Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, wants to legalize sports betting in Florida, an activity he says already goes on unregulated and untaxed. Gambling legislation historically has. “This amendment ensures that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling by requiring that in order for casino gambling to be authorized under Florida law, it must be approved by Florida voters pursuant to Article XI, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution. Affects articles X and XI. Legal Gambling Age For Florida Residents The State of Florida is fairly progressive when it comes to gambling, with some types of gambling available as soon as you turn 18. For wagering on sports online, however, it’s advisable (but by no means mandatory) that you be at least 21 years of age in order to participate. Will Florida Legalize Gambling, prestige casino (free download windows version, tabela poker de dados, fenikss slots srl. 18+, T&C Apply, New Customers Only.

• When Will Florida Legalize Sports Betting
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For as much as Florida profits from gaming and gambling, it has struggled mightily with daily fantasy sports.

There’s no single reason for the lack of progress toward legalization. The landscape is complicated, with constitutional language and tribal compacts adding layers to the debate. Efforts to legalize DFS date back to 2015, and each attempt has stalled without much progress.

This year, lawmakers are taking another swing at legislation. The newest development came late on Friday, as an omnibus gaming bill in Senate was amended to include a new compact with the Seminole tribe.

The Senate version now includes the Seminole Compact, a renewed gambling deal btw the state & the tribe. The House bill had it; the original Senate bill did not. #FlaPol

— Jim Rosica (@JimRosicaFL) February 9, 2018

DFS is already a cog in a much larger negoitation in Florida. How did we get here, and where are we going?

Backstory for Florida DFS

The Sunshine State is a gambling state. It has been running greyhound races, which are basically a purpose-built betting product, since the 1930s. Florida has poker rooms, jai alai betting, bingo, bowling tournaments and a handful of casinos run by the Seminole Tribe. So far, though, DFS has been a non-starter.

Part of the issue stems from debate over semantics. Lawmakers and tribal leaders have been unable to come to an agreement about whether or not DFS should be classified as gambling under state law.

DFS under current Florida law

Florida statues contain a long list of definitions and prohibitions surrounding gambling. Here are a few relevant things that are considered illegal, unless an exemption was made in a subsequent law:

• Gambling: “Whoever plays or engages in any game at cards, keno, roulette, faro or other game of chance, at any place, by any device whatever, for money or other thing of value…” (849.08)
• Lottery: “It is unlawful for any person in this state to… Set up, promote, or conduct any lottery for money or for anything of value.” (849.09)
• Betting on contests of skill: “Whoever stakes, bets or wagers any money or other thing of value upon the result of any trial or contest of skill, speed or power or endurance of human or beast…” (849.14)
• Bookmaking: The term “bookmaking” means the act of taking or receiving, while engaged in the business or profession of gambling, any bet or wager upon the result of any trial or contest of skill, speed, power, or endurance of human, beast, fowl, motor vehicle, or mechanical apparatus or upon the result of any chance, casualty, unknown, or contingent event whatsoever. (849.25)

The AG opinion

There’s also an unfavorable attorney generalopinion to consider.

Way back in 1991, AG Robert Butterworth provided his opinion on paid-entry fantasy sports. Butterworth opined that fantasy contests fall under the definition of gambling, and they should therefore be prohibited under 849.08. His stance was not binding, and it was made before the existence of DFS as we know it today. Still, it’s the most recent AG opinion on the matter, as AGs since have not touched the subject publicly.

There are, of course, a lot of exceptions to those laws which have been spelled out in subsequent amendments. The state has its own lottery, for example. The Seminole Tribe was also granted a broad exemption to anti-gambling laws, and that agreement presents the largest hurdle for DFS going forward.

DFS under tribal compacts

Tribal compacts give the Seminoles exclusive rights to offer various forms of gaming in Florida, such as table games. In return, the tribe pays hundreds of millions of dollars to the state via revenue-sharing agreements.

The compact with the Seminole Tribe includes language which allows those payments to be reduced or ceased if the state authorizes other forms of gambling, including online gaming. Here’s what the state can not allow:

Internet/online gaming (or any functionally equivalent remote gaming system that permits a person to game from home or any other location that is remote from a casino or other commercial gaming facility)

The question before the legislature is whether or not legalizing fantasy sports would infringe upon those terms. Does the compact’s definition of online gaming cover DFS?

According to the tribe, it absolutely does.

Last December, tribal counsel warned lawmakers that their efforts to legalize DFS would indeed violate the existing compact. A court may eventually have to make that determination if the standoff comes to a head.

