What States Are Going to Legalize Sports Betting?

The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a federal law banning sports betting has left many states scrambling to legalize it. Here’s a look at where things stand.

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Nevada

On May 14, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting, opening the door for states to legalize and regulate the activity. Several states have passed legislation to do just that, and many more are considering it. Here’s a look at the states that are most likely to legalize sports betting in the near future.

The first state to legalize sports betting

In 1992, the professional and amateur sports protection act was passed, which effectively made sports betting illegal in the United States. However, in 2018, the US Supreme Court struck down this law, opening up the possibility for states to legalize sports betting. Since then, many states have been working to pass their own laws and regulations around sports betting.

Nevada was the first state to take advantage of this new opportunity and legalize sports betting. They did so through a process of applying for a waiver from the professional and amateur sports protection act. This waiver was granted in 2019 and Nevada began allowing sports betting within its borders.

How it has been working in Nevada

Since Nevada first legalized sports betting in 1949, it has been the only state in the Union to offer full-fledged wagering on individual games. Other states have had forms of betting, like parlay cards for NFL games, but nothing that allows single-game wagering. That all changed in 2018 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal law called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The decision effectively made sports betting legal across the country, and now states are free to implement their own laws and regulations.

In Nevada, sports betting is big business. The state’s casinos take in billions of dollars each year from bettors who come from all over the world to wager on their favorite teams. Nevada also has a well-regulated system that includes licensed bookmakers and a multi-million-dollar surveillance operation that monitors activities at the state’s more than 200 sports books.

The Nevada model is often cited as the gold standard for how sports betting should be regulated, and many of the state’s gaming officials have been consulted as other states have looked to implement their own laws.

New Jersey

The second state to legalize sports betting

New Jersey was the second state to legalize sports betting, after Nevada. New Jersey’s law allowing sports betting was passed in June 2018, and sports betting started in the state in August 2018. Sports betting is currently allowed at casinos and racetracks in New Jersey. Bettors must be 21 years of age or older to bet on sports in New Jersey.

How it has been working in New Jersey

In 2012, lawmakers in New Jersey approved a bill to allow sports betting at casinos and racetracks, with the hopes that it would create jobs and provide a boost to the state’s economy. The bill was challenged in court by the major professional sports leagues, which argued that it violated federal law.

After years of legal battles, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports betting in 2018, paving the way for states to legalize it. New Jersey was one of the first states to do so, and sports betting is now up and running at casinos and racetracks in the state.

The industry has been growing rapidly in New Jersey, with nearly $3 billion bet on sports in 2019. It is expected to generate $400 million in tax revenue for the state this year.

Sports betting has also been a boost for the casino industry in New Jersey, which has seen an uptick in business since 2018.

Pennsylvania

On November 16, Pennsylvania became the seventh state to legalize sports betting when Governor Tom Wolf signed legislation allowing sports wagering. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board began taking applications for sports betting licenses on December 1, 2018, less than a month after the legislation was passed.

The third state to legalize sports betting

Pennsylvania became the third state to legalize sports betting when the state’s gaming control board approved regulations in October 2018. The first sportsbooks began operation in November 2018.

Pennsylvania’s sports betting law allows for online and mobile betting, as well as in-person betting at casinos and racetracks. Bets can be placed on professional and collegiate sporting events.

How it has been working in Pennsylvania

Sports betting in Pennsylvania officially started on November 18th, 2018. The first sportsbook to open its doors was Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

To bet on sports in Pennsylvania, you must be 21 years of age or older and physically present within state lines. Bettors can sign up for an account in person at a casino that offers sports betting or online through the casino’s website or app.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is responsible for regulating all forms of gambling in the state, including sports betting. There are currently nine casinos that offer sports betting and several more are expected to launch in the near future.

Pennsylvania is one of several states that have recently legalized sports betting in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the federal ban on the activity. So far, it has been working well in the state with plenty of options for bettors and a healthy amount of revenue generated for the state and casinos.

Delaware

Delaware is one of the many states that are currently in the process of legalizing sports betting. This is in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which had previously prevented states from legalizing sports betting. Delaware is hoping to have sports betting up and running by the start of the 2019 NFL season.

