Sports betting is popular all around the world. It generates multi-billions per annum in revenue and allows fans to bet on their favorite sports – from soccer to football, basketball and baseball. In the past, the USA had always lagged behind the rest of the world in this. All that changed in 2018, when a Supreme Court ruling enabled individual states to legalize sports betting within their borders.
This decision was met with great excitement within the betting industry and around America itself. In terms of sports betting as an industry, the extra revenue that legal betting in the USA generates is simply huge. For sports fans in America, it meant that they could finally enjoy sports betting legally and try out an activity that has been allowed for many years in other countries.
One state that really embraced the ability to legalize sports betting in its borders is Pennsylvania. It became the seventh US state to make this move. This means that sports betting in Pennsylvania is allowed in law to its citizens. available to anyone who lives there or even visits on holiday. The trail-blazing attitude of states such as Pennsylvania has led to people in other parts of the USA eagerly awaiting the same changes in legislation.
But which other states might follow next?
Maryland
Maryland is one of the states that is determined to legalize sports betting in the near future. Many predict this could happen in mid-2021, after state officials held a public vote in November 2020 on the subject. With the public vote giving the go-ahead for sports betting in Maryland, it is now just a case of officials sorting out how it will all work and giving the green light once all the paperwork is done. Many predict that the first legal sports bets will be offered at the six physical casinos in Maryland but also that online sportsbooks will be allowed to operate.
Massachusetts
Although this state is a little behind somewhere such as Maryland right now, many pick it out as one that could follow Pennsylvania’s lead. The reason for this positivity is not only due to the US Supreme Court 2018 ruling on sports betting. Officials in the state have shown a more relaxed attitude toward sports betting since the ruling and look likely to seriously consider allowing it. Of course, the tax revenue and jobs that it could bring is no doubt at the front or their minds! The February 2020 bill around sports betting was a good start and the ability to legally bet on daily fantasy sports, should also help to advance the case for proper sports betting.
Ohio
It would be no surprise to see Ohio following Pennsylvania’s sports betting lead. This could be due to the fact that it is surrounded by states that have already legalized it, and officials there being concerned about being left behind. Being able to bet on sports legally in Ohio could certainly help it compete for tourists in the future, for example, who would otherwise head to nearby states. With a real appetite to get legislation passed to allow sports betting here, it should be something we see fairly soon.
Kansas
Although sports betting is not legal here yet, this could all change as time moves on. Compared to many Midwestern states, people in Kansas have quite liberal views on the subject. With multiple land-based casinos already, gambling is not something that many in Kansas have an issue with. This, paired with a desire for change that state officials show could be enough to see it made legal within the next few years.
Betting on sports in the USA set to flourish
When it comes to staying entertained, people in the USA have many choices. From checking out the new mix of George Harrison’s title track from ‘All Things Must Pass’ to watching TV, there are a number of ways to kill time. Until recently though, betting legally on sports was not one of them. This has all changed now and many states, such as Pennsylvania, allow and welcome sports betting within their borders.
As the above shows, there are now other states in the USA who look all set to follow their lead. With the number of benefits that legalizing this activity brings to each state, it should not surprise you in years to come to see many more taking the opportunity to pass the relevant legislation.