Legally, online casinos are still very much prohibited throughout the state. So, finding the best online casinos in Florida hasn’t been the easiest of tasks for me. That said, you will be pleased to hear that there are alternatives.
As you read on, you’ll find out all there is to know about the legal side of online casino action in Florida. Although currently unavailable, you will find that you can enjoy action down at tribal casinos, enter state lotteries, and play casino-style games at a social casino. Stick around, and let me show you how things work around here.
Unfortunately, I will have to bring your search for the best online casinos in Florida to an abrupt end. At the time of writing, Florida has not legalized online casino action.
However, the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) – the organization that enforces state gambling laws and oversees all activities – has deemed various alternative forms of gambling legal. Not to mention that you can also access most social casinos in the area, provided you adhere to the statewide laws (and specific FL prize redemption limits) in place.
As I found while reviewing the best online casinos in California, alternative forms of gambling are available here. I’ve added them to this convenient table to help you understand the current position of things.
Form of gambling | Explanation |
Tribal Casinos | Tribal casinos are legal in Florida; however, they fall under a different legal header and are operated by the Seminole Tribe under a federal compact |
Pari-mutuel wagering | Instead of betting against the house, you’ll join a pool of bettors. Any winnings from your horse racing bets will be taken from the prize pot (minus fees) |
State lottery | The Florida state lottery is home to numerous live draws, including Cash Pop, Fantasy 5, and Mega Millions. Since the initial launch in 1988, it has helped to meet various educational initiatives, and is a popular choice for those over 18 years old |
Charitable gaming | Although legal across the state, you’ll find that the laws surrounding bingo and raffles will vary from county to county. Generally speaking, you must be 18 years old to play, and you’ll find that bingo prizes are capped at $250. |
Online gambling at the best real money casinos in Florida is strictly prohibited; however, that won’t stop all of you from checking them out. I can’t stop you from doing so, but I hope that I can help to deter some of you by highlighting the types of penalties and charges in place.
Penalties | Explanation |
Second-degree misdemeanor | Participation in illegal gambling across the state is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500 |
Felony charges | Those operating an illegal online casino in Florida will receive felony charges, fines, and possibly imprisonment |
Social casinos provide you with a way to enjoy the very best casino-style gaming action across the state without spending a dime. What’s more, they are completely legal in Florida. As you’ll see from this breakdown, they do offer a slightly different approach to real-money gambling; however, that doesn’t mean that you won’t have the same great gaming experience.
I have touched on the specific differences between social gaming, sweepstakes action, and real-money gambling. So, hopefully, you now have an idea of which approach is best-suited to your needs. Next, I hope to expand your knowledge of the sweepstakes model, covering all of the important elements and reasons why social casinos are deemed legal to operate in Florida.
Although very similar to a no-deposit online casino, social casinos don’t make use of real money at all. In turn, it is more likely that you will hear the phrase “free-to-play” or “no-purchase”. However you look at it, the fact remains that you won’t ever need to make a purchase to play here. Instead, you’ll often use variations of the following virtual currencies.
Under the sweepstakes model, you’ll find that casino-style games are considered to be skill-based, meaning they are legal in just about all US states, including Florida.
Despite falling into this legal bracket, you’ll find that the experience mimics that of real-money online casinos. So, when it comes to gaming opportunities, you’ll notice that casino-style games come from the same providers that feature at real-money online casino sites. Some names to look out for include the following:
Any of you eagle-eyed gamers will know that Evolution and Iconic 21 are powerhouses of the live gaming scene. In turn, you’ll find that you can now look to pull up a seat at the table and watch live variations of roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and game shows unfold.
Of course, a live social casino is only one part of the social casino experience. You can also expect to find everything from Vegas-style slots and table games to scratchcards and exclusives while navigating the casino-style gaming lobby.
Those of you who like the idea of sweepstakes casino gaming will need to take a few things into account before getting started.
First, you must be at least 18 years old; however, please be aware that certain sites lift the minimum age limit to 21. As established, you will also have the chance to redeem Sweeps Coins won through gameplay. Each prize redemption will be capped at $5,000 here. Plus, anything over $600 must be declared, and any combined winnings of over $5,000 will be subject to 24% federal withholding.
When looking at the best online casinos in Washington, you won’t have social casinos as an alternative option. However, those in Florida can follow this ten-step process to register and begin playing at a social casino today.
When it comes to finding the best social casinos available to you in Florida, you’ll notice that my latest reviews do a lot of the hard work for you. You’ll find that the banners on this page are focused solely on the best sites in Florida, but how do I begin to create these reviews and rank top sites? Well, in short, I focus on these key elements that help to build a complete picture of what you can expect.
Your safety is always my first concern, so you can expect a section of my comparisons to focus on the protocols and measures in place that will help to keep your social gaming experience secure throughout. This can include a closer look at the following:
You should know by now that social casinos allow you to enjoy the full gaming experience for free. So, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to hear that you can pick up various promotions throughout. Although they may come in different shapes and sizes, you can expect some of the following:
I’ve already touched on the kind of casino-style games you can expect from a top social casino in Florida. I would also focus on the limits in place and how regularly new releases are added to the mix. Of course, you’ll also want to make sure that your preferences are available. Generally, you can expect a mix of the following:
When it comes to playing with your Sweeps Coins, it pays to have an understanding of how the redemption process works. Only Sweeps Coins won through gameplay that can later be redeemed. You must also have a minimum amount of these Sweeps Coins that have been played through before opting to redeem for one of the following. Just bear in mind that prizes will vary from site to site.
I am confident that this isn’t the first thing you will think of; however, it is crucial to find a responsive support team before joining a social casino. Should you have issues with your social gaming, rewards, or prize redemptions, you’ll want to make sure that you can soon get your experience back on track. Again, this can vary, but expect to see a number of the following methods available.
The final piece of the social casino puzzle revolves around usability and accessibility. Obviously, I also want to ensure that you can register freely, navigate around the site with ease, and play your favorite games with no hiccups. Nowadays, it is common to find sites that have been optimized for those looking to play on the go. However, you may even find those with dedicated apps available.
Before I leave you to make the most of the banners on this page, I want to provide you with a quick recap on social casinos.
As you can see, you’re not going to want my advice on how to discover the best online casinos in Florida just yet. However, if you like the idea of casino-style gaming, it is worth looking through the banners on this page to find my favorite social casino sites.
These social casinos fall under the sweepstakes umbrella, offering social gaming opportunities without the need to splash any cash or the potential to pick up a felony charge. Plus, you’ll even be able to walk away with prizes, provided you can meet the minimum requirements expected of any Sweeps Coins won through gameplay. While on your search, remember to consider the ongoing offers, selection of casino-style games, and the process of redeeming prizes – just bear in mind that a maximum redemption limit of $5,000 is in place across the state.
You aren’t going to have any luck joining the best free spin casinos or any type of real-money online casino in Florida. However, alternative forms of gambling are available, as well as free-to-play social casino sites.
You can join a social casino within minutes in Florida. Provided you are at least 18 years old, you’ll find that you can fill out an on-site form or link one of your social media accounts to get started.
Yes. Social casinos limit prize redemptions to $5,000 in Florida. This means that you’ll only be able to redeem a maximum of $5,000 in one go.
You won’t be able to visit real-money online casinos in Florida, so you won’t find dedicated apps available. You will, however, find that certain social casinos have spent time creating apps or a fully-optimized experience through your mobile browser.
Online casinos are not legal in Florida; however, you can visit social casinos. We have been busy creating reviews of the very best, covering all of the important safety features within our reviews. This includes things like encryption technology, two-factor authentication, KYC checks, and safer gaming tools.