Florida Sports Betting: Legal FL Sportsbooks & Legislation Updates
Florida sports betting is legal and live again. Hard Rock Bet relaunched its app to all eligible bettors on Dec. 5, 2023, amid a lengthy legal battle that caused the app to shut down in December 2021. Hard Rock Bet is the only legal betting app in Florida.
Hard Rock had taken its sportsbook app down after court rulings against the legality of sports betting in Florida. However, the Seminole Tribe successfully appealed that decision, and multiple attempts to fight the ruling have been denied.
Read on for all the latest information on Florida sports betting and what could be next for the industry.
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Is sports betting legal in Florida?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Florida, but the market operates differently than almost every other state. Rather than allowing multiple competing sportsbooks, Florida’s online sports betting industry is controlled exclusively by the Seminole Tribe through Hard Rock Bet.
Following years of litigation over the state’s gaming compact, Hard Rock Bet resumed statewide mobile sports betting in late 2023 and remains the only legal online sportsbook available to Florida bettors. While residents can place wagers from anywhere within state lines, they do not have access to other major betting sites such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, bet365, or Fanatics Sportsbook. As a result, Florida has one of the largest sports betting markets in the country but also one of the most restrictive.
Alternative Florida Betting Sites
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Top sportsbooks in Florida
Here is the top online sportsbook available in Florida
Hard Rock Bet Florida
Though Hard Rock Bet is the only sports betting app available in the state, Floridians at least have a quality platform at their disposal. The first thing that stands out about the Hard Rock Bet app is its sleek, aesthetically pleasing interface. The color scheme and graphics immediately catch the eye, unlike many competitors in other states. The app is also easy to navigate, a key factor as the only legal option for new bettors in Florida.
Hard Rock Bet promotes a few types of parlays, a popular feature with many users. Aside from same-game parlays, the app provides prebuilt SGPs, prop parlays, and flex parlays that don’t require bettors to win every leg of their bet. It also offers access to the Hard Rock Loyalty Rewards program. Users will enroll automatically, and they can earn points as they bet that they can then redeem for discounts at Hard Rock properties, odds boosts, and bonus bets.
Some users, however, complain about the customer service and the limits placed on some bets.
- App store rating: 4.9 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
- Key takeaway: Sleek-looking app with a top loyalty program
- Best feature: Hard Rock Loyalty Rewards
Recent Florida sports betting news
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Florida sports betting bills
2025 – Florida lawmakers advanced HB 1467, a wide-ranging gambling bill that would formally define and regulate Daily Fantasy Sports, create penalties for betting on fixed sporting events, and strengthen enforcement against illegal gambling operations. The legislation also reinforced the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive position in Florida sports betting by targeting unauthorized gambling activity.
2024 – A bill to legalize DFS in Florida dies before reaching the Senate floor: SB 1568.
2021 – An enabling bill ratified the tribal compact with the state: SB 2-A.
Three bills sought to legalize sports betting in Florida before the Seminole Tribe and the state reached their deal. The bills essentially were abandoned once it became clear sports wagering would be included in the tribal compact: SB 392, SB 394, HB 1317.
2020 – The legislative effort to move Florida sports betting forward received relatively little consideration. Two bills died in committee early in the session: SB 968, SB 970.
Florida sports betting law
The law governing Florida sports betting technically exists via the tribal compact from 2021. The compact calls for the Seminole Tribe to share 13.75% of sports betting revenue with the state, as long as the Seminoles sign sports betting contracts with at least three pari-mutuel racing venues within three months.
Those agreements would allow the pari-mutuels to launch their own skins but require bets on the Seminole server. Without those arrangements, that revenue share would increase by 2% until such deals are in place. The pari-mutuels would get to keep 40% of sports betting revenue.
SB 2-A made the new gambling compact into law. The Seminole Tribe owns exclusivity to sports betting in Florida.
Popular sports to bet on in FL
With more than 21 million people, Florida is the third-most populous state in the country, behind California and Texas. It’s also the second most popular state as a tourist destination behind California.
NFL betting in Florida
Florida has three NFL teams (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars). The NFL generates the most betting interest of any sport in the US year in and year out.
NBA betting in Florida
Two NBA teams (the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic) call Florida home, accounting for most of the basketball fans in the Sunshine State. The NBA continues to be a popular option for in-game or in-play betting because of the pace of the action.
MLB betting in Florida
Two Major League Baseball teams (the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays) operate in Florida. Both consistently struggle to attract fans, but the state is also the spring training home for half of all MLB teams, drawing in fans with Grapefruit League action every spring.
