Sports Betting For Florida Players And Legal Resources

Florida online sports betting is an online gambling venue that many players enjoy participating in. It is not legal at this time to operate an online sports betting site within the state of Florida. Players from Florida, and the US in general are able to participate in legal sportsbook wagering at online sports betting sites which have been licensed, certified and are regulated by jurisdictions outside of the US that have already legalized online gambling within their respective territories. There are not any state Florida gambling laws or federal laws which prohibit this type of online sports betting at legally sanctioned sites for American players. This guide was designed to assist players in reaching these types of legal sports betting options and to understand the legal status of sports wagering for Florida bettors, and we've provide you with the resources necessary to do so. Our guide is expanding to focus on the sports events most important to Florida bettors, including Florida football betting and Florida basketball betting.

Our football betting guide has recently been expanded to provide comprehensive pages dedicated to fans interested in college football betting specifically. We have covered Florida's most prominent teams, including a guide for betting on FSU Seminoles football, Florida Gators football, and Miami Hurricanes football.

Top Sports Betting Sites Available For Florida Residents

State and Federal Gambling Laws Affecting Florida Sports Betting

Is Sports Betting Legal In Florida? While there are not any Federal laws which make it illegal for US players to participate in legally licensed online gambling in general, the Federal Wire Act has been deemed by the DOJ as rendering sports betting illegal, and aside from a few destinations which were grand fathered into an exception, the law spans the entire US. This limitation makes it illegal for anyone to launch or operate an online sportsbook in the US. This does not stop US players from participating in legally sanctioned and government regulated sports betting sites that are located outside of the USA. The position of the Federal Government on this issue makes it impossible for Florida to offer any type of sports betting options to its residents and visitors.

As of this writing, the state of New Jersey has attempted to legalize online sports betting for their region. They were shot down pretty quickly in court, with the major sports leagues and the NCAA taking a strong position of opposition on the matter. Governor Christie has appealed to a higher court and is currently awaiting their ruling. If he is able to have the previous ruling overturned, then New Jersey would be the first state to offer legal, state licensed online sports betting access to bettors. We are anxious to see the outcome of this challenge to the Federal Wire Act. It will indeed set a precedence, in one direction or another.

What Is The Legal Gambling Age in Florida?

Florida is one of those states that does not have a consistent gambling age. The age limit varies depending on which type of gambling is in question. For bingo, lottery, poker and pari-mutuel wagering in Florida, the minimum age is 18. For casino gambling and online gambling, the age is 21. While most legal online sports betting sites have a minimum age of 18, Florida law requires that players be 21 years of age to participate in online sportsbook wagering. There has been a strong push by some to make the gambling age consistent regardless of venue, however this has not yet occurred.

Land Based Gambling in Florida

Florida is a fairly gambling friendly state. There are a number of brick and mortar casinos owned and operated by various Indian Tribes. We have listed some of the most popular ones below. There are also a number of card rooms and pari-mutuel racing facilities available to players throughout the state.

http://www.miccosukee.com/

http://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/

http://www.seminolebrightoncasino.com/

http://www.creekentertainment.com/Home.aspx

How Do I Find A Legal Florida Online Sports Betting Site?

Our team of gambling professionals has performed an extensive review on the potential online sportsbooks that accept players from Florida. Our review process is intense, and examines the many components of each operation, to include licensing and certifications, the strength of their security profile, how competitive their betting lines and pay lines are, the range of sports and events covered in their menu, the consistency, reliability and design of their user interface, and the efficiency of their banking suite and customer support. We evaluate their bonus offers and wagering requirements to ensure they are fair and reasonable. While there are many many more elements which must be vetted prior to approving a brand for inclusion in this guide, these are the key items we start with to eliminate the ones who aren't in compliance with the law, and to determine which brands bear further scrutiny. Relying on professional input when selecting your sports betting destination of choice is strongly recommended in order to avoid dangerous, rogue or predatory risks, or simply to avoid the low quality options that are not worth your time.

Commonly Asked Questions Concerning Florida Sports Betting

Will I face legal consequences if I participate in online sports betting in Florida?

As long as you are 21 years of age, and you select an online sportsbook that is regulated and located outside of the United States, and that holds legal licensing and compliance certifications, then it is perfectly legal to participate in online sports betting.

What are my options for funding my online sportsbook account?

There are some legal online sportsbooks that accept credit card payments from Florida players, and that offer very successful track records concerning their transaction approvals. I personally use my Visa to bet on sports at Bovada Sportsbook every week and I have never had a problem with my deposit. Other US friendly options include a bank wire, prepaid cards or prepaid voucher systems.

How do I find the best sportsbooks?

We have provided a listing on this page of those sportsbooks which accept Florida players and that have been personally vetted by our team of review specialists, so you can be sure they are legally operating within the industry and that they provide a secure and high quality online sports betting experience.

How much does it cost to sign up at one of these recommended Florida online sportsbooks?

Account registration is always free at these particular sports betting sites, and in addition, they each offer a welcome bonus that matches a portion of your deposit with free money, providing a nice little bankroll boost right from the get go. To initiate your account registration, simply visit one of the recommended brands in the table below using the links provided. You will be asked to enter some personal identification data and will receive access to your account immediately.

