state. The only legal sports betting options for Florida residents are offshore online sports betting sites. Since Florida does not have any law specifically criminalizing the act of betting online (or the act of placing wagers in general), Florida residents will not be punished for becoming members of offshore online bookies.
There are a couple of commonly misinterpreted federal laws that Florida residents should know, even though PASPA is no longer in effect. The first one is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, which does not actually criminalize online sports betting, but only makes it illegal for banks to knowingly process betting-related funds. The second one is the Wire Act of 1961, which prevents interstate communications from being use by US-based bookmakers to accept wagers. Both laws are not directed at players but seek to prevent operators from running illegal gambling businesses or supporting those businesses financially.
Useful Article: Sports Betting Laws in the United States?
Are Online Sportsbooks Accepting Florida Residents Regulated?
The offshore online sportsbooks that accept Florida bettors are neither licensed nor regulated by the state. Since Florida has not legalized its online sports betting industry, it is in no position to license and authorize gambling operators to run online bookmaking businesses. The state also has no laws to monitor the activities of these bookies and to ensure that they comply with its gambling regulations.
But the offshore online bookies we recommend are safe and legal for Florida bettors because they are licensed and regulated by regulatory bodies such as Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, and others in foreign countries. These gambling jurisdictions monitor the offshore online bookies they license to ensure that they adhere to the strictest industry standards. The bookies we have handpicked for Florida residents belong to reputed gambling companies and will never cheat customers.
Florida Sports Betting Markets
If legalized, betting on local Florida sports teams could generate plenty of state revenue, as FL residents turn an annual sports betting handle of some $10 billion. That translates into lost revenue for the local economy and state coffers totaling in excess of $500 million each year, which is money that could be used stateside to far greater effect than it is when sent overseas.
Florida is home to several professional league teams, like those in the MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA, and FL residents are fond of other sports such as auto racing (NASCAR), tennis, and golf. Florida also has a number of minor semi-professional soccer, football, baseball, ice hockey, and basketball teams, all of whom show up time to time on the offshore books.
Some of the best and most popular professional sports teams in Florida are the Miami Marlins, Orlando Magic, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Rays, and the Miami Heat. And of course, FL is home to the Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, UF Gators, and UCF Knights, who made a legitimate claim to the 2017 NCAA DI National Championship. Florida clearly has some of the most varied sports betting markets of any US state, and there is a huge following for just about any major club inside its borders.
Legal NFL Betting In Florida
There are a few different legal NFL betting options for Florida residents. You may already be aware that though you cannot visit a local sportsbook and bet on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are land-based sportsbooks in DE and NV. The reason that brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are so limited today is due to PASPA, the law that banned land-based sports betting in all but four states. The positive news for sports fans is that this federal law did not mention online sports betting, making the pastime an option even before PASPA was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2018. That is why as long as a site is based offshore, it can be considered a legal NFL sports betting site to bet on the Miami Dolphins and your other favorite teams.
Can I Legally Bet On The Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
You can legally bet on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at any NFL sports betting site that accepts FL residents. There are no laws in the state of Florida that make it illegal to use the internet to bet on pro football or any other sport. Offshore sports betting sites make it easy to bet on the Bucs in a variety of ways. Some of the wager types at legal Buccaneers betting sites include moneylines, point spreads, totals, teasers, and parlay bets. When you head to the props and futures section, you can bet on odds for the Bucs to win the Super Bowl, Buccaneers division betting odds, and betting odds to win the NFC. Legal Tampa Bay Bucs sportsbooks have you covered across the board.
Legal Miami Dolphins Online Betting
Legal Miami Dolphins online betting is only a few clicks away when you join an online sportsbook. Legal Dolphins sports betting sites have all of the Miami Dolphins betting action that you could ever need. First, make a safe and secure deposit with legal sportsbook deposit methods such as bitcoin or Visa. Then, you can shop through Dolphins betting lines and start placing bets. Some of the legal NFL bet types include betting on the outright winner, game total, team total, point spread, or parlaying your bets. Many of the best legal Miami Dolphins sportsbooks allow you to wager on live betting odds, or place bets from your smartphone. Sites like Bovada Sportsbook and SportsBetting Sportsbook glady accept Florida residents.
How To Legally Bet On The Jacksonville Jaguars
If you are unsure of how to legally bet on the Jacksonville Jaguars, the answer is with an online sportsbook. Legal Jacksonville Jaguars betting sites make it possible for Florida sports fans to get in on the best action. You can start betting on the Jags during the preseason, and keep it going throughout each weekly matchup of the regular season. Bet on the outright winner, point spread, or total of any NFL game. NFL futures and props make things even more interesting. Jacksonville Jaguars odds to win the Super Bowl will be posted nearly a year in advance, and you will also be able to bet on divisional and conference odds. Legal Jaguars betting sites allow you to wager on your favorite team in a safe betting environment. As long as you use a sports betting site that accepts Florida residents, you will have no problem legally betting on the Jags.
