Online Sports Betting In Florida

Betting on sports online is easy and fun at Bovada Sportsbook, an online sports betting brand that is licensed in Kahnawake, Canada. With its user friendly interface, Bovada Sportsbook is the ideal online bookie for anyone living in Florida. Legality Of Online Gambling In Florida Florida does not play around when it comes to operators of unlawful forms of gambling, which means anyone who is not operating a form of gambling specifically licensed and regulated by the state. Legal Florida Online Sports Betting. For the best in online sports betting, Florida players can find the most valuable odds on all their favorite local teams at legal offshore sportsbooks. Since there are so many professional and collegiate clubs in FL, these sites cater to Sunshine State bettors in a big way. The main motivation for Florida to legalize sports betting is tax revenue. The proposed bill would net the state 15% of all revenue and charge each sportsbook a $100,000 licensing fee. Challenges Facing Florida Sports Betting. Should sports betting clear, it would give Florida much-needed tax revenue. The economy has taken a major hit due to.

There have been big changes with regards to gambling regulation in the USA since 2018, when the Supreme Court invalidated a law that had banned sports betting in most states. A number of states have since then legalized and regulated sports betting, at land-based locations and online, and quite a few others, including Florida, are exploring the feasibility of doing so.

A Brief Overview of Gambling in Florida

Gambling has been around in Florida since the time of the Great Depression in 1932. It generates annual revenue of about $2 billion, though that number took a big hit in 2019, falling steeply to $574.65 million. There are 2 commercial casinos, 25 racinos and 8 tribal casinos. The official body responsible for regulating casino gambling in Florida is the Florida Division of Consumer Services.

Legalized gambling avenues in the state of Florida include pari-mutuel betting, a state lottery that ranks 3^rd nationally, land-based casino gaming, poker rooms, social gambling and cruise ship gambling. Section 849.08 of state laws doesn’t allow hosting of online casinos. The next section sheds more light on this.

Online Gambling in Florida

The operation of online gambling websites has been deemed illegal in Florida, but there is no law prohibiting people from playing at the online casinos run by overseas operators. And there are quite a few of these around; a number of them have accepted US players despite the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006.

One of the strongest advocates of a continued ban on online casino gambling in Florida is Ricky Scott, the Governor of the State. To many it may come as a surprise, given that one of the biggest supporters and donors of the governor is billionaire businessman Sheldon Adelson.

Dig a little and one of the reasons for the governor’s dislike of online casinos becomes clear – Sheldon Adelson is a big player in the land-based casino establishment and Founder, Chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, which owns a number of reputed casino establishments.

The Need to Regulate Online Gambling Regulation is Right for Florida

Regulating online gambling has always been a better option in the long run than banning it, and this applies to the situation in Florida too. Here are a few reasons why it would be good for Florida.

Prevent the Mushrooming of Illegal Online Gambling Websites

One of the most important issues that regulation addresses is the emergence of illegal online gambling sites. And this is not just theoretical assumption: back in 2018 this was actually an issue that the administration in Jacksonville faced. There were hundreds of internet cafes springing up in strip malls there – many of them operating as adult arcades – of which only 90 had obtained appropriate licensing.

There have been other issues as well: in 2013 the FBI raided 49 internet cafes that were run by a charity based out of St. Augustine, Allied Veterans of the World. The allegations by state prosecutors were serious – they said these cafes functioned as fronts for money laundering and illegal gambling.

Make Swift, Secure and Easy Payments

One of the biggest problems that regulating online casino gambling in Florida would solve is giving you access to multiple secure and reliable payment methods. Depositing money from your bank account directly into your casino account can be tricky currently, given the situation related to gambling regulation here.

The way out would right now is to find an online casino that accepts cryptocurrency or credit cards, or use any of the limited e-wallets that the casinos accept. Regulation would change all this and ensure you are able to make payments swiftly. Until this happens, you can keep playing at US online casinos that miraculously are still able to take deposits and payout winnings!

Access Casinos Powered by the Best Vendors

The overall online gambling landscape in the country is changing and this is reflected by the number of casino software vendors who are slowly making their way back again to the US. This is a major change compared to earlier times when only a few vendors like Real Time Gaming (RTG), Scientific Games and BetSoft Gaming catered to US players.

Big names that are slowly making their way back to the US market include, among others, NetEnt, Playtech, Play ‘N Go and others. A direct impact of more vendors entering the Florida market will be on the number of games available to players. Currently, the casinos you get to play offer about 300 games at the most – that is the maximum number of games from RTG and the other vendors around.

