Florida boasts beaches, a vibrant nightlife and a cultural landscape, its the home of one of Art Basel’s expositions, Wynwood is where the modern artist wants to be, and with a longstanding tradition of sports culture —ranging to the Miami Dolphins, the Marlins, the Buccaneers, the Lightning, the Heat, and many others— the question we need to explore is whether or not sports betting is legal. This is a crucial issue for many lawmakers, businesses, and fans.
The status of legal sports betting in Florida is quite the “hot topic” —handle-with-care— situation. If it were a Facebook relationship status, it’d be “it’s complicated”. Many states in the Union are ok with sports betting, but with Republican presidential candidate and current governor Ron DeSantis, things seem to be going in the opposite direction.
Florida lags behind, and after many years in hiatus, there are no live operators taking action in the Sunshine State by the time of print. But things could change because Native Americans of the Seminole tribe are rallying around the idea of bringing sports to Florida.
As Florida Gets Closer to Legalizing Sports Betting, Questions Remain
To understand the complexities surrounding the legal status of betting —and sports in particular— in the Sunshine State, we must take a look at how the legislation has evolved there over the years.
The State of Florida allows gambling for activities like horse and dog racing and jai-alai, as well as some casino action but with strict regulation from a state governing board. The Seminole tribe —federally recognized Native Americans— holds a mass stake in the casino industry and runs several casinos in the Sunshine State in close collab with the US Government.
Murphy v. NCAA: Lessons Learned
In May 2018, SCOTUS made a landmark decision in the Murphy v. NCAA case, in which they stroke down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. That ruling opened the door for individual states to legalize sports betting within their borders, leading to a nationwide surge in interest.
As such, several states moved swiftly —motivated by the “it’s all ’bout the Benjamins” ethos— to make sports betting legal and regulate it.
Fast forward to 2023, and the situation is still evolving. Throughout 2021 and 2022, discussions continued, with lawmakers engaging in intense debates over the parameters of potential sports betting legislation.
The Seminole Tribe, as a key player in Florida’s gambling landscape, has been a focal point of these discussions, as any new legislation would likely impact their existing operations.
Is Sports Betting Legal In Florida?
Yes —technically—, the DC Court of Appeals overturned the 2021 decision that halted betting operations in the Sunshine State. Still, despite the change in legislation, there are no legal online operators taking any bets.
Is Retail Sports Betting Legal In Florida?
There’s no retail sports betting in Florida, and you need to be at least 21 years or older to place a bet. Since 30 June 2023, betting in Florida won’t give you any trouble with the law, but if you reside there, you don’t have any place to put a wager on the table.
Also Read: Why Did Mintzy Get Fired From Barstool Sports? Explained
Is DraftKings Legal in Florida?
No, it’s banned by state law. But —always a but; remember when I wrote that it’s like a Facebook relationship status: It’s complicated at the beginning of this piece?— you can use DraftKings for DFS, which includes real money, and cops won’t go after you —in general— for that.
Still, any District Attorney wishing to prove they deserve a promotion could go after you in theory if you go too big, win too much, are too flashy, and boast your earnings on the Tok. So, it’d be better if you stay off the DraftKings in Florida.
Educated Fools With Money On Their Mind
And as Coolio put it, “they got the tin in their hand and the green in their eye”. With the DeSantis administration, albeit conservative, there’s nothing more conservative to make a GOP rep and lawmaker than profits. Some projections indicate the state could generate up to $700 million per year in taxable revenue from legal sports gambling.
But with that northern part of Florida heavily associated with the Bible Belt, criticism arises, arguing that any economic benefits are outweighed by the social costs and risks associated with problem gambling —already in a state that suffers a lot in regards to healthcare, being one of the most heavily hit in the South by the opioid crisis.
Closing Thoughts
All eyes will remain on Florida throughout 2023 and into 2024 to see if this is finally the year residents can start legally betting on sports.
Regardless of the exact timeline and details, momentum points toward regulation eventually coming to one of the most populous states left where sports gambling remains prohibited.
So for sports fans and bettors in the Sunshine State, the day when they can wager legally on their favorite teams and leagues appears to be getting closer.
