On June sports 2018, sports betting was legalized in the US. The PASPA, which was a law that prevented sports betting in the country, was struck down by the US Supreme Court. This gave states the option to allow sports betting.
Although the Supreme Court allowed states to allow sports betting, four of them were exempted from the PASPA: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana. These states had pre-established sports lottery systems, where Nevada was the home of gambling.
In 2009, a New Jersey Senator Raymond Lesniak filed a lawsuit against the PASPA, which sought to overturn the law. The professional and NCAA sports leagues then supported the lawsuit.
The Supreme Court ruled the PASPA unconstitutional in May 2018. Now, all 50 states can allow sports betting with their own rules and regulations. There are still many steps to go before it can be fully legalized. However, with the support of the professional and NCAA sports leagues, the country is expected to see more sports betting.
Some states are still allowing sports betting on online platforms, while others are still keeping it in brick-and-mortar establishments. State officials are also looking into how sports betting can be beneficial to their government. Many states are seeing a huge return on their investment in sports betting.
Due to the legalization of sports betting, more and more states are seeing the potential of this as a revenue source. This is having various impacts, such as increasing competition with state lotteries and the pressure being put on the federal government to change the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Sports betting has already contributed to the revenue of several states.
Arkansas: Arkansas became the ninth state to allow sports betting in the US when it started in July 2019. The Oaklawn Racing Casino in Hot Springs is the only place where you can legally place bets on sporting events.
Colorado: In May 2020, Colorado became the first state to launch sports betting. It allowed four operators to operate its sports betting system. The state also plans on eventually having retail outlets. It was initially challenging to launch the service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delaware: In Delaware, they were able to get the go-ahead to allow sports betting after the PASPA was overturned. They then started offering it at three casinos. They are also planning on launching mobile betting.
Illinois: In Illinois, the 15th state to allow sports betting, the start of the industry was met with a negative reaction. In March 2020, the Rivers Casino in Chicago started taking bets. However, several parts of the country were temporarily shut down due to a pandemic.
Indiana: In September 2019, Indiana became the first state to allow sports betting. It allows people to gamble on their favorite teams using their mobile devices or at any of its designated retail locations.
Iowa: In Iowa, sports betting was officially launched in August 2019. It will allow people to gamble on their favorite teams using their mobile devices. However, it’s important to note that you’ll need to go to a retail location to set up your account.
Michigan: Michigan became the 16th state to allow sports betting on March 11, 2020. It had an awkward timing with the outbreak of the pandemic in the US, as all retail sportsbooks were temporarily closed. Their mobile app will not be ready until 2021.
Mississippi: Mississippi was one of the first states to allow sports betting in 2018. It started taking bets in August 2018, three months after the PASPA was overturned. The state’s casinos and the state’s online gambling sites only accept sports bets.
Montana: In Montana, sports betting was launched in March 2020 during the pandemic. It allows customers to place their bets at any of the state’s licensed retailers.
Nevada: Although the Supreme Court ruled the PASPA unconstitutional, Nevada and Las Vegas have made significant improvements to their online and sportsbooks offerings.
New Hampshire: In New Hampshire, sports betting was officially launched in July 2019. It’s available through a partnership with online gaming company DraftKings. This is the only mobile operator that’s currently offering sports betting in the state.
New Jersey: Since New Jersey led the way in challenging the PASPA, they were the first state to allow sports betting in June 2018. They have a variety of retail sportsbooks and mobile betting options. In New York, many people travel to New Jersey to make a wager.
New Mexico: In August 2018, sports betting was allowed in New Mexico. It was the sixth state to allow this type of gambling. At present, the state is not planning on offering online betting.
New York: In June 2019, New York became the first state to allow sports betting. However, it was delayed due to the state’s Gaming Commission developing regulations and laws related to the activity. At present, the only place where people can legally gamble on sports is at the casinos.
North Carolina: In North Carolina, sports betting was allowed in July 2019. However, it is only allowed to be conducted at two state-licensed casinos.
Oregon: In Oregon, the Chinook Winds Casino launched a sports betting facility in August 2019. They also started offering mobile betting in October 2019.
Pennsylvania: After the PASPA was struck down by the Supreme Court, Pennsylvania started sports betting in August 2018. They have several retail outlets and a mobile betting app.
Rhode Island: The smallest state in the country started offering sports betting in August 2018, following the PASPA’s removal. They then added mobile betting in September 2019.
Tennessee: In May 2019, sports betting was allowed in Tennessee. It’s expected to launch in September 2020, and the state will begin issuing licenses for sportsbooks in July 2020.
Virginia: Sports betting began in January 2021 in Virginia. However, it is not allowed to take bets on Virginia-based collegiate games. The Commonwealth eventually implemented its own legislation in August 2020.
West Virginia: In August 2018, West Virginia’s legislature approved sports betting. A few months later, the state started offering online betting through the BetLucky app.
Extra Frequently Asked Quesitons
Can we bet on sports through Venmo?
This cannot be done legally. The majority of the legal sportsbooks all around the country don’t allow making bets through Venmo.
Where in the US can one legally participate in sports betting?
So far, only 21 states, including Washington D.C., have legalized sports betting.
Can we bet on sports on the internet?
Yes and no. Even though almost half of the states within the country have legalized betting on sports, a lot of them don’t allow online wagering.
When did sports betting get legalized?
In the year 2018, once PASPA had been struck down, that is when sports betting was legalized at a state level.
When will Indiana have legal sports betting?
In September 2019, a bill was passed and sports betting got legalized in Indiana. In October, wagering began and online gambling got launched a couple of months later.
When will Michigan have legal sports betting?
In December 2019, Michigan passed legislation for allowing sports betting, and the first-ever physical sportsbooks got opened in March 2020.
When will Virginia have legal sports betting?
Virginia has legal sports betting, which first began through FanDuel in the month of January in 2021.
When will South Dakota have legal sports betting?
Currently, sports betting isn’t legal in this state. However, in November 2020 residents passed a ballot initiative during the election, hence it is on its way.
When will North Carolina have legal sports betting?
Sports betting is legal in this state, but it can only be done at two casinos, which opened towards the start of 2021.
When will Tennessee have legal sports betting?
Sports betting was legalized in this state in 2019 and it launched in 2020.
When will Maryland have legal sports betting?
Sports betting, at the moment, isn’t legal in Maryland. However, residents voted ‘Yes’ in the 2020 election to legalize sports gambling.
When will Louisiana have legal sports betting?
Currently, it is not legal to do sports betting in Louisiana, even though several attempts have been made for the past few years.
When will Iowa have legal sports betting?
In May 2019, Iowa legalized sports betting, making it the 11th state that did it.
When will Illinois have legal sports betting?
In June 2019, Illinois passed a sports betting legislature and in March 2020 launched at physical sportsbooks. It became the 15th state to do so.
When will Colorado have legal sports betting?
In November 2019, Colorado legalized both in-person sports betting and also mobile sports betting, once a bill was signed by the state’s governor and approved by numerous voters.