The fourth state to legalize sports betting

Delaware became the fourth state to legalize sports betting after the Supreme Court struck down a federal law that had restricted single-game betting to Nevada. The state began offering sports betting at its three casinos on June 5, 2018.

How it has been working in Delaware

In May 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned a 1992 federal law that had effectively banned commercial sports betting everywhere in the US except Nevada. This opened up the door for individual states to pass legislation to allow sports betting within their borders. So far, Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia have all done so.

Delaware was actually the first state to take advantage of the new law and start offering sports betting. In June 2018, just a month after the Supreme Court’s ruling, Delaware began offering single-game betting on professional baseball, football, basketball, hockey and soccer at its three casinos: Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Harrington Raceway & Casino and Delaware Park Raceway. Betting is also available on college sports, but only at Delaware Park.

The state lottery oversees sports betting in Delaware and all bets must be placed in person at one of the state’s three casinos. There is no mobile betting available at this time. The minimum bet is $2 and there is no maximum.

Rhode Island

After the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May 2018, states have been scrambling to get their own sports betting industries off the ground. So far, eight states have legalized sports betting and more are expected to do so in the near future. Here is a list of all the states that have legalized sports betting.

The fifth state to legalize sports betting

In May 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, effectively opening the door for states to legalize sports betting. Since then, a number of states have taken advantage of this opportunity and have passed legislation to allow legal sports betting within their borders. As of October 2019, Rhode Island became the fifth state to legalize sports betting.

How it has been working in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has had legal sports betting for almost a year now, and it has been working well. The state lottery runs the sports betting operations, and there are two casinos that offer sports betting. The state has seen good growth in revenue from sports betting, and it is expected to continue.

There are some concerns about the future of Rhode Island’s sports betting market, however. The state’s two casinos are both owned by the same company, and there is only one other casino in the state that offers sports betting. This means that there is potential for a monopoly in the future.

The other concern is that Rhode Island does not have any professional sports teams. This means that bettors are more likely to bet on national games, rather than local games. This could lead to less revenue for the state in the future.

Arkansas

Arkansas is one of several states that are considering legalizing sports betting in 2019. There are several pros and cons to this decision, and the state legislature is still debating the issue. If sports betting is legalized in Arkansas, it would be a boost to the state’s economy. However, there are also some potential downsides to consider, such as the potential for crime and addiction.

The sixth state to legalize sports betting

Arkansas became the sixth state to legalize sports betting when Governor Asa Hutchinson signed off on a sports betting bill in July 2019. The law allows for both mobile and in-person sports betting, but restricts betting to people who are 21 years of age or older.

There are only a handful of states that have not legalized some form of gambling, and with more and more states looking to generate revenue from sports betting, it is likely that Arkansas will soon join the majority.

How it has been working in Arkansas

Arkansas has had a lot of success with its sports betting program so far. The state has seen a lot of revenue come in from sports betting, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, Arkansas is one of the few states that has seen an increase in revenue from sports betting since it legalized the activity.

West Virginia

West Virginia is one of the states that are considering legalizing sports betting. There are a few pros and cons to this decision. Some people believe that it will generate more revenue for the state. Others believe that it will lead to more gambling addiction.

The seventh state to legalize sports betting

West Virginia became the seventh state to legalize sports betting when the state’s legislature passed a bill on March 28, 2018. The bill was then signed into law by Governor Jim Justice on March 30. The law took effect on June 5, making West Virginia the first state to offer legal sports betting in the 2018 calendar year.

The law allows for both mobile and retail sports betting, with a 8.5% tax on gross gaming revenue from betting handle. The bill also authorizes up to five sports betting licenses to be awarded to casinos in the state, with a $250,000 application fee and a $1 million initial license fee.

How it has been working in West Virginia

West Virginia was one of the first states to take advantage of the Supreme Court’s ruling on sports betting. The state approved a sports betting bill in March 2018, and betting started on September 1, 2018.

The state has had positive results so far. There are currently four sportsbooks up and running, and they have all been meeting their revenue projections. In November 2018, the West Virginia Lottery released its first monthly report on sports betting. The report showed that the four sportsbooks had generated a total of $5 million in revenue in October.

