TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Gaming Control Commission is urging Floridians to make “smart choices” when it comes to gambling as football seasons kick off.
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“Football brings excitement and fun to our state and communities, and for some, the thrill of placing a wager,” said FGCC Chair Julie Brown. “We encourage everyone to play responsibly if they choose to gamble.”
The FGCC is looking to encourage Florida college students to make smart choices if they choose to place a wager.
“While attending football games and other fall sports matches are an important part of the student experience, we encourage students to be responsible with sports gambling. If a student feels they are struggling with gambling, or notices a friend struggling, we urge them to seek help before it becomes a crisis,” said State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.
The recent remarks come at a time when one U.S. state has already sued a predicition market company in an attempt to block alleged unlicensed sports gambling.
READ: Connecticut sues Kalshi to block alleged unlicensed sports gambling
One of the most significant gambling scandals in college football history involved Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
He saw his college football career collapse under the weight of an illegal gambling scandal. Investigators found that he had placed thousands of online bets, totaling more than $90,000, including wagers on his own team during his earlier stint at Indiana—an egregious violation of NCAA rules.
Sorsby has been cleared of wrongdoing in the gambling investigation, but is still barred from playing football for the 2026 season.
READ: NCAA clears University of Cincinnati of wrongdoing in Brendan Sorsby gambling investigation
The state of Florida legalized online sports betting through the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet platform in 2023. Hard Rock Bet is the only legal sportsbook operating in Florida, and participants must be at least 21 years old.
Florida offers a free, confidential compulsive gambling helpline at 1-833-PLAYWISE (1-833-752-9947).
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