Florida Online Sports Betting Guide – Are Sportsbooks Legal in FL? Best FL Betting Sites

Comparing Sportsbooks in Florida

Looking to quickly compare the various Florida online betting sites? If so, you’ll be able to compare several key features by looking through the table below.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida?

Unfortunately, sports betting is still illegal in Florida. Online and retail betting were briefly offered, but the deal made between the governor and the Seminole tribe was struck down by the court, making sports betting an illegal activity once again. While illegal, many people still choose to skirt the law by betting at an offshore sportsbook, of which there are many in the state.

It should be noted that sports betting and Florida gambling sites are illegal both in-person and online. The Seminole tribe have appealed the decision to strike down the compact they agreed with the governor, but there will be no decision on this until at least 2023.

Who Can Legally Bet on Sports in Florida

Currently, it is not possible to legally bet in Florida, and this applies to those looking for both retail and online betting. While no legal sportsbooks exist, there are several offshore Florida sports betting sites. To sign up with these offshore sportsbooks, you must fulfil the following criteria:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Not have been self-excluded
• Not have been banned for any reason
• Not have an existing account with the sportsbook
• Must be a real gambler and not a bot

Providing you meet all above criteria, you should find it simple to sign up with any of the Florida sports betting sites listed on this page.

How to Bet on Sports Online in Florida

Florida sports betting really couldn’t be much simpler. Take a look at our step-by-step guide below, using examples from Bovada, and you’ll be sports betting in FL in no time.

1. Head Over to Bovada

Use your desktop or mobile browser to head to Bovada, where you’ll then need to click the red “Join” button.

2. Fill Out the Registration Form

You’ll now need to complete the registration form, providing details such as your name and email address. Once you’ve entered all details, click the “Register” button. You now have a Bovada account.

3. Deposit Money

Before you can bet, you’ll need to deposit money. Head to the cashier and select your chosen depositing option, before then following the on-screen instructions. Make sure you enter any promo code you have at this stage.

4. Select Your Bet

Once you have money in your account, you can head to the sportsbook and choose the bet you want to place. When you find the bet, click it to add it to your betslip.

5. Chose How Much to Bet

You now need to choose how much to bet on your selection. Once you’ve filled this in on the betslip, submit the bet. You then simply wait to see if your bet is a winner.

When Will Betting be Legal in Florida?

For a very short period, sports betting was legal in Florida, thanks to a compact negotiated between the governor and the Seminole tribe. But this status didn’t last long, as the compact was struck down by a judge, causing legal betting to cease in the state.

An appeal against the compact being struck down has been launched, but the D.C. Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals has stated any decision won’t be made until at least 2023. But this isn’t a huge problem, as there are many offshore sportsbooks available in Florida, including the Florida online betting sites listed on this page. Find out about other US online sportsbooks.

Previous Sports Betting Bills in Florida

The subject of legal Florida sports betting has been revisited many times, with many efforts made to legalize the activity. Below, you can see a history of the most important bills concerning sports betting in the state.

2020

• SB 968. Submitted by Sen. Brandes. This aimed to legalize both retail and online sports betting. Failed to get past Innovation, Industry, and Technology.
• SB 970. Submitted by Sen. Brandes. Offered a proposed outline of fees and licensing for legal Florida sports betting. Failed to get past Innovation, Industry, and Technology.
• SB 972. Submitted by Sen. Brandes. Proposed the taxation structure to be used for legal sports betting. Failed to get past Innovation, Industry, and Technology.

2021

• SB 392. Submitted by Sen. Brandes. Aimed to legalize retail and online sports betting. Failed to get past Regulated Industries.
• SB 394. Submitted by Sen. Brandes. Proposed the taxes associated with legal sports betting. Failed to get past Regulated Industries.
• SB 396. Submitted by Sen. Brandes. Proposed the application and renewal fees for sports betting companies. Failed to get past Regulated Industries.
• HB 1317. Submitted by Rep. LaMarca. Aimed to legalize retail and online sports betting. Failed to get past Regulatory Reform Subcommittee.
• SB 2-A. Aimed to implement the Gaming Compact agreed by the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Approved by Gov. DeSantis.

