Is Gambling Illegal In Florida

1. Is Gambling Illegal In Florida Keys
2. Is Gambling Illegal In Florida Beaches

Florida Gambling Laws. There are a number of Florida gambling laws to be aware of, but the long and short of it is that the following markets are currently legal in a domestic operator capacity: Tribal casino gaming (21+ Class III, 18+ Class II) Horse racing betting (18+) Greyhound betting (18+, expires Dec. 31, 2020) Jai Alai betting (18+). To unlawfully promote, operate, or assist in the operation of a game of chance, illegal lottery, or other gambling activity.

Gambling is a huge source of income for the state of Florida. Tax revenue
from slot machines alone totaled over $70 million in 2016.

But not all types of gambling are legal in Florida.

Online Florida gambling sites, roulette, craps, daily fantasy sports and some
other games are illegal in Florida.

This page covers all these topics, and more.

Online Gambling and Florida Law

Is Online Gambling Legal in Florida?

No written laws pertain specifically to online gambling in Florida. There's
not a clear answer to this question, but our best guess is that online gambling
is illegal in Florida.

Section 849.08 of the Florida Statutes says this about gambling:

'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, punishable as
provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.'

Thus, playing any game of chance online is illegal.

Most people now consider poker a game of skill. You might think that this
would make poker legal in Florida. You'd be wrong, though.

Section 849.14 covers games of skill.

Here's what it says:

'Whoever stakes, bets or wagers any money or other thing of value upon the
result of any trial or contest of skill, speed or power or endurance of human or
beast, or whoever receives in any manner whatsoever any money or other thing of
value staked, bet or wagered, or offered for the purpose of being staked, bet or
wagered, by or for any other person upon any such result, or whoever knowingly
becomes the custodian or depositary of any money or other thing of value so
staked, bet, or wagered upon any such result, or whoever aids, or assists, or
abets in any manner in any of such acts all of which are hereby forbidden, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree'

Based on this, games of skill like poker are also illegal.

This section of the Florida Statutes doesn't reference devices like
computers, but that doesn't mean it doesn't apply.

Can I Get Arrested for Gambling Online in Florida?

Online gambling is illegal in Florida. Our advice is to obey the law no
matter where you live.

This does not, however, prevent us from discussing levels of risk involved
with various activities.

No one has ever been arrested or prosecuted for playing online casino games
at Florida gambling sites. The only arrests we know of related to online
gambling were in Oklahoma, and these were related to online sports betting.

Risk levels for players are consistently low. We recommend several offshore
gaming companies who would probably be thrilled to serve customers in Florida.

There's a legal risk, but it's small.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Florida?

No, daily fantasy sports are not yet legal in Florida.

In 2015, a state senator and representative started a campaign to legalize
daily fantasy sports.

It hasn't gotten far, but heavy pushes to legalize daily fantasy sports in
Florida are still happening. We wouldn't be surprised to see it legalized in the
future.

Are Offshore Gambling Sites Safe?

The key to finding safe offshore gambling sites is research. We offer several
recommendations on our site based on our own research, but you should do your
own due diligence, too.

You should research how long the site has been in business and where they're
licensed.

To keep a business open, you need a steady stream of customers. Finding a
site that has been in business for a considerable length of time means they're
liked enough to have repeat customers.

You should consider where a site is licensed since different jurisdictions
have different standards. You should look for sites that are licensed in
jurisdictions with stricter regulations, such as the United Kingdom.

Think about the following, too:

How Do I Choose a Good Online Gaming Site?

• Game Variety

What kind of casino games do you want to play? Not all online
casinos offer all casino games. Some players prefer live dealer action, while
others are only interested in having a wide variety of slot machines to choose
from. It's dumb to sign up for an online casino that only offers slots if you're
interested in playing card games.

• Tournaments

If you're interested in tournaments, be sure to check out the
sites tournament section. This is where you can find information like the type
of tournaments they hold, the qualifications for each tournament and the
tournament schedule. Not all online casinos offer tournaments.

