Legislative Tracker: Sports Betting

States can legalize sports betting if they choose after the US Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on single-game wagering in 2018. Interest in the legalization of sports betting was ramping up in the US in recent years, even prior to that decision.

2021 sports betting bills

There are now a variety of bills on file around the country and even some new laws on the books. Below is a look at current legislation by state. These states, in particular, are close to having legal sports betting:

• Arizona sports betting (Bill passed in April 2021, law signed in April 2021)
• Connecticut sports betting (Bill passed in May 2021, law signed in May 2021, gaming compact needs federal approval)
• Florida sports betting (Tribal gaming compact signed in April 2021, approved by the legislature in May 2021, needs federal approval)
• Louisiana sports betting (Approved by voters in November 2020, bills passed in June 2021, law signed in June 2021)
• Maryland sports betting (Approved by voters in November 2020, bill passed in April 2021, law signed in May 2021)
• Nebraska sports betting (Approved by voters in November 2020, bill passed in May 2021, law signed in June 2021)
• New York sports betting (Online betting enacted via state budget in April 2021, signed in April 2021)
• South Dakota sports betting (Approved by voters in November 2020, bill passed in March 2021, law signed in March 2021)
• Washington sports betting (Bill passed and signed in 2020, tribal compacts in the works)
• Wyoming sports betting (Bill passed in April 2021, law signed in April 2021)

States with legal sports betting

These states (and Washington, DC) have legal, regulated sports betting industries:

• Arkansas sports betting
• Colorado sports betting
• Delaware sports betting
• Illinois sports betting
• Indiana sports betting
• Iowa sports betting
• Nevada sports betting
• New Hampshire sports betting
• New Jersey sports betting
• New York sports betting
• Michigan sports betting
• Mississippi sports betting
• Montana sports betting
• Oregon sports betting
• Pennsylvania sports betting
• Rhode Island sports betting
• Tennessee sports betting
• Virginia sports betting
• Washington DC sports betting
• West Virginia sports betting

North Carolina has limited sports betting via tribal casinos. In New Mexico, some tribes are now offering sports betting under an existing Class III gaming compact. Mississippi allows online sports betting but only on-site at licensed casinos.

Here is a look via map (green = legal; yellow = pending launch):

The climate for sports betting legislation

The pent-up demand for legal sports betting in the United States became evident quickly after the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on single-game wagering in 2018.

Nearly three years later, nearly 80% of US states have either legalized sports wagering or introduced legislation to do so.

Many states are taking full advantage of the opportunity by approving mobile sportsbook apps and statewide betting. Others are choosing the more limited route of in-person wagering at sportsbooks.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, more states chose to examine legalizing sports betting as a way to offset budget losses.

It is widely accepted that people are wagering on sports in every state, many illegally through unlicensed offshore sportsbooks. Capturing that revenue through a regulated market that is also better equipped to identify and treat problem gambling appeals to state legislators throughout the country.

Legislative live streams

Want to follow along as a sports betting bill is considered in a hearing or legislative session? Here’s a guide to all the video and audio streams for US legislatures:

Previous sports betting bills

Here is the recent history of bills related to sports betting in the United States:

2019 legislation

2018 legislation

2017 legislation

2016 legislation

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