Published on: February 25, 2026, 03:08h.
Updated on: February 24, 2026, 02:12h.
- Experts in responsible gaming in Florida report an uptick in inquiries since the resumption of sports betting.
- Hard Rock Bet emerges as Florida’s sole legalized platform for online sports wagering.
- Illegal websites and apps continue to target Florida residents.
The helpline for gambling support in Florida indicates a significant rise in calls and texts following the return of online sports betting in December 2023.
Recent statistics from the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling reveal a continuous rise in toll-free inquiries to the 888-ADMIT-IT hotline concerning online gambling issues since Hard Rock Bet relaunched two years ago. Calls requesting online gambling assistance jumped from 589 in 2023 to 1,355 in 2024, and further increased to 1,401 in the previous year.
This 138% surge starkly contrasts with the decline in calls about non-online gambling issues, which fell from 2,583 calls in 2023 to 2,452 last year. Remarkably, nearly 75% of the online gambling inquiries specifically cite sports betting as the main concern.
Though the majority of helpline callers are male, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling notes a tenfold increase in female sports bettors seeking assistance since 2023.
Significant Losses
The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling warns that numerous Floridians are suffering major financial losses due to online gambling.
Among those who contacted 888-ADMIT-IT regarding online sports betting, a staggering 13% admitted to losing over $200,000. Additionally, 23% reported losses ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. The average financial burden for an online sports bettor seeking help is approximately $21,800.
However, Hard Rock Bet isn’t the sole factor contributing to these issues. The rise of online prediction markets has been criticized for endorsing online gambling under the guise of financial products, including contracts for sports events. Governor DeSantis recently expressed concerns about whether one such market, Kalshi, is infringing upon the Seminole Tribe’s rights regarding sports betting.
Moreover, unregulated sweepstakes casinos—utilizing a dual-currency system to bypass online gambling laws—have also targeted residents of Florida. Additionally, there are numerous offshore and illegal betting websites available to users.
In response, Hard Rock Bet claims it is committed to promoting responsible gambling, providing an array of gaming regulation tools within the app, which include deposit limits, time restrictions, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options. Hard Rock Bet is also the leading financial supporter of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling.
The History of Online Sports Betting in Florida
In May 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) and the Seminole Tribe revised the gaming compact to grant exclusive rights to retail and online sports betting to Hard Rock. This arrangement, which also included rights to games such as craps and roulette, required a minimum state payment of $2.5 billion over five years.
A legal challenge from two Florida racetracks questioning the legality of the hub-and-spoke online sports betting model halted Hard Rock Bet shortly after its launch in November 2021. Courts, including both state and federal levels, ultimately ruled in favor of Florida and the Seminole Tribe.