• Bonus Terms & Conditions

Almost all online gaming sites offer sign-up
bonuses. Read the conditions of the bonus. You need to know how much you must
wager and what other qualifications you must meet in order to get the bonus.

• Read Reviews

Reading reviews from the members of the site is the tried and
true way to get uncensored information. Everything you read on the site that's
written by them is simply advertising to you in order to get you to sign up.
Learn how to distinguish between real reviews and those written by shills.

Look for pages that review both the pros and cons of the site from online
gamblers like you.

• Customer Complaints

Try doing an internet search with the name of the site
and the word 'complaint.' You might be able to find some complaints or issues
with the site posted various places around the internet along with how the site
handled the complaint. Keep in mind, too, that not all player complaints are
legitimate. Read everything with a grain of salt and a certain amount of
cynicism.

• Deposit Options

Visit the cashier's page on each site to find the deposit
options available. If they don't have an option you're familiar with or
comfortable using, there's no reason to sign up for the site.

• Contact Customer Service

The point of contacting customer service is to see
their level of professionalism and to see how quickly they get back with you.
Even if you don't have a real question, send them a simple question. For
example, ask how long it takes to get your funds when you transfer your winnings
to your bank.

You can tell a lot about a company's customer service by how they respond to
a question from a potential customer.

• Restricted States

Some offshore gambling sites have a restricted list of
states they can't service. It's important to check if your state is on this list
or not. You theoretically could end up signing up for the site and winning some
money, but they won't legally be allowed to pay it to you.

Many of the offshore casinos we recommend on this site are happy to do
business with customers from Florida. Start your research by reading our
reviews. We think you'll find them more complete and comprehensive than any
you'll find on our competitors' sites.

Also On This Page

More Gambling Laws in Florida

• Casino Games (Legal With Restrictions)
• Card Rooms (Pari-Mutuel Only)
• Sports and Race Betting (Pari-Mutuel Betting Legal)
• Lottery (Legal)
• Bingo (Legal)
• Social Gambling (Legal With Restrictions)

Casinos: Legal With Restrictions

Casinos can have card rooms that include poker and dominos. They're also
allowed to offer other games like slot machines, blackjack and baccarat.

But craps, roulette and keno are illegal in Florida.

According to sections 849.08 and 849.11 games of chance are illegal in
Florida.

Here's what they say:

'849.08Gambling. – 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

849.11Plays at games of chance by lot. – Whoever sets up, promotes or plays
at any game of chance by lot or with dice, cards, numbers, hazards or any other
gambling device whatever for, or for the disposal of money or other thing of
value or under the pretext of a sale, gift or delivery thereof, or for any
right, share or interest therein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second
degree'

Card Rooms: Pari-Mutuel Only

According to section 849.086 of the Florida Statutes, card rooms are legal at
casinos and pari-mutuel facilities such as racetracks.

Here's what it says about card rooms:

'It is the intent of the Legislature to provide additional entertainment
choices for the residents of and visitors to the state, promote tourism in the
state, and provide additional state revenues through the authorization of the
playing of certain games in the state at facilities known as cardrooms which are
to be located at licensed pari-mutuel facilities. To ensure the public
confidence in the integrity of authorized cardroom operations, this act is
designed to strictly regulate the facilities, persons, and procedures related to
cardroom operations. Furthermore, the Legislature finds that authorized games as
herein defined are considered to be pari-mutuel style games and not casino
gaming because the participants play against each other instead of against the
house.'

Here's what the Florida Statutes says about methods of wagering at card
rooms:

'No wagering may be conducted using money or other negotiable currency. Games
may only be played utilizing a wagering system whereby all players' money is
first converted by the house to tokens or chips which shall be used for wagering
only at that specific cardroom.'

According to the Department of Business & Professional Regulation website,
only poker and dominoes are allowed in cardrooms.

Here's what it says:

'Only poker and dominoes are authorized for play within Florida's licensed
cardrooms. Authorized games are played in a non-banking manner, which
means that the house is not a participant in the game and the players compete
only against each other.'

