When it comes to legal online sports betting in the USA, things have been changing fast over the last 18 months or so. Back in May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision gave each state across the nation the legal authority to regulate its own sports betting markets, online sites and overall sports-wagering laws.
New Jersey legalized sports betting just two weeks after (June 4 2018) the Supreme Court handed down its decision and since then, there’s been a whirlwind of legislative action across the nation’s State Legislative Houses. Many states are looking increase revenue for their state infrastructure projects and essential services like law enforcement and fire prevention with the proceeds of sports betting.
US States where Online Sports Betting is Legal
While not all of the states below have begun online sports betting, many of them have and some states like Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are producing incredible numbers that are delighting their respective State Treasurers.
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Nevada
• West Virginia
• Mississippi
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Oregon
• Washington DC
• Montana
• Colorado
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• New Hampshire
• Arkansas
• New York
• Michigan
New Mexico has provided another model for the introduction of sports betting that states with strong Tribal Casino compacts (such as Washington State, Oklahoma and California) could potentially adopt as a model.
Despite New Mexico not passing sports betting legislation since the US Supreme Court’s May 2018 decision in May 2018, leading Tribal Casino, Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel, began sports betting via a gaming compact with the state of New Mexico. Interestingly, the Pueblo of Santa Ana have begun talks to set up their own online sports betting sites with industry leaders, despite being required to renegotiate their compact before going ahead.
More US States expected the follow with Online Sports Betting
It has been estimated that California and at least 20 other states may follow by legislating in favor of online sports betting from 2020 and beyond.
States such as Missouri and Washington are requesting input from industry stakeholders before presenting bills in 2020, and three bills are on the docket in the Florida legislature. Other states such as Massachusetts and Ohio to appear set to legalize in 2020.