Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida?

Florida is quite lucky when it comes to gambling – with a wide range of physical locations for casino games and poker as well as live racing. The only downside is that sports betting is not offered, which is an issue many other states are struggling with. Florida’s constitution even explicitly allows for “penny-ante” games such as poker and mahjongg in personal dwellings – further demonstrating its support for its citizens’ gambling rights.

Representing Florida’s House of Representatives, Dana Young is advocating to bring even more gambling options to the state. This would expand on what is already offered in the state, such as racing, casinos, and poker. If passed, these new legislation would offer residents of Florida a wider range of legal gambling opportunities.

Sports Betting

Sports betting is prohibited in Florida as it is throughout most of the country. Those suspected of illegal bookmaking – anyone taking or receiving more than five wagers a day, taking wagers totaling more than $500 in a single day or $1500 in a single week, and taking wagers on both sides of a contest at the same point spread – are heavily punished by the state. As such, formal bookmaking is not legal in Florida and remains unsanctioned.

Florida residents who wish to bet on sports often stay clear of local illegal bookies and instead opt to place wagers online. Offshore sportsbooks, which are not subject to Florida’s laws and state regulations, offer an alternative for such bettors. In fact, the state of Florida has never charged anyone gambling online with offshore sportsbooks. Though it is illegal in Florida to engage in betting activities with local bookmakers, there is no law in the state’s constitution that specifically bans wagering via the web.

Online Poker

Poker players in Florida have numerous choices to enjoy live cash games and tournaments. The state has not banned gaming via offshore poker rooms either, as there are no laws in the Florida Constitution that specifically prohibit playing online poker.

That said, please bet responsibly!