States With Online Sports Betting
- Online Sports Betting Legal States
- Ny State Online Sports Betting
- Legalization Of Online Sports Betting
- States With Online Sports Betting Allowed
- States With Legal Online Sports Betting
- Is Draft Kings Legal
Online sportsbooks in the Garden State took in 91% of all bets for the month, as the appeal of mobile sports betting continues to result in record-breaking handle and revenue numbers. The trend toward mobile wagering will likely continue for the foreseeable future, even after Atlantic City casinos are allowed to operate at full capacity. Sports wagering is now legal online in 14 states, including the bordering states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Currently in New York, it is only legal at the four Upstate commercial gaming.
It’s been more than two years since the United States Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The decision lifted a federal ban on sports betting and paved the way for states to legalize sports betting on a state-by-state basis.
Online Sports Betting Legal States
In the years following the PASPA ruling, almost two-dozen states have moved to legalize sports betting, and many are already live.
That doesn’t mean every state is quickly hopping on the sports betting bandwagon, though. There are still a few markets playing catch-up and others that seem generally opposed to sports betting across the board.
Covid-19 and related revenue losses have spurred some state lawmakers to quickly draft bills that would legalize online betting. Many believe sports betting can provide a meaningful spike in revenue, especially during a time when casino closures run rampant and the industry struggles to keep up.
Below, we round up a selection of states that have yet to legalize sports betting and where they stand with their legislation.
Vermont
In Vermont, progress toward legal sports betting is slow and steady. On June 12, 2020, the state senate approved a study committee to look into sports betting taxation and regulation possibilities.
The bill, S.59, passed its second reading in Vermont’s senate. Next up is the state’s House of Representatives. One committee chair in the House indicated that the bill is a low priority item, so it could be some time before Vermont sees meaningful progress toward legalization.
Maryland
Sports betting legislation in Maryland looks like a distinct possibility. State legislators pushed through a sports betting referendum in May 2020.
The move came at the perfect time; Maryland’s senate planned to adjourn due to Covid-19. Maryland only allows referendums on even-numbered years, and any change to The Free State’s gambling legislation requires a constitutional amendment to be approved by referendum.
It may sound complicated, but put simply, this means that Maryland has a short timeframe to work with, and legislators pulled through to push their bill forward.
Louisiana
Governor John Bel Edwards recently signed a bill that authorizes a Louisiana referendum to decide whether the state will allow sports betting.
Louisiana’s parishes (similar to counties) will hold referendums and decide whether to move forward with sports betting. The vote will take place as part of the state’s November 3 election.
If approved, Louisiana’s legislators and gaming authorities would begin to roll out regulations and licensing processes in 2021. While there’s motion in the state, it could be well over a year before sportsbooks launch in Louisiana.
California
California recently seemed on the cusp of legislation, but new developments have stalled the state’s legalization effort until at least 2022.
The state’s SCA-6 bill aimed to amend California’s constitution and formalize a framework for legal sports betting. However, California’s Native American Tribes vigorous opposition to the measure, coupled with an inability for the state legislature to agree on certain points, doomed the bill this week.
Twenty-five California tribes voiced their disapproval of the bill. In response, State Senator Bill Dodd pulled SCA-6 from the legislature.
Florida
Florida state senator Jeff Brandes introduced a bill in December 2019 that would kickstart sports betting regulation in the Sunshine State. However, Florida’s gambling landscape is a bit complicated. The Seminole Tribe owns six of the state’s seven casinos. The other gambling properties in the state are racetracks that can also offer slots and poker.
For sports betting legislation to pass, it will likely need to gain the approval of the Seminole Tribe, because they’re an influential organization in Florida. The state’s cardrooms and racetracks may hope for expansion opportunities in a sports betting bill. This could present a similar situation to California, where tribes have opposed recent sports betting measures while cardrooms have supported it.
For now, Florida’s sports betting outlook is neutral, and it’s unlikely to move forward until legislators can find a solution that pleases the tribes, cardrooms, and the state government.
Wyoming
March 2020 marked a pivotal point for Wyoming sports betting legislation. The state voted against a bill that would have legalized online sports betting. Following the bill’s failure, efforts have stalled. It’s unclear if Wyoming lawmakers will attempt to draft another bill to bring sports betting to the state.
Texas
2019 brought a glimmer of hope for sports betting in the Lone Star State. Legislator Eddie Lucio III proposed a bill that would allow sports betting in the state. The bill did not move forward.
Texas lawmakers generally oppose the expansion of gambling within the state. As a result, it’s unlikely Texans will see regulated sportsbooks any time soon.