2022

• Proposed Constitutional amendment. This aimed to add legalized sports betting to November’s ballot. Failed to collect enough signatures.

Tax on Sports Betting Winnings in Florida

Sports betting is not legal in Florida so there is no official tax rate. If sports betting were to be legalized, it is likely to have a 24% federal tax rate, but no state tax, as Florida does not charge residents any income tax.

Payment Methods Available at Florida Betting Sites

You’ll find many ways to deposit money at the best sites for Florida betting online, ensuring everyone gets to deposit in the way they want to. Some of the most popular depositing options at Florida online sports betting sites are described below.

Crypto Betting Options

Crypto sports betting is becoming exceptionally popular with gamblers. The best online betting sites in Florida offer several cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and Bitcoin Cash. Gamblers love crypto thanks to the security and privacy it brings – there’s no need to enter any personal details at the sportsbook.

Crypto is also great as it has minimal fees, plus withdrawals using crypto are faster than most other options – although deposits can take around 10 minutes to process. The biggest downside to crypto is the volatility it often exhibits, meaning your crypto could go down in value exceptionally quickly – although it could also go up in value quickly as well.

eWallet Betting Options

eWallets have long been associated with online gambling. Some of the main eWallets include PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill, all of which operate as a middleman between your bank account and the retailor, which in this case is the sportsbook. This means you never need to give personal details to these sportsbooks.

eWallets are also great as they offer deposits that are almost instant, plus withdrawals can take less than 24 hours to reach you. On the flipside, eWallets can have very high fees, which are charged for sending or receiving money, and sometimes for both. There are many who believe these fees are worth paying thanks to the benefits eWallets bring.

Traditional Payment Methods

Traditional payment methods are credit and debit cards from companies like VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. They are accepted at nearly all online gambling sites, including most sites offering online sports betting in Florida, and are exceptionally convenient, as nearly everyone has a debit or credit card in their purse or wallet.

You’ll find that cards are very safe to use, with most credit card companies offering protection against fraud and misuse. On the downside, many are still hesitant to use credit and debit cards, as they don’t want to share their banking details with a sportsbook. If this is the case with you, we’d recommend using cryptocurrency or an eWallet instead.

Bonuses Available at Florida Online Sports Betting Sites

Bonuses: for many, they’re the most important part of online betting sites. You’ll find plenty of great sports betting bonuses and promo codes to claim at the best sportsbooks in FL, rewarding customers for signing up and betting. Some of the more popular bonuses found at Florida sports betting sites are described below.

Matched Deposit Bonuses

Matched deposit bonuses add a specific percentage to a deposit and they’re the most commonly found bonus type at Florida online betting sites. Here’s an example of how they work: you deposit $50 and get a 200% match deposit bonus, meaning you get 200% added to your deposit – that’s another $100. This money is added to your account, usually as bonus money.

Keep an eye out for crypto gambling sites, they tend to offer greater matched deposit bonuses to players using crypto banking solutions than fiat gambling sites.

You’ll find that matched deposit bonuses are usually the largest bonuses available at online sports betting sites. What’s more, they usually have reasonable terms and conditions, such as fair wagering requirements. On the downside, you will need to risk your own money in order to claim a match deposit bonus.

No Deposit Bonuses

No deposit bonuses are probably the most popular sports betting bonuses. Why? Because they have no risk attached to them – they’re given to you without you needing to deposit a cent. They’re usually given to those who have just signed up with a sportsbook, but they can also be given for other reasons, like as an incentive for betting on a specific sporting event.

No, deposit bonuses aren’t usually very large, as sportsbooks don’t want to risk too much without getting something back. What’s more, the terms and conditions aren’t usually too favorable, to ensure it’s not simple to withdraw money won. But you can’t complain too much, as no deposit bonuses are completely free!

Free Bets

Free bets are very similar to no deposit bonuses, as they’re both completely free. The big difference comes in how they are spent. No deposit bonuses can be split into many bets, but free bets must be used as one bet. They also often have to be used to bet on a specific game or tournament, such as the Super Bowl or the World Cup.

Free bets are generally only worth around $20, although there are some larger than this, and like no deposit bonuses, the terms and conditions aren’t usually favorable. But they’re a great way to get into betting if you’ve never placed a bet before and, like no deposit bonuses, how can anyone complain about a bonus that’s entirely free?

