“Is sports betting legal in Florida?” has been one of the most pressing questions among sports fans in recent years. While some US states sought to immediately legalize and regulate online sports betting after the federal ban was lifted, the Sunshine State has taken a less liberal view of sports betting in Florida. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal that regulated Florida sports betting will eventually flourish, with a new sports betting bill tabled for the State legislature.

It’s fair to say that, in recent years, the Seminole Tribe have had a firm grip on Florida’s gambling industry. When the federal ban was lifted on legalized gambling in 2018, the Seminole Tribe supported part of Amendment 3 in the November election of the same year. This passage prevented Florida’s legislature from authorizing new offline or online gambling operators without approval from other parties – including the Seminole Tribe.

A year later, Governor Ron DeSantis opted not to sanction a bill that would have permitted Tribal casinos to run sportsbooks, with a percentage of earnings given to the Seminole Tribe. In 2020, Senator Jeff Brandes attempted to push through a bill that would have enabled the Florida State Lottery to operate sportsbooks without oversight of the Seminole Tribe but it never got out of the House. There is a feeling that however sports betting is legalized in the Sunshine State, it will have to involve the Seminoles in some shape or form.

There is every chance that a Florida sports betting bill could secure legislature approval in 2021. A wide-ranging deal has been agreed between Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe which would create a new mobile sports betting market and the potential for in-stadium sportsbooks. The Florida sports betting bill would also give the Seminoles an opportunity to expand their casino gaming offerings. Sports fans in Florida must hold their collective breath to see whether the proposals secure statewide approval.

As part of the latest Florida sports betting bill proposed, the deal would enable two mobile “skins” or licences, both of which would be overseen by the Seminole Tribe. It’s already been confirmed that the Seminole’s Hard Rock brand would be one of the skins, but there are two prime candidates to fill the remaining spot

FanDuel first entered the sports betting arena in the daily fantasy sports (DFS) market, but has since shifted its focus to developing a purpose-built US-focused sportsbook. It’s already licensed in multiple US states, namely Pennsylvania, Colorado and New Jersey. Florida could certainly be an option if the Sunshine State approves its latest sports betting Florida bill.

The biggest DFS competitor to FanDuel, DraftKings has also shifted its focuses from being an exclusive fantasy sports platform. It’s now considered part of the “big three” US-based online sportsbooks, with its prop bets proving the most attractive feature of the DraftKings sports betting markets.

In terms of online sports betting in Florida, both brands offer the most cutting-edge DFS services that will transition users easily when sportsbooks open.

If you are wondering what the best Florida sports betting promotions will look like for new customers, let’s take a look at the welcome bonuses up for grabs in licensed states such as New Jersey where potential online sports betting Florida operators DraftKings and FanDuel serve:

• DraftKings welcome bonus

New customers at DraftKings sportsbook can currently secure a matched deposit bonus worth up to $1,000. Finalize a real-money deposit of up to $1,000 to receive the same figure in bonus funds to wager online.

• FanDuel welcome bonus

New sign-ups to FanDuel sportsbook can also get bonuses worth up to $1,000 but it’s done a little differently here. Your first real-money wager is deemed “risk-free” up to a maximum of $1,000. If the bet loses, you will receive your entire stake back.

FanDuel and DraftKings both offer mobile sports betting via their fully responsive sports betting apps. If they are selected as one of the “skins” for licensed sports betting in Florida, they won’t disappoint sports bettors across the Sunshine State. Their apps are fully compatible with iOS and Android devices, making it easy to place pre-game and live bets on the move.

As with all other US states that have legalized online sports betting, the potential Florida sports betting platforms are certain to provide coverage of the following sports pre-game and live:

• Football

• Baseball

• Ice Hockey

• Basketball

• Soccer

• Tennis

• Golf

• Boxing

• MMA

• eSports

Currently, it’s not permitted to place wagers on college sports in the Sunshine State. This includes offline and online bets. Nevertheless, if the proposed Florida sports betting bill secures statewide approval, there is every chance that the licensed sportsbooks will be able to cover the NCAA.H2: Where Can I Bet On Sports in Florida Now?

Unfortunately not. This means there is nowhere to legally place wagers on professional sports in the Sunshine State. Fantasy sports operators are still welcomed across Florida, giving you the chance to use your sporting knowledge to win cash prizes by building the best fantasy teams in all the major league sports.

Fantasy sports has long been a popular pastime for Floridians, and it remains widely available to those within state lines. You can find the best available fantasy sports promotions above. DraftKings and FanDuel remain the leading players in the US-based fantasy sports market. FanDuel enables sports fans to compete in daily contests for cash prizes, while DraftKings also covers a huge range of fantasy sports for cash payouts too.

If you want help picking your fantasy teams, keep your eyes peeled for our expert picks and predictions ahead of the biggest major league sporting events to help influence your player selections.

Yes, horse racing and dog racing are the only sports that can be wagered on in the Sunshine State. Wagering is permitted offline off-track and on-track. TVG is considered the most trusted name in US horse racing, with licensed and regulated betting markets as well as real-time commentary of all US race meetings. Meanwhile the official betting partner of prominent US racetrack Churchill Downs, Twinspires, is another reputable option.

At the time of writing, no legalized and regulated online casinos exist within the state lines of Florida. That doesn’t mean you can’t get involved with the raft of free-to-play games available to Floridians, which you can access using the links at the top of this page. It’s also possible to bet within any of the brick-and-mortar casino resorts in Florida if you so wish. The local land-based casino industry continues to thrive, with $300m regularly generated in annual revenue for the state’s coffers.