Betting States
While a few legal sports betting states are now offering online casino gaming, there are many more to come. Rhode Island has legal sports betting since 2018, and two commercial casinos recently opened retail sportsbooks. The state is close to Connecticut and Massachusetts, but has a relatively small population. South Dakota will legalize sports betting in November 2020, after lawmakers passed a law authorizing retail-only gambling at certain tribal gaming facilities and Deadwood casinos.
There are a few states where sports betting is legal. In Massachusetts, it is already legal. The state has also approved mobile legislation for the same purpose. Meanwhile, Wyoming and Maryland passed a law allowing online and mobile sports wagering. Kentucky, however, may have a better chance in 2022 when the state legislature meets for a full 30 days. California is likely to wait until next year. Its State Senate Bill Dodd has vowed to put a measure on the ballot in 2022.
In Connecticut, voters approved a referendum in November 2017, and the state’s Gaming Control Board is nearing completion. It is expected that legal bets will start during the 2021 NFL season. Although there is no timeline for Massachusetts to legalize sports betting, the legislature is making progress toward that goal. If the state passes the legislation, legal sports betting will likely be in Massachusetts within the next two years. On the other hand, if the legislation isn’t passed, legal sports betting will remain a political football issue.
Legal Sports Betting States
Illinois is considering legalizing sports betting, and is likely to be one of the first. The law requires an in-person visit before initial funding is allowed. While Illinois and Pennsylvania are moving forward with sports betting, Illinois has not yet adopted a law requiring that a person must visit the casino in person to gamble. It is unclear if Illinois will follow suit. If it passes, the law will likely make gambling legal in that state.
Some states are in the process of implementing legal sports betting. While the state’s government has not passed a law yet, Delaware and New Jersey have both passed sports gambling laws. While there are still many hurdles to legalizing sports betting, the process is moving forward. Currently, the state’s lawmakers are working on a draft legislation that will help sportsbooks open in the state. After a final decision is made, the state will have to decide whether to allow sports betting.
While the legislation is not finalized in every state, some states have already passed it. In Massachusetts, voters approved the bill in November, and the state legislature is currently working on it. It will take until 2022 before it will be ready for legal sports betting. In Texas, the legislature does not meet every year. For that reason, this is a state that should be considered for legalizing sports betting. As far as New Jersey is concerned, the state has the most challenges to legalizing sports betting.