Florida

Is sports betting legal in Florida? What to know about gambling before you watch the games

Published

1 year ago

November 28, 2024

Is sports betting legal in Florida? What to know about gambling before you watch the games

Getting ready to settle down and watch the games? While you watch the Dolphins face off against the Packers, the Cowboys battle the Giants or the Bears take on the Lions, you might want to put a little money on the results. Can you, legally, in Florida?

Yes, but not everywhere.

Is sports betting legal in Florida?

Yes, but only at casinos on Seminole Tribe lands or through the Seminole Tribe’s mobile app.

In 2021, the Seminole Tribe struck a 30-year deal (known as a gaming compact) with the state to allow sports betting on tribal lands and also allow anyone in Florida to gamble with a mobile app hosted on tribal land, in exchange for paying the state about $20 billion, including $2.5 billion over the first five years. The contract also allowed the Seminoles to add craps and roulette, previously prohibited, to their Florida casinos. Slot machines were already allowed there but illegal anywhere else.

After that, there were years of legal battles between the Seminole Tribe and a group of pari-mutuel companies who challenged the compact, but the challenges consistently lost and all parties finally came to an agreement in October.

What sports betting apps are legal in Florida?

The Hard Rock Bet app (iOS | Android) from the Seminole Tribes is the only approved mobile betting app in Florida.

There are online apps that claim to be based on offshore locations and therefore legal in Florida, but they’re on shaky legal ground.

How can I bet on sports in Florida?

You have three legal options.

Place in-person bets at one of the Seminole Tribe-controlled casinos where sports gambling has been launched.
Bet online with the Seminole Tribes’ Hard Rock Bet app or the Hard Rock Bet website.
Take a gambling cruise that travels three miles out into international waters. Which is sort of fuzzy, legally speaking, but it is an option.

What forms of gambling are currently legal in Florida?

Broadly speaking, Florida currently allows:

Sports gambling at Seminole-Tribe-run casinos or through the Seminole tribes’ app.
Some pari-mutuel gambling, including horse racing and cardrooms licensed by the state. Jai alai was added to the Hard Rock Bet app this year as part of the Seminole Tribes’ agreement.
Casino gambling on lands belonging to the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
State-run lotteries and interstate games such as the Powerball and Mega Millions.
Bingo, raffles and drawings of chance if run by a “charitable, nonprofit, or veterans’ organization.”
Small social games.

Can I bet on sports among friends in Florida?

Not legally. It is a second-degree misdemeanor to bet on “any trial or contest of skill, speed or power or endurance of human or beast.” It’s even worse to be the person taking the bets, which is a third-degree felony.

There’s some argument over where offshore betting websites fall here, but Florida bans all betting on sports.

Except, for some reason, bowling. Bowling tournaments are exempted from this and are perfectly welcome.

Playing cards and other penny-ante games, defined as “a game or series of games of poker, pinochle, bridge, rummy, canasta, hearts, dominoes, or mah-jongg in which the winnings of any player in a single round, hand, or game do not exceed $10 in value” are allowed.

What is the legal age for gambling in Florida?

The minimum gambling age is 21 for casino games and 18 for lottery games, poker, bingo, and pari-mutuel betting such as horse racing and jai alai.

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Florida

Collier County’s most expensive home sold in February sold for $25M

Published

5 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Collier County’s most expensive home sold in February sold for M

These are the Top 10 most expensive homes sold in Collier County in February.

Data provided by: Royal Shell Real Estate.

