Florida Sports Betting — Legal Status, Where To Wager, and Promo Codes 2025 52x5q

Fans of sports betting in Florida have had their hopes dashed more than once in recent years. After a lot of tumult, things have settled down and bettors can now bet in the state using the Hard Rock Bet app. 6y7167

It’s been a whirlwind trying to offer mobile sports betting in the state over the past few years, and for a brief moment in 2021, sports betting was legal in Florida on sportsbook apps and desktop computers… for about five weeks.

Let’s fast forward to Nov. 7 2023, which is when the Seminole Tribe took their opportunity to offer Hard Rock Bet in the Sunshine State once again after almost a two-year wait. Existing s who have signed up for the Unity By Hard Rock loyalty program were the only be able to place bets on the app at that time. Now, all FL s have access to Hard Rock Bet.

Florida Sports Betting – How It Became Legal, Then Illegal 1l6fu

2020 was the first chance for Florida voters to opt-in for betting on sports, but as gambling in the US is largely operated by federally-recognized Native American tribes, the Seminoles had to be on board with any changes in the state.

They weren’t at first, but 2021 saw a direct agreement between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis to change the “gaming compact” to allow for online betting on sports– a deal worth $2.5 billion in taxpayer revenue. This was done without the Florida legislature being involved.

This is a departure from the typical way in which online gambling bills are ed through their respective legislatures and then approved by that state’s governor– DeSantis went directly to the tribes and negotiated changes to the compact.

And thus, the market opened up in fall 2021, with Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook (now rebranded as Hard Rock Bet) offering a sanctioned online sportsbook. At the same time, opposed parties like the parimutuel horse racing tracks that also wanted the right to offer sportsbook apps were calling their lawyers. (Betting on horses online is legal in FL.)

Circuit Courts, Appeals to Appellate Courts, and More 1f2w2

Five weeks ed before a circuit court judge deemed the gaming compact between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe invalid. That challenge was overturned 2 years later in 2023, but the legal back-and-forth between opposing interests and the Tribe meant that sports betting continued to be illegal in FL.

The Seminole Tribe was able to bring this case to the DC Court of Appeals in 2023, which decided that the gaming compact did not violate the federal “Indian Gaming Regulatory Act ” laws. That court reversed the 2021 decision on June 30, 2023, meaning that the way has opened for the Seminoles’ Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook to launch. But enter West Flagler and Associates, representing numerous parties looking to end the Seminoles’ hold on betting in the state.

Where is the FL Betting Situation Now? a6m3g

The Hard Rock Bet app was originally expected to launch in Florida as early as September 19, which didn’t happen due to West Flagler & Associates’ challenge against the Seminoles through the D.C. Circuit Court (through a “stay”). This challenge back in September was not approved, which meant that Florida online sports betting could go live at any point the tribe deemed fit.

On September 28th, the circuit court announced the denial of West Flagler & Associates’ motion to stay, leaving an open pathway for Florida’s Seminole Tribe to start offering online bets— which still made a potential launch unclear, as there are still potential cases with the SCOTUS and local circuit courts to stop the Seminole Tribe from allowing bets in FL.

To make matters more complicated, the US Department of Interior filed its response to the US Supreme Court, which stated that it believes that West Flagler and Associates (WFA) firm failed to make its case against the Seminoles offering legal betting. This was an expected outcome.

But as of October 25, the US Supreme Court ruled sports betting is technically legal in Florida once again. The US Supreme Court denied WFA’s request to stay in a lower court ruling that shut down Hard Rock Bet. Therefore, Hard Rock Bet went live in early December 2023, but only on an in-person basis and offering craps and roulette in addition to the games at existing casinos.

In a separate issue, the Florida Supreme Court has granted Gov. Ron DeSantis an extension until December 1 to file a response, which came 11 days after WFA had promised to file a case with the U.S. Supreme Court.

However, as of November 7, the Seminole Tribe offered limited access to existing Florida customers to test the Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook platform to all existing Unity and s who were on Hard Rock Bet when FL had legalized sports betting two years prior.

JUST IN: The @HardRockBet launch happened even sooner than expected.

The mobile app is available right now to all existing Unity and customers who had s two years ago.

Enjoy, Florida! https://t.co/iBStnipxzM

— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) November 7, 2023

To add to the Seminoles’ chances of going for a full launch of online and in-person betting, the FL Supreme Court opted to let Hard Rock Bet continue to operate for existing s on November 17th, 2023, a sign that the courts were in their favor. And as of December 5th, Hard Rock Bet was offering new s in FL again, and by the 26th, WFA had filed another appeal with the Supreme Court of Florida.