Soccer betting in Florida
With the arrival of Lionel Messi on Inter Miami, soccer has boasted a larger following than usual. This summer, the Copa America final will take place in Miami, with hopes that Argentina will be there. This will provide bettors with plenty of Copa America odds, along with Euro odds if you are looking for international wagers.
NHL betting in Florida
Two NHL teams (the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning) compete in Florida. The Panthers reached the finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs and were back in 2024, this time winning in seven games over the Edmonton Oilers. The Lightning are recent Stanley Cup champions, as well, with victories in 2020 and 2021.
NCAA betting in Florida
Florida has three college football powerhouses: the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, and Miami Hurricanes.
Where can I bet on sports in Florida?
The Seminole Tribe owns and operates six casinos in the state. All six launched in-person sports betting on Dec. 7, 2023:
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa
- Seminole Casino, Coconut Creek
- Seminole Classic Casino, Hollywood
- Seminole Casino Hotel, Immokalee
- Seminole Casino Brighton, Okeechobee
In addition, sportsbooks are likely to open at some point in the state’s pari-mutuel racing facilities, such as Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. These facilities would have to partner with the Seminole Tribe to open a sportsbook, according to the 30-year compact.
Alternative Florida Betting Sites
Florida residents have access to more than just sports betting, with legal options including Daily Fantasy Sports contests, prediction market platforms, and horse racing wagering through online racebooks and parimutuel facilities.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Florida
Daily Fantasy Sports occupy a unique position in Florida’s gaming landscape. While the state has not formally regulated DFS, major operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog, PrizePicks, and Betr have offered contests to Florida residents for years. Players can participate in traditional draft-style tournaments as well as pick’em games focused on individual player performances across a variety of sports.
The legal status of DFS remains somewhat unsettled, however. Florida regulators have issued cease-and-desist letters to several pick’em operators in recent years, leading some companies to modify their offerings or leave the state altogether. Despite that scrutiny, DFS contests continue to be widely available, making fantasy sports one of the most popular alternatives to traditional sports betting in Florida.
Prediction Markets in Florida
Prediction market sites offer Floridians another way to engage with future events through event-based contracts. Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket feature markets on sports, politics, business, entertainment, and other topics, allowing users to take positions on potential outcomes.
Horse Racing and Parimutuel Betting in Florida
Parimutuel wagering remains a major part of Florida’s gaming industry, with horse racing continuing to attract bettors both at racetracks and online. The state is home to notable venues such as Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, while major races like the Florida Derby, Fountain of Youth Stakes, and Holy Bull Stakes help keep Florida on the national horse racing calendar.
Just as importantly, Florida residents can legally wager on horse racing online through platforms such as FanDuel Racing, which provides access to races from Florida and tracks across North America. That means bettors don’t need to visit a racetrack to participate in parimutuel wagering, making horse racing one of the state’s most accessible forms of legal online betting outside of Hard Rock Bet. Beyond horse racing, Florida’s parimutuel laws also cover activities such as jai alai and quarter-horse racing.
Is horse racing legal in Florida?
In Florida, pari-mutuel wagering is authorized for horse betting, harness horse racing, quarter-horse racing, greyhound racing, jai alai games, and cardroom poker games. Additionally, slot machine gaming at pari-mutuel facilities is authorized in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
The most popular thoroughbred racetracks in the state are Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West and Tampa Bay Downs. Gulfstream Park hosts three important prep events for Triple Crown races in the Holy Bull Stakes, Fountain of Youth Stakes, and the Florida Derby.
The historic Hialeah Park, which opened in 1922, offers quarter-horse racing. Betting on horse racing in Florida is regulated by the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, and online horse betting is available through sites such as FanDuel Racing.
Florida used to be the dog racing capital of the country with 11 greyhound racetracks. However, in 2018 voters decided to cease dog racing in the state at the beginning of 2021.
What’s Happening in Florida Sports Betting Right Now
Florida’s sports betting market continues to be defined by Hard Rock Bet’s exclusive position as the state’s only legal online sportsbook. Following the resolution of years of legal challenges, the Seminole Tribe maintains control of statewide mobile wagering, giving Florida one of the largest sports betting populations in the country but one of its most restrictive competitive environments.
As the market matures, attention has shifted from courtroom battles to potential expansion opportunities and the long-term performance of the state’s single-operator model. For now, Florida bettors can wager online throughout the state, but alternatives such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, bet365, and Fanatics Sportsbook remain unavailable.