Sports and Race Betting: Pari-Mutuel Betting Legal

Pari-mutuel betting is legal in Florida on horse races, dog races and other
activities – but only if they take place in a pari-mutuel facility.

According to section 550.155 of the Florida statutes:

'Wagering on the results of a horserace, dograce, or on the scores or points
of a jai alai game and the sale of tickets or other evidences showing an
interest in or a contribution to a pari-mutuel pool are allowed within the
enclosure of any pari-mutuel facility licensed and conducted under this chapter
but are not allowed elsewhere in this state, must be supervised by the division,
and are subject to such reasonable rules that the division prescribes.'

Here's a question and answer from Department of Business & Professional
Regulation website regarding greyhound betting online:

'Q. The Internet offers wagering on greyhound races in Florida and other
states; is this legal?

A. The Florida Attorney General is of the opinion that this type of activity
is illegal. The only place that pari-mutuel wagering can be carried out in
Florida is at a pari-mutuel wagering track or fronton.'

Lottery: Legal

Florida has a state regulated lottery.

According to the Florida Lottery website:

'The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $31 billion to
education and sending more than 750,000 students to college through the Bright
Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its
revenue back into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more
than 13,000 Florida retailers and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida
Lottery games have paid more than $52.4 billion in prizes and made more than
1,900 people millionaires'

Games include:

• Powerball
• Mega Millions
• Florida Lotto
• Cash4Life
• Lucky money
• Fantasy 5
• Pick 5
• Pick 4
• Pick 3
• Pick 2
• Millionaire Raffle
• scratch offs that range from $1-$25 games

Bingo: Legal

Bingo for profit at casinos as well as bingo for nonprofit charities are both
legal.

Here's what section 849.0931 of the Florida statutes has about authorizing
bingo games for nonprofits:

'None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or
prevent charitable, nonprofit, or veterans' organizations engaged in charitable,
civic, community, benevolent, religious, or scholastic works or other similar
endeavors, which organizations have been in existence and active for a period of
3 years or more, from conducting bingo games or instant bingo, provided the
entire proceeds derived from the conduct of such games, less actual business
expenses for articles designed for and essential to the operation, conduct, and
playing of bingo or instant bingo, are donated by such organizations to the
endeavors mentioned above. In no case may the net proceeds from the conduct of
such games be used for any other purpose whatsoever. The proceeds derived from
the conduct of bingo games or instant bingo shall not be considered solicitation
of public donations.'

Social Gambling: Legal With Restrictions

According to Section 849.085 of the Florida Statutes, certain games are
allowed at home.

Here's what it says about these games known as penny-ante games:

' (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is not a crime for a
person to participate in a game described in this section if such game is
conducted strictly in accordance with this section.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) 'Penny-ante game' means a game or series of games of poker, pinochle,
bridge, rummy, canasta, hearts, dominoes, or mah-jongg in which the winnings of
any player in a single round, hand, or game do not exceed $10 in value.

(b) 'Dwelling' means residential premises owned or rented by a participant in
a penny-ante game and occupied by such participant or the common elements or
common areas of a condominium, cooperative, residential subdivision, or mobile
home park of which a participant in a penny-ante game is a unit owner, or the
facilities of an organization which is tax-exempt under s. 501(c)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code. The term 'dwelling' also includes a college dormitory
room or the common recreational area of a college dormitory or a publicly owned
community center owned by a municipality or county.

(3) A penny-ante game is subject to the following restrictions:

(a) The game must be conducted in a dwelling.'

Twin river casino job openings. According to the above information, penny-ante games such as poker, rummy,
etc. can take place in a residential area if each hand or round doesn't go over
$10.

Gambling Venues in Florida

All casinos in Florida, which are listed below, are located on Indian
reservation land.

Games found at these casinos include:

• Texas holdem
• Bingo
• Slot machines
• Blackjack
• Baccarat
• Casino war
• Mississippi stud
• Pai Gow poker
• Spanish 21
• Let it ride
• Three card poker
• Omaha

Card rooms, slot machines and pari-mutuel betting are available at some
racetracks throughout the state that are not listed below.

