Andrew O'Malley 26. November 2020 | UPDATED ON: 18. April 2022 Online poker is a massively popular pursuit all across the world. While there are no legal online poker sites in Florida, there are plenty of quality offshore platforms that you can use to play poker online today. This guide looks at all of the various aspects of playing online poker in Florida today. Top 3 Online Poker Sites in Florida, FL, USA For those people who love playing real money poker in Florida, there is a decent selection of offshore poker sites that you can use to satisfy your needs. You will get access to a variety of games, bonuses, and other great features. Here are three online poker sites we picked out from the large collection of offshore platforms: Slot Title Pay Back Key Features 1 Poker bonus: $2,000 in deposit bonuses Superb player trafficPayout Speed: InstantPoker bonus: $2,000 in deposit bonusesPlay NowOur score: Poker bonus: $2,000 in deposit bonusesRead more2 Poker bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to $3,000 Anonymous TablesPayout Speed: <24 hoursPoker bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to $3,000Play NowOur score: Poker bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to $3,000Read more3 Poker bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to $500 Fast-Fold Zone Poker OptionsPayout Speed: InstantPoker bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to $500Play NowOur score: Poker bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to $500Read more Is online poker legal in Florida? No Online poker is currently not legal in Florida. There have been attempts over the years by state lawmakers to push through legislation that would legalize line poker. However, there has been a lot of push back from tribal gaming circles. Online gambling bills were brought into the Senate and House in 2011, but they did not pass. Similar legislation was brought through successfully in Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey around the same time. These sites can’t share networks due to the Wire Act. Former Florida Governor Rick Scott was one of the main opponents to any online gambling expansion. There is currently no form of legal online gambling in Florida, with the likes of online casinos and poker sites being popular. Nobody has seemingly been arrested in Florida for illegal gambling online and gotten a second-degree misdemeanor. The Seminole Tribe holds significant political influence on the gambling sector in Florida. This is due to the lucrative gaming compacts with the state. However, there is ongoing uncertainty, as new compacts are now necessary. There are poker rooms and cardrooms across the state of Florida that allows Floridians the chance to buy-in and play live poker and other card games (like faro). There are also tournament stops from the likes of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) circuit and the World Poker Tour. Other forms of legal gambling in Florida There are many tribal casinos around Florida, offering the likes of slot machines, baccarat, and blackjack. However, games such as keno, roulette, and craps are not currently allowable. The card and poker rooms can only be located at casinos or pari-mutuel facilities such as racetracks. You have the likes of jai alai frontons and tracks in Miami-Dade and Broward counties that can offer slot machines. There is pari-mutuel betting allowable at these dedicated facilities. There is also a state lottery, with the Florida Lottery contributing significant revenue for a variety of public programs. You can also access multi-state offerings such as Mega Millions and Powerball. Bingo at casinos and for charitable reasons is also legal, as well as certain types of social gambling. This includes limited forms of poker home games. There is currently no legal sports betting in the state. This is due to the tribes being opposed to any form of gambling expansion. In terms of daily fantasy sports (DFS), there have also been attempts by legislators to legalize the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings, but to no avail as of yet. Our Recommended Online Poker Site in Florida Our Rating Well-respected 200% first deposit bonus to $1,000 Good player base Large selection of tournaments Claim Your Bonus Now Top 3 online poker sites that accept players from Florida For those people who are looking to get started with offshore online poker in the Sunshine State, there are a few standout platforms to check out. These tick all of the boxes in terms of the player pool, security, and game variety. 1. Everygame Poker - Strong reputation (200% deposit bonus up to $1,000) Everygame Poker has been catering to people in Florida for more than two decades, building up a strong player base during this time period. There is a great player base, which means that you are never going to be short of a game to play. The client can be downloaded to your desktop or you can simply play through your web browser. There are tons of different cash game variants, particularly for smaller stakes. You will also come across daily guaranteed tournaments, which offer great prizes. There are many great payment methods, around the clock customer support, and a nice welcome offer at Everygame Poker. For new accounts, there is a 200% first deposit bonus up to $1,000 on offer, with a bonus code needed. Our Rating Well-respected 200% first deposit bonus to $1,000 Good player base Large selection of tournaments No mobile app Claim Your Bonus 2. Ignition Poker - Big player base ($2,000 in welcome bonuses) Ignition Poker (previously known as Bodog) caters to US poker players with an easy to use platform. It is one of the largest offshore poker sites, rivaling the likes of WSOP and Pokerstars in a variety of ways. There are plenty of recreational online poker players on board, which often makes for a fun experience. The payment methods are slightly limited, but most of the common options will be offered. With about a thousand players always online, there will be tons of different games you can play. For new players, there is an array of welcome offers that allow you to get as much as $2,000 in bonus funds. Our Rating Large player pool Guaranteed tournaments daily Good reputation Welcome bonuses up to $2,000 Limited payout options Claim Your Bonus 3. Bovada Poker - Top-quality (100% first deposit bonus to $500) Bovada Poker is another platform that has been around for many years in the internet poker sector. It has a nice range of skill levels across the board, with a great player base and selection of different types of poker. The majority of the tournaments are guaranteed and happen on a daily basis. The main downside is that certain events cannot be played using mobile devices. For new account holders at Bovada Poker, there is a first deposit bonus up to $500. Our Rating Big base of players A lot of game options 100% first deposit bonus to $500 Good mobile app Certain tournaments not on mobile Claim Your Bonus How we rate the best Florida online poker sites There are a lot of different ways you can find the ideal Florida online poker