08/17/2025
The legal status of sportsbooks in Florida has been a topic of extensive debate due to the state’s unique legal framework and agreements with tribal gaming entities. While certain forms of gambling, such as horse racing and tribal-operated casinos, have long been established, sports betting entered a complex legal landscape when state lawmakers attempted to modernize gambling laws.
In 2021, the State of Florida entered into a compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This agreement granted the tribe exclusive rights to offer sports betting within the state, both at their physical casino locations and through an online platform accessible to Florida residents. The arrangement was significant because it effectively made all legal sports betting in Florida operate through the Seminole Tribe.
However, soon after implementation, the agreement faced legal challenges. Opponents argued that the compact violated federal law, specifically the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), because it allowed betting to occur statewide through mobile devices, even though the bets were technically processed on tribal land.
In late 2021, a federal judge ruled against the compact, halting the Seminole Tribe’s sports betting operations. This decision created legal uncertainty and left residents without a lawful sports betting option for an extended period. The matter was appealed, and in 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit reversed the lower court’s ruling, thereby reinstating the compact.
While this decision favored the Seminole Tribe, it did not entirely resolve the issue. Parties opposing the compact petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case. As of the latest developments, the compact remains in effect, but the possibility of further judicial review creates an environment of legal instability.
At present, sportsbooks operated under the Seminole Tribe’s license are legal in Florida. This includes in-person betting at tribal casinos and online betting via the Seminole’s digital platform. No other commercial or out-of-state sportsbooks are authorized to operate legally in Florida, making it one of the most restrictive legal markets in the United States.
The online sportsbook offered by the Seminole Tribe is geofenced to ensure that only bettors physically located within Florida can place wagers. Users must meet age verification requirements, typically 21 years or older, and comply with the platform’s Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. Due to the exclusivity agreement, competitors such as DraftKings and FanDuel cannot legally operate sportsbooks in Florida without a similar arrangement with the Seminole Tribe.
The future of sports betting in Florida will largely depend on judicial outcomes and political negotiations. If the Supreme Court declines to intervene or rules in favor of the compact, the Seminole Tribe’s monopoly on sports betting is likely to continue. However, if the compact is invalidated, lawmakers may be forced to explore new legislation to regulate sports betting in a way that complies with both state and federal laws.
The Seminole Tribe’s exclusive control over sports betting has economic implications, as revenue from sports wagering contributes significantly to both tribal operations and state funds under the terms of the compact. Socially, concerns remain over gambling addiction and the potential impact of widespread mobile betting on vulnerable populations.
Sportsbooks are currently legal in Florida only through the Seminole Tribe’s operations, both at physical casino locations and via their official online platform. The legality of this arrangement is upheld for now, but ongoing legal challenges mean the future of sports betting in Florida remains uncertain.