Florida Sports Betting: Best Florida Betting Sites in 2025

Is Online Sports Betting legal in Florida?

Yes, although legal sports betting in Florida hasn’t come easy and is still subject to restrictions. Online sports betting apps and retail sportsbooks were first authorized by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021 under an exclusive deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. However, legal attacks from various parties put an abrupt halt to the legal betting rollout – it only restarted once again in December 2023. 

The Seminole Tribe have long been a pivotal force in the Florida gambling market, opening the first tribally-owned bingo hall in the US in 1979. It was also instrumental in the eventual codification of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, passed in 1988, affording tribal gambling operators more power against state authorities. 

This provides an essential backbone for understanding the slippery nature of regulated sports betting in the Sunshine State. The Seminole Tribe moved quickly after the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in May 2018, campaigning for Amendment 3 in November that effectively blocked efforts to legalize Florida sports betting without working with the tribe. 

Legal fights between the Seminole Tribe and Florida lawmakers became a hotly-contested topic in 2019, with Governor Ron DeSantis refusing to allow tribal casinos to offer sports betting. The tribe consequently stopped the annual $350 million payments to the state, escalating tensions further. 

Florida sports bettors got a glimpse of an exciting future in 2021, as the Seminole Tribe and state lawmakers reached a collaborative deal to launch online and mobile sports betting. However, this was quickly blocked by a federal court decision in response to lawsuits from the likes of the West Flagler Associates. 

The next two years were frustrating for betting enthusiasts, unfortunately leading many Florida natives to gamble at unregulated offshore betting sites. We highly recommend avoiding these platforms, as they are often unsafe and can offer dodgy odds. Fortunately, bettors received a boost in December 2023, with Hard Rock Bet reopening for the public. 

But how long will this last? Lawsuits are ongoing, and there is still a sense of jeopardy surrounding legal sports betting in Florida. The Sunshine State could be one of the largest betting markets in the US, with experts estimating $2 billion monthly sports betting handles if lawmakers can secure a multi-sportsbook environment. Despite the current controversies, the future looks bright for sports betting in Florida as a whole. 

Florida Betting Info

• Is online sports betting legal? Yes
• Florida sports betting launch date? Original sports betting launched in November 2021. However, Hard Rock Bet closed after only a few weeks. Florida’s legal sports betting scene restarted in November 2023 with retail wagering. Online sports betting followed in December.  
• What is the legal age to gamble? 21+ 
• How many sportsbooks are available? One. Florida bettors can currently only wager at Hard Rock Bet. The Seminole Tribe has exclusive rights over legal sports betting, although this may change soon. 
• Are retail sportsbooks available? Yes. Retail sports betting is available at six Seminole Tribe-operated casinos: Hollywood Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Seminole Casino, Seminole Classic Casino, Seminole Casino Hotel, and Seminole Casino Brighton. 
• Florida college sports betting? Florida bettors can wager on college sports, although player props are prohibited.   
• Who is the state regulator? The Florida Gaming Control Commission regulates sports betting and other online gambling, including Daily Fantasy League (currently prohibited).

Best Sports Betting Sites Currently Available in Florida

Florida joins a select group of other states like Oregon as locations where residents can only choose from one online sports betting platform. Our experts wouldn’t be surprised if the market opened up to more operators in the future, although this isn’t likely until 2025 or later. For now, Hard Rock Bet is the only online sportsbook available. We’ll run you through the platform below: 

Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook Florida 

Hard Rock Bet Florida had two years to refine its online sports betting service after originally launching in November 2021. The platform was ordered to close a couple of weeks later, only relaunching in December 2023. Initial indications suggest that the Seminole Tribe-operated online sportsbook has learnt from its time away, particularly with forward-thinking betting markets like same-game parlays. 

One of the most significant updates from 2021 is the user interface, a Hard Rock Bet aspect that bettors weren’t especially happy with after the original launch. The FL sports betting app is far smoother and offers a more streamlined design – perfect for beginners learning the ropes or experts searching for advanced options. 

The same-game parlay builder is one of the best Hard Rock Bet aspects, blending an intuitive layout with comprehensive options. The sportsbook doesn't quite match industry leaders like FanDuel and DraftKings regarding the sheer number of potential same-game parlay legs, but there is more than enough to keep most bettors happy. Bettors can also access a beneficial Flex Parlay feature, allowing you to lose a few legs and still win the overall wager. 

Elsewhere, Hard Rock Bet also offers an up to $100 if your first bet loses welcome bonus, using a similar mechanic to other US sportsbooks. The overall promo amount is on the smaller side, but we expect this to increase if other competitors are allowed to enter the Florida sports betting industry. Bettors can also enjoy regular odds boosts and other ongoing offers, although anybody already acquainted with the comprehensive options at sites like DraftKings may be a little underwhelmed. 

Nevertheless, Hard Rock Bet is still a generous Florida sports betting site. This is best seen with the brilliant loyalty scheme. The Loyalty Rewards program gives users points for every wager that can be put towards bonus bets and other incentives. There’s also a Rewards Store that integrates particularly well with the Seminole-operated Florida casinos and retail sportsbooks. 

