Florida is one of those states that has a curious attitude to gaming, especially iGaming. Although the state allows some traditional casinos to operate, when it comes to online commercial casinos, it’s a firm “No.”’ The negation also applies to online gaming operations run on tribal lands, where there has been a major dispute about this.
The iGaming market is growing fast in the USA, and Florida, like in many states where online gambling is illegal, has shown greater interest than states that enjoy the luxury of gaming online legally. Below is a look at the state of iGaming laws in Florida, their impact on the industry and players, the possibility of change, and the future of iGaming in the state.
- The impact of gaming laws on the industry and players just now
If Florida is ever to have a flourishing iGaming industry, then it needs to relax its stubborn stance on iGaming in the state and on gaming in general. A bill for the expansion of gaming beyond tribal lands has been rejected. The belief is that passing the bill would have created all sorts of litigation and, later, complications at the local government level. There’s an additional belief that expansion isn’t necessary because the economy is doing well and Florida is still extremely popular with tourists.
Despite the state’s strict attitude towards gaming, Florida hasn’t left players who prefer to enjoy their gaming over the internet instead of face-to-face without options. Although it’s not possible to play for real money online, players can still play at social casinos, including sweepstakes casinos. Instead of wagering real money, they can use a sweep coin at a casino to play slots, blackjack, and other casino games. They may have the option to buy additional coins, and they may redeem their coins for prizes, gift cards, or other rewards.
If authorities can change their conservative attitudes, sports betting could also be possible, but through tribal operators only at present. Daily fantasy sports betting is permitted at present, to an extent.
- Keeping sports fans at arms’ length
Of course, commercial online gaming operators aren’t happy about the situation. The laws are depriving them of revenue, and if the authorities were to allow iGaming operations on tribal land, it would be a case of one law for some operators but another for others.
One other major disappointment for iGaming operators, specifically sports betting ones, is that the laws force them to miss out on a big opportunity for sports fans to engage with them. Florida spoils America with professional teams: the Miami Dolphins, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars all play in the NFL; the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat in the NBA; the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays in MLB; and the Florida Panthers in the NHL. Sports betting provides a way for fans to engage with sports even more, and these fans are a market that the industry is unable to capitalize on. Operators in some other states do have that privilege, however.
- A potential future for online gaming in Florida
Florida could some lessons from New Jersey, one of the most pro-gambling states in America and which has enjoyed some real spoils from the looser gaming laws there. The gambling industry there earned more than half a billion dollars from players in April 2024, a 10.4% increase from the year before. Casinos, horse racing tracks that accept sports bets, and their online partners, which include sportsbooks and software platforms, have all gained handsomely from the state’s relaxed attitude towards gaming.
Notably, however, establishments in New Jersey have seen their winnings from gamblers fall while the online industry thrives. It was, in fact, the industry’s second-best month in New Jersey. If Florida were to embrace online gambling, its traditional establishments could experience the same trend. Investments in non-gambling facilities, such as catering and entertainment, could encourage growth and change how casinos market themselves. The legalization of online gambling could also see traditional establishments create an online offering and pump money into that. It would also act against the monopolization taking place in some aspects of the industry in Florida.
The legalization could witness the online gambling industry partner up more with Florida’s professional teams as well. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling to allow states to legalize sports betting, the NFL has agreed to $1 billion worth of sponsorships with sportsbooks, although individual players can’t endorse them, and players in the NBA, NHL, and MLB can all endorse sports betting companies. The extra revenue the sponsorships generate may see the clubs then invest more of their money into their projects they conduct with their communities.
- A final word
Florida has an extremely strict attitude toward online gambling operations online. Even in the case of tribal operators is it unwilling to budge its stance. Allowing online gaming would even out the playing field in the industry and also encourage sports fans to engage with online sports betting and the sports they love.