When the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, they paved the way for individual states to legalize sports betting in the way that made most sense for them.
What is PASPA?
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was a law that was introduced in 1992, originally enacted to prevent sports wagering from expanding outside of Nevada. This was considered to be the best way to tackle preventing criminal activity like money laundering and such.
It was proposed in 1991, and David Stem, the commissioner for the NBA at the time, testified that sports betting caused irreparable harm across state borders. This was seen as compelling enough for Congress to codify it into law.
The real force behind the repeal of PASPA was the American Sports Betting Coalition which included the American Gambling Association and the National Indian Gaming Association among others. They lobbied alongside other states like New Jersey and Kentucky. Various legal maneuvering, suits and countersuits all came in from 2009, eventually leading to the Supreme Court needing to decide on the lawfulness of the PASPA, which resulted in the decision that it was unconstitutional, and was repealed.
States that have legalized sports betting
It hasn’t been a smooth process in some places, and there are states who are determined to prevent their residents from placing sports bets whether online or in person. In most cases, you only have to be physically present in a state that allows sports betting to be able to place a wager (you don’t need to live there). The following states have legalized sports betting, both online and in person:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada (of course)
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
In Tennessee and Wyoming, you can only place sports bets online; there are no in-person opportunities available. In North Carolina you cannot currently bet online, but you can in person – although this is set to change sometime in 2024.
One of the most recent states to legalize online sports betting is New York which has seen great successes with the launch of mobile sports betting early in 2022. Now, many punters in the state can access range of NY sportsbooks apps on their mobile device.
For the states where sports betting is not legal, there could still be hope – let’s look at where these states are and what the plans are for the future.
States Without Sports Betting
Alabama
There have been multiple bills presented to legalize sports betting in Alabama, as recently as 2021, but they have all failed. Not surprising in a state that doesn’t have any commercial casinos, though.
Alaska
A bill presented in 2020 to legalize sports betting had considerable support at state level and with the population, but then Covid-19 happened, and the bill expired. No new bills have been suggested at this time.
California
California spent a lot of money on advertising campaigns to support two separate bills relating to sports betting that were presented at the November 2022 ballot, but they were heavily voted down by the population. It is unlikely that California will legalize in the near future.
Florida
In Florida, the operation of almost all gambling is under the control of the Seminole tribe, and there are opportunities for both in-person and online sports betting at their casinos – but this is under review with the state so could change in the future.
Georgia
Bills filed to legalize sports betting in January 2021 were voted down by the Senate before they had a chance to go to the public. At this time there does not appear to be any appetite for more attempts, but this could change in the future.
Hawaii
Within a year of the Supreme Court ruling, a bill to legalize sports betting in Hawaii was presented, but it was denied before going to ballot and there has not been any further attempts.
Idaho
Idaho has not proposed any legislation relating to legalizing sports betting in the state.
Minnesota
Legislation for sports betting was passed in August 2022, which means that sports betting is legal in Minnesota – but nothing has been set up yet and there is no confirmed date as to when that will happen.
Missouri
Despite several bills being introduced, all have stalled at state level before being presented for ballot.
New Mexico
Although sports betting in New Mexico is not strictly prohibited, it is only allowed to happen at one of five tribal casinos in the state.
North Dakota
There has been legislation proposed to allow sports betting, but currently only tribal casino betting is allowed.
Oklahoma
A bill was proposed in 2022 but failed and there have been no further attempts.
Texas
A bill for legalizing sports betting was filed ahead of the November 2023 legislative session, at this time there is no further update.
Utah
A firm stance on sports betting means that it is unlikely that Utah will ever legalize it in any form.
Wisconsin
Sports betting is only allowed in-person or online at one of the Oneida Nation’s gaming locations.