When Will Florida Legalize Sports Gambling
Leaders for the American Gambling Association have cautioned states that are writing sports betting laws to proceed with caution. Namely, don’t tax the life out of sports books in an effort to. Leaders in Florida’s House and Senate have discussed the topic of legalized sports gambling in the state informally while other lawmakers have introduced legislation to try and address the issue.
Back in 2019, just a few months ago, Florida state lawmakers introduced potential legislation that allows online and mobile sports betting to be legal. However, the fate of this legislation will be known later in 2020 where the future of sports betting in Florida will also be determined. What Are Your Legal Options? Florida Legislators Confirm Ongoing Work To Legalize Sports Betting January 28, 2020 Florida House and Senate leaders have confirmed that they are 'engaged in an effort to reach a deal' with Gov. Ron DeSantis that would update the state's gambling laws by 'allowing organized sports betting and bring in new revenue from the Seminole Tribe.
Florida will take a crack at legalizing sports betting via the state’s lottery, in bills filed in the state legislature on Monday. But its prospects seem uncertain given the political landscape in the state.
Florida sports betting bills, at a glance
You can see the bills from state Sen. Jeff Brandes here:
Key points from the legislation:
- Sports betting would be done via the lottery and additional licensees authorized by the lottery. It would allow for online betting.
- A license fee costs $100,000.
- Licensees would pay a tax rate of 15% of revenue.
When Will Florida Legalize Sports Gambling Winnings
The legislation faces some major hurdles, however.
The backstory for Florida sports betting
Florida lawmakers worked on sports betting legislation last year, but it had been held up in negotiations between the Seminole Tribe — which operates casinos under a compact — and the state.
The new effort might represent a path to getting sports betting done without the tribe’s approval, although such a tack could be fraught with peril given how politically powerful the Seminoles are in the state. The Seminoles have steadfastly maintained they have exclusivity over offering sports betting in the state, an idea that has not been challenged in practice.
The tribe is currently not paying the state because of an ongoing legal battle. The newest proposed budget does not include money from Seminole casinos.
There also the matter of Amendment 3, which passed last November:
“This amendment ensures that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling by requiring that in order for casino gambling to be authorized under Florida law, it must be approved by Florida voters pursuant to Article XI, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution. Affects articles X and XI. Defines casino gambling and clarifies that this amendment does not conflict with federal law regarding state/tribal compacts.”
There is at least some argument that sports betting is not “casino gambling” but it creates yet another issue in an already complicated situation.
The state has tried on multiple occasions to legalize daily fantasy sports, as well, but those efforts have largely been thwarted by the Seminoles.
In any event, doing sports betting without the Seminoles’ blessing would seemingly be a non-starter and create even more bad blood as the state hopes for payments from the tribe’s gambling facilities to resume in the future.
Big states try to make sports betting progress
While sports betting has expanded rapidly around the US — with 19 states having legal betting live or will launch next year — progress has been difficult to come by in the four largest states in the union.
That includes:
- New York, where legislation to legalize online betting failed last year; a new effort will take place this spring. There are legal sportsbooks upstate, however.
- California, where there have been two different constitutional amendments proposed.
- Texas, where the legislature doesn’t even meet again until 2021.
When Will Florida Legalize Sports Gambling Betting
With Florida included, that’s states with more than 100 million in population that do not have access to legal online betting.
Correction: This story originally said the state and operators would share revenue 50-50. Revenue is actually taxed at a rate of 15%. Legal Sports Report regrets the error.
When Will Florida Legalize Sports Gambling Report
- Florida sports betting discussions were stalled in 2019 due to tribal compact complications.
- If passed, the FL sports betting bills would legalize sports gambling through the state lottery.
- FL SB 968 would legalize online sports wagering and mobile sports betting apps in Florida.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Sports betting in Florida will officially be up for discussion in the upcoming 2020 legislative session. On Monday, Senator Jeff Brandes introduced three sports bills that would put the Florida Lottery in charge of operating, regulating, and taxing the activity.
“Sports betting is yet another area where we can enhance individual freedom,” saidBrandes to Florida Politics. “In absence of a well-regulated structure, we’ve seen a complex underground industry developed in Florida, potentially breeding habits of addiction, while robbing our government of revenue that should be collected and remitted for education.”
“This legislation creates a legal framework in which Floridians can choose how to spend their time and money, without worry of being criminalized.”
The first bill introduced was FL SB 968. This particular piece of legislation sets the guidelines for who can operate a sportsbook in Florida, who can bet on sports, as well as laying out the duties of the Department of the Lottery when it comes to sports wagering.
Under the current language of the bill, only those above the age of 21 will be allowed to bet on sports in Florida.
Those who work for a sports organization in the state will not be allowed to bet on that team. Those who have a financial or legal investment in a sports organization will also be banned from betting on that team.
Companies that choose to partner with the Florida Lottery will be allowed to offer their bookmaking services through betting kiosks. Sports betting license holders can offer online sports betting in Florida as well as mobile sports wagering apps. These apps would be available to anyone inside state lines.
The second bill, FL SB 970, highlights the state’s fees to obtaining and keeping a sports wagering license. According to the bill, companies seeking to become sports wagering operators in the state will have to pay $100,000 a year to receive and keep their license.
The third Florida sports betting bill, FL SB 972, digs a little deeper into the financial aspects of what future sports wagering operators will have to consider.
As that bill is currently written, a tax rate of 15% will be applied to the number of money sports wagering operators keep after paying out winnings. The bill also specifies when payments to the state will be made as well as a $10,000 late fee for each day that those payments are not submitted.
The topic of sports wagering in Florida came up during the 2019 legislative session, but progress was stalled due to complications between the state and the Seminole Tribe. The Seminoles hold a strong political position to the state’s gaming industry which may affect the progress of these bills next year.
News tags: FL SB 968 FL SB 970 FL SB 972 Florida Florida Lottery Jeff Brandes Seminole Tribe
– In his career, Hasan has worked both local and state government positions—including the Attorney General’s Office in Florida. On top of being familiar with the legislative process, he has also been researching and writing on the legality of sports betting across the US. Outside of work you’ll most likely find him producing or playing music, playing sports, or working on creative writing projects. You’ll also catch him at Doak Campbell Stadium cheering on the Noles.