Is Gambling Legal In Jacksonville Florida
With 20 million residents it should come as no surprise that a significant portion of the sports betting in the United States takes place in the State of Florida.
- Gambling Sites In Florida
- Online Gambling Legal Florida
- Legal Gambling Age In Florida
- Is Gambling Legal In Jacksonville Florida Beach
The two gambling forms are currently prohibited in the state In order to gamble in a Florida casino, a player needs to be 21 or older. The legal gambling age in Florida is also mostly dependent on the venue. Gambling, whether it's horse-racing or slot machines, is regulated at the state level. Generally speaking, Florida gambling laws limit casinos to Indian reservations and allow betting on horse racing. The amount of wagers and where casinos can be located geographically also incorporates state law. Each state has its own particular gambling laws. Currently only Florida tribal owned casinos and casinos in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are the only legal areas for slot machines to be in operation. $300 million is being paid annually to the state by the Seminoles as part of an arrangement that would prevent other counties from offering slot gaming.
Florida does not allow betting within the State, but that does not stop Florida from being a hotbed for sports betting on the East Coast. Florida residents simply use offshore sports betting sites that are licensed outside of the USA in order to legally place their wagers.
On this page I’ll talk about the legality of sports betting in the State of Florida, give you a list of some of my favorite betting sites that accept Americans, and also touch on sports betting in some of the bigger metropolitan areas within Florida.
Is Online Sport Betting Legal in Florida?
This question needs a two part answer.
The first part is to say that it is not legal to accept bets in the State of Florida. This is because Florida does not license or authorize anyone to be a sports betting operator within the State. If you see any online betting sites claiming to be licensed within Florida you can be certain that site is not legitimate.
The second part of the answer is to say that it is NOT illegal for Florida residents to bet on sports through betting sites licensed outside of Florida. These offshore sportsbooks do not violate Florida’s gambling laws because they are licensed and regulated by a separate governing body in a separate jurisdiction. So in conclusion, it is legal for Florida residents to open betting accounts and place wagers with offshore sportsbooks that accept American sign ups.
Best Sportsbooks for Florida Residents
These are my two favorite sportsbooks for Florida residents.
| Sportsbook | Rating | Bonus | Review | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% up to $1000 | ||||
| 100% up to $250 |
Offline Sports Betting in Florida
There is currently no offline sports betting allowed or available in Florida. If you do come across a bookie operating in the State you should realize that the bookie is running their business illegally.
The only way to place sports wagers in the State of Florida is through an offshore betting site, like I outlined above.
Even Florida Casinos are unable to take sports bets. The closest place for Florida residents to legally place offline sports bets would be Nevada, which is quite the hike for Florida residents.
Major Sports Teams in Florida
Florida is a hotbed for sports in the south east and as such there is a long list of professional sports teams that reside in Florida. Below I’ve included a list of all of the top professional teams from the State and which city they play out of. Click on the city name for more specific information about sports betting in that particular location.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)
- Florida Panthers (NHL)
- Miami Dolphins (NFL)
- Miami Heat (NBA)
- Miami Marlins (MLB)
- Orlando City FC (MLS)
- Orlando Magic (NBA)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
- Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
Gambling Sites In Florida
Horse Racing in Florida
It is legal to bet on horse races at the track in Florida. Below I’ve listed the two major tracks located in Florida, and two of the most prestigious races you will find in the State each year.
I should note that you can also place wagers for any races at either of the tracks below at our recommended betting sites I’ve listed above.
Major Tracks
Online Gambling Legal Florida
- Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach
- Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa
Major Races
- Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. A prestigious Grade 1 race for 3-year-olds with the winner usually going on to compete at the Kentucky Derby.
- Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. With a purse of $12 million this race will become the richest horse race in the world when it is inaugurated in 2017.
Other Florida Betting Articles
Legal Gambling Age In Florida
30-second summary
- Seminole Tribe casino deal expires in May
- State currently receives around $343m (£261.5m) in annual revenues
- Senate President Bill Galvano pushing to renew deal
- Galvano also wants legalized sports betting
- But Floridian voters control gambling expansion
Controversy over Amendment 3
The future of gambling suddenly looks very uncertain in the Sunshine State after voters passed Amendment 3 to Florida’s constitution in November 2018. The amendment means voters must approve any new gambling proposals, such as new casinos, by a 60% majority.
The Walt Disney Corporation and the Seminole Tribe of Florida both supported Amendment 3. Between them, they donated £36m to campaign against loosening gambling laws in the state.
In Disney’s case, the entertainment company wanted to preserve Florida’s “family-friendly” reputation.
The Seminole were concerned about losing revenue to other forms of gambling such as sportsbooks if the law were to change in favor of expanding opportunities for gambling companies.
Pushing to block the amendment were sports leagues such as the NFL. The Miami Dolphins were keen on the possibility of sports betting on their games.
Florida draws millions of tourists every year – 116.5m in 2017 – making it an attractive location for gambling operators looking to expand. But for now, at least, that possibility is not on the cards.
Seminole casino compact expiring
The Seminole Tribe, which owns seven casinos in Florida, has regularly negotiated agreements with the state government over its right to offer gambling. The casinos currently turn over more than $1.5bn (£1.14bn) annually. Revenues are taxed at 26%, generating around $343m annually for the state.
Is Gambling Legal In Jacksonville Florida Beach
The current compact will expire in May 2019, and discussions on its renewal have not yet begun. Florida state legislators believe the economy is strong enough that the state does not have to rely on those revenues.
The Legislative Budget Commission has estimated a budget surplus of $223m (£170m) surplus (0.6%) for the financial year beginning July 1. The estimated general revenue for the state next year is $34.6bn (£26.4bn), dwarfing the income from the Seminole casinos.
However, Amy Baker, head of the legislature’s office of economic and demographic research, said the budget forecast for 2020-21 estimates a revenue shortfall of $48m (£36.6m) and another shortfall of $457m (£348.4m) for 2012-22.
Florida may still need to negotiate a new compact quickly to keep the tribe’s revenues flowing in.
Senate President Bill Galvano said a new deal with the Seminole would remove any uncertainty. He said: “We are in a dubious state right now, and I think it is worthy of us to create stability with the Seminole Tribe.”
Sports betting
Galvano also indicated he was keen to push forward on sports betting. When Floridian voters opted to bring in Amendment 3, they also voted to end greyhound racing by 2020.
He said: “We are operating in a different world post-constitutional amendments, but I think there is an opportunity for sports betting in the state of Florida. It’s an activity that is occurring and not regulated, and we are not collecting and sharing revenues from that activity.”
The Republican has not yet offered any suggestions for draft legislation when the legislature reconvenes in March, but the Senate’s innovation, industry, and technology committee has been tasked with reviewing the options, given the limitations created by Amendment 3.
However, Amendment 3 does not explicitly exclude sports betting, meaning the legislature could legalize it without voter approval.
Draft legislation could be ready before the next legislative session.