Sports betting is a hot topic in the United States, but which state will get it first? What about the integrity of the game? In a post-PASPA world, the first state to legalize sports betting was Delaware. In June 2018, New Jersey passed a legal sports betting law. And in New York, the new online sports betting model is catching on like wildfire. Which state is best suited to regulate sports betting? It all boils down to money.
Delaware became the first post-PASPA state to allow full-fledged legal sports betting
On May 14, Delaware became the first post-PASPA state that allowed full-fledged legal sports betting. The US Supreme Court struck down PASPA, the law passed in 1992 prohibiting traditional sports betting. Since that time, only a handful of states have passed enabling legislation, but Delaware has blazed a trail into the sports betting market. The state’s sports lottery, known as Sports Pick, is a separate entity and falls under the jurisdiction of state agencies. Additionally, Delaware casinos will be able to accept sports bets.
With the repeal of PASPA, states will have more freedom to decide how to regulate sports gambling. Delaware, in particular, was eager to become the first post-PASPA state to offer full-fledged legal sports betting. While Delaware may not have the largest population, it is progressive and already had a long history of legal sports betting. The state’s progressive legislature had already pushed for legalized sports betting for years.
New Jersey passed a legal sports betting law in June 2018
After nearly a decade in the making, New Jersey has finally made sports betting a reality, thanks to Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature on a sports betting bill. The bill will allow licensed racetracks and casinos to offer sports wagering. State tax revenues from sports betting are estimated to reach $13 million in the first year. New Jersey’s law was challenged in court by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, but was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in July.
A new law in Delaware will make sports betting legal in that state. Delaware became the first US state to legalize it, but the new law does not impose a sports betting tax. The New Jersey law will make it easier for states to regulate this type of gambling. The new law will take effect in June. In the meantime, it’s unclear what kind of impact the new law will have on sports betting in New Jersey.
Minnesota’s push to legalize sports betting in 2022 failed
Two bills were introduced in the state this session to legalize sports betting. One of them, sponsored by Rep. Pat Garofalo, passed both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature. It would have legalized digital wagering at tribal casinos and horse racetracks. The other would have set the legal betting age at 21 years old. The House and Senate bills failed to pass because of differences in their provisions.
Legislation was introduced in the state Senate earlier this year, but failed to make it out of committee. The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, which represents the nineteen retail casinos owned by the state’s Native American tribes, said that it would not move forward until the 2022 legislative session, but has committed to bring it back up next year. Until that time, Minnesota will have to rely on tribal casinos to handle all sports betting.
New York’s online sports betting model
The state of New York is the latest to allow sports betting. The state entered the online sports betting market in 2019. Until now, sports wagering has only been allowed at four commercial casinos, as well as sportsbooks operated by Indian nations. However, that is all about to change. The state’s gaming commission approved four mobile betting apps, and is now the 18th state to do so. Here’s a look at what this means for New York sports betting.
Since New York sports betting is so competitive, sportsbooks in the state are constantly looking for ways to gain loyalty from customers. This is done with promotions. Welcome bonuses and odds boosts are tried and true methods for attracting new customers. These promotions will be deployed by New York Online Sportsbooks as well. The state’s gaming commission recently announced the winners of the mobile sports betting licenses. These winners will have a full slate of sports betting options by the end of the year.
