Our late May update from Vegas Sports Betting features the state of Florida, an interesting poll on regulating sports betting and more. While legal sports betting is not on the horizon, the tribal “hub and spoke” method rules the roost in the state. Regulations have truly been far and few between for the most part. However, some legal developments are worthy of noting.
The thought process is that sports gambling is still almost no holds barred in the state. By now, it is unlikely that online betting sites of a legal nature will be in Florida in 2026 and arguably 2027. While some mention how reactive the state is, it is essential to note that more and more residents are sounding the alarm which could eventually signify some change.
Florida is heavily affiliated with Hard Rock Bet. The online apps and everything alone have proven to be good for the state and residents. However, again, the Seminole Tribe controls things with a bit of an iron fist much to the chagrin of regulators and some residents alike.
With more and more wagering choices, the alerts seem to increase. There is something for every sports bettor. Unfortunately, the only snags are the method of controlling. The state carries laws but enforcement feels like it is arbitrary.
Florida residents sounded off and a new UNF poll appears to back that up. Yes, Florida has a bit of a buffer with several states near it not having legal sports betting. However, limits are a bit different. The state has truly done little to curtail by tightening any restrictions. Naturally, certain tribal facilities, are legal areas for gambling casino and sports gambling wise. The best online casinos are regulated but not as strict as some would like.
Here are some of the numbers when it comes to policy.
This was done via an 823 person sample. The margin of error was estimated at plus or minus 4%.
The net results of the poll were telling in several ways. One of the flaws with the poll, if you notice, is the following. Wording was a bit deceiving and there were other finds in the polling as well. Consider that around 1/4 of those polled placed sports wagers recently and quite a few residents admitted they had lost at least $100 in one day.
Then, there are those who want to see further expansion. What kind of expansion? Do they want to see a DraftKings and FanDuel alternative or more? There was an illegal gambling bill that passed both House and Senate in March but it got sent back the following week for another vote. Effort has been there but actual policy regulations passed is a different story.
If anyone needs a reason why regulators seem behind the ball, it is this. The legal gambling age for casinos is 21 but 18 for lottery games include the pari-mutuel games like Jai Alai and Horse Racing. Yes, there are always various online deposit methods with the casinos and books. Then again, lottery games, bingo, and poker also carry a legal age of only 18.
Again, the problems mount quickly. Some in the House and Senate alike raised concerns with some parts of the bill. It is hard to believe that PAPSA was repealed eight years ago. Despite this, the tribes control most everything of consequence while policy makers squabble over minor details. Residents err gamblers just want some better guardrails in place. Not enough want to see complete restrictions.
Remember that first option does not say kill sports gambling and casinos completely. This is where that wording gets ambiguous at best. Florida residents have also lamented that other states seem to be more together when it comes to regulations. Take New Jersey, Nevada, and others for better or for worse. At least, some action is better than no action. Florida could take a page from New Jersey and maybe even New York.
Yes, what about the policy department? The better question is what might happen next. Honestly, with the amount of in-fighting, that answer remains unknown. For every state that is making some progress, there are others who are in even worse shape. While Florida is far from ideal, states like Alabama, Georgia, and others simply cannot get out of their own way.
Take a state like Oklahoma who sees Florida and wants the same control. Meanwhile, Oklahoma legislators want more of a say. The result is the same merry-go-round that grounds most bills to a halt. Worse, with the tribes not truly being able to agree, at least Florida has them beat in that regard.
Physical enforcement with sportsbooks and casinos are one thing. Underage regulations do seem to be a little better in Florida of late and hotlines are sounding some alarms. However, with mobile options still increasing, and little from the policy arm of things, there are more problems than solutions.
Finally, Florida needs to listen to its residents. Again, it is abundantly clear that regulators still need to catch up. It is partially why some states try to heavily regulate offshore companies and even some legal entities. Prediction markets are a different story entirely as federally licensed companies like Kalshi and Polymarket are legal and pretty much without limit. Arguably, federal oversight is slower than state but Florida will not step on federal toes.