Florida sports betting timeline
2026
Hard Rock Bet remains the only legal online sportsbook in Florida, with the Seminole Tribe retaining exclusive control of statewide sports betting under the gaming compact that runs through 2051.
2025
Florida completes its first full calendar year with Hard Rock Bet fully operational statewide. As wagering activity continues to grow, industry attention turns to whether the state will maintain its single-operator structure or eventually open the market to additional sportsbooks.
2024
The US Supreme Court elected not to hear the Florida sports betting case. The Seminole Tribe maintains exclusivity over Florida sports betting through a compact that ends in July 2051.
PrizePicks ceases operations in Florida on March 1. Previously, multiple DFS platforms, including Underdog, PrizePicks, and Betr, received a second round of cease-and-desist letters from regulators. PrizePicks and Underdog launch peer-to-peer DFS pick’em games in the state soon after.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars employee Amit Patel was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison after stealing $22 million from the team.
During the East Coast Gaming Congress, Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen says Hard Rock would be “receptive” to the idea of more sportsbooks launching in Florida.
2023
After a federal judge rules in favor of the plaintiffs and vacates the compact between the Seminole Tribe and the state, several months pass without a decision. Finally, the Seminole Tribe successfully appeals, overturning the District Court decision that had blocked regulated sports betting. West Flagler Associates later petitions to rehear the case, but the request is denied.
Though legal proceedings have not been finalized, Hard Rock Bet relaunches in Florida to existing customers on Nov. 7 and for all eligible bettors on Dec. 5.
2022
Oral arguments are held in the case over the 2021 gambling compact. After months of back and forth, both sides present arguments before three judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
2021
Legal sports betting arrives in Florida as the state and the Seminole Tribe agree to a new compact that includes statewide online and mobile wagering. The state Legislature signs off on the deal between the tribe and the governor during a special session in May 2021.
The compact comes under fire from several lawsuits after DeSantis signs it, casting a cloud over Florida sports betting. In November, the Hard Rock Sportsbook app launches in the state but shuts down a few weeks later after a federal court determines that the compact between Florida and the Seminoles is vacated. The tribe appeals the decision.
2020
With the tribal gambling payments stopped, legislators enter 2020 making big statements about cutting the Seminoles out of gambling in the state to focus on pari-mutuels and private gambling companies.
Sen. Jeff Brandes files a bill to authorize the Florida Lottery to regulate sports betting without the tribe.
Despite the usual chatter about behind-the-scene negotiations on a comprehensive gambling deal that would include Florida sports betting, there is no attempt at an agreement as the session comes to an end on March 13.
2019
Senate President Bill Galvano, who handled the previous compact, tasks Sen. Wilton Simpson to work with the Seminoles. Simpson works out a tentative agreement with the tribe. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis refuses to sign off on the deal. In response, the Seminoles tell the governor they will stop making annual payments of about $350 million to the state “until the illegal banked card game issue is resolved.”
2018
The Seminole Tribe supports the passage of Amendment 3 in the November election. Amendment 3 prohibits the Legislature from authorizing new casino gambling. Any expansions of gambling not only need to be approved by but also initiated by voters.
This makes it impossible for future Legislatures to legalize Florida sports betting without working with the Seminole.
Prior to 2018
A 1991 opinion from then-Attorney General Robert Butterworth made offering DFS in Florida a dicey situation. Before DFS was even a dream, Butterworth opined that the operation of a fantasy sports league in Florida would violate state law. For this reason, Yahoo Daily Fantasy prohibits people in Florida from playing on its site.
Florida sports betting FAQ
The Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering handles other gambling regulations in the state, including the authority to carry out the state’s oversight responsibilities in accordance with the provisions outlined in the compact with the Seminole Tribe.
Yes. The compact agreed upon by all parties includes online betting on sports in Florida. Hard Rock Bet is available now for all eligible users.
Anyone over 21 can bet on sports in Florida. Excluded customers included key personnel from pro and college sports teams, including coaches, players, trainers, and officials, as well as referees.
The Seminole Tribe is a Native American tribe located in Florida. The tribe owns the exclusive right to offer all forms of casino-style gambling in the state, including sports betting in Florida.
The tribe owns and operates the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, the largest casino complex in the region, among other venues.
No. Currently, no sportsbooks are licensed at the federal level, meaning all US sportsbooks are licensed at the state level. Any website that suggests it accepts betting from anywhere in the US is a website that operates offshore. It is not legal for those sites to accept bets from US citizens, and those sites offer no protection to those who bet on them.