Florida

Florida Gambling Overview

Florida allows tribal casinos, pari-mutuel race track casinos (racinos), lotteries, and charity games. These are regulated under both state and federal laws. Land-based and online sports betting is not legal in the state. In fact, no online gambling is permitted.

Sen Jeff Brandes wants to legalize sports betting in Florida and filed a legislative proposal near the end of 2020: SB 392: Sports Wagering. Under this proposal, sports betting would be authorized and regulated online and at lottery kiosks, falling under the Florida Lottery.

There has been historical resistance from the Seminole Tribe, which believe they were given exclusive rights to all Class III gambling forms. Negotiations are ongoing.

Lotteries

After a state lottery began operating in 1988, it began selling scratch-off tickets and statewide prize draw tickets. The Florida Lottery joined the Multi-State Lottery Association in July 2008, where it started selling interstate Powerball and Mega Millions tickets in May 2013. Tickets can be purchased legally at one of over 13,000 lottery retailers located across the state. Over 60 scratch-off tickets can be purchased from these retailers.

Social Gaming

Section 849.14, F.S., prohibits fantasy sports leagues from accepting entrance fees. The state considers that DFS, which rewards money, is a form of gambling but has not created laws to regulate it. Fantasy websites, including DraftKings and FanDuel, have not been deterred from accepting Florida players.

Charity Games

Lotteries, raffles, and other draws that involving chance are not considered legal in Florida. However, qualifying non-profit organizations can obtain a 501(c)(3) from the IRS. Still, these organizations must comply with federal and state laws. For instance, they must not charge a fee to participate.

Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel

Off-track and inter-track horse racing, harness horse racing, jai alai, and cardroom poker is permitted at pari-mutuel facilities. In Miami-Dade and Broward, pari-mutuel facilities are also authorized to offer slot machine gaming.

For years, greyhound racing was also legal in Florida, but that came to an end with the close of 2020 after Florida voters chose to end the practice. Greyhound racing has been on the decline for decades.

Land-Based Casinos in Florida

The Seminoles are a federally recognized Indian tribe that owns and operates 6 Florida tribal casinos. Additionally, the Miccosukee tribe operates one casino. These Florida state tribal casinos offer hundreds of slot machines, high-stakes bingo, poker rooms, blackjack, mini-baccarat, electronic Roulette, Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, and more. The state also allows pari-mutuel-style casinos (cardrooms) at race tracks (racinos).

Cruise ships that leave Florida waters for international waters are legal.

Florida Gambling History

In 1931 the Florida legislature voted to approve horse and dog racing legalization. Although Gov. Doyle Carlton attempted to veto the vote, he was overridden. Florida legalized Jai alai and slot machines in 1935. At the end of December 2020, Florida voters decided to end greyhound racing in the state.

In 1970 bingo was legalized. Later that same decade, in 1978, attempts for a full-blown casino gambling constitutional amendment was rejected. After opposing a limit on bingo games in Florida a year later, the Seminole tribe opened a high-stakes bingo hall in Broward County.

In 1986, Florida voters again rejected an attempt for a full-scale casino gambling amendment to the constitution. That year was not all gloom as Florida voters did approve the legalization of a state lottery that began operating in 1988.

The 1988 passing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act legalizing native tribal gambling led to the installation of video lottery machines. In 1989 poker rooms were built on tribal lands. On April 7, 2010, Florida signed a Gaming Compact with the Seminole Tribe.

Legalized poker became available at pari-mutuel facilities with parts of no more than $10 in 1996. Poker room bet limits were raised to a maximum of $2 in 2003, then $5 in 2007. In 2010 the limits on bets, pots, and tournaments were removed.

Florida has allowed land-based gambling since 2004. But it’s not without limitations. Casinos in the state are permitted, provided they don’t offer sports betting. Slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities in Broward and Miami–Dade were allowed after a constitutional amendment narrowly passed in 2004.

Florida Gambling FAQ

Does Florida have land-based casinos?

Florida has 25 racetrack casinos that offer pari-mutuel-style casinos (poker rooms) and 7 Tribal Casinos.

Has Florida legalized fantasy sports and daily fantasy sports?

Fantasy sports and daily fantasy sports for money are not legal in Florida. No regulations exist for FS/DFS in the state.

Does Florida offer state/interstate lotteries?

Yes, Florida legalized lotteries in 1986 and has grown to include 13,000 authorized lottery retailers.

Is sports betting legal in Florida?

No, neither land-based nor online sports betting is legal in Florida.

What forms of gambling in Florida are legal?

Florida legally allows tribal casinos, pari-mutuel-style casinos, charity gaming, and lotteries.