The Florida Gaming Control Commission urged Floridians to gamble responsibly as the 2026 college and professional football seasons began, warning bettors to set spending caps before placing wagers, avoid chasing losses and keep betting from interfering with daily responsibilities or financial commitments. The commission also pointed people who need help with gambling to Florida’s PlayWise helpline, 1-833-PLAYWISE.
In the Sept. 3 press release, the commission said sports wagering in Florida is restricted to adults 21 and older. It also said legal sports betting in the state is offered through sportsbooks operated by, or in partnership with, the Seminole Tribe of Florida under the 2021 Gaming Compact, while wagers placed through other online sportsbooks are most likely illegal and may not carry the safeguards available through legal wagering.
Julie Brown, the FGCC chair, said football season’s excitement can easily spill over into sports betting. She advised people to set firm limits, stay within their means and ask for help before gambling becomes a larger problem. The commission’s tips included deciding in advance how much money can be afforded to lose, never borrowing to gamble, setting limits on both time and money, and using deposit limits, wagering limits, temporary breaks and self-exclusion tools.
The warning also singled out students and student-athletes. State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues said students should enjoy college while making choices that protect their education, finances and future, and that asking for help is a sign of good judgment if gambling starts to affect academics, relationships or financial stability. The commission said violations of collegiate sports-betting rules can bring serious penalties, including loss of athletic eligibility, and told student-athletes to understand the rules that apply to them and consult their institution’s compliance office.
The reminder landed during a high-activity betting period. Sigma World, citing the American Gaming Association, said Americans are expected to wager about $29.5 billion on the NFL season alone in 2026, a figure that is nearly unchanged from last year and accounts for roughly 35% to 40% of all U.S. sportsbook handle. The same report said the commission’s message arrived as football expands the number of betting windows available to consumers, reinforcing its push for advance spending limits and legal, responsible wagering.
