Florida gambling photos are changing again. The court battle over the Seminole compact continues, with lawmakers hearing more calls to consider broader online bets.
Even sports betting bound by appeals, residents find workarounds. The offshore website is still promoting directly to Floridians. Many of them boast of promoting speed over safety and allowing withdrawals without an ID. Regulators say it may sound appealing, but avoid the verification checks required by licensed US operators.
The Seminoles operate the state’s largest casino and its hard rock brand. The 2021 compact with the state included online sports betting. The deal faced lawsuits almost immediately, slowing down the momentum of the wider development. However, my appetite has not disappeared.
People here talk about what’s going on in other states. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan – They’ve all seen billions of people betting online. Taxes continue. Florida supporters claim the state is leaving money at the table.
Your opponent tells a different story. They warn you about accessing all phone calls and the risks that come with it. “Once you enter the app, you can’t put the Genie back in the bottle,” said the Jacksonville area pastor, who lobbyed for the expansion. Addiction experts add that enforcement is more stringent if offshore platforms are already targeting residents.
The Tourism Bureau is also paying attention to the numbers. Florida Casinos in Tampa and South Florida in particular drive through hotel reservations and restaurant traffic. A fully online market could change that balance. Some business leaders prefer the idea of having players at home. Others say that brick and mortar stores can fuel things digital sites never replace.
For Tallahassee lawmakers, that’s a tricky call. The Seminole Compact brings revenue through revenue sharing agreements. Expanding online casinos could mean more money, but it also means more legitimate battles with tribes that defend their exclusivity. That disparity was one of the reasons the 2022 voting measures failed after record spending on both sides.
The residents are also divided. A Miami resident outside Hard Rock Properties said he enjoys visiting in person this week. “I don’t mind having it on my phone, but I like the vibe here. It’s not the same on screen.”
Meanwhile, the unregulated market continues to grow. Analysts at the American Gaming Association estimate billions of dollars flow to illegal sites nationwide each year. Florida’s share is important. Enforcement is difficult, and warnings are of little use to stop players who want speed, privacy and access.
The size of the state makes it a major target. With over 22 million people, Florida could become one of the nation’s largest online casino markets if laws change. For now, the lines are retained. The Seminoles run the venue. Offshore operators keep pushing and pushing the ads. And residents wait to see if lawmakers take the next step.