1) Miccosuke Resort & Gaming

500 SW 177th Ave

Miami, FL 33194

Phone number: (305) 222-4600

2) Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee

506 S 1st ST

Immokalee, FL 34142

Phone number: (239) 658-1313

3) Seminole Casino Brighton

17735 Reservation Rd

Okeechobee, FL 34974

Phone number: (863) 467-9998

4) Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

4 – 5550 NW 40th St

Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Phone number: (954) 977-6700

5) Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

1 Seminole Way

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

Phone number: (866) 502-7529

6) Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

5223 Orient Rd

Tampa, FL 33610

Phone number: (813) 627-7625

7) Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood

4150 N State Rd 7

Hollywood, FL 33021

Phone number: (954) 961-3220

History of Gambling in Florida

Slot machines and jai alai games are legalized.

Florida repeals the one-armed bandit's slot machines only two years after they're legalized.

The Seminole Tribe opens Florida's first high-stakes Indian bingo hall where bingo jackpots are over $100.

'Cruises to nowhere' are simulcasting are introduced.

Seminole casinos introduce poker to their game floors.

Card rooms are legalized at pari-mutuel facilities.

Officials seize more than 350 illegal video slot machines that are found in west-central Florida countries.

Tracks and jai alai frontons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are approved to have slot machines. The Seminole tribe opens two new locations in Tampa and Hollywood called Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The Governor signs an agreement that allows Las Vegas-style slots, baccarat, and blackjack games to be held at the 7 Seminoles tribal casinos. The legislature approves domino games, instant bingo, and regulated poker tournaments to be held in card rooms. They also raise bet limits from $2 to $5 and allow increased hours for slot machine operators.

No-limit 24 hour a day poker games and video lottery terminals are approved at dog and horse tracks by the legislature.

Internet cafes used as fronts for gambling games are banned.

Additional Resources

This link takes you to a list of the current pari-mutuel wagering
establishments that hold an operating license for the 2017-2018 year.

This link takes you to the Florida lottery websites information page.

Try doing an internet search with the name of the site
and the word 'complaint.' You might be able to find some complaints or issues
with the site posted various places around the internet along with how the site
handled the complaint. Keep in mind, too, that not all player complaints are
legitimate. Read everything with a grain of salt and a certain amount of
cynicism.

Visit the cashier's page on each site to find the deposit
options available. If they don't have an option you're familiar with or
comfortable using, there's no reason to sign up for the site.

The point of contacting customer service is to see
their level of professionalism and to see how quickly they get back with you.
Even if you don't have a real question, send them a simple question. For
example, ask how long it takes to get your funds when you transfer your winnings
to your bank.

You can tell a lot about a company's customer service by how they respond to
a question from a potential customer.

Some offshore gambling sites have a restricted list of
states they can't service. It's important to check if your state is on this list
or not. You theoretically could end up signing up for the site and winning some
money, but they won't legally be allowed to pay it to you.

Many of the offshore casinos we recommend on this site are happy to do
business with customers from Florida. Start your research by reading our
reviews. We think you'll find them more complete and comprehensive than any
you'll find on our competitors' sites.

Also On This Page

More Gambling Laws in Florida

• Casino Games (Legal With Restrictions)
• Card Rooms (Pari-Mutuel Only)
• Sports and Race Betting (Pari-Mutuel Betting Legal)
• Lottery (Legal)
• Bingo (Legal)
• Social Gambling (Legal With Restrictions)

Casinos: Legal With Restrictions

Casinos can have card rooms that include poker and dominos. They're also
allowed to offer other games like slot machines, blackjack and baccarat.

But craps, roulette and keno are illegal in Florida.

According to sections 849.08 and 849.11 games of chance are illegal in
Florida.

Here's what they say:

'849.08Gambling. – 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

849.11Plays at games of chance by lot. – Whoever sets up, promotes or plays
at any game of chance by lot or with dice, cards, numbers, hazards or any other
gambling device whatever for, or for the disposal of money or other thing of
value or under the pretext of a sale, gift or delivery thereof, or for any
right, share or interest therein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second
degree'

Card Rooms: Pari-Mutuel Only

According to section 849.086 of the Florida Statutes, card rooms are legal at
casinos and pari-mutuel facilities such as racetracks.

