Legal Sports Betting Bill Tracker — Bill, Hearings and Information Tracker for US Legal Betting.
Is gambling illegal in my state, or is sports betting legal in my state? Where is US online sports betting legal or legal in person? If you’ve come here wondering that, we’ve got you covered. It’s a common question amongst US-based sports bettors these days. As you may be aware, the State of New Jersey challenged the 1992 federal law banning sports betting outside Nevada — and won. That law was known as PASPA, or the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.
New Jersey’s legal battle against the NCAA and the major pro sports leagues reached the United States Supreme Court in 2017 in a case known as Murphy v NCAA (formerly Christie v NCAA). On May 14, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of NJ in a 7-2 decision. Now that PASPA has been eliminated, states are free to legalize sports wagering, and some already have. By the end of 2019, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and possibly a couple other states may have legal sports betting operators up and running. Check back at Sports Handle for updates.
Our sports betting legislation tracker is updated (almost) daily with the latest sports betting legislative developments, and sports betting regulation updates. Check below the map, too, for links to relevant information in your state. For an history on federal and state gambling laws go back to the American Revolution, check out our article here.
| STATE | STATUS | BILL/LEGISLATION | DATE | FURTHER DETAILS | SPONSOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No action | ||||
| Alaska | No action | ||||
| Arizona | No action | ||||
| Arkansas | Pending | There's currently a referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot that would allow several casinos to open and permit legal sports betting. Arkansans have the opportunity to issue casino licenses to four casinos across the state, and those casinos could then offer gaming, including sports betting. | November 2018 | If approved, Arkansas’ Issue 4 would authorize casinos in Crittenden, Garland, Pope, and Jefferson counties. Two of the licenses would automatically be granted to Southland Racing Corporation and Oaklawn Jockey Club. Stay tuned. | Referendum |
| California | Pending | The proposed Assembly Constitutional Amendment 18 would authorize the state legislature to permit sports wagering. | June 2018 | The amendment would only take effect if the federal law (PASPA) is changed, i.e., repealed. | Assemblyman Adam Gray |
| Colorado | Percolating | It seems inevitable but is a bit complicated. Some lawmakers believe that the state’s constitutional restrictions on gambling don’t apply to sports betting. Some lawmakers want to go through a ballot referendum process, which wouldn't happen until Nov. 2019, meaning 2020 for market opening. | October 2018 | Some lawmakers may want to go for it in 2019, some may want to put it on the ballot and let them decide the particulars. | |
| Connecticut | Pending | In February, the Public Safety & Security Committee sponsored and introduced HB 5307 (in committee), which would task the Commissioner of Consumer Protection with "adopting regulations ... to regulate wagering on sporting events." Subsequent efforts stalled and the session closed without a bill's passage. | May 2018 | The main holdup at this point seems to be resolving the tribal-state compact with respect to iGaming and sports betting. | Representative Joe Verrengia led the hearing before the Public Safety and Security Committee. |
| Delaware | Full-fledged wagering is legal and up and running as of June 5. | No additional legislation was necessary. Delaware Governor John Carney made the first non-Nevada single-game legal wager on June 5 -- a $10 bet on the Philadelphia Phillies. | Current | Currently single-game wagering allowed at the states' three casinos/racetracks: Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway and Casino and the Casino at Delaware Park. Retail locations in DE can offer NFL and college football wagering. No mobile wagering, but that's likely to come in the next few months. William Hill handle's DE's operations and risk-management. | N/A |
| Florida | No action | ||||
| Georgia | No action | ||||
| Hawaii | Pending | Bills in both the House (HB 927 ) and Senate (SB 677) are contemplating legalization. | January 2017 | HB 927 calls for the establishment of a commission to analyze the possibility of gaming in Hawaii. SB677 would create the Hawaii Internet lottery and gaming corporation for the purpose of conducting internet gambling in the state. After their introduction, both bills were referred to committees. | Representative John Mizuno (HB 927 ) and Senator Will Espero (SB677) |
| Idaho | No action | ||||
