Is FanDuel Legal in Florida? Updated for August 2025
Understand why is FanDuel not legal in Florida yet and what you can play...
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Last Updated: 21 August, 2025
FanDuel Sportsbook is not legal in Florida as of August 2025.
However, FanDuel’s Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platform is legal and available statewide.
Is FanDuel legal in Florida?
❌ No, FanDuel Sportsbook is not legal in Florida as of August 2025. You cannot place sports bets through FanDuel’s sportsbook app or website within the state.
✅ However, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Sports is still active and legal. Floridians can enter DFS contests like pick'em games, salary-cap challenges, and season-long leagues.
The legal status could change if Florida updates its gambling laws.
If you’re looking to bet on sports, you'll need to wait or travel to a legal state.
Check out the FanDuel legal states here.
FanDuel legal facts for Florida 2025
Why FanDuel Sportsbook is not yet legal in Florida
FanDuel Sportsbook is not allowed to operate in Florida due to a legal compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe.
This agreement gives the tribe exclusive control over sports betting in Florida.
That compact was signed in 2021 and remains under federal and state legal review.
For now, only the Hard Rock Bet app (operated by the Seminoles) is legally taking mobile sports wagers in Florida.
Unless the courts strike down the compact or new laws open up the market, FanDuel and other outside sportsbooks can’t launch in Florida.
How to legally play FanDuel in Florida
While FanDuel Sportsbook is not legal in Florida, FanDuel Fantasy Sports is fully legal and active.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is treated separately from traditional sports betting under state and federal law.
That means Floridians can legally enter paid fantasy contests through FanDuel’s app or website.
You don’t need to be a professional bettor; just pick players, enter contests, and compete for real cash prizes.
What DFS games are available?
FanDuel offers a wide range of fantasy contest types, including:
Classic salary cap contests – Draft a lineup within a set budget and compete for leaderboard prizes.
Pick’em contests – Choose whether players will go over or under projected stats (points, yards, rebounds, etc.).
Tournaments and 50/50s – Compete against large groups or small fields, with different payout structures.
Fantasy formats across sports – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, college football, and more.
You can play one-day contests or season-long formats, and winnings are paid out in real money.
Is it safe and legal?
Yes. FanDuel Fantasy is legal in Florida and regulated as a skill-based contest platform, not as gambling. The platform:
Verifies player location and age
Requires you to be at least 18 years old to enter contests
Uses secure payment and withdrawal systems
Offers responsible play tools, including deposit limits and self-exclusion
Do I pay taxes on DFS winnings?
Yes. Any winnings over $600 may be reported to the IRS and could be taxable under Florida and federal law.
FanDuel may require you to fill out a W-9 form for large cashouts, and you’ll receive a 1099-MISC if your total annual winnings exceed the reporting threshold.
Always consult a tax professional if you’re unsure about your obligations.
Pros and cons of using FanDuel in Florida
Pros
- ✅ Fully legal DFS platform with real prizes
- ✅ Excellent mobile app and user interface
- ✅ Wide range of fantasy contests across all major sports
Cons
- ❌ Sportsbook betting is still banned in Florida
- ❌ Winnings over $600 require tax reporting
- ❌ Bonuses and prize pools may vary by season or sport
Sports betting in Florida: What the law says
Florida’s sports betting laws are complicated and still changing.
As of today, only Hard Rock Bet, operated by the Seminole Tribe, is legally accepting mobile sports wagers.
How we got here
In 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a 30-year gaming deal giving the Seminole Tribe exclusive rights to sports betting.
The compact allows mobile bets as long as they’re processed on tribal servers, even if the bettor is off tribal land.
Critics challenged the deal, saying it violated:
Federal law (the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) limits tribal gaming to tribal lands
Florida's Amendment 3, which requires voter approval for new casino gambling
A federal judge struck it down in 2021. But in 2023, a higher court reversed that decision.
The U.S. Supreme Court let the compact stand, and Hard Rock Bet relaunched in Florida.
Timeline of Key Events
Legal FanDuel alternatives
FanDuel isn’t your only DFS option.
Other legal platforms also operate in Florida under fantasy and sweepstakes laws:
Can I use a VPN?
Using a VPN is not recommended.
FanDuel uses strict geolocation checks to detect your real location.
If your device is in Florida but appears to be somewhere else, it could flag your account or block access.
To keep your FanDuel account in good standing:
Don’t use a VPN to spoof your location
Wait until the sportsbook is legally available in Florida
How to sign up to FanDuel DFS
How to verify
FanDuel bonuses in Florida
FanDuel offers regular bonuses and promos for DFS users in Florida:
Welcome offer: Often includes contest entries or bonus credits for new users.
Referral bonus: Invite a friend and earn site credit when they play.
Ongoing promos: Expect daily and seasonal contests tied to NFL, NBA, and MLB events.
Note: These promos change often, so check the “Promotions” tab in your account.
How to redeem in Florida
Winnings from FanDuel Fantasy can be redeemed into your bank or PayPal account:
You must win real-money contests (not free entries).
FanDuel may require ID verification for large withdrawals.
Payouts typically process within 1–2 business days.
All winnings are subject to federal tax rules. You may receive a 1099 form if you win $600+ in a year.
What to expect using FanDuel Fantasy in Florida
FanDuel Fantasy is fully legal, easy to access, and optimized for mobile or desktop play.
You can enter fantasy contests for most major sports, with new games posted daily.
Real-money winnings are available, and no VPN or workaround is required.