1. 4115 Cutlass Lane, Naples

List price: $28,750,000

Sold price: $25,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 6,291 square feet

Year built: 2022

Days on market: 355

Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock/Lift, Jet Ski Lift, Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen/Shower

View: Basin

2. 1365 Spyglass Lane, Naples

List price: $21,500,000

Sold price: $19,950,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 6,736 square feet

Year built: 2023

Days on market: 76

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Bay

3. 600 Galleon Drive, Naples

List price: $19,995,000

Sold price: $18,100,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 7,195 square feet

Year built: 2002

Days on market: 104

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Tennis Court, Private Pool, Outdoor Kitchen

View: Bay

4. 1818 6th Street S., Naples

List price: $19,495,000

Sold price: $18,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Aqualane Shores

Size: 6,305 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 0

Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Deck, Outdoor Kitchen/Shower

View: Canal

5. 1640 Dolphin Court, Naples

List price: $15,995,000

Sold price: $15,150,000

Neighborhood/Development: Royal Harbor

Size: 6,500 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 65

Amenities: Bayfront, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Bay

6. 1040 2nd Street S., Naples

List price: $13,495,000

Sold price: $12,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Olde Naples

Size: 5,486 square feet

Year built: 2020

Days on market: 20

Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill

View: Landscaped Area

7. 436 Putter Point Court, Naples

List price: $10,900,000

Sold price: $10,100,000

Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings

Size: 5,156 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 62

Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Landscaped Area

8. 16961 Sud Cortile Court, Naples

List price: $7,897,000

Sold price: $7,650,000

Neighborhood/Development: Mediterra

Size: 5,128 square feet

Year built: 2015

Days on market: 49

Amenities: Lakefront, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Community Pool, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Golf Course, Lake

9. 2900 Indigobush Way, Naples

List price: $7,750,000

Sold price: $7,625,000

Neighborhood/Development: Grey Oaks

Size: 6,605 square feet

Year built: 2000

Days on market: 93

Amenities: Clubhouse, Community Pool/Spa, Concierge Services, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Sauna, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Outdoor Kitchen

View: Golf Course

10. 424 Spinnaker Drive, Naples

List price: $7,250,000

Sold price: $6,825,000

Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings

Size: 4,724 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 59

Amenities: Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Landscaped Area

Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here.

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Florida

Florida woman confesses to stabbing 76-year-old roommate to death, authorities say

Published

18 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Florida woman confesses to stabbing 76-year-old roommate to death, authorities say

A Florida woman confessed to stabbing her 76-year-old roommate to death before covering his body with a tarp, stealing his truck and driving away from the scene, according to authorities.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Shannon R. Giblin, 48.

Shannon R. Giblin (Photo: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)

In a news release, the sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to a home on Sunday after they received a report about a person who was not breathing. When they arrived at the home, they found a man, later identified as Paul De Wayne Bradley, who was dead.

Police said they tracked Giblin down in Bradley’s truck, which was missing from the driveway, in Sarasota County.

“As Charlotte County detectives questioned Giblin, she provided a confession to stabbing Bradley following an argument,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said in the release.

“After realizing that the victim was beyond help, Giblin then covered Bradley with a tarp and left the scene in the victim’s pickup truck,” Prummell added.

Online jail records show Giblin was charged with second-degree murder, as well as grand theft of a motor vehicle.

“I want to recognize my Major Crimes detectives who worked this case through the night and identified the suspect quickly,” Prummell said. “They truly show a dedication to their craft and the results are irrefutable. I also want to thank the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions in locating and detaining her based on the intelligence my team was able to share. As I have always said, Southwest Florida is fortunate to have law enforcement who work together so effectively for the people we serve.”

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Giblin is being held without bond, according to the release.

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Florida

Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce

There are two No Kings protests planned for the Treasure Coast; one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce.

No Kings Day protests are scheduled for March 28, with over a thousand protests planned across the United States.

Organizers say the No Kings events will challenge President Donald Trump as he escalates “his attempts to control us.” Dozens of protests are planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast.

Here’s what to know about the protests.

What is a No Kings protest?

No Kings is a nationwide protest organized in response to President Donald Trump and his administration.

“It is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country,” according to the nokings.org website. “If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken.”

One core principle of No Kings is a commitment to nonviolent action. The organization’s website states participants should seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with dissenters and act lawfully.

No Kings protest in Stuart

No Kings protest in Fort Pierce

No Kings protests in Florida

There are dozens of protests planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast, with one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce. Find a protest near you.

Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.

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