Gambling has been a huge part of Florida since before the
20th century. It was legalized in most parts of Florida after the Second World
War. Since then, the state has been a hotbed of exciting gaming activities,
including video poker games, land-based casinos, and bingo halls.
Now, gaming in Florida has expanded beyond land-based
casinos with the emergence of online casinos, and mobile gaming apps. But
that's not all; the state is also big on the video gaming scene, with esports
also on the rise.
If you want to delve into the thrilling gaming world in
Florida, it's essential to understand what is legal and not, what games to
play, and how to get started.
So, consider this your guide to gaming in Florida in 2023.
This article provides insight into the Florida gaming landscape, gaming
regulations, the various types of games available, and how to get in.
Let's get started!
What's the current state of gaming in Florida?
The online gaming landscape in Florida is diverse and filled
with various gaming adventures. It is popular for casinos, card rooms, video
poker machines, and other exciting games. There are over 20,000 slot machines
in Florida, and there is always proposed legislation for more gaming
opportunities by lawmakers every year!
In addition, the bustling gaming landscape in Florida has
contributed hugely to its tourist economy, with over 20 million visitors
visiting Florida for its gaming experience annually.
While land-based, tribal casinos are thriving, online gaming
uniquely appeals to players looking to experience the thrill from the comfort
of their homes. Online casinos offer various slot machines, table games, and
live dealer experiences that keep players hooked to their screens.
In addition, Esports and mobile gaming apps appeal to
gamers' fun and competitive spirits, giving the residents of Florida a wide
range of gaming options to explore.
Gaming Regulations in Florida
Although Florida is a hub for competitive gaming and
gambling, specific laws and regulations guide the industry.
The minimum legal gambling age in Florida is 18 years. At
this age, you'll be allowed to participate in the State Lottery, place legal
horse bets, or play Bingo and Poker. To enter licensed casinos, however, you'll
need to be 21 years or older (source: https://sportslens.com/florida/online-gambling/).
That covers land-based options, but is online gaming legal
in Florida? The only casinos permitted to operate in Florida are tribal
casinos. Florida's law prohibits online casinos, although online sports betting
is set to become legal in the very near future.
In the meantime, anyone who wants to enjoy the excitement of
blackjack, slots, or roulette can sign up to a social casino site. These social
casinos are strictly for entertainment purposes and do not require you to
deposit or risk your money to enjoy the games.
Which games are legal and available in Florida?
While some games are prohibited in Florida, there are a
plethora of acceptable games. They include:
Esports
Esports is growing in popularity in Florida, drawing in
thousands of viewers and players. Meaning electronic sports, it involves
competitions using video games. These organized, multi-player competitions take
place between professional individuals or team players, and fans can also bet
on the outcome.
While multi-player competitions have long existed in the
video game landscape, the popularity of online streaming platforms has enabled
more professionals to participate in the game. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena
(MOBA), First-person Shooter (FPS), and Real Time Strategy (RTS) are popular
types of esports games.
How do you participate in esports in Florida? Many Esports
academies, with Singularity being the largest, manage competitive teams
competing in esports tournaments and events. You can join any of these
academies to play your favorite games competitively.
Video games
Residents of Florida widely play video games for fun as well
as competition. They offer highly immersive and interactive experiences,
allowing you to compete and engage with other gamers. There are many popular
video games to explore, including action, sports, adventure, role-playing, and
battle royale games.
You can play these games in the comfort of your home or
visit game bars in Florida. Many modern console and arcade games require a
single player, although they are customized to allow more than one
player.
Florida was recently ranked as the country's 4th biggest
contributor to the video game industry, with around $2.7 billion and creating
more than 16,000 jobs in the state.
Social casinos
Social casinos are free games that mimic the gambling
experience and are acceptable in Florida! These games are similar to casino
games like blackjack, but gamers don't need to pay to play. As such, these
games don't offer players a real cash payout, but they can wager virtual bets
with the credit they receive after joining to enjoy the game.
Essentially, these types of casinos operate strictly with
virtual in-app currency. The various social casinos available online include
poker, bingo, blackjack, and casino table game variants. Unlike real money
casinos for which you might require a VPN
to access from Florida, these social platforms are widely available.
Online sweepstakes
Sweepstakes are contests where the entire prize is awarded
to the winner. They are very similar to social casinos. However, while social
casinos offer virtual currency that cannot be converted into real money,
sweepstake casino participants can win prizes with real monetary value.
In sweepstakes, winners are selected randomly, but players
can buy more entries to the contests based on how many virtual coins they've
earned while playing. Like social casinos, gamers are not required to pay money
to play the games, but they can spend real money on buying more virtual coins
to play.
Will iGaming be legalized in Florida?
The iGaming industry has experienced remarkable growth in
the past years. Its convenience makes it a more desirable option than in-person
wagering. As more states in the US embrace iGaming, there is a rising demand
for its legalization in Florida. One significant development is renegotiating
the gaming compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida in 2021. This
renegotiation permitted the tribe to offer wider gambling options for their
audience. As a result, this development has created a ray of hope for the
possibility of the legalization of iGaming in Florida soon.