Legal College Football Betting
Florida is a state with more Division I schools than most, and that is why online sportsbooks provide plenty of legal college football betting options. There are legal Florida State betting sites just like there are legal Gators online sportsbooks. Miami Hurricanes betting lines are also not hard to find. In reality, the best college football sportsbooks will have betting lines on all of the popular Florida teams. Each site is completely legal, being based offshore but licensed to accept players from Florida. Aside from your standard moneylines, totals, point spreads, and parlays, sports enthusiasts can bet on futures and props. You might bet on Heisman Trophy odds, ACC betting odds, SEC Championship betting odds, or odds to win the national title. You can legally bet on college football in Florida when you use legitimate sports betting sites such as BetOnline Sportsbook.
Biggest Sports Betting Mistakes
Blaming Bad Luck – Blaming bad luck on your losses when betting on sports is something you have to avoid. While at times, luck isn’t on your side, it should never be a reason behind why you continue gambling. If you are telling yourself, “Well, I just had some bad luck, so what are the odds that continues?” then you are already betting on the idea that the odds are in your favor, which they aren’t. You need to change your approach to be successful. Bet for the fun, but bet smartly, and don’t let luck become a deciding factor. Luck might be a lady tonight, but more often than not, she’ll be gone by the morning.
Doing No Research – Research is one of the most important parts of placing successful wagers. Just like anything else that you want to accomplish, preparing and researching things that will help you is necessary to achieving said accomplishment. Use the resources available here and at the top online sportsbooks to learn about ATS (“against the spread”) records for all your favorite teams, and pay close attention to the in-season streaks and trends for all the key players on those teams.
Legal Florida Sports Betting FAQ’s
If I have a question that is not answered in the FAQ, what should I do?
All of the sites we have reviewed on this page offer 24/7 customer service, and if you have any other questions, you can contact any of these sites. Most of them offer several methods of contact like email, telephone, fax, and even live chat features. You don’t even need to be signed up to ask for assistance – all the top books are willing to help anybody interested in joining.
Is gambling on the internet legal?
There is a lot of misinformation out there about whether or not gambling on the Internet is legal, and I am here to tell you that as long as you use one of the sites we have reviewed on this page, you will enjoy a safe gambling experience with no possibility of you getting into legal trouble in Florida (or anywhere else in the US).
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, which is a code-based, computing-driven alternative to fiat money (like US dollars, the Euro, the British Pound, etc.). Bitcoin is also the progenitor of blockchain technology, which is the most secure, quantum-computing-resistant data and financial platform in existence. Because it is decentralized, Bitcoin enjoys unfettered market support, and state governments domestically and nationwide cannot interfere with the pricing structure of Bitcoin. There are other similar cryptocurrencies available at most legal online FL sportsbooks, too, including Ethereum, Litecoin, DASH, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Stellar, Ripple, and more. All of our reviewed sportsbooks accept Bitcoin, and they each accept a different selection of altcoins as well.
Is Bitcoin safe to use?
Yes, Bitcoin is 100% safe to use, and it is quickly becoming the preferred deposit and withdrawal method for most top online sportsbooks. With fast transaction fees and same-day payouts, Bitcoin and other altcoins are absolutely the future of not only sports betting but of e-commerce in general. You can get started in the crypto space by purchasing Bitcoin at a site like Coin Base, which is the US’ largest entry-point into this exciting new world of decentralized alternative currency.
How Does Amendment 3 Affect My Ability To Bet On Sports In Florida?
Amendment 3 was a gambling initiative that confused many Florida voters at the time of it’s passing. Before the vote, the Miami Dolphins posted on Twitter that the ruling would make it more difficult to bring legal sports betting to Florida, however, the ruling did not affect it at all. That’s because the amendment made no mention of sports betting nor did it mention any prohibitions to using legal online offshore sportsbooks.
Are Player Prop Bets Offered For College Football Athletes?
Player prop bets are a common form of wagering types for NFL players, but because of the sheer popularity of college football in Florida, you’ll also be able to find prop bets for them as well. For example, if you’re watching Florida play Florida State you may see a live bet come up on whether or not one of the quarterbacks will throw an interception.
Can I Bet On Highschool Football Games In Florida?
South Florida is seen as a breeding ground for college football’s top athletes. That is why high school football is so popular in places such as Dade County and why local networks will even play their games on T.V. While it is a bit more difficult to find, some online offshore sportsbooks will offer odds for these games. It may not be for regular season games, but state championships can more than likely be found at one of the betting sites we previously reviewed.
Is There A Difference Between A Casino Cruise And An Online Offshore Sportsbook?
While Florida does not allow sportsbooks to operate in their borders, all is fair on international waters. Because of this, there is one casino cruise that offers sports betting. However, it provides an inconvenient drive for those that live in the Northern part of the state such as places like Pensacola and Tallahassee. It also may not be an option for those that are prone to get seasick. Instead, online offshore sportsbooks can be accessed right from the convenience of your home and will offer the same odds and often times more than a casino cruise will. Online sportsbooks will also offer deals such as Welcome Bonuses or Lifetime Bonuses that can’t be found on a casino cruise sportsbook.
What Is Florida’s Legal Sports Betting Age?
Even though there is no specific sports betting age set by the state of Florida, one could estimate that it is reserved for those that are 21 and up. This is because the legal age to gamble in the state’s tribal casinos is 21 or older and since sports betting is technically a Class III gambling activity it only makes sense that the rule would include any sports bets made. Online sportsbooks will accept Florida players as young as 18, but in order to avoid any potential trouble down the line, it is best to wait a few years to start wagering.
