Is Gambling Illegal In Florida
The Sunshine State has changed in a number of ways with regards to gambling, switching backwards and forwards in terms of how they regulate the likes of casinos, poker rooms and racetracks. In fact, few states can boast such a colorful and complicated gambling history as Florida. Gambling activities have succumbed to the law now, although they may not have always done, and its land-based gambling is now incredibly well regulated.
The Law in Florida
The State precedent is to assume that in a game of chance, if the chance element is inherent, it is gambling. Betting on skill games is illegal in this state, unless there are specific exemptions under the law. For example, a specific exemption is that bowling tournaments are allowed to issue real-cash prizes and there are also certain free-to-enter lotteries which are also permitted. Similarly, social poker and card games are allowed as long as they play with ‘penny-ante’ stakes, which are defined as any game where no individual takes winnings in a single round, hand or game, over the total of $10.
Legal Forms of Gambling in Florida
Operating web casinos in Florida isn’t allowed, but that doesn’t mean that playing web casinos is banned too. Florida bettors are allowed to play at any internet casino they wish to play at, providing that the venues accept deposits from customers based in Florida, meaning that Floridians can take up any online bookmaker offers. Offshore casinos can either accept or refuse players from the US, including Floridians, but more and more casinos are now accepting subscribers from the States so these should be the first port of call for Florida-based bettors.
Casino games are allowed in Florida and, in fact, there are some world-class casinos found here, including the Hard Rock Casinos. There’s also the option to go on cruise ships that enable bettors to play casino games in international waters, including craps and roulette which are not allowed in land-based casinos in Florida.
Live poker games are permitted and there are card rooms associated with the Tribal casinos and racetracks. The maximum betting amounts went up to $100 in 2008 and, since then, poker has flourished as an entertainment activity. Some prestigious tournaments are even held here, alongside regular cash games. Online poker games are not allowed though as these are covered by the 2012 laws banning internet café casinos. The laws in Florida are broad enough that games of skill are also included in this, although there haven’t been any arrests yet for playing online poker games exclusively.
- (a) “Drawing by chance,” “drawing,” or “raffle” means an enterprise in which, from the entries submitted by the public to the organization conducting the drawing, one or more entries are selected by chance to win a prize.
- Legal Daily Fantasy Betting Age in Florida Because DFS is not technically legal in Florida, there isn’t a legal gambling age for players. Despite this, DFS operators only allow players that are 18 years and older, while Florida only allows players who are over 18 to participate.
Sports betting can be played in the Sunshine State and you can bet using pari-mutuel machines on horse or dog racing, as well as get in on the action on Jai-Alai which is a regional ball game in a three-walled court. Along with sports betting, lottery betting and bingo games are also legal here. Florida has a state lottery and also participates in the inter-State games such as the Powerball. Bettors can take part in charity bingo games and raffles, as well as play bingo for bigger prizes in the Seminole tribal territories.
Photo from Deposit Photos
The Law in Florida The State precedent is to assume that in a game of chance, if the chance element is inherent, it is gambling. Betting on skill games is illegal in this state, unless there are specific exemptions under the law.
The Sunshine state is a casino haven for many gamblers. Their tribal casinos are dotted across the southern part of the state. They also have pari-mutuel casinos, casino cruises, and agreat state lottery.
As of now, Florida does not allow online casinos or sportsbooks. They were slated to have serious discussions about legalization in 2020. But that now seems postponed to 2021.
Still, Florida has some exciting opportunities for land-based casino lovers.
Online Casinos in Florida
Although Florida has a long tradition with some great landbased casinos, it has not legalized online casinos. There have been discussions about legalizing online casinos in the statecapital, but there seems to be little actual motion toward legalization at this point.
Florida does have a state lottery, which can indicate an openness to other forms of betting.
The nearest state where online casinos are legal West Virginia. The online casinos are now operational there!
But, you can still register with a legal online casino while you're in Florida. That means you can get the casino's bonus offers or deposit, and then play whenever you're in stateswhere it's legal. (Do be aware of the casino bonus's expiry date, though.)
Land-Based Casinos in Florida
Florida has a number of different types of land-based casinos.
There are:
- 6 Native American tribal casinos
- casino boats
- 8 pari-mutuel casinos
- state lottery
Types of Casinos in Florida
There are three types of Florida casinos:
- Native American tribal casinos
- casino boats
- gaming machines at pari-mutuels in two south Florida counties
At the moment there is no serious legislation moving toward widening the land-based betting options in Florida.
Tribal Casinos
There are currently six Florida tribal casinos. The Seminole Tribe has five and the sixth is on the Miccosukee Tribe’s reservation.
