Sports Betting States
Despite the success of legal sports betting states, the industry has yet to take off in many of the country’s most populous and densely populated states. In addition, many states have philosophical objections to the industry, a situation that complicates any attempt to move forward. However, there are a number of legal sports betting states that have made some progress, including Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. In addition, the federal government has made some notable moves toward legalizing sports betting.
Among the many states with legal sports betting, the most populous and densely populated states are California, Florida, and Texas. While the other states have some form of legal betting, it is not yet mobile. However, in the coming years, it is expected that more of these states will be able to offer mobile sports betting.
One of the most important legal sports betting states is New Jersey. Not only does it have the largest number of sportsbooks, but the state has also been the first to launch legal sports betting outside of Nevada. The state also led the legal battle against the federal government’s PASPA law. The state won a major court case against the federal government for its rights to authorize sports betting. The case went to the US Supreme Court. The ruling ultimately superseded PASPA, and it led to the passage of legal sports betting in the state.
Legal Sports Betting States
New Jersey also led the way for legal online sports betting, which launched for the first time in the state in September of 2018. The state currently has twelve retail sportsbooks, with more to come in the coming years. Several prominent online operators have also set up shop in the state, including Caesars, BetRivers, and DraftKings.
Another legal sports betting state is Rhode Island. It is small enough that it is easier to complete an account. It is also the first state in the country to offer mobile betting through Caesars and DraftKings. While Rhode Island isn’t the most populated state, it does have a high percentage of residents who are avid sports fans. In fact, most major leagues are represented in the state’s cities. It’s also one of the few states to require in-person registration for online sports betting accounts.
Other legal sports betting states include Alabama, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The latter three states have launched sportsbooks, although they do not yet offer mobile sports betting. New Jersey, Maryland, and Louisiana are set to launch their sportsbooks in the coming year, while Maine and Louisiana are expected to do so in the early 2020s.
Alaska is another state with a viable sports betting bill on its legislative agenda. However, the bill hasn’t yet gathered any significant support, and it doesn’t appear that the state has any plans to introduce sportsbooks anytime soon. While Alaska has a good chance of getting sports betting in the near future, it is unlikely that it will be in a retail setting.