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Florida Betting Apps for January 2024
At long last, there is hope for legal Florida betting apps.
Sports betting is now legal in Florida. Well, sort of. Based on the new tribal compact, sports wagering is now allowed. However, Florida sports betting apps remain a complex situation.
The recent launch of the Hard Rock sportsbook app has given renewed hope to sports betting enthusiasts in Florida.
While some legal betting apps remain in limbo, we will go over the best Florida sports betting apps now and potentially in the future.
Florida Fantasy Betting Apps
Other Florida Betting Apps
Are Florida Betting Apps Legal?
Yes. Sports betting was legalized in Florida through a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe, which will operate Hard Rock Sportsbook.
That is the only app that we can say for sure will be going live. The compact that legalized sports betting gave exclusive rights to the Seminole Trible of Florida, which owns Hard Rock International.
The initial launch date for Florida sports betting apps was in October, but that has been pushed back due to several lawsuits.
Signing Up for Florida Sports Betting Apps
To sign up for Florida betting apps, you will have to be at least 21 years old. These apps will ask for basic information to prove your identity.
Before signing up, you can look at our Florida app reviews to find sign-up bonuses. At times, a promo code could be needed. The process will take no longer than a few minutes.
Even though Florida residents are not eligible for sportsbook promos at this time, there are still some great DFS and free-to-play prizes up for grabs.
The Legal Mess in the Sunshine State
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state’s compact with the Seminoles, and not everyone has been on board. There are several legal issues that continue to push back the start of sports betting in Florida.
One lawsuit shows concern over where the bets are being placed. It brings to question whether the bet is placed where the bettor is located, or where the server is located. Some argue that you should not be able to place a bet from anywhere inside the state lines, which is how the majority of states operate.
No Casinos Group is also fighting to limit any gambling expansions in Florida. DraftKings and FanDuel have both put up millions of dollars to lobby for sports betting.
Florida sports betting apps will likely launch soon, but the legal battle of Florida gambling laws will last for some time. Stay tuned for the latest developments on Florida betting apps in the Sunshine State.
Florida Sports Betting Bonuses
When FL betting apps do launch, there will be bonuses to claim! Even if the market only starts with one sportsbook, others may be added shortly after. In the competition to get customers to sign up, various welcome bonuses are offered.
The two most popular sports betting sign up offers are deposit matches and bet credits back if you don’t win. Many will think, what’s the catch?
Yes, there are terms and conditions that prevent you from abusing the bonus. So, it isn’t always a winning situation. But if you use these bonuses wisely, there are ways to come out ahead.
A bet credit will be for up to a certain amount. If that bet loses, you will be given an additional bet of the same amount, kind of like a second chance. That second bet has to be wagered, but any winnings are yours.
In a deposit match, FL sports betting apps will match a percentage of your deposit with bonus money. That bonus money will have to be wagered and cleared before you can make a deposit.
The best advice we can give is to fully read the terms and conditions. We provide these in our Florida betting app reviews. Know what the rules are before accepting the offer.
Payment Options
Once you have created your account, you will need to make a deposit. Here are some of the popular deposit methods that you will see offered.
- PayPal
- Online Banking
- Credit/Debit Card
- Play+ Cards
- PayNearMe
- Wire Transfer
If sportsbooks have a physical location, such as Hard Rock, you will be able to make deposits and withdraws at the cashier cage. A couple of other withdrawal options will also be available, such as physical checks that can be sent to your house.
Hard Rock FL
Hard Rock Digital set up shop in Hollywood, Florida. The Hard Rock Sportsbook is now available in multiple states, and it is the one betting app that will for sure be launching in Florida.
Hard Rock Sportsbook is offering a $250 first bet match for new players in other states, which we believe may also be the offer for Florida. But we will be on the lookout for special offers that arrive for Florida bettors.
Players will also be able to sign up for a new loyalty program that is being created called Rock Star Rewards.
FanDuel FL
There are no guarantees quite yet about other sportsbooks, but we believe there will be other FL betting apps offered at some point. One of which will likely be FanDuel.
It already operates its DFS games. It will have to come to an agreement with the Seminole Tribe.
