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 sports betting sites in Florida 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 online sportsbooks in order to place wagers on all of their favorite teams. Legal sports betting sites like Bovada and BetOnline provide bookmaking that can be used by anyone living in FL. This page contains all the required information about online sports betting in Florida. We have shown residents exactly how to bet online 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!
Outlook For Legalized Florida Sports Betting In 2021
Florida saw a lot happening regarding sports betting in 2020 behind closed doors that could lead the way to favorable outcomes in 2021 for the potential market. While none of the bills from 2020 came to pass, it opened the doors of communication between the state’s government and the Tribes. The Seminole Tribe is a driving force behind whether or not sports wagering becomes a legal pastime in Florida. The Tribe has every intention of discussing the matter in length with government officials in 2021 to be able to come to some sort of agreeance on the industry.
While the Tribe has been wildly opposed to making sportsbooks legal in the Sunshine State, they have since come around to considering it in 2021, once the Coronavirus Pandemic is no longer the focal point of daily issues. If the state and the Seminole Tribe can find common ground during this time, Florida could see the launch of a legal sports betting industry by 2022. Although this is not something that is set in stone, the fact that the subject of gambling on sporting events itself is open for discussion by the Seminole Tribe is a good sign for sports-loving Floridians statewide.
College Football Betting in Florida
There are many college football teams that Florida fans would love to place wagers on including the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Florida State University, and University of Miami. The Florida Gators are coming off of a great season that saw them throw away a chance to make the playoffs, but they were very competitive against eventual champions Alabama. FSU. Miami and UCF were less stellar, but they have a lot of hope for next year. Futures odds are already up on the major online sportsbooks. These online sportsbooks are available to players looking for college football betting in Florida and they offer easy ways to bet on your favorite team’s odds and bet lines during the regular and postseason.
Is it Legal to Bet on Sports in Florida?
Betting on sports is not regulated 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 in Florida 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 online sportsbooks, which are licensed in gambling jurisdictions far from home in other countries. Sites like Bovada and BetOnline provide legal sports betting to Florida residents and have for years.
Useful Article: Is online sports betting legal in the United States?
When Will Florida Legalize Sports Betting?
While there is no definitive date for the legalization of sports betting in Florida, there is growing optimism that at some points in 2021 sports betting will launch. Lawmakers are presenting another sports betting bill during the first legislative session of the year. Should the bill pass, sports betting in Florida could become a reality. Sports betting bills have failed to gain real traction in the past, but the COVID-19 shutdowns may motivate the Sunshine State to rethink its stance on legal sports betting. Local bettors can already bet on sports through international sportsbooks that are legal to operate in Florida. If lawmakers want the added revenue stream, then approving a sports betting bill would be in everyone's best interest.
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. Legally, there is nothing to worry about when using sites like Bovada or BetOnline in Florida. 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
| State Restrictions: | ALL STATES - ex. DE, MD, NJ, NV |
| Welcome Bonus: | 50% to $250 |
| Minimum Deposit: | $20 |
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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 Sportsbook - Fast Payouts For Florida Sports Gamblers
| State Restrictions: | ALL STATES |
| Welcome Bonus: | 50% to $1,000 |
| Minimum Deposit: | $50 |
| Banking Methods: |
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 Sportsbook - One Of Florida's Best Online
Sportsbook
| State Restrictions: | ALL STATES - ex. NJ, NV, NY |
| Welcome Bonus: | 50% to $1,000 |
| Minimum Deposit: | $50 |
| Banking Methods: |
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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 Sportsbook - The Best Florida Sportsbook
| State Restrictions: | ALL STATES |
| Welcome Bonus: | 50% to $300 |
| Minimum Deposit: | $25 |
| Banking Methods: |
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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!
SportsBetting.ag Sportsbook - One Of Florida’s Finest
| State Restrictions: | ALL STATES - ex. NJ, NV, NY |
| Welcome Bonus: | 50% to $1,000 |
| Minimum Deposit: | $20 |
| Banking Methods: |
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No matter what Florida sport you want to bet on, from the NHL Champion Tampa Bay Lightning to the Miami Hurricanes to the FSU Seminoles to the Jacksonville Jaguars, you can find the odds on all of their games on SportsBetting’s excellent online sportsbook. SportsBetting is a no-frills sportsbook - their webpages are dense with bets and odds, and their amenities are focused around allowing you to place the most bets with the most variety possible.
SportsBetting’s best feature is their bet builder, which allows bettors to easily construct bets on the fly. You can bet on the Jags to score more than 25 and Gardner Minshew to throw over 200 yards, for example. The best thing about the bet builder is it lets you adjust the lines involved. Let’s say you want Minshew over 250 yards and the Jags over 28 - you can put that together just as easily.
SportsBetting offers live and mobile wagering as well, and those two work well in concert with each other. They have great bonuses as well, especially on signup. Make sure to check out SportsBetting.ag the next time you’re looking to place a bet, complex or simple.
BetDSI Sportsbook - Brand New Site For FL Sports Bettors
| State Restrictions: | ALL STATES |
| Welcome Bonus: | 100% to $500 |
| Minimum Deposit: | $50 |
| Banking Methods: |
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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?
Sports Betting Laws In Florida
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 Seminoles betting sites just like there are legal Florida Gators online sportsbooks. Miami Hurricanes betting lines are also not hard to find, and the same is true of UCF Knights and FAU Owls betting.
The best college football sportsbooks will have betting lines on all of the popular Florida teams. These websites are completely legal, being based offshore but licensed to accept players from Florida. Aside from your standard moneylines, totals, point spreads, and parlays, sports betting enthusiasts can bet on futures and props. For example, one 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 Bovada, BetOnline and MyBookie.
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.
