Florida sports betting becomes legal on October 15th but, according to local sources, sportsbooks won’t go live for up to 60 days. Amid the confusion, we are here to inform Floridians on what they need to know.
Florida Betting Still On Hold
Betting in the Sunshine State is slated to be wholly operated by the Seminole Tribe. Retail and online sports betting options will be available to bettors in the state, hosted at the Hollywood and Tampa Hard Rock locations.
Many were operating under the assumption that an October 15th legalization meant a same-day launch, as it has in many other states. However, the Seminole Tribe has been quick to correct this semantic error stating that they are still set to start sometime in the fall.
Despite the obscure language, bettors can expect to have access to both online and in-person betting services by mid-December. The rollout of retail sports betting will include further additions to the state’s casinos, as craps and roulette games were also made legal.
Some think that these delays in Florida sports betting are a product of recent lawsuits. As of now, three different lawsuits are pending against the Tribe and state.
What The Lawsuits Look Like
Two of these suits are being led by local parimutuels and outside commercial entities. They are an attempt to delegitimize the authority of the Governor and Florida Seminole Tribe. The suits seek to bring all sports betting efforts to a grinding halt until commercial groups get their cut.
The third lawsuit comes from a local anti-gambling organization called “No Casinos.” They believe that any gambling legislation expansion without voter approval is unconstitutional and seek to stop sports betting operations altogether.
However, these lawsuits don’t seem to be going anywhere and are unlikely to stand in the way of Florida sports betting through the Seminole Tribe. Florida has already lost several million dollars in revenue as a result of violating a previous gaming compact in 2019.
With billions of dollars on the line, Florida cannot afford to let this gaming compact fall through the cracks of petty litigation. And, they won’t. That just means we will be waiting a bit longer on Florida sportsbooks.
How To Bet In Florida Right Now
For those who were waiting to place their NFL bets with a local sportsbook, don’t hold your breath. You shouldn’t have to miss out on the regular season action because your state can’t get it together.
Offshore sportsbooks are operated outside of US territories but offer protections to keep their services safe and available for US players.
With better promotions and fewer restrictions on withdrawal options, offshore books are the best selection for bettors across all states.
Source: Sun Sentinel
