Around the Sports Betting Horn in America

As the nation slowly returns to some form of normalcy, there is a lot of activity going on in America related to sports and online gambling. In this article, we will take you around the horn and give you some updates that involve several states.

Sports Betting Bill Finally Hits Ohio Legislature

There have been struggles within the Ohio state legislature to get any kind of sports gambling legislation to the floor of Congress. That's a big deal and very frustrating for residents in a state that supports professional and collegiate sports teams in almost every major U.S. sport. The wait is finally over.

Since this is the very first sports betting bill introduced in Congress, it is safe to say that several revisions should be forthcoming. The good news is it looks like something is actually going to come out of this. The details on this bill include:

• The Casino Control Commission would oversee and regulate sports betting operations
  
• There could be as many as 40 licenses issued to online/retail bookmakers
  
• The Ohio Lottery would be able to introduce a fixed bet sports wagering product
  
• The tax rate on sports betting revenue would be set at 10%
  
• There would be a one time $1.0 million licensing fee for bookmakers
  
• Operations could not begin until January 1, 2022
  

Illinois Looking to Pass Online Sports Betting Legislation

With Illinois facing serious fiscal problems, legislators are looking for ways to raise revenue. They have been watching the online gambling revenue pouring into neighboring states like Michigan and Indiana with great interest. It would seem they are finally seeing the light and realize they could get a serious revenue boost simply by passing online gambling legislation. When will it happen?

The answer is not clear. There are powerful factions on both sides of the issue and give and take is the only way online gambling becomes a reality in Illinois. It could happen by the end of this year.

Arizona Pro Sports Teams Building Sportsbooks

Recently, Arizona passed legislation that brings sports betting to the state's residents. As part of the bill, Arizona professional sports teams are permitted to apply for licenses.

Just this week, MLBs Arizona Diamondbacks announced a partnership with Caesars Entertainment to build a sportsbook at Chase Field. This comes on the heels of the Phoenix Suns announcing a similar deal with the FanDuel Sportsbook for a retail sportsbook in or around Phoenix Suns Arena.

Earlier this month, DraftKings secured a license to provide retail sports betting at the TPC Scottsdale, home of the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open. They plan to call it the “19th hole experience.”

What's up in Texas

Sadly for Texas sports bettors, there has been no movement towards sports betting legislation. At this point, experts are estimating that nothing is going to get done regarding this topic until perhaps some time in 2023.