| Illinois | Pending | There's a total of five bills on the table right now. Representative Bob Rita (D-District 28) organized and held two hearings on sports betting, the most recent in the state capitol of Springfield on Oct. 17. | November 2018 | At this point, passage of some bill to legalize seems semi-likely in 2019; Rita’s SB 7, which was introduced in 2017 and has been amended dozens of times, is still in play. Stadelman’s bill, the “Sports Betting Consumer Protection Act,” is lingering in the Assignments Committee. | Rita and Sen. Steve Stadelman. |
| Indiana | Pending | There's a couple bills on the table. Most recently, a study group held a hearing with various stakeholders, examining how to implement legal wagering in the state. | October 2018 | At the conclusion of the hearing, there was no motion to vote or date specified for another hearing. The goal is to broadly move forward with sports betting with special attention to stamping out illegal wagering. | Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) introduced SB 405 and by Indiana Rep. Alan Morrison (R-District 42) for HB 1325. |
| Iowa | Pending | House File 2448, which would legalize sports betting, stalled in committee. | March 2018 | In its current form, the state's state Racing and Gaming Commission would handle regulatory matters and a tiered 7.66% tax rate would apply to gaming revenue. The session ended and the bill was not passed. | Representative Ken Rizer (R-Marion) with Local Government subcommittee chairman Jake Highfill (R-Johnston) doing some work |
| Kansas | Pending | The bare-bones House Bill 2533 ("Kansas expanded lottery act") would allow wagering on professional and collegiate sports. Another bill, HB 2572 ("Kansas sports wagering act"), is basically a league-sponsored bill that would pay them the "integrity fee"/royalty plus provide data rights and restrictions to the league. | March 2018 | The bill would limit sports betting to Kansas racetracks, which HB 2545 looks to revive. The state has held some hearings that at times saw contentious exchanges between MLB and NBA officials, casinos representatives and state lawmakers. The sessions ended on May 4 and no bill was passed. | Kansas’s Committee on Federal and State Affairs |
| Kentucky | Pending | The Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations have held two meetings to iron out details ahead of Kentucky’s 2019 session. | November 2018 | There will be multiple bills on tap for early 2019 and lawmakers will coalesce around one of them. There's some tussling over which body will have regulatory control. The state will not pay a dime to the leagues for "integrity." Probable legalization in 2019. | Senator Julian M. Carroll (D-Frankfort) |
| Louisiana | Pending | There's a couple bills in the legislature addressing sports wagering. They include HB 245, which would "Authorize additional games and sports betting at eligible live horse racing facilities." Other bills include SB 266 and SB 398, which call for a statewide referendum on sports betting, however that bill failed in committee in April. | November 2018 | In November, Louisianans will vote on a parish-by-parish basis whether to legalize daily fantasy sports. | Rep. Major Thibaut (HB 245); Sen. Danny Martiny. |
| Maine | No action | ||||
| Maryland | Pending | HB 1014, which passed in the House of Delegates, calls for the issue of sports betting in Maryland to be put on the November ballot (if PASPA gets repealed) as a referendum for voters to decide. | March 2018 | The bill would give the State Lottery and Gaming Commission the ability to issue “certain sports wagering licenses." The bill reached the relevant Senate committee but was not passed before the session ended on April 9. | Delegates Frank Turner, Jason Buckel and others |
| Massachusetts | Percolating | In early March, the state's Gaming Commission issued a report with respect to sports wagering outlining various considerations, regulatory models, potential revenue and more. | November 2018 | DraftKings, headquartered in the state, is preparing to launch a PR campaign urging citizens to get behind legalization. The March white paper indicated that mobile/web-based wagering must be permitted. | N/A |
| Michigan | Pending | House Bills 4060, 4261 and 4338 all pertain to sports betting. HR 4060 would amend the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act to allow the holder of a casino license to accept wagers on sporting events; HR 4338 would allow parlay wagering; HR 4261 would allow simulcast wagers on horse racing in licensed casinos. There's also HB 4926, which would get the job done within a greater bill creating the lawful internet gaming act. | May 2018 | Tribal concerns reportedly are slowing the legislation, however there was some momentum behind Rep. Iden's bill. It's unclear where things are headed. | Representative Robert Kosowski (D-District 16)had been leading but was defeated Democratic primary and Brandt Iden (R-District 61) is in a battle to keep his seat. |