Florida Sports Betting Timeline & Legislation Updates

Florida sports betting has been on a rollercoaster ride over the past half a decade. Sports bettors in the Sunshine State have had to deal with their fair share of disruptions and false starts. Learning a historical overview is key to understanding the current state of affairs and how the Florida sports betting market may change further down the line. Here are a few key milestones:  

• 2024 – Legal disputes continue, but Florida bettors finally have a few months of legal sports wagering to enjoy. The Florida Supreme Court rejects a West Flagler Associates motion to suspend the gambling compact, a significant victory for the Seminole Tribe. Nevertheless, the case is still waiting to be heard in the US Supreme Court, so the overall Florida sports betting framework is still shaky.   
• 2023 – Things move slowly at the beginning of the year, but the Seminole Tribe successfully appeals in October. The compact with the state of Florida is re-upheld, albeit with ongoing lawsuits from West Flagler Associates. Hard Rock Bet reopens in November, with the mobile sports betting app launching a few weeks later in December.   
• 2022 – The next twelve months see substantial legal wrangling with very little movement. The Seminole Tribe get a chance to appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in December, fuelling hopes that the impasse can be broken. DraftKings and FanDuel also pause their lobbying to enter the Florida betting market. 
• 2021 – Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe finally reach an agreement in May 2021. The federal government reviews and approves the new compact, ending the protracted negotiation process. But not everybody is happy – various local gambling institutions form West Flagler Associates, immediately putting lawsuits forward. Hard Rock Bet launches Florida sports betting proper in November, but is closed down shortly after due to legal complaints. 
• 2020 – Florida legislators start the year aiming to cut the Seminole Tribe out of state gambling. Senator Jeff Brandes attempts to push through laws to authorize the Florida Lottery to regulate sports betting, but fails. This spurs the Seminole Tribe on, resulting in legislation to forbid the Florida Lottery from becoming involved with sports betting. As a result, negotiations begin to create a legal sports betting environment helmed by the tribe. 
• 2019 – Florida lawmakers begin renegotiating the compact with the Seminole Tribe, with Senator Wilton Simpson making strides and settling a provisional agreement. Governor Ron DeSantis blocks the deal at the last minute, causing the Seminole Tribe to without their annual payments. 
• 2018 – The US Supreme Court overturns the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May, allowing individual states to pass their own gambling laws and regulations. Later in the year, the Seminole Tribe gets a boost from Amendment 3, meaning any sports betting laws must incorporate the tribe as an active partner. 

Florida Sportsbooks Hoping to Launch Soon 

All of America’s best online betting sites will be eyeing up the Florida mobile sports betting market. The Sunshine State could easily match the wildly successful New York betting scene, with the third-most populated state in the US having close to 23 million inhabitants. Here are some of the most prominent sportsbooks hoping to launch soon: 

FanDuel Florida 

FanDuel is the overall US sports betting market leader, leveraging its huge Daily Fantasy Sports popularity to secure a close to 50% revenue share. The operator has extremely comprehensive betting markets, with the best-in-class same-game parlay builder being a particular highlight. FanDuel users also benefit from a convenient Parlay Hub – a one-stop shop for pre-built parlays and same-game parlays with search filters for odds, sports, and parlay types. 

Unfortunately, Florida bettors were denied the chance to wager at FanDuel after the sportsbook failed in its bid to overturn Sunshine State gambling laws. Check back to this page for updates regarding the operator’s potential entry into the market.

DraftKings Florida 

DraftKings is just behind FanDuel in the overall US sportsbook rankings for popularity, offering a similarly exhaustive service. The operator has a slight edge over its main rivals regarding prices, with more competitive odds on major leagues like the NFL and NBA. For example, DraftKings had the Charlotte Hornets at +470 to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Week 23, compared to FanDuel at +450. 

Other DraftKings highlights include the top-spec live wagering suite, versatile ongoing promotions, and community-based DraftKings Social feature. If Florida gets the go-ahead for an expanded market, DraftKings will almost certainly be one of the first online sports betting sites to launch. 

Fanatics Sportsbook Florida 

The newly launched Fanatics Sportsbook is one of the fastest growing US online sportsbooks, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see it among the first new Florida sports betting sites if laws change. The FanCash Rewards system is the main highlight, offering between 1-5% cashback on all wagers. 

Users enjoy mobile sports betting to the max with Fanatics courtesy of a superb mobile app. The operator has a more streamlined approach to the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings, also including an innovative “For You” page using AI to give personalized bets in line with your habits. 

Best Sportsbook Promo in Florida

Hard Rock Bet currently has the only welcome bonus for sports betting in Florida. New customers can get up to $100 paid back if their first wager doesn’t win, using a similar first-bet safety net mechanic to other sites. Here’s how it works: 

• $10 minimum deposit 
• Up to $100 in bonus funds if your first wager loses 
• Bonus funds granted as one bet and expires after seven days 
• Initial stake not included in any winnings 

It’s comparatively smaller to most other states due to the lack of competition from alternative sites. Hopefully an eventually expanded Florida online sports betting market in the future will lead to bigger and better offers. In the meantime, Hard Rock Bet also has a selection of ongoing odds boosts and other regular promos. 

