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

Florida Lotto $23.5 million prize on May 13. Winning numbers tonight

Published

9 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Florida Lotto .5 million prize on May 13. Winning numbers tonight

Will a $2 Florida Lotto ticket make someone a millionaire this week? As they say in the lottery business, “it could happen to you.”

After one lucky ticket from a BJ’s Wholesale Club Liquors in Clermont, Florida, matched all six numbers in the Wednesday, Feb. 4, Florida Lotto drawing for $21.5 million, the jackpot reset.

The 27th rollover occurred after no one matched all six numbers in the Saturday, May 9, Florida Lotto drawing. That means the grand prize increased to $23.5 million for Wednesday, May 13.

Check this story after 11:15 p.m. ET tonight to see the winning numbers for the Florida Lotto drawing on Wednesday, May 13.

In case you’re wondering, Saturday’s winning numbers were 39-21-20-34-6-52. Double Play numbers were 17-1-41-29-22-43.

Below is what to know about lottery odds, how long to claim the cash option if you bought a ticket in Florida, and what happens to unclaimed prize money, according to the Florida Lottery.

Winning Florida Lotto numbers for Wednesday, May 13, 2026?

Florida Lotto drawings are at 11:15 p.m. ET every Wednesday and Saturday, including holidays.

Check this story after 11:15 p.m. ET tonight to see the winning numbers for the Florida Lotto drawing on Wednesday, May 13.

How do you play the Florida Lotto?

According to Florida Lottery game rules, Florida Lotto players pick 6 numbers between 1 and 53 or select a Quick Pick ticket. There are prizes for matching three to six numbers. Players who match two of 6 winning Florida Lotto numbers get a free ticket.

The Florida Lottery site states game add-ons include Double Play for $1, a bonus drawing where players could win up to $250,000 using the same numbers (Double Play drawings are held immediately after Florida Lotto drawings). Another Florida Lotto game add-on is EZmatch for $1 per play. If players match any EZmatch number to their Florida Lotto numbers, they instantly win that prize.

Tickets start at $2. Good luck!

When was the last Florida Lotto won? How long has the jackpot rolled over?

The Florida Lotto jackpot was last won on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. BJ’s Wholesale Club Liquors on South Highway 27 in Clermont, Florida, sold the winning Quick Pick ticket worth $21.5 million.

The new lottery jackpot reset at $1 million for the drawing on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Below is a recap of lottery drawings for the latest streak.

Wednesday, May 13: $23.5 million
Saturday, May 9: $22.25 million
Wednesday, May 6: $21.25 million
Saturday, May 2: $20.25 million
Wednesday, April 29: $19 million
Saturday, April 25: $18 million
Wednesday, April 22: $17 million
Saturday, April 18: $16 million
Wednesday, April 15, Tax Day: $15.25 million
Saturday, April 11: $14.50 million
Wednesday, April 8: $13.75 million
Saturday, April 4: $12.75 million
Wednesday, April 1, or April Fool’s Day: $12 million
Saturday, March 28: $11.25 million
Wednesday, March 25: $10.25 million
Saturday, March 21: $9.25 million
Wednesday, March 18: $8.25 million
Saturday, March 14, Pi Day: $7.50 million
Wednesday, March 11: $7 million
Saturday, March 7: $6.75 million
Wednesday, March 4: $6 million
Saturday, Feb. 28: $5 million
Wednesday, Feb. 25: $4 million
Saturday, Feb. 21: $3.25 million
Wednesday, Feb. 18: $2.50 million
Saturday, Feb. 14, or Valentine’s Day: $1.75 million
Wednesday, Feb. 11: $1.25 million
Saturday, Feb. 7: $1 million

When is the next Florida Lotto drawing? What are the odds, chances of winning Florida Lotto lottery?

Florida Lotto drawings are held at 11:15 p.m. ET on Wednesdays and Saturdays, including holidays. According to floridalottery.com, players have a 1 in 22,957,480 chance to match all six numbers whether the jackpot is $1 million or $36 million. Prizes range from $2 to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.

The next Florida Lotto drawing will be on Saturday, May 16.

How long do you have to cash in a Florida Lottery ticket?

Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.