The Seminoles signed a compact with the state that allows them to offer traditional Class III gaming machines. As part of their compact, five Seminole casinos are also allowed to offer
- blackjack
- baccarat
- mini-baccarat
- three card poker
- let it ride
- pai gow poker
All of the Indian casinos are open 24 hours (except Big Cypress) and all offer bingo except for both Seminole Hard Rock Casinos and the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.
The minimum gambling age is 18 at all Indian casinos for bingo or poker and 21 for electronic gaming machines.
Pari-mutuel casinos
There are eight pari-mutuel casinos in Florida.
In early 2005 voters in Broward County (home county of Fort Lauderdale) passed a referendum to allow slot machines at four pari-mutuel facilities within that county and all are now inoperation.
In January 2008 voters in Miami-Dade County also passed a referendum permitting slot machines at four pari-mutuel facilities.
Click HERE to see a list of Florida casino slot machine payback statistics.
South Florida’s pari-mutuel facilities (as well as most pari-mutuels throughout the state), also offer poker.
Admission to all casinos is free and they are allowed to be open a maximum of 18 hours per day during the week and 24 hours on the weekends and some holidays.
If you want to order a drink while playing, be aware that Florida gaming regulations do not allow pari-mutuel casinos to provide free alcoholic beverages.
List of Pari-mutuel casinos
- Big Easy Casino
- Calder Casino
- Casino Miami
- [email protected] Beach
- Gulfstream Park
- Hialeah Park Racing & Casino
- Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
- Magic City Casino
Casino Boats
The casino boats in Florida offer gamblers the opportunity to board ships that cruise offshore where casino gambling is legal. From the west coast, the boats travel nine miles out into the Gulfof Mexico. From the East coast, they travel three miles out into the Atlantic Ocean.
The minimum drinking age on all boats is 21. Due to security restrictions, you must present a photo ID at all casino boats or you will not be allowed to board.
List Of Land-based Casinos In Florida
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Florida
Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Center
Is Online Gambling Illegal In Florida
- Address: 500 SW 177th Ave, Miami, FL 33194
- Hours: ·8am–2am
- Phone: 305-222-4600
- Website: www.mrg.miccosukee.com
Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Center has nearly 70,000 square feet of casino game space. This includes nearly 2,000 slots.
In addition to casino games, they also have high-stakes bingo.
Florida Gambling Law
Seminole Casino Brighton
- Address: 17735 Reservation Rd, Okeechobee, FL 34974, United States
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Phone: +1 800-360-9875
- Website: www.seminolebrightoncasino.com
Seminole Casino Brighton is a 27,000 sq. ft. casino. They have a moderate 400+ slot and gaming machines. They have a number of table games and high-stake bingo.
Seminole Casino Immokalee
- Address: 506 S 1st St, Immokalee, FL 34142
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Phone: 239-658-1313
- Website: www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com
Seminole Casino Immokalee has 75,000 sq. ft. of casino action. They have over 30 table games, including: blackjack, baccarat, poker, and pai gow, and 3-card poker. This isin addition to a large selection of slots and video poker machines.
Seminole Classic Casino
- Address: 4150 FL-7, Hollywood, FL 33021
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Phone: +1 954-961-3220
- Website: www.seminoleclassiccasino.com
Seminole Classic Casino features a 73,500-sq. ft. casino floor with over 1,000 slot machines. They also have live-action table games and a very large high-stakes bingo room.
Seminole Hard Rock Coconut Creek
- Address: 5550 NW 40th St, Coconut Creek, FL 33073
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Phone: 954-977-6700
- Website: www.seminolecoconutcreekcasino.com
The recently renovated Seminole Hard Rock Coconut Creek hosts over 2000 Las Vegas-style slots. They also offer around 70 live table games, including blackjack, baccarat, 3-card poker, ultimateTexas hold ’em, pai gow poker, let it ride, Spanish 21, casino war.
Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood
- Address: 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Phone: +1 866-502-7529
- Website: www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com
The Hard Rock Hollywood has a new 30,000 sq. ft. casino gaming area. It offers nearly 200 table games, 3,100 slot machines, and a new 45-table Poker Room.
Seminole Hard Rock Tampa
- Address: 5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610, United States
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Phone: +1 866-388-4263
- Website: www.seminolehardrocktampa.com
If you like size, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is up your alley. It's huge 245,000 sq. ft. casino is the sixth-largest in the world. They have a great selection of slots, andtable games include everything from blackjack to baccarat, Pai Gow, Casino War, and Let It Ride. Their poker room features Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Seven-Card Stud amongother games.
Florida Land-Based Casinos Map
