Florida State Gaming
- Florida State Gaming Regulations
- Battle State Gaming
- State Of Florida Gaming License
- Washington State Gaming Commission
- Florida State Gaming Reports
Florida Gambling News. Muradi wins WPT Main Event for $620,000. 28 January 2021. Ilyas Muradi, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, bested 1,573 entries at Seminole Hard Rock. Most lotteries and raffles are illegal in Florida because they are considered a form of gambling. However, Florida lawmakers recognize that nonprofits and charities often use raffles as a fundraising method. Therefore, the state has made an exception for certain organizations if they adhere to specific rules and does not require a fee to.
ResearchState of Play
Explore the national and state-by-state impact of the casino gaming industry, as well as key regulatory and statutory requirements in each state.
Number of Casinos 15
Economic Impact $7.55 Billion
Jobs Supported 54,142
Tax Impact & Tribal Revenue Share $1.56 Billion
Gross Gaming Revenue $3.14 Billion
Size of circle indicates number of casinos in the area.
All location data is as of Dec. 31, 2019.
Number of Casinos 8
Economic Impact $1.34 Billion
Jobs Supported 8,180
Tax Impact $419.8 Million
Gross Gaming Revenue $574.7 Million (2019)
Size of circle indicates number of casinos in the area.
All location data is as of Dec. 31, 2019.
Number of Casinos 7
Economic Impact $6.15 Billion
Jobs Supported 45,962
Tax Impact & Tribal Revenue Share $1.14 Billion
Gross Gaming Revenue $2.56 Billion (2016)
Size of circle indicates number of casinos in the area.
All location data is as of Dec. 31, 2019.
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1035
850-487-1395
Website
The Office of Slot Operations within the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering regulates slot machine operations.
The Office of Slot Operations is charged with the oversight of the day-to-day operations at slot facilities, as well as the licensing of individuals and ensuring the integrity of slot machine gaming in the state.
AVAILABLE GAMING LICENSES
Slot Machine Operator License
Business Entity Occupational License
Florida State Gaming Regulations
For more information on available gaming licenses, see Regulatory Fact Sheet.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is the only tribe in the state of Florida authorized to offer Class III gaming.
The Seminole Tribal Gaming Commission is primarily responsible for carrying out the tribe’s regulatory responsibilities under the tribal gaming ordinance, the compact, and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (the IGRA).
The Governor’s Office in Florida provides oversight of Indian casinos through the state compliance agency (SCA). The compact agreements stipulate that the SCA has the authority to ensure games are conducted in compliance with compact provisions. The SCA can be any agency which the Florida legislature has designated for this purpose. Under the latest compact, the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering has been appointed with state oversight.
The Seminole compact terminates in 2020; however, some of its provisions authorizing the tribe to offer specific games terminated in 2015. The tribe and the state of Florida are in talks to negotiate a new compact.
AVAILABLE GAMING LICENSES
Supplier of Gaming Goods or Services License
For more information on available gaming licenses, see Regulatory Fact Sheet.
GAMING TAX RATE
There is a 35 percent slot machine tax.
TAX PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
None
WITHHOLDINGS ON WINNINGS
None
TAX ALLOCATION
Slot machine tax is distributed to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund of the Department of Education.
EXCLUSIVITY FEE
In May 2019, the Seminole Tribe ceased payments to the state for violation of the tribal-state gaming compact. Until the state and the tribe reach a new agreement over certain card game exclusivity, the tribe will no longer make payments.
TAX PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
None.
WITHHOLDINGS ON WINNINGS
None.
STATE USE OF REVENUE
None.
TRIBAL USE OF REVENUE
Requirements as described in IGRA.
STATUTORY FUNDING REQUIREMENT
Slot machine facilities are required to pay an annual “compulsive or addictive gambling prevention program fee” of $250,000.
SELF-EXCLUSION
Yes
COMPLIMENTARY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
None
ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS
Each slot machine gaming licensee must establish a responsible gaming advertising program.
