Florida Tells Three Fantasy Sports Companies to Leave State

The State of Florida has sent three fantasy sports operators a second ‘Cease and Desist’ letter regarding games in the state. The first letters were sent in September 2023.

But now, the Florida Gaming Control Commission has picked it up a notch. The latest letters hint that failure to comply could lead to criminal charges being filed. The matter in question is the ‘pick’em’ games the state says are illegal under the Florida fantasy sports regulations. The companies have until March 1 to comply.

“If the cessation is completed within that timeframes, the Commission will deem the company and all its officials, directors and employees to have complied with the demands of the cease-and-desist order, and the Commission will not take further action, including referral to the Office of Statewide Prosecution or to any State Attorney,” the letter stated.

The state views the pick’em games run by PrizePicks, Underdog Fantasy and Betr to be a little too close to sports betting for its liking. Pick’em fantasy sports have the player playing against the house. The house posts a total on a player, such as Patrick Mahomes‘ passing yards of 260.5.

Players can essentially take the over or the under of the posted number. How many correct selections a player makes is used to determine the payout. If you think that sounds quite a bit like player prop bets, you’re not alone. The State of Arkansas also sent cease-and-desist letters to PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy, saying their offerings were player prop bets.

Florida Has Billions at Stake

For the state, it makes sense to shut down the pick’em games. Under the 2021 gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe, the tribe has exclusive rights to sports betting in the state. The tribe is also paying at least $500 million a year for the next five years for those rights.

Florida is not going to let anything that resembles sports betting happen in the state. The Florida Gaming Control Commission states “Unless you are placing a wager through sportsbooks operated by or in conjunction with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, you are most likely placing an illegal wager,” on its website.

The Florida fantasy sports regulations are a little bit murky in some areas. But the state didn’t send letters to DraftKings or FanDuel. Even the Seminole Tribe has said it’s fine with FanDuel and DraftKings.

That’s due to the difference between the standard daily fantasy sports games and the pick’em games. It’s hard to argue the pick’em games aren’t similar to a player prop parlay. And many other states have agreed.

The betting trends show that more and more money is being wagered by people who like to bet online. That’s unlikely to change in the near future. But the state does need to solidify its Florida fantasy sports regulations moving forward to avoid more confusion.

For other gambling news, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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