The US is home to a multitude of sports. Sports such as basketball, football and baseball dominate the news and gambling sites, making it imperative that players have somewhere to place their bets. The only problem: not all states have legalized sports betting. Florida, for instance, is still lagging behind somewhat, and the situation is more complex here than in any other state.
How it started
The battle for legalizing betting in states throughout the country began back in 2018 when the PASPA was repealed. With the removal of this legislation, individual states were able to implement their own regulations concerning gambling. Numerous states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania were quick to jump on board, implementing their own regulations and betting both sportsbooks and casinos up and running. Other states were slower and some, like Florida, barely got the process stared at all.
Florida's issues
While slow, Florida was making moves to join other states in permitting online gambling in multiple forms. In fact, two years ago, it was on the cusp of becoming a reality, and did in fact launch for a mere matter of weeks. However, issues meant the industry was soon shut down again. Although the issues have recently been settled, sportsbooks are yet to launch again within the state. In the meantime, the best sports betting apps in Florida are those based offshore, which remain legal for Floridians to use as they fall outwith the current legislation.
Tribal betting
Previously, the state had an agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida allowing them to offer sports betting and retail casinos. Back in 2021, an arrangement was reached allowing the tribe to offer any gambling on phones or portable devices, as long as this is within any lands owned by the tribe and provided to them by the US government.
However, it was not to be as several courts within the state felt that the tribe had been given too much power over controlling gaming. On top of that, it was claimed that the tribe didn't even have the right to operate online sports throughout the state simply because any sports betting should be limited to the property of the tribe.
All of this occurred even though there was already a ruling (by a lower court) allowing the tribe to operate this specific model of sports betting. Of course, those against betting in any forms such as John Sowinski of No Casinos are happy with this decision, hailing it as a big move. This group is one of the main opposers of this potential new rule and why it's being challenged in multiple courts. They simply don't want $2.5 billion of state revenue to be generated by this type of betting.
What does the future hold?
Right now, it's simply a waiting game for anyone in Florida who wishes to bet. It’s expected that sportsbooks will launch again soon following discussions in the summer, but exactly when this will be remains unseen. In the meantime, Florida's residents who have set their heart on placing a bet or two on Florida State football can do so. It just has to be in person at one of the licensed tribal venues currently in operation or via offshore betting apps and sites.