Once the remaining vendors enter the Florida market subsequent to the regulation of gambling, they will be able to access all those multivendor casinos with 1000+ games that use white label gaming platforms to give you the best games from multiple vendors at one location.

Get Easy Access to Online and Mobile Sports Betting

Currently, Florida doesn’t allow online and mobile sports betting along with online casino gambling. The only exceptions when it comes to sports betting are Jai Alai betting and gambling on cruise ships. There have been numerous attempts over the years to legalize sports betting in Florida, the latest happening in 2019 with the introduction of the SB 968 bill.

The same is the story with online and mobile casinos as well, as mentioned earlier. We need to add here that while online and mobile casino gambling and sports betting are illegal in the state currently, players do have the option of signing up with sites run by overseas operators. That is a good option to have, but it comes with its own risks.

Banning is not the Solution

One thing is clear: the smart thing to do is legalize and regulate, not ban, online gambling in Florida. The advantages are numerous and the disadvantages nominal. All the casinos will of course need to follow the stringent guidelines laid down regarding responsible gambling and privacy policy.

As of now, all we can do is wait and hope that the regulation process takes off smoothly and is accomplished at the earliest – say by the end of 2020 or early 2021.

Can I gamble online in Florida?

The simple answer is yes, but in this guide to Florida online gambling we go into much more detail. We also list the best Florida gambling sites, explain the relevant laws, and more.

You should be aware that, as with so many other American states, the situation regarding gambling online in Florida is not as clear-cut as it could be. The legal issues are confusing, as Florida online gambling laws are effectively non-existent at this moment in time.

Florida does not currently regulate real money online gambling in any form. This is likely to change, probably soon, but there are no firm timelines in place just yet.

This means there are no Florida gambling sites operating within state lines. However, there are other safe and trustworthy gambling sites accepting customers from Florida. There are also some sites that AREN’T safe and trustworthy, so you need to careful about where you sign up.

We can help you with that, as our list of the best Florida online gambling sites has been carefully compiled and only includes legitimate and reputable sites. Read on to find how we select which sites to recommend, along with more information on online gambling in Florida.

These Florida online gambling sites have been ranked and reviewed by our team of experts. They offer a variety of online gambling options such as casino games, sports betting, and poker.

We have closely examined all of the real money gambling sites that accept players from the Sunshine State. Most of them get sub-par marks, because we apply exacting standards on every level. Only those that make the grade are featured here. We are confident they are genuinely the best online gambling sites for Florida and can be relied upon to provide a world-class experience.

In addition to the top FL gambling sites listed above, you can find more specific recommendations on the following pages.

Ranking the Best Sites for Online Gambling in Florida

Our team members are very thorough when they evaluate real money gambling sites for the benefit of our readers. Over the years, we have developed a step-by-step process that has allowed us to accurately, efficiently, and effectively gauge the overall strength of each online gambling site we asses.

We compare the results, and the websites that score consistently well across the board in key areas get our seal of approval. Here are some details on a small number of the factors we look at.

One of the first facets that we look at is the country of focus. Of course, if a site is in a language other than English, it is clearly not going to be targeting American players.

We like to see sites that are specifically designed to serve US players. The betting and gaming options that people in America are familiar with should take center stage, and the main currency should be the US dollar.

Deposit and withdrawal methods will be custom crafted to suit the needs of people that bank in the states. The best Florida gambling sites are tightly focused on the needs of American players, and this is an attribute that is shared by every site that has made our list of approved operators for FL.

Once we establish that a given site is built to accommodate US gamblers, we move on to the most important step in the evaluation process. When you are going to deposit real money into an online casino or betting account, you have to be absolutely certain that the company is 100% legit.

This is obviously a valid concern, and we answer the legitimacy questions for you when we are conducting our research.

We have a solid understanding of the licensing requirements for online gambling operations in most countries and territories around the world. Since there is no regulatory body for online gambling in Florida, we take a long hard look at the origin of the licenses held by respective gambling sites that we are rating.

Once we are comfortable with the license that is held by a gambling website, we move on to the next item on our checklist.

The reputational insight that we garner from our peers is invaluable. Sometimes we will hear about a traditionally well-regarded site that is taking a downturn because of a change in management or some other factor.

On the other side of the coin, our connections inform us about emerging gambling websites that are attracting positive attention. We do value longevity, but sometimes a relatively new entrant into the marketplace can do everything right from the start.

There are forums and message boards that are frequented by regular online gamblers. Our team members follow these threads daily, so we know what objective players have to say about their online gambling experiences. Sites that are getting lambasted will fall off our radar.