| Minnesota | Percolating | Previous bills failed but recently Rep. Pat Garofolo said he plans to introduce legislation to legalize sports betting. He's still fighting the fight. | October 2018 | “We need flexible legislation that works for everyone,” said Garafolo, who represents District 58B, which includes portions of the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area in Dakota and Goodhue counties. “We have to have a low-tax, low-fee environment. We just can’t go in and tax the snot out of this industry. The illegal sports betting market is very robust, so we have to have the right kind of regulations to compete with that.” | Rep. Pat Garofalo |
| Mississippi | Legal | House Bill 967 legalized sports fantasy betting (Fantasy Contest Act) in the state and also included language that legalized sports betting in Mississippi casinos if PASPA was overturned. It was, and the MS market launched in August 2018. | August 2018 | Over 20 brick-and-mortar casinos are now open for business with sportsbooks. In September, thanks to football and in particular SEC football betting, the total handle reached nearly $40 million. Currently the sportsbooks can offer mobile betting on-premises, but not throughout the state. The legislature and gaming commission may revisit that limitation in 2019. | Representatives Bennett, Ladner, Barnett, Dixon, Sykes, and Eure |
| Missouri | Pending | House Bill 2320 is pretty skinny but a start for implementing legal sports betting. It tasks the Missouri Gaming Commission with creating rules and regulations. There's also the 'Missouri Video Lottery Control Act' (SB 767), which could serve as the sports betting vehicle. A more recent pair of sister House-Senate bills dubbed the 'Comprehensive Missouri Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act' gives MLB and the NBA everything they're asking for in terms of money and control. | April 2018 | The state appears to be backing away from the Comprehensive Missouri 'Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act.' At this stage it seems Hoskins' bill is the more likely vehicle but it's extremely doubtful something gets done this year with the session ending on May 18. | Rep. Bart Korman (R-High Hill) for HB 2320; Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-District 21) has sponsored Senate Bill 1013 and Rep. Dean Plocher (R-St. Louis) House Bill 2535. |
| Montana | Montana was one of four states (along with Nevada, Delaware and Oregon) to have their grandfathered under PASPA because they all allowed some form of sports betting at the time of its enactment. | Unclear if like Oregon and Delaware they intend to roll out new regulations and license full-fledged sportsbooks. | Current | In 2008, Montana began its "Montana Sports Action" which is basically a form of fantasy sports, offering through the state lottery. | N/A |
| Nebraska | No action | ||||
| Nevada | Legal, very legal | Current | Set a new record in Oct. 2018 for total betting handle and gross revenue by the sportsbooks: $56.3 million hold on a handle of $571 million. | ||
| New Hampshire | No action | ||||
| New Jersey | Legal | The Assembly and Senate unanimously passed bills on June 7 to legalize sports betting in New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill (A4111) into law on June 11. Monmouth Park took the state's first legal wager on June 14. | Nov. 2018 | Bill imposes 8.5 percent tax on in-person wagers and 13 percent on internet/mobile wagers. There are now 8 retails sportsbooks operating and 10 sportsbooks online/mobile as of Nov. 2018. Sept. 2018 handle reached $184 million. | Assembly members Eric Houghtaling (D-11), Joann Downey, (D-11) as well as John Burzichelli (D-3); Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney (D-03) on the senate side; former Senator Raymond Lesniak a champion throughout. |
| New Mexico | Legal-ish | It's a bit interesting and complicated if not controversial. In mid-October, the Santa Ana Star Casino outside Albuquerque opened a retail sportsbook. | Oct. 2018 | While the New Mexico legislature has not legalized gambling, under the language of the Tribal-state compact, state officials and the casino believe they were free to go ahead and offer sports betting, a Class III gaming activity. So far the state has not intervene. Elsewhere, the N.M. lottery is planning to roll out a game tied to sports. | N/A |
| New York | Pending | The legislative session on June 20 and efforts to legalize through sister bills in the senate S7900(C) and Assembly (A11144) fell short. The senate bill was introduced by Chairman of the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, John Bonacic (R-42nd District). Opposition from tribes in the state is what ultimately doomed the effort. | June 2018 | There is language in the Upstate New York Gaming Development Act of 2013 that would permit sports betting at commercial casinos. The state is working on regulations in accordance with that, but it remains to be seen if the casinos and gaming commission will move forward. It seems likely that something will get done in 2019. The bill would have also given the leagues a big win with a 0.20 percent "royalty" on all wagers. Things are further muddled now after a judge ruled that the DFS constitutes illegal gambling under the NYS constitution. | Sen. John Bonacic is retiring, while Assembly Member Pretlow remains, presumably to carry the torch. |
