Navigating the Patchwork: Sports Betting Legality Across U.S. States and Its Impact on the Industry | Eastern North Carolina Now

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    Since the Supreme Court's landmark decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the U.S. sports betting landscape has transformed dramatically. States now have the autonomy to enact their own sports betting laws, creating a patchwork of regulations nationwide.

    This new landscape has opened up unprecedented opportunities for growth in the industry, with more than 30 states having passed legislation to enable online sports betting. However, it has also posed significant challenges as operators navigate this rapidly evolving terrain.

    This document aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of sports betting legality in the U.S., examining the impact on the industry and highlighting key states to watch.

A State-by-State Overview of Sports Betting Legality in the U.S.

• Alabama: Not legal. Multiple bills were proposed, all rejected.
• Alaska: Not legal. Consideration for legalization halted due to COVID-19.
• Arizona: Legal. Legislation permits 20 operators.
• Arkansas: Legal. Betting on in-state professional and collegiate teams is allowed.
• California: Not legal. Two propositions to legalize sports betting were rejected in 2022.
• Colorado: Legal. While wagers on game results are legal, wagers on individual players' performance in collegiate games are not.
• Connecticut: Legal. Sports Betting has been permitted since Sept. 30, 2021.
• Delaware: Legal. All betting on in-state collegiate teams is prohibited.
• Florida: Uncertain. Legal status is currently in flux.
• Georgia: Not legal. Legislation to legalize sports betting was voted down in March 2023.
• Hawaii: Not legal. The 2019 bill for the regulation of sports gambling was denied.
• Idaho: Not legal. No legislation was proposed.
• Illinois: Legal. In-state collegiate games will be off-limits under the new law.
• Indiana: Legal. Player prop bets in collegiate games are prohibited.
• Iowa: Legal. Betting on pro and college sports is allowed.
• Kansas: Legal. Online sports betting launched in July 2022.
• Kentucky: Legal. The first online sports betting sites launched on Sept. 28, 2023.
• Louisiana: Legal. Mobile sports betting launched in January 2022.
• Maine: Legal. Sports betting went live in November 2023.
• Maryland: Legal. Online sportsbooks officially launched in November 2022.
• Massachusetts: Legal. Online sports betting launched in March 2023.
• Michigan: Legal. Online sports betting is expected to launch in March 2023.
• Minnesota: Not legal. Legislation passed in August 2022, but a launch date has not been set.
• Mississippi: Legal. Sports betting has been legalized since 2017.
• Missouri: Not legal, but legislation proposed.
• Montana: Legal. Sportsbooks are regulated through the state lottery.
• Nebraska: Legal. All betting on in-state collegiate games and events is prohibited.
• Nevada: Legal.
• New Hampshire: Legal. All betting on in-state collegiate games and events is prohibited.
• New Jersey: Legal. All betting on in-state collegiate games and events is prohibited.
• New Mexico: Legal. Sports gambling is legal at the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel and four other tribal casinos.
• New York: Legal. All betting on in-state collegiate games and events is prohibited.
• North Carolina: Legal. The online sports betting bill was signed into law on June 14, 2023.
• North Dakota: Not legal, but legislation proposed.
• Ohio: Legal. In-person and mobile sports betting are allowed.
• Oklahoma: Legal, not yet launched.
• Oregon: Legal. All betting on collegiate games and events is prohibited.
• Pennsylvania: Legal. Mobile/online wagering is also accepted in-state.
• Rhode Island: Legal. All betting on in-state collegiate games and events is prohibited.
• South Carolina: Not legal, but legislation proposed.
• South Dakota: Legal. All betting on in-state collegiate games and events is prohibited.
• Tennessee: Legal. It is legal to wager on the results of college games, but you cannot wager on individual players' performance in these games.
• Texas: Not legal. Bill pre-filed for legalization in 2023.
• Utah: Not legal.
• Vermont: Legal, waiting to launch.
• Virginia: Legal. Betting on in-state collegiate games and events is prohibited.
• Washington: Legal. The state does not allow for mobile/online wagering.
• Washington D.C.: Legal. All betting on collegiate games and events is prohibited.
• West Virginia: Legal. The state offers both in-person and online sports wagering.
• Wisconsin: Retail authorized. All betting on in-state collegiate and amateur games and events is prohibited.
• Wyoming: Legal. Sports betting went live in the state on Sept. 1, 2021.

The Impact of Sports Betting Legality on the Industry

    First and foremost, sports betting has led to a surge in the industry's growth, with new markets opening up in states where legislation has passed. This has been a boon for operators, sports teams, and leagues that have seen an increase in engagement and viewership. The integration of sports betting into game broadcasts and stadiums has revolutionized the fan experience, providing new ways for fans to engage with their favorite sports.

    However, the ripple effect has also brought challenges. The patchwork of regulations requires operators to navigate unique rules in each state, increasing compliance costs and complexity. The issue of integrity has also emerged as a serious concern. Instances of players betting on games have shed light on the potential for corruption, necessitating stricter educational and preventive measures from leagues and teams.

    Furthermore, the escalation of player-specific betting has increased scrutiny of athletes, sometimes fostering a negative dynamic between fans and players. While sports betting has indisputably added a new dimension to sports engagement, it has also underscored the need for robust regulations and measures to protect the integrity of the game and the well-being of its players.