Here's what it says about card rooms:

'It is the intent of the Legislature to provide additional entertainment
choices for the residents of and visitors to the state, promote tourism in the
state, and provide additional state revenues through the authorization of the
playing of certain games in the state at facilities known as cardrooms which are
to be located at licensed pari-mutuel facilities. To ensure the public
confidence in the integrity of authorized cardroom operations, this act is
designed to strictly regulate the facilities, persons, and procedures related to
cardroom operations. Furthermore, the Legislature finds that authorized games as
herein defined are considered to be pari-mutuel style games and not casino
gaming because the participants play against each other instead of against the
house.'

Here's what the Florida Statutes says about methods of wagering at card
rooms:

'No wagering may be conducted using money or other negotiable currency. Games
may only be played utilizing a wagering system whereby all players' money is
first converted by the house to tokens or chips which shall be used for wagering
only at that specific cardroom.'

According to the Department of Business & Professional Regulation website,
only poker and dominoes are allowed in cardrooms.

Here's what it says:

'Only poker and dominoes are authorized for play within Florida's licensed
cardrooms. Authorized games are played in a non-banking manner, which
means that the house is not a participant in the game and the players compete
only against each other.'

Sports and Race Betting: Pari-Mutuel Betting Legal

Pari-mutuel betting is legal in Florida on horse races, dog races and other
activities – but only if they take place in a pari-mutuel facility.

According to section 550.155 of the Florida statutes:

'Wagering on the results of a horserace, dograce, or on the scores or points
of a jai alai game and the sale of tickets or other evidences showing an
interest in or a contribution to a pari-mutuel pool are allowed within the
enclosure of any pari-mutuel facility licensed and conducted under this chapter
but are not allowed elsewhere in this state, must be supervised by the division,
and are subject to such reasonable rules that the division prescribes.'

Here's a question and answer from Department of Business & Professional
Regulation website regarding greyhound betting online:

'Q. The Internet offers wagering on greyhound races in Florida and other
states; is this legal?

A. The Florida Attorney General is of the opinion that this type of activity
is illegal. The only place that pari-mutuel wagering can be carried out in
Florida is at a pari-mutuel wagering track or fronton.'

Lottery: Legal

Florida has a state regulated lottery.

According to the Florida Lottery website:

'The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $31 billion to
education and sending more than 750,000 students to college through the Bright
Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its
revenue back into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more
than 13,000 Florida retailers and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida
Lottery games have paid more than $52.4 billion in prizes and made more than
1,900 people millionaires'

Games include:

• Powerball
• Mega Millions
• Florida Lotto
• Cash4Life
• Lucky money
• Fantasy 5
• Pick 5
• Pick 4
• Pick 3
• Pick 2
• Millionaire Raffle
• scratch offs that range from $1-$25 games

Bingo: Legal

Bingo for profit at casinos as well as bingo for nonprofit charities are both
legal.

Here's what section 849.0931 of the Florida statutes has about authorizing
bingo games for nonprofits:

'None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or
prevent charitable, nonprofit, or veterans' organizations engaged in charitable,
civic, community, benevolent, religious, or scholastic works or other similar
endeavors, which organizations have been in existence and active for a period of
3 years or more, from conducting bingo games or instant bingo, provided the
entire proceeds derived from the conduct of such games, less actual business
expenses for articles designed for and essential to the operation, conduct, and
playing of bingo or instant bingo, are donated by such organizations to the
endeavors mentioned above. In no case may the net proceeds from the conduct of
such games be used for any other purpose whatsoever. The proceeds derived from
the conduct of bingo games or instant bingo shall not be considered solicitation
of public donations.'

Social Gambling: Legal With Restrictions

According to Section 849.085 of the Florida Statutes, certain games are
allowed at home.