| North Carolina | No action | ||||
| North Dakota | No action | ||||
| Ohio | Pending | Senate Bill 316, introduced in June 2018, is basically a placeholder to get the ball rolling. It reads as follows: "To express the intent of the General Assembly to develop and enact legislation legalizing sports wagering." | June 2018 | Ohio doesn't want to left behind (a common theme elsewhere in the U.S.). It is surrounded on all sides by states that have or intend to legalize sports wagering in the coming months (or year). O’Brien said he wanted a bill introduced so it will have a bill number and constituents can offer opinions. He said he hopes to have more specifics in the bill by August or September. OH's legislature is in session until the end of the year. | Sens. John Eklund, a Munson Township Republican, and Sean O’Brien, a Bazetta Democrat. |
| Oklahoma | Pending | House Bill 3375, which would have expanded the state-tribe compact to allow for sports wagering, had sports betting language removed by amendment before it ultimately passed. There's a lot of interest to get something done in 2019. | April 2018 | There won't be sports betting in Oklahoma until the tribal-state compact is worked out to mutual satisfaction. The state's 60 tribal casinos have generated more than $100 million annually for the state every year since 2009. | Representative Kevin Wallace (R-Wellston). |
| Oregon | Believed to be fully legal but so far regulators have not made licenses available or implemented new regulations. | Oregon's Sports Action Lottery, which allowed parlay wagering on NFL and NBA games at times from 1989-2007, was grandfathered in under PASPA. The State Lottery now has plans to roll out a sports betting game on its app for Sept. 2019. | Sept. 2018 | The state lottery commission believes that with PASPA's falls, it has broad authority to introduce and remove sports wagering games as it sees fit. Additional legislation may or may not be necessary, but regulations will be. | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | Legal | The Pennsylvania Assembly passed HB271 -- a robust gambling bill that allows online gambling and licensed sports betting. State officials are finalizing regulations and so far have licensed 5 casinos (of an eligible 13) for sports wagering certificates. | Nov. 2018 | The first legal bet may take place at Parx Casino on Dec. 1. There's a $10 million licensure fee, vastly more than any other state requires, and a 36 percent tax on operators. We'll see if that impacts the products or pricing the books offer. | Representative Jason Ortitay(R) was primary sponsor with bipartisan co-sponsors |
| Rhode Island | Legal | On June 22, Governor Gina Raimondo signed an appropriations bill into law, which legalized sports betting at the state's two casinos, Twin River in Lincoln and the Tiverton, scheduled to open later this year. Possibly December. | June 2018 | The state is taking a whopping 51% cut of revenue, with 32% to the operator (IGT) and 17% to the casinos. At the outset, wagering will be limited to on-premises only. | H7200 was introduced by Representative Marvin L. Abney. |
| South Carolina | Pending | House Bill 3102 would amend the state constitution to allow South Carolina to regulate sports betting. | January 2017 | The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. | Representative J. Todd Rutherford |
| South Dakota | No action | ||||
| Tennessee | No action | ||||
| Texas | No action | ||||
| Utah | No action | ||||
| Vermont | No action | ||||
| Virginia | Mildly percolating | One state lawmaker is ready to open the conversation on sports betting. Delegate Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church) said he plans to craft and introduce a bill when the next general assembly session opens in January. | Nov. 2018 | Virginia does not have any casinos or active racetracks, so a key question that would have to be answered is where sports betting would take place. | Perhaps Simon |
| Washington | No action | ||||
| West Virginia | Legal | Senate Bill 415, aka the "West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act" passed in March, legalizing sports betting in the Mountain State. | Sept. 2018 | The bill allows the states five existing casino/racetracks to obtain a sports betting licenses, and allows approved online betting/mobile applications. Applicable tax rate on operators is 10%. The West Virginia State Lottery is in charge of regulations and licensure. First bet was made at Hollywood Casino on Aug. 30. | Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns with co-sponsors. |