For the state, jeopardizing that relationship in exchange for modest DFS revenue would be a poor tradeoff. The two parties don’t have the best relationship to begin with, including a history of taking each other to court. And the potential revenue from DFS is just a fraction of that for other, more popular forms of gaming.

State economists have reclassified revenue-sharing payments from the Seminole Tribe as “nonrecurring” after this year, despite the fact that they are on the books until 2030.

Active Florida DFS bills in 2018

There are three active DFS bills in the Florida legislature.

H 223 is the House bill filed by Rep. Jason Brodeur. The bill simply defines DFS and moves to exempt it from the relevant gambling statutes.

The Tourism and Gaming Control Subcommittee recently advanced Brodeur’s bill by a 13-0 vote. Ways & Means and the Commerce Committee are its next two stops. That bill mirrors an effort in the Senate, too.

S 374 was introduced by Sen. Dana Young on behalf of the Committee on Regulated Industries. It contains most of the same language as the House bill, but it’s undergone one revision once since introduction. The amended language prohibits contests based on collegiate and amateur matches. Young’s bill has cleared Regulated Industries and the Rules Committee.

There’s another gaming bill on file in the Senate, as well. S 840 was introduced by Sen. Travis Hutson, and it’s an omnibus attempt to overhaul aspects of the pari-mutuel wagering industry. It also includes provisions for legalizing daily fantasy sports.

Hutson’s bill cleared Regulated Industries, which Hutson chairs. On Friday, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance and Tax reviewed the bill. As Florida Politics‘ Jim Rosica reported, the bill was amended. (Read Rosica’s timeline for some instant analysis.)

The strike-all amendment moves to install a new tribal compact which would supersede the existing one. As Hutson notes, his bill used to be far different from a House version, which has Seminole compact language already.

https://twitter.com/TravisJHutson/status/962038356803690496

If that committee advances the bill, it will move on to Appropriations itself.

The kitchen sink?

Does every gaming issue have to be taken care of in one fell swoop in Florida if any are to be dealt with? It certainly looks that way.

In an interview with Florida Politics, tribes reaffirmed the stance that an expansion of slot machines, table games, or daily fantasy sports would be an absolute deal breaker.

Galvano made a similar effort last year before withdrawing his bill.

But for DFS, it remains in the mix.

Committee analysis: DFS legislation is complicated

The legal definition of DFS is still very much in question in Florida, although a lot of sites serve the state. Is it gaming, gambling, or something else entirely? If fantasy contests are classified as gambling, then authorizing them would certainly be in violation of the compact.

The committees submit lengthy reports on the bills they consider, both before and after. Their analyses provide a lot of insights into the general sentiment among lawmakers.

Regulated Industries seems to agree that the tribes have a sound argument if DFS was classified as a Class III game alongside blackjack and roulette.

If fantasy contests permitted under the bill constitute gaming, are considered Class III gaming under federal law, and constitute, under the 2010 Gaming Compact, new Class III gaming in Florida, the payments due to the State under the 2010 Gaming Compact could end when fantasy contests begin to be offered for public or private use.

Although outdated, the AG opinion directly lumps fantasy sports in with gambling. It hasn’t been legally classified as such, but if it were, it likely wouldn’t fall into Class I (social games) or Class II (bingo/lottery games). So, the first step for lawmakers is to get around that obstacle. To that end, the current bills explicitly move to exclude DFS from the umbrella of gambling laws.

Until there is more clarity in the eyes of lawmakers, though, the state will struggle to move forward in the short term.

In the meantime, the aforementioned lawmakers are taking matters into their own hands. And it appears the fate of DFS legality in the state will continue to depend on much bigger issues related to gaming in Florida.

The legality of sports betting for our Florida residents is frequently debated, particularly due to the rise and popularity of Internet-based offshore sportsbooks that nominally fall into a gray area of US legal jurisdiction. The lack of accurate information surrounding online sports gambling in Florida can be disconcerting and even off-putting to potential players, but that doesn’t need to be the case, because once you understand the ins and outs of FL sports betting law, you’ll be able to place your wagers with confidence.

If it seems daunting to navigate all the state and federal laws surrounding sports betting in FL, don’t worry – it’s not. The laws and rules are fairly straightforward when it comes to betting on sports in the Sunshine State, and once you know what to look for, you’ll be able to wager safely and with peace of mind, no matter where you are in the state.

