• About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Status Check On Legal Sports Betting In 7 States Headed Toward 2020 Adjournment

Washington and Virginia most likely to legalize and one referendum set, while five others will close with no action

Jill R. Dorson by Jill R. Dorson
March 5, 2020
in Regulation
sports betting map
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This month is the beginning of the end for the possible advancement of legal sports betting in seven states where state legislatures are set to close by the end of the month. Of those seven, Virginia and Washington could well legalize.

In Virginia, lawmakers are conferencing ahead of the March 8 adjournment in an effort to agree on what the sports betting law and framework should look like. Lawmakers in both chambers clearly support legalization and each chamber approved its own bills early in the session, but there are some differences that must be reconciled.

In Washington, the country’s first sweeping tribal-only bill without statewide mobile wagering is poised to head to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk. The bill, which would allow for retail sports betting and give the state’s tribes exclusivity, has met excited opposition, but on balance has sailed through the House and the Senate on its way to the Senate floor. Sources say a vote could come as early as Thursday. The session is set to close on March 13.

Status of sports betting legislation as adjournments near

Here’s a status check in the seven states with adjournments fast approaching:

Wyoming, March 6: HB 225 would have allowed for mobile-only sports betting, but it failed third reading in the House, 27-32-1, on Feb. 28.

Virginia, March 8: It’s been watch and wait for the last week or two in Virginia, as representatives from both the Senate and General Assembly are conferencing to try to come to a consensus on what sports betting should look like, and they’ve only got a few more days to figure it out and get a bill to a vote. According to sources, there have not yet been formal meetings, rather behind-the-scenes discussions. The sides were close with their original bills, both of which allow state-wide mobile and retail sports betting. The key difference is whether or not to allow betting on college sports. HB 896 prohibits betting on college sports while SB 384 allows for it. See a breakdown/comparison of both bills here.

Washington, March 13: Washington is on the cusp of becoming the first state to legalize in 2020. HB 2836, a tribal-only bill, has been approved by the House and is currently on the Senate floor. A vote could come as early as today. The bill has met some opposition from card-room owner Maverick Gaming, which has promised legal action should the bill pass, with a large bankroll behind the effort.

Florida, March 13: There’s been mostly conversation but not much action in the Sunshine State. Any expansion of gaming will have to go through the Seminole tribe, and to date, it hasn’t been able to come to any kind of agreement with lawmakers. A trio of bills was introduced in January in the state legislature, but they gained no traction. The bills would have allowed for state-wide mobile run by the Florida Lottery. With just over a week left in the session, it’s unlikely any action will be taken.

Idaho, March 27: No sports betting bills have been filed this session.

Georgia, March 27: A handful of bills have been filed and referred to the House Regulated Industries Committee and Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. The bills appear to be related, with HB 570 and SB 403 laying out a framework for sports betting and creation of the Georgia Mobile Sports Wagering Integrity Commission, and HR 380 and SR 821 handling taxation and other fiscal matters. A recent survey in Georgia showed 57% of Georgians support sports betting, and the owners of the Georgia’s major professional sports teams have gotten together to push for legal sports betting. Lawmakers discussed SB 403 at a hearing on Tuesday when bill sponsor Burt Jones (R-Jackson) said, “It’s found money, in the scheme of things,” adding that while there are some concerns about comporting with the state’s constitution, “I’ve got some legal minds that think this does fit into our code section.”

South Dakota, March 30: A South Dakota referendum bill that would allow for retail sports betting in Deadwood only passed out of the House on Tuesday, 36-27, and will go on the November ballot. Gaming is currently only legal in Deadwood, so the bill would simply add sports betting to the offerings there. The bill passed out of the Senate in February.

ShareTweetShare
Jill R. Dorson

Jill R. Dorson

Jill has covered everything from steeplechase to the NFL and then some during a more than 30-year career in sports journalism. The highlight of her career was covering Oakland Raiders during the Charles Woodson/Jon Gruden era, including the infamous “Snow Bowl” and the Raiders’ 2003 trip to Super Bowl XXXVII. Her specialty these days is covering sports betting legislation across the country. You can reach Jill at jill@bettercollective.com

Related Posts

Virginia December 2022 revenue report
Industry

Virginia Sportsbooks Top $50 Million For Fourth Straight Month

February 1, 2023
bet365-mobile-app
Industry

Bet365 Goes Live in Virginia, Now Operational In Four States

January 31, 2023
Load More

Top Stories

fanduel-retail-sportsbook-front

Requiem For The So-Called ‘Risk-Free Bet’

February 2, 2023
garnett mgm springfield

Sports Betting Launches In Massachusetts, Giving Three Retail Books A Head Start

January 31, 2023
fanatics-grand-opening

Fanatics Sportsbook At FedEx Field Offers Unique Retail Option In Maryland

January 23, 2023
Shutterstock

Missouri Legislators Lament Exodus Of Bettors To Neighboring States

January 27, 2023

State Sports Betting Guides

Ohio (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky, close up, isolated with clipping path mask alpha channel transparency, perfect for film, news, composition

Ohio Sports Betting – Where To Play, Bonus Offers And Promo Codes

by Brian Pempus
February 2, 2023

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
February 3, 2023

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
January 17, 2023

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
October 20, 2022

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
October 6, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

gambling therapy
ncpg
igaming ontario
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/OH/PA/WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
19+. Please play responsibly. Terms and conditions apply. 
Individuals must be 19 years of age or older to participate in igaming in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem in Ontario and wants help, please visit ConnexOntario or call their helpline at 1-866-531-2600. Operators on this website operate pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News

loading

Please wait while you are redirected to the right page...

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location