September 2020 produced record-breaking numbers for combined legal sports betting handle in the US. The nation’s 18 legal sports betting jurisdictions (17 states plus Washington D.C.) saw nearly $3 billion in wagers come in for September.
The return of NFL and NCAA football bolstered the surging US sports betting industry to its biggest month yet. Since the overturn of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018, legal sports betting in the US shows an upward trend with seemingly no sign of a slowdown in sight.
Six US states brought in more than $200 million in betting handle for Septemeber:
September 2020 Sports Betting Handle
| Overall Betting Handle | Mobile Betting Handle | % Handle From Mobile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $748,588,349 | $678,745,374 | 91% |
| Nevada | $575,069,930 | $315,472,779 | 55% |
| Pennsylvania | $462,787,394 | $414,100,359 | 89% |
| Illinois | $285,240,209 | $264,448,304 | 93% |
| Colorado | $207,655,942 | $203,882,793 | 98% |
| Indiana | $207,450,106 | $167,323,391 | 81% |
1. New Jersey ($748,588,349)
Powered by the biggest mobile sports betting market in the nation, New Jersey has topped the overall sports betting handle list every month for 2020. Since introducing sports betting shortly after the fall of PASPA, New Jersey has overtaken Nevada as the sports wagering capital of the US.
December 2019 marks the last time Nevada topped the list in monthly sports betting handle among US states, New Jersey brought in nearly $750 million in bets in September, breaking its own record for US states set just one month earlier.
Online sportsbooks in the Garden State took in 91% of all bets for the month, as the appeal of mobile sports betting continues to result in record-breaking handle and revenue numbers. The trend toward mobile wagering will likely continue for the foreseeable future, even after Atlantic City casinos are allowed to operate at full capacity.
2. Nevada ($575,069,930)
Once the undisputed epicenter of sports betting in the US, Nevada has ceded that title to New Jersey in 2020. The home of the Las Vegas Strip still took in more than $575 million in sports bets for September, however.
Mobile wagering accounted for 55% of overall bets, the lowest percentage of any state on this list. The appeal of betting in person at a Las Vegas sportsbook clearly still offers massive viability for the Nevada sports betting market.
Like the other states on this list, mobile betting in Nevada can be conducted from anywhere within state borders. Nevada operates with an in-person registration requirement, however.
3. Pennsylvania ($462,787,394)
Pennsylvania continues to emerge as a contender for the No. 2 sports betting state in the US. The launch of Barstool Sportsbook in Pennsylvania took the Keystone State to new heights in September, with a state record $462.7 million in betting handle coming in for the month.
Like New Jersey, Pennsylvania’s wagering handle is dominated by online betting. Mobile betting produced 89% of that $462.7 million figure in September.
Barstool Sportsbook joins one of the most competitive markets in the US with the Pennsylvania launch. FanDuel Sportsbook enjoys status as the No. 1 mobile sportsbook in the state, but Barstool will likely contend for that spot soon.
4. Illinois ($285,240,209)
Ny State Online Sports Betting
Just four months into its journey as a legal online sports betting state, Illinois leapfrogged Indiana and into the No. 4 spot on the US sports betting handle rankings.
Legalization Of Online Sports Betting
September proved the biggest month yet by far for the fastest-growing sports betting market in the US. Revenue reports from the Illinois Gaming Board showed over $285 million in overall handle for the month.
Of that figure, 93% of overall handle comes from mobile sports betting. FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetRivers run close as the top handle-producing mobile sportsbooks in the state.
Ilinois law requires in-person registration for an online sports betting account, but that mandate is currently waived through Dec. 12.
5. Colorado ($207,655,942)
States With Online Sports Betting Allowed
Colorado and Indiana are neck-and-neck for the No. 5 spot in the US. Colorado’s mobile sportsbooks take in more than 98% of total bets.
With retail sportsbooks restricted to three small mountain towns in the Centennial State, online betting will likely continue to power Colorado’s booming sports betting industry. The state’s online sports betting license holders include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, FOX Bet, BetRivers, and several other big brands in the sports wagering industry.
6. Indiana ($207,450,106)
Can Indiana surpass the surging sports betting markets in Illinois and Colorado? The sports wagering business is big in the Hoosier State, as September’s $207.4 million betting handle figure set a new record for the state.
States With Legal Online Sports Betting
Is Draft Kings Legal
DraftKings and FanDuel dominate the Indiana market share. Mobile wagering accounted for 81% of overall bets in September for Indiana.