The year of 2018 was truly revolutionary for the US, as the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting (the infamous PASPA) in May 2018 and entered a completely new era of legal sports betting in the country. Already at the end of 2018, there were eight states in total that were offering regulated sports betting and many more states came on the horizon. Following the decision, several states rushed to exercise the new law and now offer sports betting in their respective localities.
When it comes to online gambling – it is regulated at the state level, which means every state is responsible for deciding which forms are or are not legal within their borders. Currently, casino games and/or poker are regulated in Delaware, New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania. West Virginia, after some unsuccessful attempts made previously, is now trying again to join the list of the states that legalised online gambling.
PASPA, enacted over a quarter of the century ago, was highly criticized as not many believed that sports betting should come in pairs with games. However, recent studies show that almost 60% of the population agrees that the regulated sports betting market will contribute to safer consumer space. Now, having the green light, the country has the chance to join other mature sports betting markets like the United Kingdom. Although the journey might be long, many states did not lose time and quickly started offering sports betting within their localities and many more are planning to do so in the near future.
Find out below the current state of legal sports betting in the US and see which states we should be carefully watching.
New Jersey
New Jersey was the third state to legalize sports betting – with Gov. Phil Murphy signing the legislation into law in June 2018. First legal bets were placed three days after, and online sportsbooks started appearing in the digital space in July 2018. Find out more about legal gambling in the New Jersey here.
- Currently the largest market for regulated gambling in the US. Over a dozen legal and licensed online casino sites and poker rooms are active. Estimated market value is over 225 million USD. Full range of products. Gambling operators: 888, Harrah’s, Pala, Party, Borgata, PokerStars, Play MGM, Hard Rock, Betfair, DraftKings, FanDuel and Sugar House.
New York
New York is one of the
Delaware
The state of Delaware introduced legal sports betting on June 5, 2018. The state’s three casinos today offer single-game betting opportunities, with more betting markets and wagering options being explored online or at different locations in the future. Three Delaware race courses – Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway – all operate branded portals on a single 888 gaming platform. Check out more information here.
West Virginia
West Virginia was the fifth US state to sanction legal live sports betting and the third to offer regulated online betting. BetLucky is currently the only mobile sports betting app that players in West Virginia can use.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in late 2017, and after the repeal of PASPA in June 2018 opened the pathway to fully legal online sports betting. The largest US state to regulate online gambling so far. Online sports betting now live with multiple operators and brands including Draft Kings, BetStars, FanDuel, Bet America, Twinspires, XpressBet and Penn National. More information can be found here.
Rhode Island
Two state casinos offer sports betting in Rhode Island, and since mobile and online wagering were not discussed as a part of the law, the state expressed their interest in these options in the near future.
Nevada
The state has long been seen as America’s gambling mecca. It is one of the oldest and most mature markets across the country, featuring over 320 land-based casinos and offering a variety of mobile sports betting apps since 2010.
Mississippi
Both gambling and sports betting activities are legal but limited to water and land-based casinos in the state. Mobile wagering is available only on the grounds of a physical casino, but this might change in 2019.
Indiana
Indiana legalized live sports betting in August 2019 in time for the NHL season and online sports betting is coming-up by the end of the year. Sugar House Casino are the first casino to open-up with a mobile app.
The number of states with sports betting on their agenda continues to grow. New York is very close to legalising gambling and soon players might be able to place bets in the upstate New York casinos. In Arkansas voters approved an amendment that allows for expanded gambling, also sports betting, however, no casinos have launched a single sportsbook yet.
The list of states that look into legalizing sports betting is not only growing but constantly changing – it is believed that about 20 other states are discussing their options. Make sure you stay up to date with the latest news and visit this page regularly, as we always strive to update the site as often as possible and provide the most recent information concerning sports betting on the East Coast.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org.