ON-PREMISE DISPLAY REQUIREMENT
Required for slot machine gaming licenses
AGE RESTRICTIONS
21+ years of age to gamble
21+ years of age on floor
STATUTORY FUNDING REQUIREMENT
No less than $250,000 per facility annually
SELF-EXCLUSION
Patrons may self-exclude for a minimum of one year, five years, or a lifetime.
COMPLIMENTARY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
None
ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS
Advertising and marketing must contain a responsible gambling message and a toll-free helpline number for problem gamblers.
ON-PREMISE DISPLAY REQUIREMENT
Signs bearing a toll-free helpline number and educational and informational materials must be made available at conspicuous locations.
AGE RESTRICTIONS
The Seminole Tribe have instituted a policy that prohibits individuals under 18 years of age from taking part in live poker or bingo. An additional policy is in place that restricts individuals under 21 years of age from participating in any other form of casino gaming.
OPERATION ON HOLIDAYS
Yes
TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Must be approved by a licensed independent testing laboratory.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
Federal compliance regulations.
SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
Must be formally approved by state, and requires state employee to be present for delivery.
RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
None
CREDIT OFFERED TO PATRONS
None
TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Yes
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
Federal compliance requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act.
SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
Federal shipping requirements under the Johnson Act apply.
RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Yes
CREDIT OFFERED TO PATRONS
Yes
Gambling in Florida has been legal in various forms since 1931, but what’s available continues to be as diverse as the state of more than 21 million.
Wagering in the state began with dog and horse racing, followed by jai alai, all in the 1930s. Whereas horse racing remains not only an important part of the economy, but to Florida gambling, jai alai is quickly fading into oblivion and voters chose to outlaw greyhound racing beginning in 2021, turning such storied venues as Derby Lane in St. Petersburg into card rooms. So-called racinos are located within race tracks across the state, also offer these gambling amenities.
Tribal casinos came to Florida in the late ’80s, offering table games and slot machines. There are currently seven such casinos – six operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and its Hard Rock brand – which comprise all of the standalone, non-racino venues. Some casino-style gambling is available on small day-cruise boats once out in international waters and Princess Cruises plans offers larger casinos and sports betting on the ocean liners. Poker is legal in card rooms.
Online gaming has not yet come to Florida, , but residents can take advantage of social gaming, however, where they can play the slots or poker for fun instead of money.
Sports betting in Florida remains a complicated non-reality. The Seminole Tribe of Florida believes it owns exclusive rights to offer it, if the state legislature passes a bill, but a 2018 limitation on the expansion of gambling in Florida approved by voters will make the process difficult.
Sweepstakes casinos in Florida
Social casino site options
In Florida, the options for social gaming are similar to other states. Zynga, Slotomania, BigFish, and the rest of the usual suspects are available to Florida residents and visitors.
Residents are typically too far away to take advantage of the MyVegas comps options. However, there are three exceptions: Resorts World Bimini, Royal Caribbean, and the Orlando offerings from Gray Line Tours.
Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to Florida. It’s either a short boat or plane ride away from the eastern coast. Though RWB’s casino is smallish, with only a few hundred slot machines and a smattering of table games, the property is well-furnished, and the comps offered through MyVegas include discounts on rooms, food, and other activities.
Another MyVegas option that Floridians can truly use is the site’s partnership with Royal Caribbean cruises. Rewards offered through MyVegas include onboard credits and, most invitingly, actual cruise comps for interior staterooms on departures out of Fort Lauderdale. It’s conceivable that free or nearly-free five-day vacations are convenient for most Floridians. (At least those willing to put in the time to get 750,000 loyalty points.)
The final option is to get comps for the Gray Line Tour options out of Orlando. The rewards offered are mostly companion tickets or discounts, but there are MyVegas options for trips to Miami, Clearwater Beach, St. Augustine, and the Kennedy Center. So, at the very least, if you were planning to go sightseeing in Florida anyway, you might be able to ease the burden on your wallet and do it in style.
Land-based slots environment
Florida has a long history with regard to gambling. Legal forms of wagering have existed in the state since 1931, when dog and horse racing were legalized.
