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Many folks believe once a state legalizes betting, they can wipe their hands and just go on autopilot from there. But it’s not that easy. What’s happening with sports betting in Florida is the latest example of that.
In Florida, there’s a monopoly on sports AND casino betting. Only the Hard Rock Casino — which is owned by the Florida Seminole tribe — has the right to offer wagering, both at their physical locations and online. But now officials from the state are complaining about the rise of offshore sportsbooks that are eating away at the tribes’ revenues (and the state’s tax dollars). Keep reading and we’ll tell you all about it.
Offshore Betting Remains Popular In Florida
Meet the Florida Gaming Control Commission. As you can guess by the name, they are in charge of overseeing Florida’s burgeoning betting scene. Executive Director Ross Marshman is one of the head officials and he’s come out publicly, asking for harsher penalties against betting done illegally in Florida. Ross recently testified in front of the Florida House Representatives’ Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee, and dropped this bombshell quote:
“There’s only so much money to go around. If a dollar does not go to a licensed facility or a tribal facility, it’s going into a criminal’s pocket,” Marshman added. “It’s as simple as that.”
There are many culprits in the eyes of Marshall, but one for sure is offshore betting sites. But if we’re being honest, it’s tough to fault Florida bettors here. The state’s monopoly is a reason for the proliferation of offshore betting in the first place.
Offshore bookies sidestep the rules and regulations of Florida and the United States at large because they aren’t operated in those areas. Instead, many are from Caribbean islands where betting is fully legal. Thus, they can take bets from around the world. Naturally, their biggest customer bases come from areas that either outright ban or heavily limit betting.
Florida falls into the latter category. Yes, they legally allow betting, but only at Hard Rock Bet. We’re not here to cast stones, but Hard Rock’s mobile betting app is only so-so. It gets the job done, but it leaves a lot to be desired. There are a ton of offshore sportsbook apps we’d actually recommend over Hard Rock, including the five below:
Plus, Hard Rock sports betting has really only been up and running for about a year. Florida didn’t sign their exclusive compact with the tribe until 2021, and even then, various legal troubles meant Hard Rock was always on and off with sports betting. That gave bettors a lot of time to try out offshore sportsbooks and form playing habits that continue to this day.
Unrestricted Gambling Happening In-Person Too
But wait, don’t think the FGCC is strictly talking about betting that happens online. In Florida, there’s many illegal physical operations happening right under their noses.
The latest bombshell story is that of Jacksonville’s “Operation Fish & Chips.” Around Christmas time 2024, local police busted an illegal gambling ring that stretched over 10 locations in Jacksonville. Cops believe the operation had been ongoing since 2021, and included illegal games like fish tables (a virtual game that tasks players with shooting fish with a cannon), fire links (slot machines essentially), and more.
“There is zero disincentive for these establishments to close down due to the misdemeanors that they face,” said Homeland Security Division of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Chief Ed Cayenne. “They are willing to pay the fines and continue the operations because they are so profitable.”
During the bust, 263 gambling devices were confiscated as well as $2.5 million in cash, 15 vehicles valued at around $1.7 million, jewelry, and two homes. Based on that alone, then you have to think Cayenne is right. There’s big money being slung around here — it’s not a rinky-dink operation by any stretch of the imagination.
“When we do execute search warrants, we have employees running out the back doors with bags of cash,” said Dan Singleton, who serves as Investigative Services of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Chief. “I don’t know of any other legitimate business that during normal business hours, when a law enforcement officer comes to the front door, you have an employee flee out the back with a bag of cash.”
Folks running out the back door with wads of cash? Yeah, this sounds like a Hollywood movie, but it’s apparently happening in North Florida.
Jacksonville Isn’t A Siloed Case
What’s funny is this is the second high-profile gambling bust of 2024. The other occurred in April over in the Daytona Beach area. The police department there seized 40 illegal slot machines from physical establishments right there on International Speedway Boulevard — not far from where the NASCAR Daytona 500 is raced. No one was arrested at the time though.
It looks like something is in the water in Florida, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s because of its high population, but you don’t hear the degree of these stories in other states in the United States, that’s for sure. So maybe FGCC is right with their asks for harsher penalties.
Best Betting Sites 