| Wisconsin | No action | ||||
| Wyoming | No action | ||||
| District of Columbia | Pending | There's currently a bill on the table -- B22-0944, the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 -- that would legalize sports betting in D.C. | November 2018 | The regulating body to be the D.C.’s Office of Lottery and Gaming, which currently oversees the city’s lottery; Sports betting would be taxed at 10 percent of gross revenue. Mobile betting could precede betting at retail locations. | Councilmember Jack Evans (Ward 2), Chairman of the D.C. Council’s Finance & Revenue Committee. |
| STATE | STATUS | BILL/LEGISLATION | DATE | FURTHER DETAILS | SPONSOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No action | ||||
| Alaska | No action | ||||
| Arizona | No action | ||||
| Arkansas | Pending | There's currently a referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot that would allow several casinos to open and permit legal sports betting. Arkansans have the opportunity to issue casino licenses to four casinos across the state, and those casinos could then offer gaming, including sports betting. | November 2018 | If approved, Arkansas’ Issue 4 would authorize casinos in Crittenden, Garland, Pope, and Jefferson counties. Two of the licenses would automatically be granted to Southland Racing Corporation and Oaklawn Jockey Club. Stay tuned. | Referendum |
| California | Pending | The proposed Assembly Constitutional Amendment 18 would authorize the state legislature to permit sports wagering. | June 2018 | The amendment would only take effect if the federal law (PASPA) is changed, i.e., repealed. | Assemblyman Adam Gray |
| Colorado | Percolating | It seems inevitable but is a bit complicated. Some lawmakers believe that the state’s constitutional restrictions on gambling don’t apply to sports betting. Some lawmakers want to go through a ballot referendum process, which wouldn't happen until Nov. 2019, meaning 2020 for market opening. | October 2018 | Some lawmakers may want to go for it in 2019, some may want to put it on the ballot and let them decide the particulars. | |
| Connecticut | Pending | In February, the Public Safety & Security Committee sponsored and introduced HB 5307 (in committee), which would task the Commissioner of Consumer Protection with "adopting regulations ... to regulate wagering on sporting events." Subsequent efforts stalled and the session closed without a bill's passage. | May 2018 | The main holdup at this point seems to be resolving the tribal-state compact with respect to iGaming and sports betting. | Representative Joe Verrengia led the hearing before the Public Safety and Security Committee. |
| Delaware | Full-fledged wagering is legal and up and running as of June 5. | No additional legislation was necessary. Delaware Governor John Carney made the first non-Nevada single-game legal wager on June 5 -- a $10 bet on the Philadelphia Phillies. | Current | Currently single-game wagering allowed at the states' three casinos/racetracks: Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway and Casino and the Casino at Delaware Park. Retail locations in DE can offer NFL and college football wagering. No mobile wagering, but that's likely to come in the next few months. William Hill handle's DE's operations and risk-management. | N/A |
| Florida | No action | ||||
| Georgia | No action | ||||
| Hawaii | Pending | Bills in both the House (HB 927 ) and Senate (SB 677) are contemplating legalization. | January 2017 | HB 927 calls for the establishment of a commission to analyze the possibility of gaming in Hawaii. SB677 would create the Hawaii Internet lottery and gaming corporation for the purpose of conducting internet gambling in the state. After their introduction, both bills were referred to committees. | Representative John Mizuno (HB 927 ) and Senator Will Espero (SB677) |
| Idaho | No action | ||||
| Illinois | Pending | There's a total of five bills on the table right now. Representative Bob Rita (D-District 28) organized and held two hearings on sports betting, the most recent in the state capitol of Springfield on Oct. 17. | November 2018 | At this point, passage of some bill to legalize seems semi-likely in 2019; Rita’s SB 7, which was introduced in 2017 and has been amended dozens of times, is still in play. Stadelman’s bill, the “Sports Betting Consumer Protection Act,” is lingering in the Assignments Committee. | Rita and Sen. Steve Stadelman. |
| Indiana | Pending | There's a couple bills on the table. Most recently, a study group held a hearing with various stakeholders, examining how to implement legal wagering in the state. | October 2018 | At the conclusion of the hearing, there was no motion to vote or date specified for another hearing. The goal is to broadly move forward with sports betting with special attention to stamping out illegal wagering. | Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) introduced SB 405 and by Indiana Rep. Alan Morrison (R-District 42) for HB 1325. |
