Florida Sports Betting 2024 - Latest Legal News & Best Sportsbooks

Sports betting in Florida resumed in December 2023 after a two-year suspension due to legal challenges. Initially launching in late 2021, sports betting was operational for just 35 days before being paused due to a court ruling. Since the recent relaunch, there have been ongoing efforts to expand sports betting options in Florida to include additional sportsbooks. However, these initiatives have not yet succeeded, meaning that currently, Florida bettors have access to Hard Rock Sportsbook

You may be familiar with the Hard Rock brand from their iconic restaurants or its hotels and casinos, but their sports betting app has only existed since 2019. Chances are, you may be less familiar with Hard Rock Bet’s sportsbook app and that’s why I’m here - to provide you with more information on the only regulated app in Florida and to help get started sports betting. I’ll also share details on the state’s path toward legal sports betting, which local teams to wager on, and responsible gambling resources.

Is Sports betting legal in florida?

Yes, sports betting is legal and regulated in Florida after its re-launch in December of 2023. Florida’s path to legalization has been full of legal battles and more drama than Miami Dolphins overtime games, but sports fans in the Sunshine State can bet on sports from the comfort of their own home or in-person at casinos. Hard Rock Bet is currently the only option for sports bettors in the state, though there have been several legal challenges to allow for other companies to enter the market.

Florida bettors are allowed to wager on college sports including in-state teams, however individual player props (i.e. Graham Mertz’s passing yards) aren’t allowed.

Florida Quick Facts

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Original Launch Date: November 2021
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Sports betting paused: December 2021 - December 2023
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Re-Launch Date: December, 2023
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Legal Betting Age: 21 years old
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Online Sports Betting: Yes
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Online Casino Sites: No
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Online Poker Sites: No
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Regulatory Body: Florida Gaming Control Commission
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Legal online sportsbooks: 1
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College Sports Betting: Yes, but not individual college player props
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Political or entertainment betting: No
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High School sports Betting: No
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Esports betting: No
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NFL Draft: Yes
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Remote registration: Yes

timeline of betting legislation & latest news

Hard Rock Sportsbook, via the Seminole Tribe of Florida, made a bold move in November of 2021 and launched their sports betting app despite multiple pending lawsuits challenging its legality. The site was accepting wagers for 35 days before suspending operations due to legal challenges. Luckily for Florida bettors, sports betting returned to The Sunshine State in December of 2023.

may 14, 2018
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), paving the way for each state to legalize sports betting.
nov. 6, 2018
By a vote of 71% to 29%, voters pass Amendment 3, which stops Florida lawmakers from expanding gambling in the state without a green light from tribal authorities.
nov. 1, 2021
Despite multiple pending lawsuits challenging the state’s legal sports betting model, online sports betting originally launches.
nov. 22, 2021
Judge Dabney Friedrich rules that Florida’s sports betting compact is illegal and violated Amendment 3 as well as federal law (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act).
dec. 4, 2021
Sports betting pauses in Florida when Hardrock Sportsbook suspends operations after filing an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit.
june 30, 2023
The U.S. Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s 2021 ruling which led to sports betting being suspended in the state.
sept. 26, 2023
The Department of the Interior declared that sports betting should return to the state
oct. 25, 2023
The Supreme Court rejects an effort to block an agreement between Florida and the Seminole Tribe.
dec. 5, 2023
Sports betting returns to Florida as Hard Rock Bet’s online app opens back up for business.
dec. 7, 2023
Retail sports betting returns to Florida.
april 1, 2024
West Flagler Associates, which operates several casinos in the state and would like to expand the state’s current sports betting laws, files a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that the Florida Supreme Court unjustly denied its petition.
june 17, 2024
U.S. Supreme Court rules against West Flagler, which means there will continue to be only one sportsbook operator in the state.

how to start betting in florida

Sports betting inside Florida state lines is easy because of remote registration which allows you to register for sportsbooks and deposit money into your accounts from anywhere in the state including your favorite beach. If you’re over 21-years-old and in Florida, you can download the Hard Rock Bet app on a smartphone, deposit money, verify your identity, and begin betting instantly.