Popular Sports to Bet on in Florida

Florida is sports mad, with people watching and supporting every conceivable sport and team. This is reflected in the huge variety of sports offered at Florida betting online sites. Check out some of the more popular sports with Floridians below.

NFL at Florida Betting Sites

The NFL is king in Florida. Every NFL season sees a huge amount of betting, from the preseason to the Super Bowl, which is the biggest sports betting event of the year. It’s hardly surprising to find football is popular in Florida, as there are three NFL franchises based in the state.

You’ll be able to place bets of all types on every NFL game, from simple moneyline bets to spread bets and totals bets. All games also have many prop bets attached, plus futures betting is also incredibly popular.

Here’s a list of the NFL teams based in Florida:

• Miami Dolphins. Play in the AFC East. 2 x Super Bowl winners.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Play in the NFC South. 2 x Super Bowl winners.
• Jacksonville Jaguars. Play in the AFC South. Never won a Super Bowl.

NBA at Florida Betting Sites

As in most other states, the NBA is also hugely popular with Floridians, with two franchises calling the state home. Betting is strong throughout the season and the post season, reaching its peak for the NBA Finals – especially if a team from Florida has made the showpiece event.

There are many types of bets available to basketball fans. Spread bets are particularly popular, as they make any encounter an exciting one, plus prop bets are also widely placed. It’s also possible to make many futures bets, including on the champions and on the winners of individual awards.

Here’s a list of the NBA teams based in Florida:

• Miami Heat. Play in the Eastern Conference Southeast Division. 3 x NBA champions.
• Orlando Magic. Play in the Eastern Conference Southeast Division. 2 x NBA champions.

MLB at Florida Betting Sites

While not as popular as football and basketball, baseball is still widely followed in Florida. Games featuring the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays are particularly popular with gamblers, who bet both pre-game and live.

Baseball betting comes in many forms. Spread bets are popular, as are totals bets, which challenge gamblers to predict whether the number of homeruns scored will be under or over a specific amount. Prop bets are also offered on every game.

Here’s a list of the MLB teams based in Florida:

• Miami Marlins. Play in the National League East division. 2 x World Series winners.
• Tampa Bay Rays. Play in the American League East division. Never won the World Series.

NHL at Florida Betting Sites

Florida might be hot, but ice hockey is still popular. There are two Floridian NHL teams: the Florida Panthers, based in Miami, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Both attract considerable support, with fans gambling on every game featuring either of the two teams.

Live betting is very popular with NHL fans. Pre-game betting is also offered and there are loads of bet types, including moneyline betting, spread betting, and totals betting. Futures betting is also popular, with the most common being betting on the Stanley Cup winners.

Here’s a list of the NHL teams based in Florida:

• Florida Panthers. Play in the Atlantic Division Eastern Conference. Never won the Stanley Cup.
• Tampa Bay Lightning. Play in the Atlantic Division Eastern Conference. 3 x Stanley Cup winners.

NCAA Football at Florida Betting Sites

College football is huge in Florida. There are seven NCAA Division I FBS teams based around the state and betting is offered on most games featuring them. All Florida NCAA football teams attract considerable support, and this is shown in the betting activity whenever a team plays.

You’ll find a large range of possible bets when betting on college football. You’ll be able to bet on the result of many games, plus spread betting is also usually offered. Prop bets are very popular and the number offered differs from sportsbook to sportsbook.

Here’s a list of NCAA Division I FBS teams based in Florida:

• FIU Panthers. Play in the East Division of Conference USA.
• Florida Gators. Play in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference.
• Florida Atlantic Owls. Play in the East Division of Conference USA.
• Florida State Seminoles. Play in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Miami Hurricanes. Play in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• South Florida Bulls. Play in the American Athletic Conference.
• UCF Knights. Play in the American Athletic Conference.

NCAA Basketball at Florida Betting Sites

As with college football, college basketball is also incredibly popular in Florida. There are several top teams from the state, most of which are widely supported. Betting is offered on most major college basketball games, including all of March Madness.

You’ll find a wide range of betting opportunities for most major NCAA basketball games. Moneyline betting and spread betting are nearly always offered, as is betting on the total number of points in a game. Prop bets can be found, plus live betting on major games is popular.