Betting On The NFL In Florida

Those from Florida know how big football is to the state, and with three NFL franchises spread throughout the area, there are millions of fans rooting for their team on Sunday. Whether you root for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, or Jacksonville Jaguars there is plenty of passion throughout the state. The only thing better than rooting for your favorite team on Sunday is betting on them. While Florida does not have state-sponsored forms of gambling yet, there are still ways to bet on your NFL team. The international online sportsbooks we feature on this site are by far the easiest and most efficient way to bet on the NFL in Florida. These sites have game lines, player props, futures odds, and anything else that an NFL bettor would need to succeed. Be sure to check them out the next time you are looking to bet on pro football in Florida.

Legal Sports Betting Sites Accepting Florida Residents

While there are many legal sports betting sites accepting Florida residents out there, they are definitely not all created equal. If you’re going to risk your hard-earned money to place bets on your favorite players and teams at an online, offshore sportsbook, you owe it to yourself (and your bankroll) to make sure you pick only the most reputable Florida sportsbook service providers.

With decades of experience serving the Sunshine State, sportsbooks like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, and other top books (BetDSI, 5Dimes, BookMaker, etc.) are always your best bets to finding and placing winning wagers on their robust, comprehensive betting boards.

Bovada - Live Betting On Football, Basketball, Baseball, Etc

The Sunshine State has a lot to offer those who live there, with its great weather, sunny vistas, and sandy beaches. Even better, Bovada – the state’s top online sportsbook – lets you enjoy the tropical outdoors while you wager on your favorite sports matchups. Thanks to Bovada’s top-of-the-line, industry-leading mobile sportsbook portal, you can put money on sporting events no matter where in the state you happen to be.

One of the top reasons to go with Bovada as a Florida player is the betting odds that are available on their always-updated betting boards. After all, options are important, as most FL bettors aren’t strictly going to bet on their local home teams. So, while all of the Florida teams are represented at Bovada, all of the other professional and amateur US teams of note are also on their boards, with international wagering options to choose from as well as sports like soccer, rugby, cricket, and more. New FL residents signing up at Bovada today can even get a generous, low-rollover $250 Welcome Bonus to pad their online betting accounts.

BetOnline - Features Live Dealer Casino + Poker

Florida isn’t the cheapest place in America to call home, but there’s no state income tax, so that’s a huge draw for residents of all age groups. After all, in the current economy, saving as much money as possible while enjoying a casual lifestyle is more important than ever. BetOnline also believes in this philosophy and it can be seen by how they give away so many free-play bonuses. Anyone living in Florida that signs up for free at BetOnline will be able to qualify for their lifetime bonus. Just enter the promo code LIFEBONUS on every qualifying deposit and earn up to 25% on top of your deposit.

In addition to reload bonuses, BetOnline offers several other valuable perks for both new and returning members. And while their sportsbook is the site’s number-one draw, it’s definitely not the only way to gamble at BetOnline. BetOnline features a fully-fledged, Vegas-style live dealer casino, a popular online poker lounge, dozens of table games, hundreds of digital slots, and a thorough international Thoroughbred racebook.

SportsBetting - Spread + Over/Under Can Be Wagered

The hottest betting odds – and highest betting limits – await Florida sports bettors at SportsBetting. With action on just about every national and international sport, this betting site is considered the go-to sportsbook for Florida high rollers. However, with the most deposit and withdrawal options of any FL sportsbook, SportsBetting is just as well suited to the gambling novice as to the wily old vet.

SportsBetting accepts both traditional and alternative payment options, from credit cards, debit cards, and bank wires to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, and DASH. Even better, all of these financial options carry high deposit and withdrawal limits at SportsBetting, meaning that – no matter how much money you have to wager – you can load up your SportsBetting account in a hurry. As with most other sites, SportsBetting.ag also offers new and returning FL customers plenty of valuable bonuses and perks to keep them coming back for more.

MyBookie - Top Sportsbook for Florida Wagering

MyBookie is an excellent online sportsbook for all of your Florida betting needs, which means that it is a top tier sportsbook full stop. At MyBookie, you can place all the wagers you need, no matter what. MyBookie’s sportsbook offerings extend past Dolphins moneylines, Jaguars spreads or Bucs Over/Unders, and well into the esoteric. If you want to bet on the presidential election, you can! If you want to bet on whether or not Lizzo will wear a thong to the Super Bowl, you can!

MyBookie also increases betting access by offering both mobile betting and live betting. Mobile betting and live betting go together like peanut butter and jelly, and they work in concert to provide bettors with access to betting at all hours of the day, even after the game has started. Overall, MyBookie is an excellent sportsbook, and well worth engaging with.

When Will Florida Legalize Sports Betting

Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida?