DraftKings FL
DraftKings Sportsbooks is another option that Floridians might have down the line. It has spent a lot of money to bring sports betting to the state.
DraftKings has great live betting and an array of features. New customers will be able to get a bonus of up to $1,000.
BetMGM FL
“The King of Sportsbooks” has been one of the leading apps to enter new states.
Not only does BetMGM have tons of bonuses, but you will also be able to sign up for the M Life Rewards program. This loyalty scheme allows you to earn benefits for online betting, as well as MGM Resorts properties around the country.
Top Sports to Bet on in Florida
Florida sports betting apps will provide easy access to bet on all of your favorite sports teams. Of course, Floridians do have popular options for teams in the state.
NFL
The state features three NFL teams – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Buccaneers have been the talk of football for the past two seasons. Getting Tom Brady from New England and winning a Super Bowl was historic. Will he be able to do it again?
The Dolphins have had some of the best teams to compete in the NFL, but not for the past couple of decades. The 1972 team had an undefeated season and won the Super Bowl.
Trevor Lawrence was the top-rated quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft, sending him to the worst team in the league – the Jaguars. Hopefully, there are better days ahead for Jacksonville’s only pro sports team.
NBA
Another Miami team, the Heat, has a great franchise. Run by President Pat Riley, the team has had Shaquille O’Neal, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh. They have won three NBA titles since 2006.
And then there’s the Orlando Magic, who also had some great days with Shaq. They made it to an NBA Finals with the big man, but have yet to win a title as a franchise.
MLB
The Florida weather is perfect for baseball. There are two MLB teams – The Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays.
The Marlins used to share a field with the Dolphins, but they have since upgraded to a beautiful baseball stadium. Derek Jeter is the CEO of the team, but they are still trying to build something in Miami.
The Rays have put together great teams to compete in the AL East. They have had enough talent to win but have never won a World Series.
In addition, almost half of the teams travel to Florida for Spring Training. There are games at Minor League parks throughout the state during the Spring, while teams prepare for the regular season.
NHL
The Sunshine State may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of ice hockey. However, there are two NHL teams in the state – The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Panthers play in Sunrise, FL, just outside of the Miami area. They have one Stanley Cup Finals appearance.
The Lightning have been one of the best teams in the NHL for the past couple of years. They won the Stanley Cup in 2004, 2020, and 2021.
College Betting
States across the US have different laws when it comes to college betting. It would be smart to allow betting on in-state teams, having several large programs in Florida.
The three biggest college teams in the state are the Miami Hurricanes (ACC), Florida State Seminoles (ACC), and Florida Gators (SEC). All three schools have had great teams in football, basketball, and baseball.
Outside of those schools, there are still other D1 colleges that you could potentially wager on.
- Bethune-Cookman University
- University of Central Florida
- Florida A&M University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Florida International University
- Jacksonville University
- University of North Florida
- University of South Florida
- Stetson University
Florida Horse Betting Apps
Florida horse racing apps are legal, and there are several OTB locations around the state. Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs are the most popular racetracks in the state.
The Florida Derby takes place at Gulfstream Park, which is a qualifying race for the Triple Crown. You can bet on Triple Crown races – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes – on Twinspires and TVG.
The most popular racing is for thoroughbreds, but Florida also allows betting on quarter horses and harness horse racing. The industry is overseen by the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.
Florida DFS Apps
Daily fantasy sites do operate on Florida, but the industry is not regulated. Every time it has been brought up, DFS legislation has been met with heavy opposition from the Seminoles.
However, FanDuel and DraftKings still have DFS platforms available for customers in the state. But the questions in the law has caused others, such as Yahoo, to prohibit Floridians from signing up.
A DFS bill was brought up in 2021, but it simply didn’t have enough time to get through. Operators wanted to legalize the industry and drop the age from 21 to 18. Since this failed, DraftKings and FanDuel may have to stop operating in Florida until they get a license for sports betting.
Potential Florida Betting Apps in Other States
Florida Sports Betting Apps FAQs
Devin is a diehard New York sports fan and betting expert. He supplies a wealth of knowledge about everything online gambling, providing readers with up-to-date tracking on the latest trends, industry news, and betting offers.