Florida Online Sports Betting

Legal sports betting is starting to pop up all across the country. The best sports betting sites are launching in legal and regulated states. Can you bet on sports in Florida? Here’s what you need to know about Florida online sports betting.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida?

At the moment, there are no legal sports betting options in the state of Florida. You can’t do any betting with retail and online options. For now, bettors will have to wait for their favorite online sportsbook due to the current situation. Sports betting was temporarily legal in 2021 because of a compact between the Seminole Tribe and Governor Ron DeSantis.

Latest Florida Sports Betting News

It’s a complicated situation in the state of Florida when it comes to legal betting. In 2021. a compact between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe allowed the tribe to operate sports betting and other table games at its casinos. Nontribal gaming facilities sued to stop the compact in federal court and a judge ruled on their side.

For the sports betting compact, the tribe had control over which brands would be allowed to access the Florida betting market with an online betting site. Sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings would have to reach a deal with the Seminole Tribe before being granted a license. Then they would be able to offer sports betting through online and mobile betting options.

The case is still in the courts and that means there will be no efforts for sports betting bills or legislation until it’s all sorted out. Florida residents are likely waiting until at least late 2024 if not 2025 for online betting options and to place a bet in FL. It doesn’t seem like anything will get sorted out in 2023.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Florida

Daily Fantasy Sports are unregulated in Florida but DraftKings and FanDuel do operate in the state. New players from the state can participate in the contests. It’s uncertain if those users will ever be able to access retail and online sports betting options for the platforms.

Betting on Horse Racing in Florida

Pari-mutuel wagering is allowed for horse racing in the state of Florida. There are several popular race tracks such as Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West, and Tampa Bay Downs. There is also online betting in Florida on horse racing. It can be done through sites such as TVG, and BetAmerica.

Top FL Sports Teams to Bet On

When sports betting is legal in Florida, there will be a lot of teams and events to bet on. It might be a while before that happens. There are several professional sports teams as well as major Division I universities for Florida bettors. FL sports betting would include the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, and more.

There are the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball as well as the Orlando Magic in the NBA with the Heat. There is no shortage of teams to bet on in Florida.

When it comes to major college sports, there is Florida State, Florida, Miami, and more. If sports betting returns, there will be a lot of options available in Florida for sports fans and bettors. Sports betting is still not legal and in limbo.

Popular Bet Types on Top Sports Betting Sites

There is no legal sports wagering taking place in Florida at the moment. That doesn’t mean gamblers in Florida can’t learn about the different bet types. It’s important to learn as much as possible just in case we see lawmakers legalize sports betting in Florida.

There might not be legal options for betting or your favorite sportsbook in Florida, but that could potentially change. With the legality of sports betting in limbo, here are some common bet types you would see if you ever can start betting in the Sunshine State.

Moneylines

A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game straight up. You’re betting on the winner. Favorites are usually listed with negative odds while an underdog will have positive odds.

For example, you check betting odds and see the Jacksonville Jaguars are -120 favorites vs the Bears. If the Jaguars are victorious, it would take a $120 bet to win $100.

Point spreads

When you make a point spread bet, you’re betting on the margin of victory or defeat. Each team is given a point value to balance the odds. Point spreads allow you to bet on either team, even if one is heavily favored to win.

For example, you might see the Miami Heat are -5.5 point favorites vs the Chicago Bulls. The Heat would need to win by six points or more to cover the spread.

Betting lines for point spreads usually come with odds around -110 on both sides. A $110 bet would win $100. Point spreads are one of the most popular bet types.

Totals

When you make a total bet, it’s also known as an over/under bet. You’re betting on the total number of points that both teams will score in the game. The sportsbook will set a line on how many points they think will be scored.

For example, the total for the Miami Marlins vs Chicago Cubs game is 7.5 runs. For an over bet to win, at least eight runs or more need to be scored in the game. If the game ended 6-4, it would be an over because 10 total runs were scored.

Props

A prop bet is a wager on a specific outcome within a game. Keep in mind, the outcome is not necessarily tied to the final result. Some people find these bets more enjoyable. Sportsbooks offer props on different outcomes for players, teams, and games.

There are a variety of outcomes such as how many points a player will score, how many rebounds a player will have, how many touchdowns a QB will throw for, and more. For example, Trevor Lawrence might have his over/under for passing yards set a 272.5. You are betting whether he will be over or under that mark in the game.

Futures

A futures bet is looking at an event or outcome down the road. Betting on which team will win the championship or what player will win the NBA MVP. These odds change throughout the year based on performance, injuries, and more. You can track futures of major sports teams and players on the top online sites throughout the year.

Parlays

A parlay bet is when you combine multiple outcomes into one single bet slip. This gives you a boost in odds but comes with a catch. To win a parlay, all of the bets have to win. With each leg you add to the parlay, the probability of winning the bet goes down.

For example, you can select three NFL teams each to win on a Sunday in the fall. If any of the teams lose, your bet loses. If all the teams win, you receive your payout based on the odds.

Live Betting

There has been a boom in live betting as sports bettors enjoy placing wagers as an event happens. The odds and lines quickly changed based on the action. There are all sorts of live betting options from traditional bets to props and more.

Popular Promotions from Online Sportsbooks

If sports betting in Florida comes back around, residents of Florida will see the top sportsbooks have promotions and offers to encourage new signups. Here are some common sportsbook promotions and bonuses in legal states for retail and mobile sports betting.

Bonus Bets

One of the best bonuses is a bonus bet. Sportsbooks will dish out bonus bets to new users to entice them to register for the platform. Some bonus bets come without a qualifying deposit. All you need to do is sign up and a sportsbook will give you bonus bets up to a certain amount. Sometimes, the bonus bet needs to be wagered on a specific event.

Other bonus bets have what is called a qualifying bet or deposit. You have to either place a wager or deposit a certain amount of money to receive the bonus bets. For example, DraftKings has run offers in the past where you place a $5 wager and get $150 in bonus bets instantly.

Second Chance Bets or Bet Insurance

First bet insurance is also known as a no-sweat bet, second chance bet, or first bet offer. It provides a safety net for users who place their first bet. This promotion offers protection for the first bet up to a specific amount.

In the event of a loss, the sportsbook will credit the user’s account with bonus bets or bet credits equivalent to the initial wager. This perk is designed to encourage new users to explore the platform and bet without fear of losing their initial investment.

Refer a Friend

Refer a Friend is a common promotion offered by sportsbooks that rewards users for inviting their friends to join the platform. When a user refers a friend, they will receive a bonus or credit, often in the form of bet credits or bonus bets, once their friend signs up and meets certain criteria.

Refer a Friend promotions not only provide incentives for users to invite their friends but also expand the sportsbook’s customer base.

Deposit Match Bonus

When it comes to sports betting, the top sportsbook apps may offer enticing promotions like deposit matches or bonuses for new users. A deposit match is when a sportsbook matches a portion or all of your deposit with bonus funds to use for betting.

For instance, if a sportsbook offers a 25% deposit match up to $1000 and you deposit $1000, you’ll receive an additional $250 in bonus funds to use for your bets online. This promotion can provide bettors with extra funds to explore the platform and find the best betting fights, odds, events, and more.

However, it’s important to read the terms and conditions associated with deposit match promotions, such as wagering requirements or expiration dates, before accepting them.

Florida Online Sports Betting FAQs

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