Requirements to Play at Florida Sports Betting Sites

Users must satisfy the following requirements to bet at a Florida sports betting site:  

• Age – As in most states, the minimum legal Florida betting age is 21. 
• Location – Being able to prove you’re within state boundaries with geolocation while using the Hard Rock Bet mobile betting app or website is necessary before you can place a wager. 
• Valid Account – You must have a valid Hard Rock Bet account to place wagers. 

Popular Sports & Leagues to Bet on in Florida

The Sunshine State has the second-most major league teams in the US after California, with a rich sporting pedigree. It’s no wonder the Florida sports betting market is so wildly valued – we’ll go into more real below: 

Florida Sport Leagues

The main sports leagues for wagering at FL online sportsbooks include: 

• NFL
• NBA 
• MLB 
• NHL 
• MLS 
• College Football 
• College Basketball 

Florida Teams to Bet On

Florida has eleven professional sports teams playing in major leagues: 

• Miami Marlins (MLB)
• Tampa Bay Rays (MLB)
• Miami Heat (NBA)
• Orlando Magic (NBA)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)
• Miami Dolphins (NFL)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
• Florida Panthers (NHL)
• Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
• Inter Miami CF (MLS)
• Orlando City SC (MLS)

Betting Types Available At Florida Online Sportsbooks

Florida sports betting enthusiasts have a broad range of markets to explore. Our experts summarize the most common below:

• Moneyline – Common wagers on the outcome of an event, usually a team winning or losing. 
• Props – Precise wagers on player or team statistics like home runs or team possession. 
• Totals – Predictions on the total number of in-game events based on a total set by the sportsbook. 
• Parlays – Expanded wagers featuring multiple predictions. Each leg must win in most cases, leading to larger potential payouts than other markets. 

What You Can't Bet On In Florida

Florida doesn’t have any particularly unique laws surrounding what you can’t bet on. The Sunshine State is one of the more flexible for sports bettors, allowing things like Olympic sports. However, the following options are prohibited: 

• Award ceremonies like the Grammy Awards and Oscars 
• eSports 
• Politics 

Can you bet on Florida College Sports?

Florida sports betting sites are legally permitted to offer college sports odds on everything other than player props. This makes the Sunshine State particularly attractive for college wagering fans, as many other states have tighter restrictions.

Responsible Gaming in Florida

Taking a responsible approach to sports betting is absolutely essential. Our experts cannot stress this enough – letting your hobby mutate into something more insidious can have devastating effects on everything from finances to personal relations. 

Set pre-planned budgets before using Florida sports betting apps, and ensure you keep a diary to guard against spending too much time wagering. We also highly recommend being open about your habits by talking with family and friends regularly to keep yourself accountable. The following free gambling addiction resources are also great ways to stay free from problematic betting habits: 

• National Council of Problem Gambling

• GambleAware.org

• Gamblers Anonymous 

Other Types of Gambling in Florida

Floridians don’t just have sports betting to enjoy. Here are some other gambling options in the Sunshine State: 

• Real Money Casino – Online casinos are banned in Florida, but the Seminole Tribe operate six land-based locations: Hollywood Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Seminole Casino, Seminole Classic Casino, Seminole Casino Hotel, Seminole Casino Brighton. 
• Sweepstakes – Casino fans who don’t live close to one of the locations above can enjoy online games at a growing range of sweepstakes casinos. These sites use a legal mechanic with virtual currency replacing real money. Get to know the best sweepstakes sites with our expert-picked breakdown. 
• Horse Racing – The Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering overseas legal horse racing betting in the Sunshine State. The main tracks include Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Online horse racing betting is also available via FanDuel Racing and TwinSpires. 
• Poker – Fully regulated real money online poker is sadly off the cards for the foreseeable future, although Floridians do have access to free platforms like Global Poker.  

Upcoming States to License Online Sports Betting Sites

Florida was part of a new wave of states to launch and legalize sports betting in late 2023. The trend has slowed down slightly in 2024, although the following locations are close to establishing their own industries: 

• North Carolina – The Tar Heel State was the second state to officially legalize sports betting in 2024 in March after Vermont (on January 1). 
• Oklahoma – There has been significant movement towards legal sportsbooks in the Sooner State over the past few years. A 2023 effort was close to getting over the line, making Oklahoma betting sites more and more likely to launch in late 2024 or early 2025. 
• Georgia – The Peach State is another place with a growing clamor for a legalized sports betting industry. After four failed attempts in the last half of a decade, many analysts expect a legalization sooner rather than later.

Overview of Florida Sports Betting Sites

This page has vital updates on the best sports betting sites Florida has to offer – currently only Hard Rock Bet. The legal ground is still shifting in the Sunshine State, adding to the possibility of other sites launching over the next few years. Our experts constantly monitor the landscape to be the first to know about any important changes. 

For now, though, you can still enjoy the top-rated Hard Rock Bet platform. We’ve explored some common sports betting markets, explained how to register, and outlined the main Florida sports teams. Now, it’s time to register and enjoy placing wagers for yourself!