Sports betting legality in Florida is a tricky thing on the surface. There are no laws explicitly banning the activity, but there are also no regulatory laws allowing it, either. That said, laws in the US are based on what is prohibited, not on what is allowed. As such, you can assume – rightfully so – that sports betting is in fact allowed in the state. In other words, FL residents can freely wager on athletics without fear of government reprisal, provided they use a reputable online sportsbook.

Whether you're simply betting for your favorite team like the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Panthers, Miami Hurricanes, FSU Seminoles, UF Gators, Tampa Bay Bucs, or even theJacksonville Jaguars, you can do so without worrying about governmental repercussions of any kind. To add to that, by using an online sportsbook instead of a shady local bookie, you know the lines on top local teams will be unweighted (i.e. have reasonable vigs, or house takes) and that your winning payouts are always guaranteed.

Best Banking Methods At Legal Florida Sports Betting Sites

All of the top sportsbooks serving FL have similar – but not necessarily identical – payment options for deposits and withdrawals. However, the best banking methods at legal Florida sports betting sites are fairly universal between them, and it comes down to exactly how much and how soon you wish to bet. If you need to place your bets right away and have to load up your online sportsbook account ASAP, credit or debit charges process instantly.

Be warned, however, that credit/debit payments carry lower transfer limits than some bigger bettors like. In their cases, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (accepted everywhere, with different books accepting different altcoins as well) are superior, given that they process the same day and carry the highest limits of all options at most books. However, some folks prefer to deposit and withdraw their funds via older, more traditional methods like check, bank wire, or money order.

In these cases, the limits are often quite high, but the associated processing times (1-2 weeks) and added fees make them more expensive options than Bitcoin and other altcoins like Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, DASH, Cardano (ADA) and other methods (where accepted).

Mobile Online Sports Betting In Florida

Mobile online sports betting in Florida is the wave of the future, and – once the state institutes a sports betting law and local sportsbooks open for business – you will shortly thereafter likely be able to use their online portals via your mobile phone or tablet to wager from anywhere inside the state. Additionally, with legalization, it is likely you will eventually be able to download official iPhone apps and Android apps for your Florida sports betting facility of choice.

However, any mobile web portal or app-based sports betting solution from an FL-based sportsbook will be geo-fenced, meaning that you will always have to physically be inside the state of Florida to place your wagers.

Right now, with offshore sportsbooks already being online and operational for Florida sports bettors, you can use your iPhone, iPad, or Android device to wager at Bovada, SportsBetting, BetOnline, and all the other top legal books serving FL residents. Another advantage of using these overseas sportsbooks is that they are not geo-fenced, meaning that FL residents who sign up for these services can continue to use them even when they are outside of FL’s borders. Each one of these sites is optimized for mobile browsers and some even have apps that you can download straight from their site.

Florida Sports Betting Laws

There are actually no current Florida sports betting laws to speak of, as the state has traditionally relied on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA, 1992) to govern their gambling laws in the athletic arena. Now that PASPA has been overturned by the Supreme Court, however, the FL legislature will have to institute its own sports betting regulations and licensing schemes before any physical brick-and-mortar or online facility in the state can offer sports betting inside FL’s borders.

That said, there is a passage in FL law that could be construed to be a nominal sports betting ban. Florida Statutes 849.14 states the following:

“Whoever stakes, bets or wagers any money or other things of value upon the result of any trial or contest of skill, speed or power or endurance of human or beast...shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree...”

Of course, there are plenty of semantic technicalities in the above statement that effectively ban this “ban” from being an effective ban. As such, though the state sees some 3-4 million residents turn a sports betting handle of roughly $12 billion each year, not one single person has ever been arrested, fined, imprisoned, or otherwise harassed by the FL government for placing a sports bet locally or over the Internet at a legal online offshore sportsbook.

When Will Florida Offer Legal Sports Betting In-State?

Will Florida Legalize Gambling

With voters getting the final say on this decision on sports betting, there may be some time until we see legalize sports betting in Florida. Because of this, voters will have their final decision and even if the bill is being passed they could vote against it and that means that it can take longer than the need to legalize sports betting in Florida. With voters being on the fence and amendment 3 being passed on a recent ballot, land-based sports betting won't be legal anytime soon. This will probably take some time and maybe in the year 2022, we will finally see land-based sports betting in the state of Florida. Online sportsbooks will be the way to go for a while for most players until this problem gets resolved. With many online sportsbooks already set up and having no legal repercussions towards them, most bettors will gear towards them in the meantime.

