Gambling is one of the issues most governments around the world struggle with. This is why the laws are very different in this area and why gambling has been moving back and forth from being legal and illegal.
The same is true for the US, and even today, different states have different laws when it comes to gambling. Here we will mainly focus on the most recent Florida Gambling Laws 2022 and see what is legal and what is illegal there.
Sports Betting
Currently, sports betting is one of the fastest-growing segments of gambling entertainment in the US. Ever since it became available online, it sparked a rise of the iGaming industry and gave birth to a whole new hobby known as fantasy sports. Sports betting was also made legal in Florida thanks to the deal with the Seminole tribe. This same deal allows gives the Seminole tribe the exclusive rights to control this activity, and of course, the online version of betting is also available.
With all this in mind, it’s essential to know that this is not a law yet. The federal regulators are yet to give their opinion on this matter, and other political currents strongly oppose the idea of expanding gambling activity. So, it’s entirely possible that there may be some pushback on this decision. This also opens up the possibility that Florida voters will ultimately be left to decide on this matter. Since it is a constitutional amendment, the approval rate must be 71%.
What Does This Mean for Gambling in Florida?
As we can all agree, gambling is a really broad term. By dividing it into different categories or providing a definition, the state can effectively provide gambling rules and restrictions. In the case of Florida, gambling is defined as playing or engaging in a luck-based game that either involves or doesn’t involve cards. This applies to games of chance played on different devices, and it has to include money as a reward or another valuable item.
In other words, wagering on sports or playing fantasy sports doesn’t really fall into this category, and there is also another exemption in the case of the Florida Lottery. Basically, pari-mutuel types of bets, along with certain state-approved card rooms and land-based casinos, are legal. It is also worth mentioning that the land where casinos are located belongs to native American tribes. Hopefully, this somewhat clarifies what is legal and what is not in Florida.
Are Online Casinos Legal?
The short answer is no, as according to casino laws and regulations, you cannot gamble in an online casino. Of course, you can still go on these sites and play for virtual rewards. In other words, you can play on social casinos and sweepstakes casinos in Florida. Since there is no real money reward involved, these are perfectly legal. You can then redeem the points you won and use them to enter a competition with a real prize, which is once again perfectly legal.
It’s also important to note that you can still play on online casino sites that offshore companies maintain. This is basically something you are doing in the privacy of your home, and nobody can prevent you in this case.
Often players go over fast payout casino reviews to find trusted operators that are available in Florida. This also means they can access their money fast if they win something. They also have access to bonus offers like free spins or other incentives that are available on those sites. And, of course, there is no restriction to the type of games you can play, meaning roulette and slots are both available.
What Is Pari-Mutuel System or Style?
Pari-mutel means that all of the prize money comes from other participants. In other words, you can’t know how much money is in the prize pool until the betting is concluded. After that, Florida sports betting odds are calculated, and no further wagers can be placed. This is how rewards for horse-racing wagers are determined. It’s all up to punters and their decision. The same principle can be applied to card rooms or games like poker. Of course, the operator or someone who hosts the wagering activity also gets their cut.
What Is Legal and What Is Not in Florida
Now that we thoroughly explained sports betting legislation in Florida let’s go over some popular chance games and see their status in this state.
● Horse racing bets – Fully legal, both off-track and inter-track.
● Greyhound racing bets – No, the sport or act of racing itself has been made illegal in 2021.
● Poker – Only in licensed pari-mutuel establishments (a fun fact you can also play dominos for money here).
● Slots – Only in pari-mutuel tribal establishments located in Miami-Dade County and Broward County
● Privately organize gambling – You can organize poker nights or similar competitions in your house so long as it falls under the Penny-ante games category. Meaning the winnings cannot exceed $10.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you found this insightful and useful. Now you are fully aware of what type of wagering activities are legal in The Sunshine State.
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