Florida is a horse racing stronghold in the US with an embedded racing culture and some of the country’s most prestigious racetracks. 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 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 a multitude of off-track betting facilities (OTBs) and online via mobile betting sites that are headquartered in the USA.
Florida Horse Racing Betting Sites
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 with no 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 racetracks call Florida home, and all offer other forms of gaming to go along with racing. Under Florida law, parimutuel facilities such as racetracks and jai alai frontons may offer poker tables. Parimutuel facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties may also offer slot machines.
| Gulfstream Park
High level horse racing, reputation for massive Pick 6 jackpots, casino with 800+ slots and poker room. 901 S Federal Hwy | Gulfstream Park West
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 | Hialeah Park
Live quarter horse racing, casino with 850+ slots and a large poker room 100 E 32nd St
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| Tampa Bay Downs
Live racing from November through June plus on-site golf, dining and poker 11225 Race Track Rd | Pompano Park
The “Winter Capital of Harness Racing,” home to live harness racing, simulcasting and a full casino 777 Isle of Capri Cir |
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 | BestBet at Orange Park
A 65,000-square foot facility with poker, dining and simulcasting. 455 Park Ave | Daytona Kennel Club
Full simulcast facility which features thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound events. 2201 W International Speedway Blvd |
| Derby Lane Racing & Poker
Poker room, dining, live greyhound racing and a full simulcasting facility with 50+ TVs. 10490 Gandy Blvd | Ebro Kennel Club
The Ebro Poker Room, dining, and greyhound racing are among the other highlights. 6558 Dog Track Rd | 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 |
| Ft. Pierce Jai Alai
Table games, poker, and full simulcasting capabilities make this a popular destination in Ft. Pierce. 1750 South Kings Hwy | The Big Easy
Formerly known as Hollywood Greyhound Track and Mardi Gras Casino, simulcast on site. 831 North Federal Hwy | Club 52
Poker and simulcast make this a hot destination in Melbourne. 1100 North Wickham Rd |
| Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track
Year-round simulcasting and a casino-style poker room are among the venue’s highlights. 10601 Bonita Beach Rd | Ocala Gainesville Poker
Simulcasting plus full bar and dining, poker and table games 4601 NW County Rd 318 | Palm Beach Kennel Club
Live greyhound racing and a poker room are also featured at this simulcasting facility. 1111 North Congress Ave |
| Pensacola Greyhound Track & Poker Room
Venue features a full dining menu and poker room along with simulcasting. 951 Dog Track Rd | One-Eyed Jack’s Poker Room
Restaurant, clubhouse and simulcasting 5400 Bradenton Rd | Sanford Orlando Kennel Club
Live greyhound racing several days a week, as well as simulcasting and dining options. 301 Dog Track Rd |
| Tampa Greyhound Track & Lucky’s Card Room
OTB spot which also offers a poker room and features live greyhound racing. 8300 North Nebraska Ave |
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 parimutuel 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 1 January 2021. Florida had 11 greyhound tracks at the time the ban was signed 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 which is considered an official prep race for the Kentucky Derby.
