The laws surrounding gambling and online casinos can be tricky to understand. This has left citizens unsure about what’s legal and what’s not, with some of them steering clear from the gambling scene altogether. 

Today, we are going to highlight what exactly is legal and what is illegal, and how you can register at an online casino safely!

Keep reading to learn more!

Online Gambling In Florida

Online gambling is not regulated by the state of Florida, and no casinos are permitted to run within its borders. However, it is legally allowed to gamble with offshore-based casinos, gambling, and sports betting sites because the state’s laws make no mention of internet gambling. 

There are no laws that may result in a conviction, furthermore, there were no instances of the state of Florida punishing someone for making wagers in this manner. Until the legislature takes action to either restrict or regulate real money online casinos in Florida, you are free to gamble using offshore sites.

How To Register At An Online Casino

1. Choose An Online Casino

The first step is choosing an online casino. Make sure not to sign up with the first online casino that pops up. Instead, do your research on different casinos and compare their features to see which one is best.

The casino you choose should have: a wide game variety, an excellent behind-the-scenes customer service team, the proper licenses, safe and secure payment options, and attractive bonuses!

2. Create An Account

After choosing a casino, it’s time to create an account. The registration process is quite simple and straightforward and should not take you more than a couple of minutes. 

The casino will ask for your personal information and it will also ask for proof of your identity, so a picture of your ID card or passport will be required. The verification process should be completed within 24 hours.

3. Choosing A Payment Option

You will have to select a payment method when your account has been properly validated. The payment options could change depending on the online casino. However, the majority of online casinos include a variety of payment methods—or at the very least, the most often used ones, such as credit and debit cards. 

After you’ve successfully selected your preferred payment option, you can make your first deposit and start playing!

Sure, there may be cooler ways to spend your free time, like destroying an asteroid, but gambling’s pretty fun, too!

Exceptions To The Rule

If you want to branch out your gambling activities, there are other legal activities you can take part in:

• Cruise Ship Gaming

This excursion has been available since 1984. A “cruise to nowhere” departs from either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, three or nine miles out to sea. Both choices transport participants into international seas, where local gaming regulations are no longer valid. Roulette, video poker, blackjack, craps, slots, and more options are available to passengers. 

• State Lottery

The state lottery was legalized in 1986. Customers have a choice of regional games or multi-state favorites at one of the more than 13,000 lottery merchants spread out over the state. Players can also test their luck with scratch-off tickets in addition to the daily lottery drawings. Anyone over the age of 18 can participate in the lottery.

• Pari-Mutuel Betting

Florida has both greyhounds and horse racing, and many of these venues also have poker or slot machines. Poker and horse racing are both available to those over 18, whereas playing gaming machines requires a minimum age of 21. This type of gambling has been legal since 1931 when it was legalized by a single vote.

• Poker 

Since 2001, live poker has been legal in Florida, although it may only be played at pari-mutuel racetracks or casinos run by American Indians. At non-tribal facilities, the initial marijuana cap was $10; however, this was raised in 2003. The $100 buy-in cap on cash games was eliminated in 2010, and poker rooms’ hours were increased.

• Tribal Casinos

Florida does not allow commercial casinos, but indigenous facilities have been in use for a long time. Customers must be at least 18 years old to participate in the venues’ poker and bingo games. If they choose to try their luck at electronic or table games, that number increases to 21. 

The Seminole tribe operates the bulk of the state’s casinos, including Class III. The Miccosukee tribe also operates a casino, however, they are only permitted to use Class II machines since they do not have a state compact.

• Social Gambling

Although it is allowed to play poker in your Florida home, there are certain restrictions imposed by the law. This type of game has to take place at the house of one of the participants.

The major limitation of home games is the potential prize money. Most people will find the $10 per player cap on wagers for a hand or a full game to be a constraint. It’s simple to see this rule being broken frequently, especially among friends and family.

The Verdict

Since there is no law that states that online gambling is illegal and the state of Florida has not taken any legal actions against players, citizens are able to sign up for an online casino and gamble freely! If you’re still on the fence about the laws, there are plenty of other things you can do in Florida which are definitely legal!