Hard Rock Florida Sports Betting App Already Has ‘Several Million’ Users

Measuring the success of Florida sports betting can be a difficult task. 

Since The Sunshine State offers services exclusively through the Seminole Tribe, either at one of their casino locations or through their highly rated Florida sports betting app, we do not have access to the standard revenue reports as is the case with other states. 

Sure, we can make inferences. Florida is considered a top-three sports betting market in the United States. Combine that with how aggressive the legal battle over sports betting became, and we can assume that the state’s integration of wagering is a rousing success. 

Still, it is always nice to have specific data to use as a metric. And as it turns out, now we do. 

The Seminole Tribe sports betting app, which is operated by Hard Rock Bet, has reportedly amassed “several million” users since its relaunch in December 2023, according to the South Florida Reporter. That is a massive number over a one-year timeline. This holds true even when you consider the Hard Rock betting app is the only mobile site allowed to operate in The Sunshine State. 

What else do we know about the success—and future—of sports betting in Florida? Let’s find out. 

Florida Sports Betting Appears to be Hitting All the Right Notes

Here is more from the South Florida Reporter about the most recent sports betting developments in The Sunshine State:

“Florida’s first year of legal sports betting has showcased the state’s strong potential in the gambling market. With the Hard Rock Bet app reactivated in December 2023, after a soft launch in November, sports betting activity has surged. The platform has already generated several millions since its relaunch. The app’s success is a testament to the state’s passionate sports culture, and the increasing number of users and volume of wagers point to Florida becoming one of the largest markets for sports betting in the U.S. 

“While sports betting has flourished through the Hard Rock Bet app, in-person sportsbooks at tribal casinos have also enjoyed steady business. These venues provide bettors with the opportunity to wager on major events, adding an essential physical component to the state’s online offerings. This combination of digital and in-person betting has fueled a diverse and vibrant market that is expected to continue expanding in the coming years.”

The number of app users alone is a major win for the Florida sports betting market. Having only one option doesn’t give customers the opportunity to shop around. The upside to that is it gives the app a monopoly. But the downside is it still means that many Floridians will flock to offshore mobile betting sites. After all, having multiple operators is important to creating a competitive and variable market. Put another: People like options. 

To this point, the single-operator offering has now slowed sports betting growth in The Sunshine State. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see the market undergo changes in the future.

Will Florida Embrace Any Chances to Their Sports Gambling Market in the Near Future?

Market expansion is a hot topic across every state with legal sports wagering. The rise in popularity of online sports betting in the United States is fomenting a greater demand for access. Residents in states with on-site-only wagering (such as Wisconsin) want online operations. And customers in states like Florida, with a limited number of online sports betting apps, want a larger pool of operators from which to choose.

In The Sunshine State’s case, though, market expansion has taken a backseat to legal battles. Until recently, even after Florida sports betting relaunched, the Seminole Tribe was facing push-back from West Flagler Associates, a gaming operator in the region. However, the two sides came to an agreement just a couple of months ago. This ensures sports betting can continue free and clear. And in doing so, it shifts the focus to potential expansion.

To that end, Seminole tribe officials maintain they are open to working with sportsbooks such as FanDuel, DraftKings and others. The official party line, for the most part, is they see the value in opening up the number of options for prospective customers. 

What Might Sports Betting Expansion in The Sunshine State Look Like?

Of course, it is not quite clear what this expansion will look like. The Seminole Tribe’s current gaming compact may afford them exclusivity in the market for the next four or five decades. This likely means an expansion must come under their umbrella. 

Would big-time online USA sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings be willing to send large shares of their revenue to the Seminole Tribe in exchange for entering the market? When it comes to other states, the answer might be no. But for Florida? The answer might be yes. 

The Sunshine State is third in total population, according to StatsAmerica.org. Even if sportsbooks must funnel 60 percent of their profits to the Seminole Tribe, keeping 40 percent in a market this large is likely worth it. 

Then again, we have seen top online sports betting sites in the U.S. push back against similar setups in other states. A similar notion wound up derailing attempts to legalize California sports betting back in 2022. 

Fast forward to now, though, and online operators are openly stating they would consider working in partnership with tribes as part of any legalization in California. Chances are they will feel the same way when it comes to Florida sports betting.

Now, when might these feelings and ideas might manifest into actual expansion? We can’t be sure. But it is bound to be a prevalent topic among Florida legislators in the months, if not years, to come.

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your sports betting needs: