Florida Horse Racing Betting
Florida is a horse racing stronghold in the US with an embedded racing culture and some of the country’s most prestigious race tracks. Whether it’s attending the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park that interests you or placing wagers from the comfort of home, the Florida horse racing betting scene has something for fans of all appetites.
In-person and online racing betting are both legal in Florida. Wagers may be placed in-person at any licensed racetrack, through many off-track betting facilities (OTBs), and online via mobile betting sites headquartered in the USA.
Online Horse Racing Betting in Florida
Advance-deposit wagering (ADW, legal parlance for online betting) is legal at the federal level, while individual states are free to regulate or prohibit the activity as they see fit. Florida parimutuel wagering law does not specifically address online racing betting one way or another, but multiple betting sites operate openly in Florida without issue.
Florida Statutes § 550.155 (1) states racing betting is “allowed within the enclosure of any pari-mutuel facility.” As counterintuitive as it seems, Florida officials actually interpret state law as authorizing ADWs licensed in other states.
Lawmakers have shown some interest in formally legalizing, regulating, and taxing ADWs, but efforts to that end have made little progress to date.
Florida Racetracks
Five major race tracks call Florida home, and all offer other forms of gaming to go along with racing. Under Florida law, pari-mutuel facilities such as race tracks and jai alai frontons may offer poker tables. Parimutuel facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties may also offer slot machines.
High-level horse racing, reputation for massive Pick 6 jackpots, casino with 800+ slots and poker room.
901 S Federal Hwy
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
Located on the grounds of the former Calder Race Course, live racing every fall and the adjoining Calder Casino houses 1,100+ slots and electronic table games
21001 NW 27th Ave
Miami Gardens, FL 33056
Live quarter horse racing, casino with 850+ slots and a large poker room
100 E 32nd St
Hialeah, FL 33013
Live horse racing from November through June plus on-site golf, dining and poker
11225 Race Track Rd
Tampa, Florida 33626
The “Winter Capital of Harness Racing,” home to live harness racing, simulcasting and a full casino
777 Isle of Capri Cir
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Off-Track Betting in Florida
Off-track betting facilities (OTBs) dot the landscape in Florida. There are enough OTBs in operation that the odds are you’re not too far from one, no matter where you may be.
BestBet Jacksonville
Venue features a poker room and dining options in addition to year-round simulcasting.
201 Monument Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32225
BestBet at Orange Park
A 65,000-square foot facility with poker, dining and simulcasting.
455 Park Ave
Orange Park, FL 32073
Full simulcast facility which features thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound events.
2201 W International Speedway Blvd
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Poker room, dining, live greyhound racing and a full simulcasting facility with 50+ TVs.
10490 Gandy Blvd
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
The Ebro Poker Room, dining, and greyhound racing are among the other highlights.
6558 Dog Track Rd
Ebro, FL 32437
Flagler Greyhound Track & Magic City Casino
Guests will find plenty to do, including a casino, dining, entertainment, and a poker room.
NW 37th Avenue at 7th St
Miami, FL 33126
Table games, poker, and full simulcasting capabilities make this a popular destination in Ft. Pierce.
1750 South Kings Hwy
Fort Pierce, FL 34945
Formerly known as Hollywood Greyhound Track and Mardi Gras Casino, simulcast on site.
831 North Federal Hwy
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
Poker and simulcast make this a hot destination in Melbourne.
1100 North Wickham Rd
Melbourne, FL 32935
Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track: (Closed, now Bonita Springs Poker Room)
Year-round simulcasting and a casino-style poker room are among the venue’s highlights.
10601 Bonita Beach Rd
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Simulcasting plus full bar and dining, poker and table games
4601 NW County Rd 318
Reddick, FL 32686
Live greyhound racing and a poker room are also featured at this simulcasting facility.
1111 North Congress Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
Pensacola Greyhound Track & Poker Room
Venue features a full dining menu and poker room along with simulcasting.
951 Dog Track Rd
Pensacola, FL 32506
Restaurant, clubhouse and simulcasting
5400 Bradenton Rd
Sarasota, FL 34234
Sanford Orlando Kennel Club (closed)
Live greyhound racing several days a week, as well as simulcasting and dining options.
301 Dog Track Rd
Longwood, FL 32750
OTB offers a poker room and features live greyhound racing.
8300 North Nebraska Ave
Tampa, FL 33604
Horse Racing Betting Law
Florida horse racing betting law is codified under Chapter 550 of the Florida Statutes and Division: 61D of the state administrative code.
The Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering oversees horse racing betting and other forms of pari-mutuel wagering. This also includes jai alai frontons and poker rooms.
Greyhound racing was once authorized in Florida, but a ballot measure approved by voters in November 2018 initiated a ban on all live greyhound racing betting on 1 January 2021. Florida had 11 greyhound tracks at the time Governer Desantis signed the ban into law.
Major Horse Racing Events in Florida
Florida tracks host a number of important events throughout the year:
- Florida Derby: Held annually at Gulfstream Park and is one of the signature events on the road to the Triple Crown.
- Florida Oaks: 8.5-furlong turf race for three-year-old horses held each year at Tampa Bay Downs with a purse of $200,000.
- Gulfstream Park Oaks: A 9-furlong Grade II dirt stakes race for three-year-old fillies held at Gulfstream Park.
- Pegasus World Cup: Grade I stakes race with a massive prize pool open to 4yo+ runners at Gulfstream Park.
- Tampa Bay Derby: Grade II stakes race held at Tampa Bay Downs is considered an official prep race for the Kentucky Derby.