| Iowa | Pending | House File 2448, which would legalize sports betting, stalled in committee. | March 2018 | In its current form, the state's state Racing and Gaming Commission would handle regulatory matters and a tiered 7.66% tax rate would apply to gaming revenue. The session ended and the bill was not passed. | Representative Ken Rizer (R-Marion) with Local Government subcommittee chairman Jake Highfill (R-Johnston) doing some work |
| Kansas | Pending | The bare-bones House Bill 2533 ("Kansas expanded lottery act") would allow wagering on professional and collegiate sports. Another bill, HB 2572 ("Kansas sports wagering act"), is basically a league-sponsored bill that would pay them the "integrity fee"/royalty plus provide data rights and restrictions to the league. | March 2018 | The bill would limit sports betting to Kansas racetracks, which HB 2545 looks to revive. The state has held some hearings that at times saw contentious exchanges between MLB and NBA officials, casinos representatives and state lawmakers. The sessions ended on May 4 and no bill was passed. | Kansas’s Committee on Federal and State Affairs |
| Kentucky | Pending | The Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations have held two meetings to iron out details ahead of Kentucky’s 2019 session. | November 2018 | There will be multiple bills on tap for early 2019 and lawmakers will coalesce around one of them. There's some tussling over which body will have regulatory control. The state will not pay a dime to the leagues for "integrity." Probable legalization in 2019. | Senator Julian M. Carroll (D-Frankfort) |
| Louisiana | Pending | There's a couple bills in the legislature addressing sports wagering. They include HB 245, which would "Authorize additional games and sports betting at eligible live horse racing facilities." Other bills include SB 266 and SB 398, which call for a statewide referendum on sports betting, however that bill failed in committee in April. | November 2018 | In November, Louisianans will vote on a parish-by-parish basis whether to legalize daily fantasy sports. | Rep. Major Thibaut (HB 245); Sen. Danny Martiny. |
| Maine | No action | ||||
| Maryland | Pending | HB 1014, which passed in the House of Delegates, calls for the issue of sports betting in Maryland to be put on the November ballot (if PASPA gets repealed) as a referendum for voters to decide. | March 2018 | The bill would give the State Lottery and Gaming Commission the ability to issue “certain sports wagering licenses." The bill reached the relevant Senate committee but was not passed before the session ended on April 9. | Delegates Frank Turner, Jason Buckel and others |
| Massachusetts | Percolating | In early March, the state's Gaming Commission issued a report with respect to sports wagering outlining various considerations, regulatory models, potential revenue and more. | November 2018 | DraftKings, headquartered in the state, is preparing to launch a PR campaign urging citizens to get behind legalization. The March white paper indicated that mobile/web-based wagering must be permitted. | N/A |
| Michigan | Pending | House Bills 4060, 4261 and 4338 all pertain to sports betting. HR 4060 would amend the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act to allow the holder of a casino license to accept wagers on sporting events; HR 4338 would allow parlay wagering; HR 4261 would allow simulcast wagers on horse racing in licensed casinos. There's also HB 4926, which would get the job done within a greater bill creating the lawful internet gaming act. | May 2018 | Tribal concerns reportedly are slowing the legislation, however there was some momentum behind Rep. Iden's bill. It's unclear where things are headed. | Representative Robert Kosowski (D-District 16)had been leading but was defeated Democratic primary and Brandt Iden (R-District 61) is in a battle to keep his seat. |
| Minnesota | Percolating | Previous bills failed but recently Rep. Pat Garofolo said he plans to introduce legislation to legalize sports betting. He's still fighting the fight. | October 2018 | “We need flexible legislation that works for everyone,” said Garafolo, who represents District 58B, which includes portions of the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area in Dakota and Goodhue counties. “We have to have a low-tax, low-fee environment. We just can’t go in and tax the snot out of this industry. The illegal sports betting market is very robust, so we have to have the right kind of regulations to compete with that.” | Rep. Pat Garofalo |