As of June 17th, 2024, the petition for writ of certiorari delivering a tough draw to the Florida parimutuel in its fight against the Seminole Tribe of Florida in of grasping the sports betting industry in the Sunshine state. Therefore, sports betting continues to be legal under a monopoly controlled by the Seminole tribe for the time being.

And as of October 28, 2024, the Seminole tribe reached a settlement with West Flagler and Associates, marking the end of years of legal disputes. The settlement comes four months after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear West Flagler’s case against the Department of Justice, effectively upholding an appellate court decision that legalized digital sports betting operated by the Seminoles across Florida. As part of the agreement, both parties committed to refraining from any future litigation concerning the Seminole tribe’s gaming operations. This resolution represents a significant turnaround, as West Flagler, owners of two Florida pari-mutuels, had spent three years challenging the validity of the 2021 Seminole-Florida compact. Additionally, under the settlement, Hard Rock Bet plans to launch jai alai betting by early 2025.

On December 11, 2024, FanDuel bolstered its government relations team by adding James Hartmann and Louis Trombetta. Trombetta brings notable experience as the first executive director of the Florida Gaming Commission, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the commission, shaping its regulatory framework, and defining state legislative priorities.

Please stay tuned for more updates in the near future.

Yes, the situation is complex and as stated, it’s very back-and-forth. We’ll keep you updated as more developments occur – but right now sports betting is back and looks to be staying for Florida bettors!

PrizePicks Arena Now Live! 4s1w2d

Now bettors in Florida can get in on the PrizePicks fun! Playing PrizePicks Pick ‘Em Arena is quick and easy. Select more or less on 2, 3, or 4-player projections, and then submit your lineup. Lineups are then submitted into groups according to member skill level, entry fee, number of projections selected, and the time of lineup submission. win by selecting a perfect lineup lineup or by having the best lineup in the group.

Florida Sports Betting Key Dates 3o3o3t

• October 28th, 2024: The Seminole Tribe and West Flagler & Associates settled their legal disputes, agreeing to end all future litigation over the tribe’s gaming operations.
• June 17th, 2024: SCOTUS denied the previously mentioned writ of certiorari.
• February 9th, 2024: Are you surprised yet? WFA files for another writ of certiorari (this time to SCOTUS) to claim that the Seminole Tribe of Florida is offering sports betting unlawfully. This writ, on behalf of Florida parimutuels, is yet another in a long line of legal salvos intended to release the Seminoles’ veritable monopoly over sports betting in FL.
• December 26, 2023: WFA files yet another appeal with the FL Supreme Court.
• December 5, 2023: Hard Rock Bet is officially open to all s.
• November 17, 2023: The FL Supreme Court declines to take Hard Rock Bet offline, a good sign that mobile betting may come back to FL’s new sports bettors without existing Hard Rock Bet s.
• November 7, 2023: The Seminole Tribe surprisingly launches the Hard Rock Bet app (again) for existing s and opens an Early Access waitlist for future s.
• November 1, 2023: Sources announce that Hard Rock Bet plans to launch new casino games in FL, with mobile to hopefully follow. In-person betting at select casinos will launch on Dec. 7.
• October 25, 2023: Florida sports betting is deemed legal once again (but not live) after the U.S. Supreme Court denied WFA’s request to stay as a lower-court ruling. We now await a potential WFA appeal – the firm has until November 20 to officially file.
• September 28, 2023: The petition to stay was denied by the D.C. Circuit Court, which may mean that sports betting will go live and online on Seminole-based servers, but there is still the matter of addressing the challenge to the Supreme Court of the US.
• September 25, 2023: West Flagler & Associates file an official petition to the Supreme Court of Florida challenging the constitutionality of DeSantis and the Seminoles’ changes to the gaming compact in the state.
• September 19, 2023: Hard Rock Bet was hopeful to relaunch in Florida, but West Flagler & Associates expect the “stay” that bars the Seminole Tribe from offering betting to remain for quite some time, and lawyers on the side of the Tribe have yet to hear from the US Circuit Court of Appeals.
• June 30, 2023: The appellate court in DC overturns the ruling of the District Court, clearing the path slightly for the Seminole Tribe to offer sportsbook apps.
• December 14, 2022: The DC Circuit Court of Appeals hears arguments regarding Florida sportsbooks.
• December 4, 2021: Hard Rock Sportsbook shutters its operations.
• November 22, 2021: A District Court judge rules that the gaming compact agreed upon by DeSantis and the Seminoles is invalid, even though it was published in the Federal .
• November 1, 2021: Hard Rock Sportsbook (now Hard Rock Bet) goes online in FL.
• April 23, 2021: Governor Ron DeSantis reaches an agreement to change the Seminoles’ gaming compact with the state, allowing for online sportsbooks to operate.