Here's what it says about these games known as penny-ante games:

' (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is not a crime for a
person to participate in a game described in this section if such game is
conducted strictly in accordance with this section.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) 'Penny-ante game' means a game or series of games of poker, pinochle,
bridge, rummy, canasta, hearts, dominoes, or mah-jongg in which the winnings of
any player in a single round, hand, or game do not exceed $10 in value.

(b) 'Dwelling' means residential premises owned or rented by a participant in
a penny-ante game and occupied by such participant or the common elements or
common areas of a condominium, cooperative, residential subdivision, or mobile
home park of which a participant in a penny-ante game is a unit owner, or the
facilities of an organization which is tax-exempt under s. 501(c)(7) of the
Internal Revenue Code. The term 'dwelling' also includes a college dormitory
room or the common recreational area of a college dormitory or a publicly owned
community center owned by a municipality or county.

(3) A penny-ante game is subject to the following restrictions:

(a) The game must be conducted in a dwelling.'

Twin river casino job openings. According to the above information, penny-ante games such as poker, rummy,
etc. can take place in a residential area if each hand or round doesn't go over
$10.

Gambling Venues in Florida

All casinos in Florida, which are listed below, are located on Indian
reservation land.

Games found at these casinos include:

• Texas holdem
• Bingo
• Slot machines
• Blackjack
• Baccarat
• Casino war
• Mississippi stud
• Pai Gow poker
• Spanish 21
• Let it ride
• Three card poker
• Omaha

Card rooms, slot machines and pari-mutuel betting are available at some
racetracks throughout the state that are not listed below.

1) Miccosuke Resort & Gaming

500 SW 177th Ave

Miami, FL 33194

Phone number: (305) 222-4600

2) Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee

506 S 1st ST

Immokalee, FL 34142

Phone number: (239) 658-1313

3) Seminole Casino Brighton

17735 Reservation Rd

Okeechobee, FL 34974

Phone number: (863) 467-9998

4) Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

4 – 5550 NW 40th St

Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Phone number: (954) 977-6700

5) Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

1 Seminole Way

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

Phone number: (866) 502-7529

6) Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

5223 Orient Rd

Tampa, FL 33610

Phone number: (813) 627-7625

7) Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood

4150 N State Rd 7

Hollywood, FL 33021

Phone number: (954) 961-3220

History of Gambling in Florida

Slot machines and jai alai games are legalized.

Florida repeals the one-armed bandit's slot machines only two years after they're legalized.

The Seminole Tribe opens Florida's first high-stakes Indian bingo hall where bingo jackpots are over $100.

'Cruises to nowhere' are simulcasting are introduced.

Seminole casinos introduce poker to their game floors.

Card rooms are legalized at pari-mutuel facilities.

Officials seize more than 350 illegal video slot machines that are found in west-central Florida countries.

Tracks and jai alai frontons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are approved to have slot machines. The Seminole tribe opens two new locations in Tampa and Hollywood called Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The Governor signs an agreement that allows Las Vegas-style slots, baccarat, and blackjack games to be held at the 7 Seminoles tribal casinos. The legislature approves domino games, instant bingo, and regulated poker tournaments to be held in card rooms. They also raise bet limits from $2 to $5 and allow increased hours for slot machine operators.

No-limit 24 hour a day poker games and video lottery terminals are approved at dog and horse tracks by the legislature.

Internet cafes used as fronts for gambling games are banned.

Additional Resources

This link takes you to a list of the current pari-mutuel wagering
establishments that hold an operating license for the 2017-2018 year.

This link takes you to the Florida lottery websites information page.

The Future & Your Views

Florida tribal casinos offer bingo, poker, blackjack and several other casino
games for residents to enjoy.

If you want to play roulette or craps, you'll have to take a cruise ship that
heads to international waters or visit another state.

The only change to Florida gambling laws we see happening soon is daily
fantasy sports. There has been a push to legalize it recently.

Legalizing Florida gambling sites could be in the future, but there hasn't
been much of a push for it.

