- Online casino & sports betting is legal
- Sports betting is legal
- Considering legalizing online gambling
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17 June, 2019
5 August, 2021
The issue of online gambling is tricky in Florida just like it is in most parts of the nation. Online gambling is considered illegal in Florida although with a number of exceptions. Florida gambling law is ever changing and legislation is perpetually being introduced to ban one form of gaming or expand some other type.
Engaging in gambling is considered a misdemeanor of second degree. 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.
Despite the laws to the contrary, there are still online casinos willing to accept customers from Florida. And since the government isn’t going to know what goes on in your living room, you can sign up and play without any major worries. The biggest hassle is getting around the parameters of the UIGEA, as its passage made depositing and withdrawing funds more difficult for customers. Much of this is due to the presence of Governor Rick Scott, who is an anti-gambling politician.
Florida is not quite a place for online gamblers, amongst few options the best are listed below:
The forms of gambling that are currently allowed by the Florida law are:
Sports betting is considered illegal in Florida and things doesn’t seem to change soon. Although exceptions like jai alai betting and cruise ships that sail into international waters offer sports betting. The cruise ships used to depart twice a day from Port Canaveral, sail out into international waters and opened a sports book and casino for few hours and come back to shore later. As far as widespread legalization of sports betting Florida does not appear to expand its option anytime soon. The sports betting in Florida took a further hit in 2018 when voters approved a ballot measure that essentially stripped the state legislature from authorizing any gambling expansion.
An increasing number of states in US are in the process of legalizing online poker and casino games after a federal judge in 2011 ruled that the Wire Act only applies to sports betting. Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have already legalized online poker, casino games or both. But Florida legislators have not moved to change anything. The state is mostly opposed to the expansion of internet gambling. Florida gambling law is a complicated mess. On one hand, the government seems to go out of its way to protect citizens from the perceived negative effects of gambling. On the other hand, however, a number of compromises have been made over the years to satisfy greed and/or the will of the public. Casino gambling is a prime example, with legalized tribal gaming but no commercial casinos. Internet gambling is also prohibited by the laws of the land, although a number of experts predict some form of licensed online gaming arrangement in the coming years but that’s far from guaranteed.