Legalization of sports betting has been a hot topic for the past few years, and it appears that the United States is finally getting around to it. While some states, including Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, have approved sports betting, others have been a bit slow to follow suit. Below are some state-by-state facts about legal sports betting.
Legalization of sports betting in New Jersey
Legalization of sports betting in New Jersey is a major step forward for the state. The state has fought the federal ban on sports betting for over a decade. In May 2018, the United States Supreme Court overturned the ban and permitted states to legalize sports betting. After the SCOTUS ruling, New Jersey began accepting sports bets in casinos and online. Since then, many sportsbooks and daily fantasy providers have opened in New Jersey, making sports betting legal in the state.
Regulatory agencies have begun the process of regulating sports betting in New Jersey. The first licensed sportsbook operators opened on June 14, 2018. The state’s regulatory agencies assisted casino and racetrack operators in opening their sportsbooks. Since then, nine licensed sportsbooks have received more than $1 billion in wagers and collected tens of millions of dollars in gross revenue.
Legalization of sports betting in Massachusetts
Legalization of sports betting in Massachusetts is a topic that has received much debate. Residents, stakeholders, and legislators have all expressed their opinions on the matter. Some have argued for the prohibition, while others have argued for its legalization. The debate has centered on collegiate and professional sports and the impact of betting on competition and integrity fees. The debate over legalization has been generally positive, despite some concerns, however.
Legalization of sports betting in Massachusetts is expected to take place in the next couple of years. While the Massachusetts state government has long been interested in the idea, key details have remained elusive. The state’s lawmakers have now reached a compromise that will allow for sports betting in person and online. There are still some details to be worked out, but the upcoming session will hopefully provide some clarity.
Several companies are planning to start sports betting in Massachusetts. Caesars has attempted to open a casino in Suffolk Downs in 2013, and it has a large online sportsbook. The state’s lawmakers are currently trying to work out the details with local Native American tribes, but the industry has already started to take off. There is no guarantee that sports betting will be legal in Massachusetts, but there are provisions in the bill that could make it happen.
Legalization of sports betting in Pennsylvania
Legalized sports betting in Pennsylvania began in November 2018. Since then, the state has logged over $13 billion in wagers, plus over $244 million in tax revenue. This amount does not account for any promotions, or other expenses that sportsbook operators have to cover. In Pennsylvania, FanDuel and DraftKings have consistently been the leading sportsbooks by handle and revenue.
This expansion of gambling was a huge draw for state legislators, who were seeking additional revenue streams. The law passed both chambers of the state assembly, and was signed by Governor Tom Wolf. Legalized sports gambling in Pennsylvania will be limited to live and online games, though in-state collegiate games will still be off-limits. However, mobile betting will soon be legal, allowing bettors to bet on pro games while on the go.
Pennsylvania has long been a hotbed of interest in sports betting. Before the Internet came to the scene, the state had its share of diehard sports fans. Now, the state is poised to join the league as one of the largest markets in sports betting.