Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida in 2025?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Florida, but there are some restrictions.

On December 7, 2023, in-person sports betting became legal at the first of three Seminole Tribe casinos and online with the Hard Rock sports betting app. But are there other options for Florida gamblers to bet on sports in 2025?

Below, we dive into the details of the legal status of sports betting in Florida and provide the latest updates to keep you informed.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Florida Sports Betting Updates
2. Latest Florida Sports Betting Information
3. Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida?
4. What Online Sports Betting Apps Are Legal in Florida?
5. Latest Florida Gambling Laws & Bills
6. Who Can Partake in Florida Sports Betting?
7. Is Horse Racing Legal in Florida?
8. Other Types of Gambling in Florida
9. The Bottom Line
10. FAQs
11. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Florida Sports Betting Updates
2. Latest Florida Sports Betting Information
3. Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida?
Show Full Guide
4. What Online Sports Betting Apps Are Legal in Florida?
5. Latest Florida Gambling Laws & Bills
6. Who Can Partake in Florida Sports Betting?
7. Is Horse Racing Legal in Florida?
8. Other Types of Gambling in Florida
9. The Bottom Line
10. FAQs
11. References

Florida Sports Betting Updates

The landscape for Florida sports betting has seen a wave of changes, with more movement potentially on the horizon. Come back to this page for Techopedia’s latest updates.

Here’s a timeline of recent activity:

Latest Florida Sports Betting Information

Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida?

Yes. After the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request in late October 2023 that would have prevented Florida’s Seminole Tribe from providing Florida sports betting as negotiated in a 2021 contract, the Hard Rock app was re-launched to limited access for existing customers on November 7, 2023.

The app went live to all Florida sports betting customers on December 5, 2023, and retail sportsbooks opened on December 7, 2023.

These developments have made it possible for Florida residents to bet on sports online and in person through sportsbooks and pari-mutuel facilities run by or in partnership with the Seminole Tribe.

Florida sports betting customers can also look into the viability of several offshore sportsbooks available in the U.S.

The regulations may differ from those overseeing Florida’s legal operation, as in many instances, they are set by international rules. Nonetheless, Florida sports bettors looking for an online option can still look into licensed offshore sportsbooks.

What Online Sports Betting Apps Are Legal in Florida?

As resolutions in the U.S. gambling law tend to be complex, although sports betting has been legalized, you may wonder: is mobile sports betting legal in Florida?

Yes, it is. However, the Hard Rock Florida sports betting app is the only online option for Sunshine State residents. The app launched on December 5, 2023, and offers a range of sports betting opportunities to everyone in the state aged 21+.

You may wonder why a state would willingly accept one company having a monopoly over an entire market. However, this is a thorny issue that goes against many traditional components of capitalism.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe signed a 30-year gaming compact in May 2021, which gives the tribe exclusive rights on sports betting in the state. In return, the state receives a share of revenue.

The “Hub-and-Spoke” Model employed means that all bets are processed through Seminole Tribe servers on tribal land, even if placed outside a casino.

The compact enables the tribe to control who operates a sports betting app in the state. Any newcomers, including large U.S. companies such as DraftKings, FanDuel, or BetMGM, must negotiate terms with the tribe. This has yet to happen, but it’s possible, despite nothing appearing imminent, that an agreement could be reached in the future.

Latest Florida Gambling Laws & Bills

The key bill SB 2-A ratified the state of Florida’s agreement with the Seminole Tribe.

Florida sports betting law follows that tribal agreement – the 2021 Gaming Compact – with the state of Florida.

The Seminole Tribe controls gaming rights and owns exclusivity to run sports betting in Florida. Several of the specifics written into the 2021 Gaming Compact underscore the Tribe’s primary rights.

The agreement allows the operators, the Seminole Tribe, what the compact calls “partial, but significant additional substantial exclusivity” for particular sports betting and casino gaming activities in the state of Florida.

The Tribe must provide payments of revenue share. These are to be settled after consideration of the percentage rates as set forth in the agreement.

The compact, with the agreed-upon duration ending July 31, 2051, specifies a guaranteed term payment. The amount is $2.5 billion for the first five years.

Who Can Partake in Florida Sports Betting?

To participate in land-based and online sports betting in Florida, customers must be:

21 Years of Age or Older

Although customers who wish to participate in lottery, bingo, poker, and pari-mutuel wagering on horses can be aged 18+, sports bettors in Florida must be 21 or older. This is to satisfy the legal requirements set forth by the betting site.

Valid Government-issued ID, Valid Email

In addition to owning a valid government-issued ID, potential Florida sports betting customers must maintain a valid email address. This will be used by the representatives of the sports betting operator to confirm and verify a customer’s standing during the initial application process.

Stay Within State Borders

As with all U.S.-based sports betting apps, a licensed sports betting site or app requires customers to be physically located in the state to place sports wagers.

For example, the GEO tracker makes wagering on the Hard Rock Florida app impossible outside state boundaries.

Taxable Winnings

Sports-betting customers are able to deduct losses while working with their tax representatives but also must be aware of the requirements that accompany winning large bets. Florida has no state income tax, but winnings of $5,000 or more trigger an IRS notice, and 24% will be withheld.

Is Horse Racing Legal in Florida?

South Florida’s Gulfstream Park is the annual destination for several Grade 1 thoroughbred races and has hosted several champions over the years.

Tampa Bay Downs is also considered a terrific option to watch and wager on thoroughbred horse racing.

Hialeah Park ended thoroughbred horse racing around the turn of this century but has since added Quarter Horse racing to its list of attractions, which includes casino activities on site.

Both destinations offer pari-mutuel wagering to their customer base.

Pari-mutuel wagering, which determines the payout based on the odds at the start of a race, differs from sports betting, which determines a payout when the pre-event wager is placed.

Other Types of Gambling in Florida

There is more than just Florida sports betting in the state. From the lottery to poker to other casino options and more, there are gambling opportunities beyond the sports betting realm.

The Bottom Line

Florida is a rather strange case in that while sports betting is now fully legal, there are notable restrictions limiting competition and access for customers.

While the safer bet would probably be that the current situation will not last and that more companies will join the market, legalization has been a long time coming, and any subsequent changes are not likely in the near future.

FAQs