Does the Florida Lottery reveal lottery winners? Can you stay anonymous if you win lottery in Florida?

According to Florida Lottery’s website, winners cannot remain anonymous: “Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner’s name, city of residence; game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information.”

However, the site states, the “names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner.”

Does Walmart sell lottery tickets? Where to buy lottery tickets in Florida

In Florida, most gas stations and some grocery stores sell lottery tickets. It’s harder to find a gas station that doesn’t sell Powerball, Mega Millions, Florida Lottery and scratch-off tickets than it is to find one that does.

Publix also sells lottery tickets and is known for selling many winning tickets. A lesser-known location is Walmart. Whether the Walmart location closest to you sells lottery tickets depends on your state and the store. Many Walmart locations in Florida have self-service lottery ticket vending machines or sell lottery tickets at the customer service desk.

You can use the “Where to Play” search tool on the Florida Lottery website to find a grocery store or gas station near you that sells lottery tickets.

(This story will be updated to include new information.)

Lianna Norman and Jennifer Sangalang are trending reporters for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, lotteries, rocket launches, Florida wildlife, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.

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Florida

Record-setting blue catfish caught in this Florida river

Published

21 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Record-setting blue catfish caught in this Florida river

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— Florida has a new state record after a blue catfish was caught in the Suwannee River.

The 73.6-pound blue catfish is now the official state record, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists.

Credit: FWC

Blue catfish were originally found in the Escambia and Yellow rivers in northwest Florida, but they can also be found in the Apalachicola and Suwannee rivers.

According to FWC, blues occur in big rivers and in the lower reaches of major tributaries. The catfish prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and can usually be found over sand, gravel, or rock bottoms.

Young blue catfish eat aquatic insects and small fish, but larger blue catfish eat crayfish, mussels, and other fish.

The previous state record was 69.5 pounds.

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Florida

DeSantis signs new animal cruelty laws in Florida

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Press Room

DeSantis signs new animal cruelty laws in Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two new bills to increase protections for animals at an event in Palm Beach County.
The legislation introduces harsher penalties for animal cruelty, including for adults who involve minors in such acts.
And new regulations for pet sales require dealers to disclose financing terms and medical records to buyers.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 12 signed a pair of bills aimed at shielding pets and animals from acts of cruelty.

One bill (HB 559) increases penalties for animal cruelty by creating new third-degree felony offenses for adults who involve minors in animal fighting, baiting or in sexual offenses. It also requires children who commit violations to undergo psychological evaluations and, if recommended, treatment.

Also, penalties for violations of city or county animal control and cruelty ordinances are increased, from $500 in current law to $2,500 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second offense and $7,500 for a third offense in the new law. The law takes effect Oct. 1.

Another measure (SB 1004) puts new rules and the sale of pets, including financing terms. It requires pet dealers to disclose financing terms to consumers and allows buyers to end financing agreements if a pet has an illness or disease.

Dealers must also disclose veterinarian records and medical history and provide written notice of rights to potential buyers.

There is also a requirement for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to keep a public website listing people convicted of animal cruelty, including their aliases, date of birth, race, counties of conviction, charges, case numbers, dispositions and descriptions of any identifying marks and tattoos.

The measure takes effect July 1, but the database isn’t required to be in place until Jan. 1, 2027.

DeSantis signed the bills at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a dog rescue facility in Loxahatchee, where he held a press conference last year pledging to fight for the animal cruelty policies.

Both bills passed the Legislature unanimously during the regular session. DeSantis said the bills add to the state’s “momentum” of heightened protections for pets and animals.

“Florida has become a leader in protecting animals and holding accountable those who harm them,” DeSantis said in a released statement. “Today, we built on that record with new legislation to strengthen penalties for animal abuse and improve consumer protections for pet owners.”

Another provision in SB 1004 requires breeders and pet dealers to adopt “best management practices” related to minimum standards of care regarding feeding, housing, health, selling and transferring and recordkeeping, which will be developed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

Specifically, DBPR must post on its website “guidance for the public about how to identify the breeders that are following best management practices and provide a checklist to use when purchasing an animal.”

“This is about giving people the tools they need to make informed decisions and take action when something isn’t right,” DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin said.

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