When you have an ongoing monetary relationship with a business, you have to be certain that you can get in touch with someone when you need assistance. This is true for every player, but the high rollers have some big bucks in play, so their concerns are magnified.

You can rest assured that all of the operators that have made our list of the best FL online gambling sites provide friendly, attentive, and results-oriented customer service.

They can be reached by phone, and they quickly resolve questions and concerns through email communication and live online chat.

Florida Online Gambling Laws and Regulation

FL gambling laws do not mention online gambling at all. So, what does this mean for the legalities of gambling online in Florida? Can you legally gamble online from Florida?

There isn’t really a definitive answer, precisely because of the lack of Florida online gambling laws. However, this lack of laws means that it’s not explicitly illegal to gamble online in the state. We’ve certainly found no evidence of anyone ever being prosecuted for doing so.

With that said, Florida online gambling is likely to be officially legalized and regulated in due course. New legislation was proposed by FL lawmakers in 2019 that could legalize at least some forms of online gambling and introduce regulation at state level. It could also make land-based sports betting legal.

This legislation is to be considered by committees at some point in 2020. It will then be put to a state-wide vote. Check our page dedicated to Florida gambling laws for more information and the latest updates. For a quick snapshot of all current Florida gambling laws, see below.

Florida is not completely restrictive when it comes to legal and regulated forms of gambling. There are a handful of Native American casinos, and there are legal poker rooms at the dog and horse racing tracks throughout the state.

They have approved slot machines at Gulfstream Park, which is by far the most popular horse racing track in Florida, and some other existing pari-mutuel wagering facilities. But although there are brick-and-mortar possibilities, there are still several very good reasons to gamble online in Florida. Here are some of the main benefits.

There are only seven Native American casinos in the state, so even if you would be content gambling at one of them exclusively, you may not have one nearby. The same thing can be said about the race tracks with slots and poker rooms.

For people with physical limitations, the word “accessibility” has a very profound meaning. Yes, there are laws in place that mandate accessibility for disabled people in businesses and other public places. This being stated, when it’s hard for you to get around, casino visits can be out of the question.

Online gambliing is perfect for seniors that are in this position, and there are many of them because Florida is the premier retirement destination in the United States.

You would probably think that you were the target of a practical joke if an employee walked up to you in a casino and handed you a wad of cash out of appreciation for your business.

This is simply not going to happen in the brick-and-mortar gaming universe, but things are entirely different at the best Florida online gambling sites.

The size of the bonus you receive will depend on the structure at a given site and the amount of your initial deposit. Sign up bonuses will typically be anywhere from $100 to $1000. This is a meaningful infusion of gambling cash to start you off, and you can expect to see ongoing promotions.

Once you collect on one bonus offer, there is nothing forcing you to call it quits. There are a number of FL gambling sites that have gotten our seal of approval, so you can safely open accounts at multiple places. In so doing, you can snag a series of nice bonuses.

If you make the trek to a casino with a physical presence, you simply have to grin and bear it if other customers around you are ruining your time. At the gaming tables, there can be very rude and annoying people, and losers that drown their sorrows are usually not going to be on their best behavior.

Short of this, a lot of people flock to the casinos on Friday and Saturday nights. If you work standard hours, this may be the time that is right for you as well. When there is a crowd, the odds of running into an obnoxious customer increase exponentially, and you can start to feel cramped in a general sense.

Even if you can tolerate the volume of human beings around you, there is another major drawback that will often confront you on a packed casino floor. Seats at gaming tables will fill up quickly, and you can do laps around that area and come away empty. Even if you can get a seat, the betting limits may not suit your budget.

Online Sports Betting In Florida

You are also stuck with the food and drink prices, and outside of Las Vegas, casinos are not known for giving out free cocktails to players. In fact, they charge as much as they can because patrons have no nowhere else to turn.

If you want to hang out at home and play, everything that is in the refrigerator is just a few steps away, and you will not be dealing with any unsavory strangers.

Since we have shared so much information about online gambling in Florida, we should close with a brief summary so you can keep the key points fresh in your mind.

A lot of people that have an interest in online gambling have legitimacy concerns. That’s understandable, buy you can set them aside such concerns if you stick to our list of the best Florida gambling sites.

Our research team has put all of the sites that want your business under the microscope, and we apply high standards, so you can go forward with total confidence at any of our approved real money gambling sites.

Online Sports Betting In Florida Casinos

These sites are also much more accessible and convenient than traditional gambling options, and offer have a wide range of choice. In addition to the classic casino-style gaming, you can also bet on sporting events and horse races at all of our recommended FL sites. And remember, you get some free bonus money to give you a boost at the outset.