Legal Gambling Age For Florida Residents

The State of Florida is fairly progressive when it comes to gambling, with some types of gambling available as soon as you turn 18. For wagering on sports online, however, it’s advisable (but by no means mandatory) that you be at least 21 years of age in order to participate. When land-based sportsbooks open in FL now that PASPA has been overturned, however, those facilities will likely require their participants to be 21 or older.

What Cities In Florida Have Sportsbooks?

Currently, no cities in Florida have sportsbooks to offer the gaming public. However, there are a number of potential locations for land-based sports betting in Florida once the state passes formal sports wagering regulations, and though it’s not a sure thing that each of the possible venues will open their own sportsbooks, the majority of them likely will.

These locations include the following, in order of their likelihood to offer sports betting upon formal legalization by the state (with Tampa and Hollywood being first up, as they’re home to the state’s two largest casinos, both of which are Seminole Hard Rock properties):

• Hallandale Beach, FL
• Okeechobee, FL
• Immokalee, FL
• Pompano Beach, FL
• Dania Beach, FL
• Coconut Creek, FL
• Miami, FL
• Fort Lauderdale, FL

In addition to the casinos listed above, there are also various card rooms and pari-mutuel facilities scattered around Florida. Whether or not these will be included in the sports betting movement going forward remains to be seen, and much of that will depend on how the sportsbook taxation and application/licensing fees are established by the Florida state government.

Florida Sports Betting FAQs

What is live betting?

Live betting, also called in-game wagering, is a recent development from various online sportsbook providers that allows bettors to wager on sports as the contests themselves unfold in real-time. Thanks to mobile devices with persistent internet connections, it’s easier than ever to participate in live betting, adding thousands of daily chances to win to your standard sports betting docket.

What are the consequences of wagering on sports over the Internet under the age of 18?

All of the top online FL sportsbooks only require their customers to be 18 years old or older to use their services, including all of their casino games and racebook options. However, once you attempt to claim your funds, you will have to provide proof of your identity. If you are underage, or if you signed up underage and since turned 18, your account will be terminated and your winnings – and account balance – will be forfeited. However, in order to remain safest, we recommend that you wait until you are 21 to start using these sites. The reason being is that it is the highest required gambling age in the state of Florida and ensures that you can properly avoid any possible trouble with the state down the line.

How can I fund my online sports betting account if my credit card fails to process?

There are numerous alternate methods via which you can fund your Florida sports betting account if your credit card fails to process. For rapid transfers, however, cryptocurrency is the only viable alternative to card payments, as other options (money orders, bank wires, etc.) can take up to 14 days to process and show up in your sportsbook wallet. Seeing as how Florida has sports teams in every major sport, there is always an event happening at some point in the year and those 14 days could mean the difference in cashing in on a game and not.

Do I have to pay to sign up with an online sports betting site?

No, you never have to pay to sign up with an online sports betting site. If you ever come across any sportsbook that requires this, avoid them, as they are almost certainly untrustworthy and may be outright scams. The top online offshore sportsbook sites that accept Florida residents are free to join and many of them actually offer a welcome bonus. This will give an extra cushion for when you want to bet on the Dolphins or other teams for the first time.

When Will Florida Legalize Gambling Winnings

Do I have to pay taxes on my online Florida sportsbook winnings?

Yes, you have to pay taxes on your online Florida sportsbook winnings. The requisite government forms and instructional overviews are available here. While this may seem like an annoying process to do, it is the best way to remain safe from any penalties in the future. Florida also does not have a state income tax which is one less expense you have to worry about when filing your taxes.

Is online sports betting a federal offense?

No, at least not with offshore sportsbooks. The Wire Act is the only federal law in place that has something to do with online sports betting and it only prohibits people in one state from using an online sportsbook housed in another state. For example, if you were enjoying a day in South Beach and wanted to place a sports bet, you can’t use one housed in New Jersey. However, the law has no jurisdiction over the operations of sports betting sites located in other countries or users of these sites.

How do I join a legal Florida sports betting site?

In order to join a legal Florida sports betting site, you simply have to enter your name and some basic personal information into your betting site of choice’s automatic membership portal. This is no different than, say, signing up for a Netflix or Amazon account, and your personal information is secured with state-of-the-art encryption. Even better, the whole process only takes about five minutes or less! You could sign up for one in less time than it would take to arrives at one of Florida’s sandy beaches.

When a Florida sports betting site payout is transferred via check, do I have to do anything special with it?

No. However, due to the nature of overseas checks of this sort, it is advisable that you do not attempt to cash the check immediately, as on rare occasions, such checks need additional time to clear. Simply deposit your check into your bank account, and then once it clears, you can draw it out as cash at your convenience. This applies to any bank you use or any Florida credit union you may be apart of.