When you think of Orlando your first thoughts might be Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando or one of the many other theme parks sprinkled across the city. But if you’re a big time sports fan your first thought probably drifts towards the Orlando Magic of the NBA or possibly even Orlando City SC of the MLS.
Orlando isn’t quite the hot bed for professional sports that Miami and Tampa Bay are, but there is still plenty of interest in sports across the city with plenty of sports bettors residing in Orlando.
On this page I’ll outline the legality of betting on sports out of Orlando, point you in the direction of a couple of my favorite betting sites for Florida residents and also touch on some of the live sports you can wager on in Orlando.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Orlando?
Yes. The tribal gaming compact that was signed between Florida State and the Seminole Tribe in 2021 was reinstated in December of 2023, which allowed the Seminole Tribe to relaunch their Hard Rock Bet app. The Seminole Tribe has exclusive rights to sports betting in Florida, and as such Hard Rock Bet is the only regulated betting site available in Florida.
Florida residents do also have the option to place bets through offshore betting sites that are licensed and regulated outside of the United States, while accepting US bettors. The two offshore sportsbooks I recommend below have served the US betting market for decades.
Best Betting Sites for Orlando Residents
| Sportsbook | Bonus | Visit |
|---|---|---|
 |
100% up to $250 | Visit |
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50% up to $250 in Free Bets | Visit |
These are our two recommended betting sites for Orlando residents looking to bet on sports online. Both sites accept players from across the country and are very popular within the United States. Bovada.lv actually only accepts American residents because this allows them to fully cater to the laws of the USA and also fully cater the sportsbook to their American audience.
Offline Sports Betting in Orlando
As I mentioned above the Seminole Tribe has exclusive rights to offer sports betting in Florida, and this also applies to in-person betting. The Seminole Tribe does have 6 casinos across Florida, each of which now has a sportsbook, but unfortunately for Orlando residents the closest casinos are located in Tampa and Okeechobee, both of which are over an hour drive from Orlando.
If you do come across a bookie located in Orlando you can be confident that they are running their sportsbook illegally.
If you really have the itch for live betting in Orlando then I would suggest the Sanford Orlando Off Track Wagering where you can place simulcast bets on horse races.
Major Sports Teams in Orlando
- Orlando City FC (MLS – Soccer)
- Orlando Magic (NBA – Basketball)