Could Online Sports Betting in Florida Stay Live? 3f6t66

before when we mentioned that there’s still a solid chance we won’t see online betting go live in FL anytime soon? Well, even though the “stay” that prevents the Seminole Tribe and Hard Rock Bet from going live with online bets was denied, West Flagler & Associates continue to push back against Hard Rock Bet.

Because IGRA (the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) allows Native American tribes to dictate if betting will be allowed on reservation land, the Florida online sports betting proposal would be a considerable challenge to how IGRA actually works.

The National Indian Gaming Commission established in 1988 didn’t consider the modern caveat of a server offering online betting on tribal land, so the Department of the Interior has a complicated problem on its hands. Their decision against West Flagler and for the Seminole Tribe is a fair indicator of where they’ll land regarding mobile betting and IGRA– so we’re hoping to see a permanent solution come about sometime soon. Here’s some background on IGRA:

The Complicated Nature of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 495qh

Think of it this way: if the Seminole Tribe wants to put a server on their land that offers gambling to any legal bettor with an internet connection, then any federally-recognized tribe in the country could do the same without need for intervention from state legislatures.

IGRA states that federally recognized tribes are free to offer gambling in several forms (depending on the compact with the state legislature), but as the internet and widely accessible, wireless, and mobile devices change the face of the world, old agreements may need clarification.

If the Seminole Tribe uses IGRA to argue that the servers offering statewide betting are on reservation land, this may violate the very definition of “reservation” according to some legal experts, and could bring the chances for FL sportsbooks to go live again to absolute zero.

In short, whether your opinion is positive or negative, allowing the Seminoles to leverage the IGRA to legalize Florida sports betting will be a complicated process that may re-define the 1988 Act itself, and it’s a situation that officials certainly want to treat with care. The following are possible solutions to offering sportsbooks in FL:

• If the Seminoles can convince federal officials and judges that offering sportsbook apps through servers on tribal land is within the parameters of the IGRA, betting may go live.
  • Subsequent to this agreement or in a separate agreement, the Seminoles can come to an agreement with parimutuel horse racing venues, professional Florida sports teams, or others, allowing other competitors like DraftKings, BetMGM, or FanDuel to enter the state.
• If voters can petition for a ballot measure and then get that on a November ballot, residents can legalize betting through an amendment to the state constitution. (DraftKings and FanDuel were major proponents of a ballot initiative in 2022, but it ultimately fell short of the required signatures needed to make it to November.)

Which online sportsbooks could be coming to Florida? 5d574r

Florida sports betting could be one of the largest legal sportsbook markets to date, as the state has a population of nearly 22 million residents. However, since we’re not seeing any for offering “commercial” sports betting (ie: run directly by the sportsbooks like DraftKings or FanDuel with taxes paid out to the state regulator– the Florida Gaming Control Commission), the Seminole Tribe will continue to run the show.

They’ve got one sole affiliation with a casino/sportsbook brand: that’s Hard Rock Bet, formerly Hard Rock Sportsbook:

Hard Rock Bet 6e5oj

Hard Rock Bet (formerly Hard Rock Sportsbook), owned by the Seminole Tribe, launched mobile sports betting on November 1, 2021, before being forced to shut down five weeks later.

The rollout came as quickly as the shutdown, both of which were done without any prior notification. One day the Hard Rock Sportsbook app just worked to offer sports betting, and another day, Hard Rock tweeted that they’d be turning off the betting functions of the app.

In addition to Florida, Hard Rock Bet is live in NBA and more.

Overall, the Hard Rock Bet platform can be described as slightly better than adequate. The lines are not always the greatest, and their promotions are not going to knock anyone’s socks off. However, they have made improvements since the 2018 debut, which is encouraging.

As they expand to new markets, like offering legal sports betting in Florida, they will need to continue to make upgrades to stay competitive.

