Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida?

28.10.2024

Sports betting

Sports betting in Florida is legal, though access remains limited. Florida residents currently have only one option to place legal bets online: the Hard Rock Bet app, operated by the Seminole Tribe.

Legal Landscape of Florida Sports Betting

The legal framework for sports betting in Florida stems from an agreement between the Seminole Tribe and state authorities. This agreement grants the Seminole Tribe exclusive rights to offer sports betting within the state for a period of 30 years. In return, the Seminole Tribe has committed to paying the state 13.75% of revenue from land-based bets and 10% from mobile betting revenue.

The state may renegotiate its agreement with the Seminole Tribe in the future to allow for greater competition.

For now, the Seminole Tribe holds a strong position in Florida’s sports betting market. The gambling agreement is valid until 2051, granting them a long-term monopoly.

The legality of the Seminole Tribe’s agreement with Florida authorities regarding Hard Rock Bet has been challenged multiple times in court. Opponents argued that it violates Florida’s state constitution, which mandates voter approval for any changes related to gambling. However, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the agreement’s legality in June 2023, and in June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the appeal, effectively affirming the contract.

Retail sports betting is also available at six Seminole casinos across Florida. These physical betting locations launched in December 2023, providing Floridians with a legal, in-person sports betting experience.

Popular Sports to Bet on in Florida

In Florida, bettors can wager on a variety of sports, both professional and collegiate. The NFL consistently attracts the most interest, with the state hosting three teams: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Hard Rock Bet’s partner Jacksonville Jaguars. As in many other states, the NFL reigns as the most popular sport for betting in Florida.

Basketball is another favorite among bettors. Florida is home to two NBA teams, the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, fueling interest and engagement in basketball betting.

Florida also has two Major League Baseball teams, the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays. While these teams don’t always draw large crowds, the state serves as the spring training hub for half of the MLB teams in the Grapefruit League, attracting fans and adding to betting interest.

The arrival of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami has spiked interest in soccer betting across Florida. The upcoming Copa America final in Miami is expected to further drive enthusiasm for soccer wagering.

Hockey also enjoys a loyal fan base in Florida, with the NHL represented by the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2023 and won the title in 2024 after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in a seven-game series. The Lightning are also recent Stanley Cup champions, with titles in 2020 and 2021.

The sports that attract the most interest from bettors in Florida include:

Football
Basketball
Baseball
Soccer
Hockey

However, these aren’t the only options available on Hard Rock Bet, where fans of more niche sports will also find something to suit their interests.

What Types of Bets Can Be Placed in Florida?

Hard Rock Bet offers a diverse selection of betting types, extending well beyond the classic moneyline bet, where bettors simply wager on which team or player will win a given event.

The platform also provides options like total points (over/under) bets, allowing bettors to predict whether the combined score, goals, or other stats in a game will be higher or lower than a figure set by the bookmaker.

Advanced options, such as spread betting, are also available. In spread betting, a points handicap is applied to level the playing field between the favorite and the underdog. Bettors can wager on whether the favorite will win by a margin greater than the spread or if the underdog will win or lose by a margin smaller than the spread.

Parlay bets, which combine multiple individual bets into one, are highly popular among bettors. Parlays increase the potential payout but also the risk, as all bets must be correct to win.

A variation, Same Game Parlays, allows bettors to combine multiple wagers on a single sporting event.

In addition to traditional bet types, Hard Rock Bet offers special options such as player props, which focus on individual player achievements, and futures, where bettors wager on league and tournament winners.

It’s important to note that Hard Rock Bet does not offer bets on:

NFL Draft
Political events
eSports

Hard Rock Bet Promos

Hard Rock Bet provides a range of promotions for both new and existing players. It’s worth noting that Hard Rock Bet is the only legal mobile sports betting platform in Florida, which impacts the competitiveness of its offers compared to other states.

New players can claim a refund of up to $100 if their first bet loses. After registering and making an initial deposit, if a player’s first wager is unsuccessful, Hard Rock Bet will refund the stake up to $100 in the form of a bonus bet.

The minimum qualifying stake for this promotion is $10, and it applies only to the first bet. The bonus bet expires after 7 days and pays out only winnings, not the original stake.

Existing players can also take advantage of several other promotions, including:

Odds Boosts: Hard Rock Bet frequently offers enhanced odds on selected sporting events, allowing players to potentially win more on these events than they would with standard odds.
Profit Boosts: This promotion increases the potential winnings from a selected bet by a set percentage. Players choose which bet they want to apply the Profit Boost to.
Hard Rock Bet Loyalty Program: All registered users are automatically enrolled in the loyalty program. Players earn points for every wager placed, which can be redeemed for rewards, such as discounts at Hard Rock venues, enhanced odds, and bonus bets. The more points a player accumulates, the higher their tier in the program and the better the rewards.

No Hard Rock Bet promo code is required to benefit from these offers.

Current promotions and bonuses can be found in the “Boosts” and “Promotions” sections of the Hard Rock Bet mobile app or website. It’s recommended to check the Hard Rock Bet website and app regularly to stay updated on the latest promotions and special offers.

Legal Forms of Gambling in Florida Beyond Sports Betting

In addition to sports betting, Florida allows several other forms of legal gambling. Florida law strictly regulates these activities, with the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) overseeing compliance.

Pari-Mutuel Betting

Horse Racing: Florida has a long history of horse racing, and pari-mutuel wagering on live and simulcast horse races is legal. Popular racetracks include Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West, and Tampa Bay Downs. Mobile betting on horse races is also legal in the state through platforms such as FanDuel Racing.
Jai Alai: This sport, similar to racquetball, is popular in parts of Florida, and pari-mutuel betting on jai alai is legal.

Casino Games

Tribal Casinos: The Seminole Tribe has exclusive rights to offer casino games, including slots and table games, on their lands. The tribe owns and operates six major casinos in Florida, the most notable being the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. The Miccosukee Tribe operates a seventh tribal casino.
Slots in Pari-Mutuel Facilities: Eight licensed pari-mutuel facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are permitted to offer slot machines.
Social Casinos: Social casino apps, such as Seminole Social Casino, are legal in Florida, allowing players to enjoy table games and slots for non-cash prizes.

Poker

Poker in Tribal Casinos: Almost all tribal casinos in Florida offer poker tables.
Poker in Card Rooms: Florida permits poker and domino games for money in licensed card rooms.
Private Poker Games: Individuals can legally organize or participate in recreational poker or domino games, provided all players are at least 18, no one profits from hosting, and winnings per hand, round, or game do not exceed $10.

Lottery

State Lottery: The Florida Lottery offers various lottery games, including Powerball, Mega Millions, and Fantasy 5. Players must be at least 18 years old to participate.

Other Forms of Gambling

Bingo: Bingo is legal in Florida when conducted by charitable organizations and in compliance with specific requirements.
Raffles: Raffles and prize contests are legal if they adhere to state law.