Download hard rock bet
First, download the Hard Rock Bet app to your mobile device. This can be done from the comfort of your own home and, unlike some other states, it’s not necessary to deposit money to a sportsbook in person.
create account
Click the button on your sportsbooks’s app that says “signup” or “get started,” while you’re inside state lines, to begin creating an account. You’ll be required to fill in some personal information and verify your identity.
deposit
To fund the account, select the payment option you prefer. Each sportsbook has different options for deposits, but common options include: Credit/debit card, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. Remember to keep an eye out for any fees that might be associated with the deposit.
choose your bet and bet size
There are a variety of wagering options within each sportsbook. If you’re just getting started, moneylines are the most straight-forward bet and allow bettors to wager on who will win an event. Point spreads, over/unders, parlays, player props and futures bets are also popular choices.
place a wager
Every sportsbook runs independently from each other so they each may offer different point spreads or odds on the same wager. Before placing your wager, try shopping around at other betting apps to get the best price. Once you’ve found odds you like, type in your wager amount and submit your wager. If your wager wins, your winnings and your original bet will be deposited back into your account shortly after the event you bet on finishes.
withdraw funds
Each online sportsbook has different methods and processes for cashing out money if you’re successful betting. It’s normal for withdrawals to take longer than deposits, but the money is typically received within a couple days.

Home Field Advantage

With a whopping nine teams representing the four major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB) bettors in Florida have a lot of options when deciding which team they’ll root for. The NFL is king for sports bettors and those in Florida are lucky to have three different franchises (Dolphins, Buccaneers, Jaguars) to choose from. With two MLB teams (Rays and Marlins), two NBA teams (Magic and Heat), and two NHL squads (Panthers and Lightning), Florida bettors constantly have their favorite teams on the television.

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NFL - Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins were founded back in 1966 and were extremely successful in the 1970’s, winning two Super Bowls (1972, 1973). The Dolphins play their home games at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and their season runs from September through January. Miami has made the postseason the last two years and feature a fun offense to watch thanks to speedster Tyreek Hill.
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NFL - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The most successful of Florida’s NFL teams recently, the Bucs won the Super Bowl with Tom Brady & Co. in 2020. They also won the Super Bowl in 2002. The team plays at Raymond James Stadium and has made the postseason in four-straight seasons.
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NFL - Jacksonville Jaguars: The youngest of Florida’s three NFL teams, the Jaguars were founded in 1995. They play their home games at EverBank Stadium and have only made the postseason twice since 2008, but things are looking up with franchise QB Trevor Lawrence behind center. Lawrence recently signed a monster contract extension and has new weapons to work with this season.
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NHL - Florida Panthers: The Panthers’ hockey season runs from early October through April, although it can be extended into May and June if the team makes the playoffs. The Panthers have seen some recent playoff success, making the Stanley Cup Final in 2023 and winning the Stanley Cup in 2024. They play their home games at Amerant Bank Arena.
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NHL - Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lightning play their home games at Amalie Arena and their season runs from October through April. The Lightning were founded in 1992 and have won three Stanley Cups in their history, the most recent one in 2022. They made the playoffs in 2023.
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NBA - Miami Heat: The Heat play their home games at Kaseya Center. Their season runs from October through April, and they have been one of the NBA’s most successful recent franchises. Miami has won three NBA titles in its history (2006, 2011, 2013) and made the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. They have also won their division the past two seasons.
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NBA - Orlando Magic: The Magic play at the Kia Center and have been the lesser of the two Florida NBA teams for many years. Their season runs from October through April, and they’ve never won an NBA title – making the NBA Finals in 1995 and 2009. With an exciting young core, the future is bright for the Magic – they were also one of the NBA’s best teams against the spread last season.
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MLB - Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays were founded in 1998 and were the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from 1998-2007 before the name was shortened. The season runs late March through September, although the Rays have been a frequent postseason participant recently. Tampa Bay plays its home games at Tropicana Field and, despite their notoriously small payroll, have made the postseason in five-straight seasons, reaching the World Series in 2008 and 2020.
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MLB - Miami Marlins: The Marlins play at LoanDepot Park and were founded in 1993. They have won two World Series in their history (1997, 2003) and made the postseason in 2023 as a surprise wild-card team. Their season runs from March through September as well.

A 24/7 multilingual and confidential problem gambling helpline and text line (888-ADMIT-IT) is available to anyone in Florida thanks to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG). The organization, which also has a mobile app, also helps individuals get in touch with licensed mental health treatment providers certified in gambling addiction and self help support groups.