BetMGM Sportsbook 3f6o3j

They call this one the King of Sportsbooks, and if this famed sports betting providers ever does secure license access in the Sunshine State, they’ll be one of the deepest-pocketed and most popular sportsbooks around.

Well-versed in retail sports betting, Florida sports, and the online gambling market as a whole, BetMGM Sportsbook is always among the first to secure and offer legal sports bets in a majority of states offering them.

FanDuel Sportsbook 2n5a45

Florida Seminole gaming is going to be largely restricted to Hard Rock Bet. However, there are plenty of other platforms in the US, like FanDuel, that offer good value and useful promotions to sports bettors.

When we think of legal online sports betting, it is hard to imagine a market without FanDuel being involved. If the residents of FL decide to ballot in online sports betting and open the market to some of the Hard Rock sportsbook app’s competitors, FanDuel will be among the first in line.

This would be great news for Florida sports betting, as FanDuel is always among the best online sportsbooks. They offer some of the most competitive lines in the industry, a stacked promotional schedule, plenty of banking options, and almost any sport you can think of. FanDuel’s desktop sportsbook and mobile apps are both extremely easy to use for both rookies and veteran bettors and would be a great fit for the state.

DraftKings Sportsbook 2px5d

Almost everything that was said about FanDuel can also be said about DraftKings Sportsbook. DraftKings Sportsbook is available in many states and has the money to outbid most of the competition if it comes down to it. We’ve already seen DraftKings and FanDuel make expensive pushes to lobby for legal mobile sports betting (to varied success) in Massachusetts, California, and more.

DraftKings would be a great addition to the Florida mobile sports betting market with its seemingly endless promotional offerings, huge selection of betting options, and easy-to-use desktop sportsbook/mobile app.

DraftKings does not have any current ties to Florida sports betting (outside of their aforementioned ballot initiative), but they usually find a way in to states trying to benefit from mobile sports betting. DraftKings has shown that they are dedicated to being the top online sportsbook in the US, and Florida would be a huge step in that direction.

Caesars Sportsbook 3ux23

Caesars is already present in Florida via its retail casino, Isle Casino Pompano Park, located just 20 minutes north of Fort Lauderdale. When it comes to gaining access in Florida, Caesars Sportsbook may have an advantage over the competition since they already have a casino in the state—and if Florida sports betting expands, Caesars is sure to be among the first sportsbooks to enter the marketplace.

Other potential Florida online sportsbooks 1g1g3a

• BetRivers
• ESPN BET

FL Retail Sportsbooks 431b18

“Retail” simply means “in-person and not online” – and as December 7, Hard Rock and Seminole casino properties fully launched in the retail realm of sports betting! This is great news for any and all Florida sports bettors across the state.

There are currently eight Native American Casinos in FL that will be atop the list for retail sports betting, whether at a kiosk or at a full-blown sportsbook and bar, and several “racinos.”

In addition to the casinos and racinos, Florida could allow sports betting at professional sports venues, including NHL, NBA, PGA, NFL and NASCAR facilities. The Florida Panthers, in this case, could open up a Seminole Tribe-sanctioned sports betting kiosk right at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida. College sports facilities would likely not be included.

Casinos 56m6

Potential sports venue sportsbooks 26u4s

Florida online sportsbook new player bonuses 5l3n4n

When you for a new with any Florida online sportsbook, there will likely be a sports betting promo code that unlocks a bonus waiting for you. The offers will vary by site but the most common new player offers are:

• No Sweat Bet: This is the most common bonus offered at US sports betting apps. They allow s to place an initial bet and if it falls short, the online sportsbook will refund that bet in full in site credit.
• Bet, Get: Online sportsbooks sometimes run promotions where you get a certain amount in bonus bets as long as you make your first deposit and real-money wager. For example, if an online sportsbook is offering a Bet $5, Get $100 in Bonus Bets offer, and you deposit the required amount (usually $10) and place your first real-money wager of at least $5 on a required market with the required odds (if applicable), you will receive $100 in bonus funds no matter what.
• No-deposit Bonus: A no-deposit bonus allows bettors to place wagers without putting up their own funds. It’s typically a small amount between $10 and $30, but we don’t often make a habit of turning down these offers!
• Deposit Match: This is a common promotion from sportsbooks where they will guarantee a match of your initial deposit up to a certain amount in bonus bets. For example, a sportsbook could have a deposit match bonus up to $100. Once you make your $100 initial deposit, you would receive $100 in bonus bets. These promotions usually have a playthrough requirement.