| Mississippi | Legal | House Bill 967 legalized sports fantasy betting (Fantasy Contest Act) in the state and also included language that legalized sports betting in Mississippi casinos if PASPA was overturned. It was, and the MS market launched in August 2018. | August 2018 | Over 20 brick-and-mortar casinos are now open for business with sportsbooks. In September, thanks to football and in particular SEC football betting, the total handle reached nearly $40 million. Currently the sportsbooks can offer mobile betting on-premises, but not throughout the state. The legislature and gaming commission may revisit that limitation in 2019. | Representatives Bennett, Ladner, Barnett, Dixon, Sykes, and Eure |
| Missouri | Pending | House Bill 2320 is pretty skinny but a start for implementing legal sports betting. It tasks the Missouri Gaming Commission with creating rules and regulations. There's also the 'Missouri Video Lottery Control Act' (SB 767), which could serve as the sports betting vehicle. A more recent pair of sister House-Senate bills dubbed the 'Comprehensive Missouri Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act' gives MLB and the NBA everything they're asking for in terms of money and control. | April 2018 | The state appears to be backing away from the Comprehensive Missouri 'Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act.' At this stage it seems Hoskins' bill is the more likely vehicle but it's extremely doubtful something gets done this year with the session ending on May 18. | Rep. Bart Korman (R-High Hill) for HB 2320; Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-District 21) has sponsored Senate Bill 1013 and Rep. Dean Plocher (R-St. Louis) House Bill 2535. |
| Montana | Montana was one of four states (along with Nevada, Delaware and Oregon) to have their grandfathered under PASPA because they all allowed some form of sports betting at the time of its enactment. | Unclear if like Oregon and Delaware they intend to roll out new regulations and license full-fledged sportsbooks. | Current | In 2008, Montana began its "Montana Sports Action" which is basically a form of fantasy sports, offering through the state lottery. | N/A |
| Nebraska | No action | ||||
| Nevada | Legal, very legal | Current | Set a new record in Oct. 2018 for total betting handle and gross revenue by the sportsbooks: $56.3 million hold on a handle of $571 million. | ||
| New Hampshire | No action | ||||
| New Jersey | Legal | The Assembly and Senate unanimously passed bills on June 7 to legalize sports betting in New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill (A4111) into law on June 11. Monmouth Park took the state's first legal wager on June 14. | Nov. 2018 | Bill imposes 8.5 percent tax on in-person wagers and 13 percent on internet/mobile wagers. There are now 8 retails sportsbooks operating and 10 sportsbooks online/mobile as of Nov. 2018. Sept. 2018 handle reached $184 million. | Assembly members Eric Houghtaling (D-11), Joann Downey, (D-11) as well as John Burzichelli (D-3); Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney (D-03) on the senate side; former Senator Raymond Lesniak a champion throughout. |
| New Mexico | Legal-ish | It's a bit interesting and complicated if not controversial. In mid-October, the Santa Ana Star Casino outside Albuquerque opened a retail sportsbook. | Oct. 2018 | While the New Mexico legislature has not legalized gambling, under the language of the Tribal-state compact, state officials and the casino believe they were free to go ahead and offer sports betting, a Class III gaming activity. So far the state has not intervene. Elsewhere, the N.M. lottery is planning to roll out a game tied to sports. | N/A |
| New York | Pending | The legislative session on June 20 and efforts to legalize through sister bills in the senate S7900(C) and Assembly (A11144) fell short. The senate bill was introduced by Chairman of the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, John Bonacic (R-42nd District). Opposition from tribes in the state is what ultimately doomed the effort. | June 2018 | There is language in the Upstate New York Gaming Development Act of 2013 that would permit sports betting at commercial casinos. The state is working on regulations in accordance with that, but it remains to be seen if the casinos and gaming commission will move forward. It seems likely that something will get done in 2019. The bill would have also given the leagues a big win with a 0.20 percent "royalty" on all wagers. Things are further muddled now after a judge ruled that the DFS constitutes illegal gambling under the NYS constitution. | Sen. John Bonacic is retiring, while Assembly Member Pretlow remains, presumably to carry the torch. |
| North Carolina | No action | ||||
| North Dakota | No action | ||||
