Alaska, Wyoming Make It 21 States With Live Sports Betting Bills


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There are now 21 states with sports betting bills introduced this year, 18 of which would legalize sports betting.

The latest adds to the list are Alaska and Wyoming. Wyoming’s bill would open a sports betting marketplace while Alaska’s would legalize through a state lottery. Both bills would authorize online betting.

The US would have 38 states (along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico) with legal sports betting sites. It’s more likely that just a handful will legalize this year.

Which states have sports betting bills?

Each of the following states has at least one sports betting bill active in its 2020 legislature:

Of the 21 states with current sports betting legislation, Mississippi, New York and Tennessee would change current legalized sports betting laws. Mississippi and New York would add mobile. Tennessee’s bill cleans up some of the language concerning the responsibilities of the Sports Wagering Advisory Council.

Alaska sports betting bill details

Sports betting in Alaska would be part of a larger lottery bill that Gov. Mike Dunleavy hopes would diversify the state’s revenue stream:

“In the face of low state revenues, my administration has been actively seeking new revenue sources to diversify our economy. Not only does this legislation have the potential of creating new business opportunities, the profits generated from lottery activities will be designated to K-12 education, domestic violence prevention programs, drug abuse prevention programs, foster care, and homelessness.”

Alaska is currently just one of five states without a lottery. Along with sports wagering, instant games, multi-state draw games, and keno would be allowed.

Both chambers of Alaska’s legislature have sports betting bills at the request of Dunleavy, HB 246 and SB 188.

How Wyoming sports betting would be taxed

HB 225 would tax online sports betting revenue at 16% while charging relatively low access fees. An initial license would cost $20,000 with a $10,000 annual renewal fee.

Just how many licenses would be authorized wasn’t broken down in the bill. The bill is also wide open for who could apply:

“Qualified gaming entity” means a gaming entity that offers online sports wagering through computers, digital platforms or mobile applications in any jurisdiction in the United States pursuant to a state regulatory structure.

The bill would ban betting on any college events that take place in Wyoming or any event including an in-state school.