Florida has regulated a few forms of gambling and guards its gambling industry well. However, it cannot be called a gamblers’ paradise as it is still miles away from legalizing and regulating online gambling.

Florida Penalties for Illegal Gambling Florida Statute § 849.08 explains that “Whoever plays or engages in any game at cards, keno, roulette, faro or other game of chance, at any place, by any device whatever, for money or other thing of value, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree”. Gambling takes many forms, ranging from playing the ponies at Gulfstream Park to playing some poker with friends at home. Whether visiting the Seminole Hard Rock Casino or putting $100 on the Seminole football team, such activities are considered gambling under Florida law.

This page serves as a comprehensive guide to online gambling in Florida. It offers a brief overview of the legality of online gambling in Florida, its gambling laws, and land casino gaming options in Florida. It serves as a guide to players looking for safe and licensed online sportsbooks, online casinos, and online poker rooms that accept players from Florida.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Florida?

Florida has a set of vague gambling laws that say nothing about playing Internet games for real money; but law-enforcement agencies can argue that existing gambling laws can be applied to online gambling. Taken in this sense, online gambling can be said to be illegal in Florida. On the brighter side, Florida’s weak laws or rather the non-existence of proper online gambling laws can be taken advantage of. So far, the state has not prosecuted any player for gambling online. The state’s laws are too weak to deal with offshore gambling sites that accept Florida players. Taking these factors into consideration, one can safely say that there is nothing to stop Florida players from signing up at offshore online gaming sites.

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Florida State Gambling Laws And Statutes

Gamblers in Florida can legally bet on their favorite games of chance only in state-licensed and state-approved premises. Unregulated forms of gambling are considered illegal. While Florida is quite lenient toward individual players, it has very stiff penalties for operators caught running illegal gambling outfits.

Florida gamblers can place wagers on horse racing and dog racing events. The state also runs a lottery and allows a few tribal casinos to operate. An individual needs to be above 18 years of age to play real money casino games. Florida casinos remain open for 24 hours per day.

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Legal Online Gambling Sites for Florida Residents

There are plenty of licensed, regulated, reputed, and secure online gambling sites that accept players from Florida. Florida players can sign up for real money, claim bonuses, take part in promotions and loyalty schemes, and win large jackpots at online casinos, online poker rooms, online bingo sites, and online sportsbooks. We have researched the best online gambling sites for Florida players here.

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Are Online Casinos Legal in Florida?

Gambling companies are not permitted to operate online casinos in Florida. But the state’s gambling laws are too weak to deal with offshore online casinos that accept players from Florida. Since the state has so far not prosecuted individual players for playing online, there is nothing to stop Florida players from registering at top online casinos. The best online casinos in the industry offer huge portfolios with progressive jackpot games and great promotions, including fabulous bonuses.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Florida?

Players can place wagers on outcomes of horse racing and dog racing events, but so far, the state has not regulated sports betting. Since the DoJ has clarified that the Wire Act of 1961 applies only to sports betting, there is no chance of any US state, including Florida, of legalizing sports betting.

Sportsbooks + Sports Betting Sites that Accept Florida Residents

Florida has no clear laws to stop its punters from signing up at offshore online sportsbooks, and there are many reputed punting sites eager to accept players from Florida. Players from Florida can get the hottest picks and the best odds on popular markets such as football, cricket, tennis, and hockey at sports betting sites. They can also claim bonuses, free bets, and reduced juice options.

Illegal Gambling Florida Penalty Laws

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Is Online Poker Legal in Florida?

Illegal Gambling Florida Penalty Shootout

It can be argued that existing laws can be applied to online poker, and if this is done, online poker can be said to be illegal. Although online poker operators cannot run online poker rooms, the state does not have any clear laws prohibiting its residents from playing at offshore online poker rooms.

Poker Sites that Accept Florida Residents

Although top online poker rooms such as Full Tilt Poker and PokerStars are no longer available to Florida players owing to the events of Black Friday, several attractive online poker rooms such as Lock Poker, Carbon Poker, and others accept Florida players and allow them to play online poker tournaments and cash games for real money. Florida friendly online poker rooms offer attractive new player bonuses, freerolls, lucrative promotions, and opportunities to qualify for live poker events.

Land Based Gambling in Florida

Gamblers in Florida can play as many casino games as they like for real money at land casinos approved and licensed by the state. These casinos are open round-the-clock and offer games such as slot machines, bingo, and poker. Florida has only tribe-owned casinos as the state’s gambling laws do not permit commercial casinos.

Some of the best land casinos in Florida are Seminole Coconut Creek Casino; Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room, where players can play poker variants such as Stud and Hold’em; and the Seminole Casino in Immokalee.

Closing Thoughts About Legal Online Gambling For Florida Residents

Florida has several regulated gambling options for the average gambler. Players can safely gamble at licensed casinos and card rooms in Florida. Residents can also play at offshore online gambling sites although it should be borne in mind that they should research the site well before registering as the state does not have any online gaming laws worth speaking of.

In Florida, it is illegal to have gambling operations that reward customers with cash, alcohol or cigarettes. Violation of the Florida gambling laws can subject an offender to administrative penalties (such as the loss of a business license and/or licenses to sell alcohol and tobacco) and criminal penalties as well as seizure and forfeiture of gambling apparatus and proceeds from gambling activity.

Recently, the Division of Alcohol, Beverages and Tobacco (ATB), the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the local police department jointly investigated suspected gambling operations in Port Charlotte, Florida, according to a news release on the DBPR website. Those law enforcement officials seized video gaming machines at local restaurants and bars and made several arrests for the crime of keeping a gambling house, which is a third degree felony.

Illegal Gambling Florida Penalty Statute

Any person or business that keeps gambling machines that pay cash or allow the customer to exchange a ticket for cash, alcohol or tobacco may be subject to such an investigation and the corresponding penalties and seizures. These investigations typically begin with undercover law enforcement officers playing the games and receiving the cash, alcohol or tobacco rewards and usually end with a raid, arrests and the seizure of all gaming machines and whatever cash and proceeds law enforcement officials want to say are related to the gambling operations.