| Ohio | Pending | Senate Bill 316, introduced in June 2018, is basically a placeholder to get the ball rolling. It reads as follows: "To express the intent of the General Assembly to develop and enact legislation legalizing sports wagering." | June 2018 | Ohio doesn't want to left behind (a common theme elsewhere in the U.S.). It is surrounded on all sides by states that have or intend to legalize sports wagering in the coming months (or year). O’Brien said he wanted a bill introduced so it will have a bill number and constituents can offer opinions. He said he hopes to have more specifics in the bill by August or September. OH's legislature is in session until the end of the year. | Sens. John Eklund, a Munson Township Republican, and Sean O’Brien, a Bazetta Democrat. |
| Oklahoma | Pending | House Bill 3375, which would have expanded the state-tribe compact to allow for sports wagering, had sports betting language removed by amendment before it ultimately passed. There's a lot of interest to get something done in 2019. | April 2018 | There won't be sports betting in Oklahoma until the tribal-state compact is worked out to mutual satisfaction. The state's 60 tribal casinos have generated more than $100 million annually for the state every year since 2009. | Representative Kevin Wallace (R-Wellston). |
| Oregon | Believed to be fully legal but so far regulators have not made licenses available or implemented new regulations. | Oregon's Sports Action Lottery, which allowed parlay wagering on NFL and NBA games at times from 1989-2007, was grandfathered in under PASPA. The State Lottery now has plans to roll out a sports betting game on its app for Sept. 2019. | Sept. 2018 | The state lottery commission believes that with PASPA's falls, it has broad authority to introduce and remove sports wagering games as it sees fit. Additional legislation may or may not be necessary, but regulations will be. | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | Legal | The Pennsylvania Assembly passed HB271 -- a robust gambling bill that allows online gambling and licensed sports betting. State officials are finalizing regulations and so far have licensed 5 casinos (of an eligible 13) for sports wagering certificates. | Nov. 2018 | The first legal bet may take place at Parx Casino on Dec. 1. There's a $10 million licensure fee, vastly more than any other state requires, and a 36 percent tax on operators. We'll see if that impacts the products or pricing the books offer. | Representative Jason Ortitay(R) was primary sponsor with bipartisan co-sponsors |
| Rhode Island | Legal | On June 22, Governor Gina Raimondo signed an appropriations bill into law, which legalized sports betting at the state's two casinos, Twin River in Lincoln and the Tiverton, scheduled to open later this year. Possibly December. | June 2018 | The state is taking a whopping 51% cut of revenue, with 32% to the operator (IGT) and 17% to the casinos. At the outset, wagering will be limited to on-premises only. | H7200 was introduced by Representative Marvin L. Abney. |
| South Carolina | Pending | House Bill 3102 would amend the state constitution to allow South Carolina to regulate sports betting. | January 2017 | The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. | Representative J. Todd Rutherford |
| South Dakota | No action | ||||
| Tennessee | No action | ||||
| Texas | No action | ||||
| Utah | No action | ||||
| Vermont | No action | ||||
| Virginia | Mildly percolating | One state lawmaker is ready to open the conversation on sports betting. Delegate Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church) said he plans to craft and introduce a bill when the next general assembly session opens in January. | Nov. 2018 | Virginia does not have any casinos or active racetracks, so a key question that would have to be answered is where sports betting would take place. | Perhaps Simon |
| Washington | No action | ||||
| West Virginia | Legal | Senate Bill 415, aka the "West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act" passed in March, legalizing sports betting in the Mountain State. | Sept. 2018 | The bill allows the states five existing casino/racetracks to obtain a sports betting licenses, and allows approved online betting/mobile applications. Applicable tax rate on operators is 10%. The West Virginia State Lottery is in charge of regulations and licensure. First bet was made at Hollywood Casino on Aug. 30. | Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns with co-sponsors. |
| Wisconsin | No action | ||||
| Wyoming | No action | ||||
| District of Columbia | Pending | There's currently a bill on the table -- B22-0944, the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 -- that would legalize sports betting in D.C. | November 2018 | The regulating body to be the D.C.’s Office of Lottery and Gaming, which currently oversees the city’s lottery; Sports betting would be taxed at 10 percent of gross revenue. Mobile betting could precede betting at retail locations. | Councilmember Jack Evans (Ward 2), Chairman of the D.C. Council’s Finance & Revenue Committee. |