Is sports betting legal in Florida in 2025? Current status and updates

Sports betting in Florida is perhaps one of the most debated topics among bettors and industry experts, primarily due to the state’s rather complex and unique legal status.

Featuring a mix of complex state laws, historic Native American tribal agreements, and the prospect of further debates in the future, many Floridians themselves are still left wondering: Is sports betting legal in Florida?

As a result, we’re looking at the history of wagering in the Sunshine State, the rules and regulations you must follow, and the most popular sports you can bet on.

The short answer is YES, sports betting is legal in Florida. However, bettors should understand that sports wagering in-state is subject to specific conditions:

Florida’s approval in 2023 allowed the state to move forward after several years of legal wrangling when the state finally agreed on a compact with the Seminole Tribe. The move meant the tribe obtained exclusive rights to conduct sports betting in exchange for a prominent revenue-sharing agreement with the state.

So, is it legal to bet on sports in Florida? Technically, yes – but only if you’re using the Seminole-controlled platform.

It’s fair to say the journey of sports betting in Florida has been anything but smooth.

The first major shift came about in May 2018 after the US Supreme Court struck down the existing federal ban on sports betting, allowing individual states to choose to ban or to permit gambling.

While states like New Jersey and Illinois jumped at the chance straight away, Florida’s complex relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida meant it took nearly three years before an initial agreement was reached.

This delay surprised bettors who visited Florida at the time, particularly as the state is home to several high-caliber sporting franchises. In fact, Florida’s gambling laws were extremely strict, and for years, residents’ betting activities were limited to playing state lotteries and some horse racing and dog track wagering.

However, the first attempt to resolve this came close in 2021 after seeing a sports betting compact agreed between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. At the time, the outline of this compact would have facilitated legalised sports betting at tribal casinos, along with an online platform that the tribe would have run.

Unfortunately for the supporters of the arrangement, the compact was struck down by a federal judge later that year, leaving many to wonder when sports betting will be legal in Florida.

Fast forward to December 2023, and with a few technical alterations, the Seminoles were granted permission to launch the Hard Rock Bet sportsbook, making sports betting online legal in Florida. It allowed Florida residents over the age of 21 to open a sports betting account while wagering within state limits.

With so many sports to choose from, it was inevitable that an agreement to loosen Florida sports betting laws was eventually approved, given that the Sunshine State is a vibrant hub of sports betting options, which include:

While the question of Florida truly being a sports betting state continues to evolve, there are specific legal guidelines and wagering restrictions that gamblers in the state must be aware of and follow.

At present, legal sports betting in Florida is widely available, however, it is strictly limited to the dual betting formats that are offered by the Seminole Tribe: in-person and online. Bettors over 21 years of age can physically visit the tribal casinos or legally bet on the Hard Rock Bet app, which operates under a special agreement with the state. 

Some may wonder if sports betting is allowed in Florida through other online sportsbooks and offshore betting sites. Unfortunately, the answer to that is no, as any other form of sports betting in the state of Florida, be it online or in-person outside of these domains, is strictly prohibited and carries with it expensive fines and penalties. 

With major sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetOnline waiting in the wings, the state will need to tread carefully to protect the Seminole Tribe’s interests. Introducing alternative online betting platforms will likely cannibalise their market share.

Yes it does, however, the complex nature of Florida’s relationship with the Seminole Tribe initially clouded these waters.

Since the advancement of the 2021 compact and the launch of Hard Rock Bet in 2023, Florida has embraced legal sports wagering, mirroring states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan in generating significant gambling revenues.

Should Florida gambling laws be expanded further, the scope of legal sports betting across the entire state will undoubtedly see Floridians continuing to back their favourite sports teams through additional legal wagering platforms. 

While sports betting is legal in Florida, all bettors are encouraged to gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, help is available through the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling at 1-888-ADMIT-IT (1-888-236-4848) or visit gamblinghelp.org.