Bonuses for existing Florida sports betting customers 463z2v

You may be wondering if having an existing on an online sportsbook will net you any bonuses. While you can’t re- for an on the same sportsbook to net more bonuses, all the preferred apps that might be offering bonuses on sports betting in Florida will be updated right here.

However, most legal sports betting options run ongoing promos or odds boosts that even existing customers are eligible for.

Florida online sportsbook bet types 451e5x

When sportsbooks go live in Florida, both online and in a retail setting, bettors will have access to all the most popular options like totals, futures, props, live betting and more.

Where online sports betting can get innovative is their full slate of in-game betting. This is where you can bet on games live, as the action unfolds. You can wager on every down, every pitch, every game in tennis, and more. Lines for in-play betting are constantly updating, giving you full control. This modern addition to apps is a boon for all sports bettors looking for value as often as they can get it.

Florida sports betting options will include:

• Moneyline: This is the most basic bet, where you bet on who is going to win the game.
• Spreads: Spread bets are wagers where the sportsbook will handicap the match, either giving or taking away points. For example, if the Heat are -5.5 to win over the Knicks, the Heat would need to win by 6 or more points for the bet to be deemed a winner.
• Totals: Also referred to as Over/Under bets, you are betting on how many total points will be scored in a game or match. If the total for the Jaguars game is set at 45.5, and you bet the over, you need 46 or more points to be scored to win the bet.
• Futures: Exactly as they sound, you are betting on a future result, like the eventual Super Bowl Winner or league MVP.
• Props: Propositional bets are when you are betting on a team or individual performance. For example, you could bet on how many attempts Tua will have or how many rebounds Bam Adebayo will snag.

Florida available betting markets 466y4p

It is yet to be determined if there will be market restrictions when Florida goes live with online sports betting. However, if the established US betting markets are any indications, there won’t be many. We expect sports betting in Florida to be legal in a ton of markets, potentially including college sports.

The only real grey area in any US market is if there will be betting allowed on events such as professional sports drafts and award shows. Typical betting markets include, but are not limited to:

• Aussie Rules
• Baseball, like the Tampa Bay Rays or the Miami Marlins
• Basketball, like the Miami Heat or the Orlando Magic
• NCAA Football, Basketball, and other college sports like the Florida Gators
• Boxing
• Cricket
• Cycling
• Darts
• Football, like the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Hockey, including the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Florida Panthers
• MMA
• NASCAR
• Table Tennis

All bet types should be available for all sports, but will vary by sportsbook. There is one restriction that seems to be universal throughout the US betting market, and that is no prop betting on college sports. Some states have gone as far as banning betting on in-state college teams, but that didn’t happen in Florida. Fans of the Florida State Seminoles and Florida Gators can bet on their teams as much as they want.

Florida online sportsbook banking options 5l2c23

Before 2021, your only real option in Florida was to risk your money placing bets with shady offshore sportsbooks. Pre-paid cards, converting your cash to crypto, and other unconventional methods should hopefully become a thing of the past once Florida sports betting sites can legally allow bets.

All banking options will be thoroughly tested by the state for integrity and safety. Many of the banking options are payment methods that you use every day, and one of the primary benefits of using a legal, regulated sportsbook is knowing that games are fair, your money is safe, and financial transactions are quick and easy.

Banking options will include, but are not limited to:

• PayPal: You probably already have a PayPal for making purchases online, and now you can use the same service for lightning-quick deposits and withdrawals.
• Credit/Debit Cards: The most popular credit cards that are accepted on legal and regulated online sportsbooks are Visa and MasterCard, but some sites do offer American Express and Discover.
• Online Banking: You can use your bank’s online bill pay feature to deposit and withdrawal on most sites.
• ACH/eCheck: Just like writing a paper check, you are using the routing and number from your bank to transfer money on and off the site.
• Cash at the Casino Cage: You will likely be able to bring money and a photo ID to the sportsbook’s d casino for cash deposits and withdrawals.

How Will Sports Betting Sites in Florida Protect My Info? 5y735d

Security is the name of the game when you’re selecting an online sports betting site worth its weight. For that reason, all the sites that we recommend or even bother to mention, unless specifically stated, should be safe for you to use.

Florida sports bettors should have some sort of Two-Factor Authentication to protect their s, and by proxy, their money and bank info. In order to and place sports bets, most customers have to also enable some sort of biometrics , such as a fingerprint, so everything should be fine when it comes to security and encryption.

Florida sports betting FAQs 1pbi