Florida Orders Three Online Gaming Sites to Exit State

Article by : Erik Gibbs Feb 4, 2025

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Florida regulators are intensifying their crackdown on illegal online gambling. The state has recently ordered three offshore gaming operators to stop providing their services within the state. 

The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) issued cease-and-desist letters to BetUS, Bovada, and MyBookie, accusing them of violating state gambling laws by facilitating unauthorized sports betting and casino gaming. These companies have faced similar enforcement actions in other states and continue to operate outside the boundaries of Florida’s strict gambling regulations.

The FGCC clarified that these online platforms only offer unlicensed wagers, which are strictly prohibited under Florida law. The commission outlined that these websites provide betting options on sports events, horse racing, proposition bets, and futures—activities considered unlawful within the state.

Florida law classifies engaging in or facilitating illegal wagering as a felony offense, prohibiting bets on any contest involving skill, speed, or endurance of humans or animals. Even aiding or assisting such activities is considered a felony under state statutes.

Ross Marshman, Executive Director of the FGCC, reinforced Florida’s stringent stance on gambling, highlighting that only a limited number of operators are legally permitted within the state. Currently, Florida allows just 14 authorized slot machine operations, including eight state-licensed facilities and six tribal casinos run by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The Hard Rock Bet platform remains the only legally sanctioned online sportsbook operating in the state. Marshman warned that individuals placing bets on unlicensed platforms not only risk financial loss but could also face legal consequences.

The crackdown on illegal operators also underscores Florida’s commitment to ensuring that gaming revenues benefit the state’s residents. Licensed gambling establishments contribute substantial tax revenue, which funds essential state programs.

In 2024, tax revenue from state-licensed gambling businesses exceeded $240 million, with funds allocated to Florida’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. Additionally, the Seminole Tribe is projected to contribute no less than $2.5 billion over the next five years through revenue-sharing agreements.

The enforcement action comes at a time when concerns about problem gambling are rising nationwide. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling reported a more than 50% increase in calls for assistance in 2024, indicating a growing issue with gambling addiction. Experts point to the accessibility of digital betting platforms as a major factor in the rise of gambling-related problems.

With mobile applications making gambling more convenient than ever, people can place bets instantly through services like FanDuel, DraftKings, and PrizePicks. Even Hard Rock Bet, Florida’s only legal sportsbook, has aggressively marketed its mobile platform, demonstrating the ease of digital betting.

The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that 2.5 million Americans suffer from severe gambling addiction, while another 5 to 8 million experience moderate gambling problems. Mental health professionals warn that excessive gambling can lead to serious consequences, including financial distress, relationship breakdowns, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Policymakers are increasingly recognizing gambling as a public health issue. Last year, the Lancet Public Health Journal published an editorial calling for governments to take stronger action on gambling-related harm. Research suggests that young people, in particular, are at greater risk due to widespread exposure to gambling advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships in digital media.

A study by the American Psychological Association in 2023 found that individuals in their early 20s are the fastest-growing demographic of gamblers, raising concerns about long-term impacts.