platform for your needs. However, it is useful to get a broad overview of the available platform straight off the bat. You can then quickly get rid of any platforms that don’t fit your needs. Some of the useful variables that we look at for a real money online poker platform includes: Choice of variants Player base and liquidity Reputation of the operator Promotions for players Welcome bonus Selection of tournaments Cash game stakes choices Customer support Payment methods Loyalty program Mobile package What to consider when choosing a poker site When you have created a shortlist of potential options for your online poker needs in Florida, you will then be ready to narrow down these choices into a final decision. The optimal way to do so is figuring out what your priorities are with an online poker offering. Here is a look at some of the key areas that you may want to focus in one for online poker in Florida offshore sites: Legal standing While the online poker site will not have a license in Florida, they often will hold regulatory licenses in other jurisdictions. You want to know that the platform is safe to use and will keep your data secure at all times. Player base You want to ensure that there are enough players using a platform at any given time that you can always get into the game of your choice. This may require a platform to be a part of a network with other poker sites. Customer support If you run into an issue with your online poker account, you will want to get them quickly resolved. This is why you should see what the range of contact options are for a given offering, as well as the speed and quality of responses. Payment options It is vital that a given poker site is going to support payment options that are a good fit for your needs. This allows you to quickly and easily make withdrawals. Also have a look at the fees attached and any potential fees. Promotions When you sign up for a new online poker account, there can often be some sort of welcome bonus offer. This is an ideal way to start off a new account. There will also be regular promotions of existing players, as well as a loyalty program. Game selection There are many different popular poker variants out there today. Make sure that your preferred variants are supported, whether this is no-limit Texas Hold’em, Omaha or Stud poker. This will maximize your enjoyment. The future of online gambling in Florida There are uncertain times in the Florida gambling sector. The state-tribal gaming compacts need to be renewed, so everything is up in the air. Historically, the Seminole Tribe has led significant influence due to these compacts. This has blocked the expansion and legality of online poker laws, online casinos, and sportsbooks. There are still question marks about games of chance. While there does not look like there is much of a chance of making online poker legal through the likes of Florida statutes in the near future, this could change in the coming years. Florida would be one of the biggest markets for internet gambling in the United States, so there are a lot of people with an interest in seeing the legalization of these activities. Where else is online gambling legal in the US? There has been a wave of online gambling legalization across the United States in the past few years. While it was initially stifled by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006, the sector has been getting back to its feet. Since the Supreme Court voted to end the federal ban on sports betting in May 2018, many states have legalized online sports betting. Some states now have online poker rooms and online casinos also. With the success of these platforms being clear for all to see, it is only a matter of time before any more states also look at gambling expansion. This includes traditionally conservative states who see the great tax revenues that can be earned. Here is an interactive map of the USA that shows the legal online gambling situation in each respective state. AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC Best online casinos in Florida As well as offshore online poker in Florida, online casinos are also very popular. These give you the opportunity to play your favorite casino games without having to physically visit a casino. There are many respected online casinos catering to people in Florida today. Here are a few of the best online gaming options: Slots.lv Play With Up to $5,000 In Bonuses Visit Now Read Review Red Dog 225% Welcome Bonus + 20% for BTC deposits! Visit Now Read Review Café Casino Claim Up To $5,000 Welcome Bonus Visit Now Read Review Intertops 250% Up to $5,000 Bonus + Free Spins Visit Now Read Review Bottom line Legal online poker in Florida looks like it will not come to fruition for at least a few years. This is why you will have to rely on offshore poker sites. You can get access to some great bonuses, a large player base, and reputable platforms if you are living in Florida. The signup process only takes a couple of minutes, so you will be playing online poker games in no time. FAQs What is the legal gambling age in Florida? This will vary depending on what sort of gambling you are considering. For the likes of pari-mutuel wagering and buying a lottery ticket, you will need to be 18 years old as per state gambling laws. However, most of the tribal casinos across the state and through Florida law require you to be at least 21 years old, such as in the popular Seminole Hard Rock. Does every online poker site has a loyalty program? Not every offshore online poker platform is going to have a rewards program, but it will be a common feature of most platforms. You will usually earn points every time you place a bet in a cash game, or when you enter a tournament. These will build over time and you can use the points to get entry into events, cashback, and other types of perks. Can you play mobile poker on the offshore poker sites in Florida? Most of the leading online poker sites will have some form of offering whereby you can play poker on mobile devices. This may entail downloading an app to your phone or just playing through the web browser on your phone. What are common types of online poker welcome offers? While not every online poker site will have a welcome offer, it is pretty common. You will come across the likes of deposit bonuses, free entries in tournaments, and bonus money to start playing with no cash games. How many casinos are in Florida? Currently, there are more than 80 casinos across the state of Florida. This includes pari-mutuel racing facilities. In all, there are more than 30 different cities that have some sort of gambling facility in their region, with Tampa being very popular. This means that a wide range of people in Florida have access to land-based gambling. About Andrew O'Malley Alex has been writing about the gambling industry for more than five years, covering everything from sports betting to casinos and poker. With the sector constantly evolving, he loves nothing better than staying up to date with the latest movers and shakers in the space. View all posts by Andrew O'Malley →