Do I have to claim my winnings on my tax return?

You are required to report earnings because gambling earnings are taxable. With brick and mortar casinos, the casinos take charge of deducting the 25% taxable amount before giving you your money. With online betting, the offshore accounts might not care about your tax deductions and leave you to figure it out on your own. With tax laws changing often and sometimes hard to interpret, a good tactic would be to consult with your accountant about any earnings you have had over the year with online Florida sports betting and other gambling activities to see what you are required to include in your tax return. We highly recommend that you proceed ethically and according to the law when it comes to the tax requirements on your gambling winnings.

Do I have access to review the state and federal gambling laws myself?

Absolutely. The gambling laws for the state of Florida are located on the state legislature website: Florida State Legislature Official Website. The federal laws can be accessed online from the Library of Congress through their THOMAS database.

What types of sports events are covered at online sportsbooks?

You can expect to see betting lines for all the major and minor league sports, including football, basketball, hockey, soccer, motor sports, boxing, golf and tennis, among others. Many brands also cover a variety of European leagues and offer options for wagering on celebrity gossip, current events, and politics. The specific options vary by sportsbook brand.

Are there any bonus offers or promotions I can take advantage of when betting on sports online?

One of the things that sets online gambling apart is the selection of bonus offers. Most online sportsbooks that we recommend offer a match deposit bonus to new players in which they agree to match a certain percentage of your initial deposit for free. Some brands, such as BetOnline offer consistent reload bonuses. Their specific offer is a 50% match bonus Up To $1000 on your first deposit, and then a 25% match bonus up to $1000 on every single deposit you make that is $25 or more for the life of your account. Their offer is a nice example of the generosity of the online sports betting venue

Popular Betting Trends For Florida's Major Sports Teams

The Miami Marlins

In the National League East, the Miami Marlins were in 4th place last season with a record of 77-85. Of course, they missed the playoffs, and have for the past few years. Even though changing cities and venues and coaches and players, the Marlins are still a poor performing team and are not a solid betting option. They were 83-95 ATS (against the spread) last season, while going 37-47-7 for over-under as the away team. These trends are continuing on through this season and may perhaps extend into next season as well.

The Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays, formerly known as the Devil Rays, have changed their name recently but haven't changed much in the win-loss column. They were 4th in the AL East last season, behind the Blue Jays, Yankees and Orioles, and this season they're 3rd in the standings and are in danger of dropping. They've been 89-95 ATS in recent memory, so they're far from a surefire bet. And typically at more than 10 games back in the playoff chase, you should steer clear of betting on the Rays.

The Miami Heat

Only two seasons ago, the Heat had LeBron James, D-Wade and Chris Bosh and went to four consecutive NBA Finals. Without James, however, the Heat floundered and didn't even make the playoffs last year. They were 36-43-3 ATS, and 24-26-2 in conference games. After a loss, they did almost around 60%, going 26-18-1, but their wins after a win were a dismal 9-15-2. Without a star, beyond Dwayne Wade and his aging knees, the Heat will probably be even worse next season.

The Orlando Magic

The Magic haven't been a team in contention since they had Dwight Howard some six seasons ago. However, they were 41-40-1 ATS, and as an away underdog they managed a record of 24-14. This means they not only covered those games but also won people some money. Does that mean the Magic are a good bet? Well, seeing as how they're a .500 team that's probably not in the playoff hunt, you're about 50/50 every time you bet on them. So, better to save your money for better odds.

The Jacksonville Jaguars

In the AFC South, the Jaguars have their hands full with teams like the Colts and Texans. For betters in particular, Jacksonville gave them about a 50/50 shot to win money last year, going 8-8 with over-under bets and hovering right around that mark with ATS numbers. Simply put, the Jags aren't impressive enough to bet on, and their schedule is tough and will probably result in a 4-12 season. This isn't a team you want to tie your money up with.

The Miami Dolphins

Almost all football experts agree this year that the Miami Dolphins can win the AFC East. They have a QB who's getting better every year with Ryan Tannehill. They have good receivers like Jarvis Landry, Rishard Matthews and Greg Jennings out of Green Bay. They even picked up Ndamukong Suh from the Lions to shore up their D. Last year, however, they were 7-9 ATS, 6-6 in conference games, and only 4-5 as favorites. These trends might shift this season upcoming, but not by a lot. 10-6 is our prediction ATS, and perhaps 8-4 in conference. Better, but no lock.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs were another 7-9 ATS spread team last year. But they didn't have a QB, and Lovie Smith's defense wasn't playing like he built it in Chicago. Will that trend change this year? They picked up Jameis Winston out of Florida State with the first pick in the NFL Draft, and he's slated to be the best QB out of college since Andrew Luck. So, yes, their hopes are looking up. We predict an 11-5 season for the Bucs this year ATS, and an 8-8 record overall. Watch it when the Bucs are big dogs. We predict they will end up covering due to having a high-powered offense and a mobile QB.