The state is currently collecting a 10 percent tax on sports betting revenue, which is being used to fund education initiatives. West Virginia is also working on expanding its sports betting options by adding mobile wagering. The state is hopeful that mobile wagering will be available by the start of the 2019 NFL season.

Mississippi

On August 1st, 2018, Mississippi became the third state to legalize sports betting, joining Nevada and Delaware. This is following the Supreme Court ruling in May that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which had previously prevented states from legalizing sports betting.

The eighth state to legalize sports betting

Mississippi became the eighth state to legalize sports betting on August 1, 2018, when Governor Phil Bryant signed a bill into law. The state had already passed a law in 2017 that would have allowed sports betting if the federal ban on such activities was lifted. When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban in May 2018, Mississippi was ready to move forward with its plans.

The Mississippi Gaming Commission will oversee sports betting in the state. There are already 28 casinos operating in Mississippi, so there will be no shortage of places for people to place their bets. Sports betting will be available both online and at physical locations.

It is estimated that sports betting will generate around $10 million in tax revenue for Mississippi each year. This money will be used to fund education initiatives in the state.

How it has been working in Mississippi

Since sports betting was legalized in Mississippi in 2018, it has been working well for the state. The industry has generated more than $200 million in revenue for the state, and it has created more than 1,000 new jobs. Sports betting is also helping to grow the state’s economy by $300 million per year.

New Mexico

State Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino introduced a sports betting bill in the Senate last week, per NM Political Report. If the bill passes, New Mexico would become the seventh state to legalize sports betting since the Supreme Court overturned a federal ban in 2018. Here’s what you need to know about the bill.

The ninth state to legalize sports betting

In May of 2019, New Mexico became the ninth state to legalize sports betting. The law was passed by the state legislature and signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The law allows for sports betting on professional and collegiate sporting events, but does not allow betting on high school sporting events.

The law allows for both online and in-person sports betting, but does not allow for mobile sports betting. Sports betting will be overseen by the state Racing Commission, and bets will be taxed at 8%. There is no minimum age for sports betting in New Mexico, but all bettors must be physically present in the state in order to place a bet.

How it has been working in New Mexico

In New Mexico, sports betting is not yet legal. However, this could all change in the near future. The state legislature is currently considering a bill that would legalize and regulate sports betting in the state. If this bill passes, it would likely mean that sports betting would be available at casinos and racetracks in New Mexico.

The bill that is currently under consideration would allow for both online and offline sports betting. This would give people in New Mexico a lot of different options when it comes to placing bets on sporting events.

It is still unclear if the bill will pass, but it is certainly something that is being discussed by lawmakers in the state. With the popularity of sports betting increasing across the country, it seems likely that New Mexico will eventually join the growing list of states where sports betting is legal.

Indiana

Indiana is one of the states that is considering legalizing sports betting. There are a few pros and cons to this decision. Some people believe that it will increase revenue for the state, create jobs, and bring in more tourists. However, others believe that it will lead to more gambling addiction and crime. What do you think?

The tenth state to legalize sports betting

Indiana became the tenth state to legalize sports betting when Governor Eric Holcomb signed a bill into law in May 2019. The new law allows for both online and offline sports betting, with a wide variety of options for Hoosiers to choose from.

While there are still some restrictions in place – like a maximum bet limit of $500 – Indiana is quickly becoming one of the most attractive states for sports bettors. And with the Indiana Gaming Commission recently approving regulations for mobile sports betting, it’s only going to get better.

So if you’re looking to place a bet on your favorite team, make sure to check out Indiana – you might just be able to hit it big!

How it has been working in Indiana

Indiana lawmakers approved sports betting in 2019 as part of a sweeping gambling expansion package. The bill authorized both mobile and in-person wagering on a wide range of professional and collegiate sporting events.

The Indiana Gaming Commission regulates sports betting in the state and has issued licenses to 14 casinos, three racetracks, and three off-track betting facilities. Bettors must be at least 21 years old and inside state borders to place a wager.

Sports betting handle in Indiana topped $250 million in December 2020, the month that saw the most activity since the launch of legal wagering in October 2019.