Florida law enforcement hasn't arrested anyone for gambling online, so it's a
low-risk activity. Only you can decide what your risk tolerance is. Our advice
is to obey the law.

If you decide you're okay with the risk, consider playing at one of the
Florida gambling sites we've researched and vetted here.

There are quite a few limitations on gambling in Florida, but it is still known for its ability to generate some of the best poker players in the world.

Whether players honed their skills in the live poker rooms across the state or at the online poker tables from the late 1990s through today, Florida is the birthplace of many of the game's greatest.

Floridians continue to seek online poker options in addition to the live poker tables. There are options for those players, online poker sites that welcome players from the US.

The complex Florida gambling laws mean that fully legalized and regulated online poker is a long ways off but there are some positive signs. Much of the issues stem from the restrictive compacts that have been made with the Seminole tribes. There are essentially two ways that issue might be resolved in the future: 1. Getting approval from the Seminole. 2. Going around the tribe.

The move toward online poker and casino games will likely have to originate with tribal leaders and make their way into the next compact. However, negotiations for the updated compact in 2019 went off the rails in the middle of the year when tribal leaders and state lawmakers ended talks. The standoff has led to some legislators mulling gambling proposals without consideration for the Seminoles.

Either way, it will likely be a very long road to state-regulated online poker. Thus, our options for Floridians remain the best in the business.

Most Recent Online Poker Happenings in Florida

The Seminoles broached the subject of internet gaming and sports betting during negotiations in April and May 2019. There were many ideas on the table, such as 24-hour cardroom availability, a reduction on slot machine taxes by 10%, and the ability to add craps and roulette to the table games in their casinos.

And there was online poker, along with internet casino games. The Seminoles wanted the exclusive right to partner with an online gaming provider and offer the games for all players in Florida.

Governor DeSantis specifically opposed internet gaming. Even if talks hadn't broken down over other issues, it is likely that online poker and casino games would've been eliminated from the new compact anyway.

Gambling in Florida

From the time Europeans first settled onto Florida land, gambling has been a part of the culture. Gambling was legalized in the 1900s, but debates raged over the past century and continue today in regards to how gambling laws should work in Florida.

Lawmakers have successfully respected the wishes of many Floridians by not allowing for new land-based casinos around the state. Restricting them to Seminole lands and tribal management has kept the number of casinos limited and maintains a status quo against which few want to push.

There was a strong push in 1958 to authorize commercial casino gambling, but then-Governor LeRoy Collins intervened to stop it. There have been smaller movements since then, but the people have yet to express widespread support for more casinos. Regardless, the Seminole compact does not allow it.

The laws of Florida do include a definition of gambling and skill games for the record.

Poker is legal at racinos (racetracks with casino games) and Seminole-run land-based casinos throughout the state. Pari-mutuel betting on horse and dog racing and jai alai is allowed, as are small social games, charitable gambling, and the state-regulated lottery.

What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in Florida?

Playing Online Poker in Florida

There is no state-sanctioned online poker or online gambling that is regulated within the state of Florida.

There have been attempts – few and far between – to legalize online poker in Florida. The most notable was in 2012 when the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States encouraged it. The efforts were short-lived, however, as lawmakers couldn't even agree to legalize lottery ticket sales online.

The issue of internet gaming only came up again in 2019 when the Seminole Tribe of Florida was negotiating its latest compact. Everything from sports betting to online poker was on the table, but the Seminoles wanted exclusive rights to the games. Negotiations with Governor Ron DeSantis fell apart, however, and nothing was left on the table.

The question remains: Can you play online poker while in Florida? The answer is yes.

Players have access to several online poker sites regulated in the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The operators are very reputable and have been in the online poker business for many years, many of them nearing two decades in operation.

The recommended sites not only accept most US-based players but specifically note that Florida is a safe state. There will be no problems signing up for a new online account and making a deposit to play real-money online poker.

Important: Nothing on this page is to be considered legal advice. Please consult with a gambling attorney with serious and specific concerns about online poker.