Here’s a list of NCAA Division I teams based in Florida:

• Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
• FIU Panthers. Play in Conference USA.
• Florida Gators. Play in the Southeastern Conference.
• Florida A&M Rattlers. Play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
• Florida Atlantic Owls. Play in Conference USA.
• Florida Gulf Coast Eagles. Play in the ASUN Conference.
• Florida State Seminoles. Play in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Jacksonville Dolphins. Play in the ASUN Conference.
• Miami Hurricanes. Play in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• North Florida Ospreys. Play in the ASUN Conference.
• South Florida Bulls. Play in the American Athletic Conference.
• Stetson Hatters. Play in the ASUN Conference.
• UCF Knights. Play in the American Athletic Conference.

Golf at Florida Betting Sites

Florida has an affinity with golf, with several top courses found in the state. Some of these courses include the Seminole, TPC Sawgrass, and Streamsong. Just like playing golf, betting on golf is also very popular in Florida, especially on the world’s biggest tournaments.

The most popular bet type is undoubtedly on the overall winner of a tournament, which can have impressive odds, especially when betting on an underdog. Other bets available include betting on 3-balls and on whether there will be a hole in one during a tournament.

Horse Racing at Florida Betting Sites

There’s no sport more associated with gambling than horse racing, and many people in Florida love to place a wager on the horses. You’ll find some fantastic horse racing tracks in Florida, including Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs.

You’ll find betting options on many horse races, but betting is particularly high on major races, such as those in the Triple Crown. International races can also be wagered on, including the Grand National, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Melbourne Cup.

DFS at Florida Betting Sites

Daily fantasy sports is completely legal in Florida and offered by many sites, including DraftKings and FanDuel, which are the two most popular DFS sites around the US. Fantasy Draft is also a popular choice with DFS players in Florida.

DFS fans in Florida love to bet on football and basketball, but it’s also possible to bet on plenty of other sports, including baseball, hockey, and soccer. Prizes can be considerable, plus playing DFS really enhances the excitement of any sporting contest.

Live Betting with Florida Sports Betting Sites

Live betting is incredibly popular throughout the US, including in Florida. You’ll be able to bet live on every NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB game, plus loads of soccer games and tennis matches are also offered on live betting platforms. To get started with live betting, just head to your chosen sportsbook’s live betting platform, select the game, and then find the live bet you want to make.

But why should you bet live? Well, the main reason is that live betting adds excitement to every game – even the most boring encounters. What’s more, live betting allows those with great knowledge of a sport to read the game and then make bets on what they see. Just be quick with your bets, as the odds change quickly, to match the state of play in the game.

How Florida Sports Betting Compares to Neighboring States

There’s no legal online sports betting in Florida, although it is possible to bet at offshore sports betting sites. But how does Florida compare to its neighbors?

Georgia

Sports betting in Georgia is not legal, just like in Florida. There have been attempts to legalize sports betting in the state, but none have been successful. As is the case in Florida, it is possible to bet at offshore gambling sites in Georgia, including all the betting sites listed on this page.

Alabama

There is no legal sports betting in Alabama, but there have been a few attempts to legalize it. Betting fans in Alabama can gamble at offshore sports betting sites, including all the names we’ve listed on this page.

Best Florida Sports Betting Sites

There are several fantastic Florida sports betting sites, but the number one place to bet in the state is BetOnline. This is for many reasons, including the great range of betting options they offer and the impressive odds. They also have some really nice bonuses, plus you’ll be able to deposit using loads of cryptocurrencies.

If you’re in Florida and are looking for a fantastic place to bet on a range of different sports, BetOnline should be your number one choice. Why not make your way over there and sign-up? You’ll be able to claim a nice welcome bonus, and you can then start betting on a huge range of different sports betting markets.

  This article was written for Business 2 Community by Lucas Wallman.
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Author: Lucas Wallman

Lucas Wallman is a gambling analyst for Business 2 Community who covers the latest legal movements and industry news. Lucas has a great reputation for his unbiased coverage of the gambling industry. Lucas currently lives in Alicante, Spain where he spends his free time catching waves. What makes Lucas tick …

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