Advocates of gambling expansion say Florida could use the tax revenue to support education, property tax relief, first responder benefits, and public infrastructure.
As the state debates the future of gambling regulation, new research by BonusFinder.com, a leading online gambling research firm, claims that Florida could benefit from up to $1.48 billion in annual tax revenue if online casino gaming were legal.
The estimate is based on the average spend per adult in the states with legalized online casino markets, Florida’s adult population and a 30% tax rate.
“With an adult population of approximately 18.9 million, Florida could generate an estimated $4.95 billion in gross revenue each year, translating to $1.48 billion at a 30% tax rate. Even with a more conservative 20% tax rate, the state could still add $990 million annually to its tax base,” said Bonus Finder.
The analysis shows there is a demand for online gaming.
“Florida has one of the largest and most dynamic populations in the country, yet it’s leaving nearly $1.5 billion on the table each year by not regulating online casinos and introducing a secure, regulated framework could deliver massive returns for the state budget while protecting Florida players,” said Luciano Passavanti, Vice President of BonusFinder.com.
Google Trends data reveals that Floridians rank 12th in the US for searches related to “online casinos,” underscoring strong public interest despite the activity being illegal.
Florida’s current gambling landscape includes tribal casinos, the state lottery, and limited forms of pari-mutuel betting. However, online casino gaming remains prohibited, driving consumers to unregulated offshore operators with no consumer protections, responsible gambling safeguards, or legal recourse.
In 2024, Florida’s commercial casinos generated $240.6 million in tax revenue. These funds are allocated to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, which supports school districts, public colleges, and universities.
As of now, only seven states—Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia—have legalized online gambling.
In 2024, these states collectively generated $8.41 billion in gross online casino revenue.