Famous Florida Poker Players

Live poker rooms at racetracks and Seminole casinos have been the launching pad for players like Jason Mercier (nearly $20 million in winnings), Michael Mizrachi (more than $17 million in winnings), and high-stakes live players like Sean Winter ($13.6 million) and Sam Soverel ($11.5 million).

Online poker has always been quite popular in the Sunshine State, too. When people live in a state that spans 65,757 square miles, it's not always easy to find a live poker room. Online poker was the game of choice for tens of thousands of players in Florida, and it remains so today.

For Mercier's live poker winnings mentioned above, he also had millions in online winnings, and he was a sponsored poker pro for PokerStars for almost 10 years. Mizrachi similarly had a great deal of online poker success to go with his live scores, and he represented numerous poker sites through the years.

But one of the most popular online poker players in the world was Daniel Cates, otherwise known as Jungleman. His presence at the high-stakes online games on sites like Full Tilt Poker drew railbirds from around the world. He even won $7 million online just from mid-2009 to mid-2011. He was one of the biggest online poker winners of all time, which pairs well with his $7.3 million in live earnings.

As of 2020, these were the top-ranked live poker players, according to the Hendon Mob database:

1. Jason Mercier ($19.6 million)
2. Michael Mizrachi ($17.1 million)
3. Sean Winter ($13.6 million)
4. Sam Soverel ($11.5 million)
5. John Racener ($10 million)
6. Robert Mizrachi ($7.5 million)
7. Daniel Cates ($7.3 million)
8. Jonathan Little ($7 million)
9. Barry Hutter ($5.8 million)
10. Noah Schwartz ($5.8 million)

What was Amendment 3?

The poker community was dragged into the fight over Amendment 3 in Florida during the November 2018 election. As the election approached, the then-functional Poker Alliance took a stand against the proposal and asked big names in poker like Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Maria Ho, and Mike Matusow to do the same.

Amendment 3 was set up to give voters the exclusive right to approve or deny all decisions related to casino gambling, 'any of the types of games typically found in casinos and that are within the definition of Class III gaming in the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).' It then specified blackjack, roulette, craps, keno, slot machines, electronic and simulated games, video lottery machines, internet sweepstakes, and 'any other form of electronic or electromechanical facsimiles of any game of chance, slot machine, or casino-style game.'

Online poker – all internet gaming, actually – is included in Amendment 3.

The Poker Alliance asserted that the bill would 'virtually eliminate' the expansion of live poker, make it impossible for poker rooms to add new games or update their rules, and make online poker and sports betting legislation a 'huge longshot.'

However, the voters of Florida passed Amendment 3 by a wide margin, as more than 71% of them voted in its support.

The motivation for the elaborate opposition to Amendment 3 by Poker Alliance was unclear, as it was the only community-driven campaign it waged after PokerCentral purchased the former nonprofit lobbying organization. And not long after that failed campaign in Florida, Poker Alliance stopped doing anything for the poker community altogether.

Most Recent Developments in 2020

The unresolved issues between the Seminoles and the state over its gambling compact is a wild card.

One of the most recent developments that increased tension between the two factions was when a federal judge found that the card games offered by Florida pari-mutuels violated the exclusivity agreement between Florida and the Seminoles. Since the Seminoles have been paying $350 million per year for that exclusive right that they feel is no longer exclusive, the Seminoles to withhold the 2019 and future payments.

Meanwhile, lawmakers believe that the lack of payments by the Seminoles voids all exclusivity agreements regarding gaming. As of October 2019, several of them want to take advantage of that by increasing betting limits on table games at racetracks and authorizing them to offer sports betting and fantasy sports (DFS) contests.

This could be a positive sign for online gaming, including online poker, if sports betting is able to move ahead without interference from the Seminoles.

Online Poker Status in Florida

• Do poker players have online options from the state of Florida? Yes.
• Do sports bettors have online options from the state of Florida? Yes.
• Will Florida legalize and regulate online poker within its borders in 2019? No.
• Is there a chance of new legislation in 2020? Yes, about 50%, as there are many variables.

All Poker and Gambling Laws by State

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Sources & Citations For This Article on Florida Online Poker