Battle State Gaming
Since that time, there has been an ebb-and-flow to the public’s acceptance of gambling options and buildings. Ultimately, Florida has undoubtedly become a destination for more than just beaches and retirement facilities.
Florida first legalized slot machines and jai alai back in 1935. They quickly repealed the machines (but not the jai alai) two years later. Limited slots gaming was introduced in 1988 on tribal lands due to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. But it wasn’t until 2004, 67 years after their repeal, that voters revived slot gaming and approved slot machines’ introduction to the racetracks and jai alai facilities.
Tribal Casinos
The path that led Florida to become such a gambling-friendly state hinges on one major fact. Florida has a preponderance of Native American tribal lands within its borders.
Florida’s interwoven relationship with several tribes – particularly the Seminole tribe – has allowed for the expansion of gaming in Florida. And, unlike other reservation lands, many tribal properties are near or inside major metropolitan areas in the state.
The Seminoles have operated some form of gambling in Florida since 1981, when they began offering bingo at their Tampa-area reservation (one of six reservations in the state). Today, the tribe owns and operates seven different casinos. These include two Seminole Hard Rock locations in Tampa and Hollywood.
In 2009, Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill into law that relaxed rules on much of gambling, particularly with regard to poker. Those seven Seminole casinos, one Miccosukee-run facility, and several casino cruise boats offer slot gamblers more than 25,000 machines and over 750 table games upon which to play.
Additionally, players can find over 800 Florida poker tables in cardrooms and racinos throughout the state. Below is a listing of the properties.
Land-based slots options
| Property | Location | Number of Slot Machines |
|---|---|---|
| Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa | Tampa | 4,000 |
| Seminole Coconut Creek Casino | Coconut Creek | 2,000 |
| Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood | Hollywood | 2,000 |
| Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Center | Miami | 1,700 |
| Seminole Casino Immokalee | Immokalee | 1,300 |
| Seminole Classic Casino | Hollywood | 850 |
| Seminole Casino – Brighton | Okeechobee | 450 |
Online gambling options
As of right now, Florida has no laws either for or against online gambling but has no regulated sites of its own to offer.
However, since the legislature has a budget shortfall and what seems to be a favorable opinion about gambling within the state, it would be no major surprise if Florida iGaming became a legal reality.
With so many land-based options and no major public backlash to be seen, Florida is definitely on the upswing with its gambling. So, those who prefer online games are likely to find options fairly soon.
Operator profile
Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Center
With the Seminole tribe dominating so much of Florida’s gaming scene, it’s important to remember the other group that has a stake. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida operates the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Center. This is located on the corner of Krome Avenue and Tamiami Trail in the far western portion of Miami.
It’s a 56,000-square-foot facility offering over 1,700 slot machines, poker, and bingo. They also have a 1,200-seat entertainment venue and three restaurant options.
The center is on 25 acres of Miccosukee reservation land. However, the Miccosukees (like their Seminole counterparts in Florida) have more than one discontiguous piece of reservation land throughout the state. In fact, the primary area is within the Everglades, where the tribe has resided for over 100 years. In fact, the Miccosukees are descended from a group of Creeks who eluded capture in the wetlands area.
State Of Florida Gaming License
Today, more than 600 tribal members live in the area. They are direct descendants of that group of Creeks, who spoke Mikasuki – hence the new tribal name. The tribe is federally recognized by the United States government and maintains roughly 75,000 acres of reservation land in total (plus a perpetual lease for another 189,000 acres).
Washington State Gaming Commission
State legal environment
Florida State Gaming Reports
| Permitted/Offered? | Notes & Restrictions | |
|---|---|---|
| Land-based Gambling | Yes | Restricted to tribal lands and cruises |
| Online Gambling | No | Expected to be offered soon – favorable legislative environment |
| Lottery | Yes | State lottery, Mega Millions and Powerball offered |
| Charitable or House-based Gambling | Yes | Bingo only |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 for casino gambling, both online and live; 18 for horseracing |