Florida Gambling Market Faces Pressure as Offshore Sites Lure Players

Florida’s gambling picture is shifting again. Court battles over the Seminole Tribe’s compact continue, and legislators are hearing more calls to consider broader online betting.

Even with sports betting tied up in appeals, residents are finding workarounds. Offshore websites still advertise directly to Floridians. Many of them promote speed over safety, boasting that they allow withdrawals with no ID. Regulators say that may sound attractive, but it sidesteps the verification checks required by licensed U.S. operators.

The Seminole Tribe runs the state’s biggest casinos and its Hard Rock brand. Their 2021 compact with the state included online sports betting. That deal faced lawsuits almost immediately, slowing any momentum for a wider rollout. Yet the appetite hasn’t gone away.

People here talk about what’s happening in other states. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan—they’ve all seen billions wagered online. Tax money follows. Advocates in Florida argue the state is leaving money on the table.

Opponents tell a different story. They warn about access on every phone and the risks that come with it. “Once it’s in an app, you can’t put the genie back in the bottle,” said a Jacksonville-area pastor who has lobbied against expansion. Addiction specialists add that enforcement is more rigid when offshore platforms are already targeting residents.

Tourism officials keep an eye on the numbers, too. Florida casinos, especially in Tampa and South Florida, drive hotel bookings and restaurant traffic. A full online market could change that balance. Some business leaders like the idea of keeping players at home. Others say brick-and-mortar casinos fuel jobs that digital sites will never replace.

For lawmakers in Tallahassee, it’s a tricky call. The Seminole compact brings in revenue through a revenue-sharing deal. Expanding online casinos could mean more money, but also more legal fights with tribes who guard their exclusivity. That divide was one reason ballot measures in 2022 failed, after record spending on both sides.

Residents are split as well. A Miami resident outside a Hard Rock property said this week he enjoys visiting in person. “I wouldn’t mind having it on my phone, but I like the atmosphere here. It’s not the same on a screen.”

Meanwhile, the unregulated market keeps growing. Analysts with the American Gaming Association estimate billions of dollars flow to illegal sites each year nationwide. Florida’s share is significant. Enforcement is difficult, and warnings do little to stop players who want speed, privacy, and access.

The state’s size makes it a prime target. With more than 22 million people, Florida could become one of the largest online casino markets in the country if the law ever changes. For now, the lines hold. The Seminole Tribe runs its venues. Offshore operators keep pushing ads. And residents wait to see if lawmakers will take the next step.

Source: floridadaily.com