Florida law actually makes it illegal for residents to partake in unregulated gambling, such as offshore sports betting. Most state laws put the onus on operators who accept bets, but Florida also outlaws playing poker at an unregulated facility or over an unregulated device. 1 day ago The latest attempt to legalize Florida sports betting through the lottery has been filed. The big casino band. Now, the countdown starts until the bill all but certainly dies. Jeff Brandes filed SB 392, which would authorize sports betting in Florida regulated by the Florida Lottery. He also filed SB 394 and SB 396, which sets the sports betting revenue tax at 15% and license fees at $100,000, respectively.
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The latest attempt to legalize Florida sports betting through the lottery has been filed. Now, the countdown starts until the bill all but certainly dies.
Sen. Jeff Brandes filed SB 392, which would authorize sports betting in Florida regulated by the Florida Lottery. He also filed SB 394 and SB 396, which sets the sports betting revenue tax at 15% and license fees at $100,000, respectively.
While many operators would love to jump at the opportunity offer sports betting in Florida, it's not that simple. Brandes submitted nearly identical legislation last year only to have it die in committee.
It's not because Brandes' bill is a bad one. It's because it doesn't involve the Seminole Tribe.
Tricky backdrop for Florida sports betting
The Seminoles, owners of the Hard Rock casino corporation, claim they have exclusivity over sports betting in the state.
It's still up for debate whether that is true or not, though the Seminoles have the Federal Register on their side. There, sports betting is included in the Class III gaming definition.
Disagreements over gaming issues have led the Seminoles to stop honoring their revenue-share agreement. The two sides came together a bit late last year to discuss a broader gambling agreement but nothing came of it.
Sen. President Wilton Simpson‘s office told LSR earlier this month the Senate isn't ready for gambling bills:
Sen. President Wilton Simpson‘s office told LSR earlier this month the Senate isn't ready for gambling bills:
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'President Simpson believes it is important to look at opportunities to maximize revenue for the State of Florida. Discussions continue regarding what is available to us on the private side and also with the Tribe. At this time, the Senate is not at a point where we are prepared to introduce legislation related to these issues.'
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Referendum needed?
On top of the complications with the Seminole Indians, voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 that puts them in charge of gaming expansion.
Now, outside of any changes concerning tribal gaming with the Seminoles, voters must approve any expansion of gambling in the state.
Given how hard the Seminole Indians and the Walt Disney Co. have fought against gambling expansion in the past, it seems likely the only path forward for sports betting in the state is through the Seminoles.
Hard Rock expands sports betting business
There's another reason to think SB 392 is dead on arrival. Hard Rock launched a new digital division for sports betting and iGaming that suggests the company is ready to make a genuine jump into the market.
The business division might be new but the people running it are industry veterans from the former Stars Group:
- Rafi Ashkenazi, formerly CEO of Stars, will be the executive chair
- Marlon Goldstein, former chief legal officer and general counsel of Stars, will be CEO
- Matt Primeaux, former Stars senior VP of strategy and operations for the US, will be the president.
At this time legalized sports wagering has not made its way to Florida.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned on May 14, 2018, allowing each state in the country to propose and create their own laws and regulations for sports betting.
However, two years later and the Sunshine State has yet to adopt sports betting.
There is, however, a long history of gambling in the state dating back to the 1930s. Back then residents could get their fix with horse and greyhound racing as well as jai alai frontons that offer poker rooms and slots. While slot machines had a short existence in the '30s, they were brought back to tribal casinos in the 1980s and approved for racetracks in 2004. Gambling offerings have expanded to table games with tribal casinos thereafter and the state of Florida currently has eight casinos, plus several offshore cruise casinos. All this in addition to the state lottery, Mega Millions, Powerball, and bingo offerings.
Florida sports bettors will be hopeful of seeing legalized sports betting as there are very few opportunities to do so right now. Currently, none of Florida's closest neighbors, South Carolina, Georgia, or Alabama, offer legalized sports betting either.
When Will Online Sports Betting Be Legal in Florida?
Come vincere alla roulette reale scaricare. Currently, there are bills on the table to be discussed in the 2020 legislative session. In October 2019, State Senator Jeff Brandes submitted three bills that would give the Florida Lottery the ability to operate mobile sports betting.
If passed, they would be put into effect later in 2020.
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Florida has an acceptable and progressive view of sports gambling, so it isn't farfetched to foresee legalization in the near future. Online casino blockchain. Not to mention, Florida is a hot-bed for sports with multiple major teams in the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and more.
To legalize sports betting, an agreement would need to be worked out though with the Seminole Tribe, as they own the Hard Rock casinos in the state. However, because Florida hasn't cracked down on player card games at various venues, the Seminole Tribe has refused to continue to pay their $350 million revenue sharing payments to the state. Offering the Tribe exclusive rights to running sports betting at their casinos could be a way to rectify the situation.
With that big hole in the state budget and the tribe looking to bring in additional revenue themselves, some form of legalized sports betting could make its way to Florida during 2021.
That said, any progress will first need to start with an agreement by the House and Senate as well as the Seminole Tribe and would eventually need to be voted on as a constitutional amendment.
Florida Sports Betting FAQs
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Can you bet on sports in Florida?
Florida doesn't have any online sports betting laws, meaning it can't license any operator to run online sports betting sites in the state.
Does FanDuel sportsbook work in Florida?
FanDuel and DraftKings currently accept Florida players and allow daily fantasy sports betting.
What are the major sports teams in Florida?
Sports Betting In Florida
Major sports teams in Florida include the Marlins, Rays, Heat, Magic, Jaguars, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Panthers, Orlando City FC, and Inter Miami CF.