Sports Betting in U.S.: A Tale of Two States

As a state issue, each state legislature has the responsibility of deciding on the sports betting issue without federal intervention. That has resulted in 28 or 29 states legalizing sports betting (retail and or online), but each state has a different approach and set of rules and circumstances. This is the tale of sports betting in two different states.

Sports Betting Goes Live in Louisiana

On October 6, 2021, the first legal sports bet was made in the state of Louisiana. The bet was taken by the Paragon Casino Resort at the casino's Betfred Sportsbook. This is a historic moment for the fine people of Louisiana who have been waiting all their lives to enjoy being able to wager in their home state. While the state had hoped to start taking sports wagers a little earlier, delays were forced due to the arrival of Hurricane Ida.

In the coming days and weeks, more of Louisiana's riverboat casinos will start accepting bets through bookmaking partners like DraftKings, Fanduel, Twinspires, and BetMGM. This wagering will be taking place in 55 of the state's 64 parishes, which immediately represents there will be issues that need to be addressed. Just the same, sports betting has arrived in Louisiana after the state legislature put forth lots of time and effort getting it done.

For now, sports bettors will be restricted to in-person betting at one of the state's casinos or racinos (horse racing + casino). While approval has already been given for each licensee to manage two online sports betting skins, said activities will not likely start until sometime in the early part of 2021. Note: The LA Gaming Control Board is calling the shots.

Seminole Tribe Ready to Take Sports Bets in Florida...But

The status of sports betting in Florida is not as clear and it is in Louisiana. Earlier this year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reach a new compact agreement with the state's Seminole Indian Tribe. The agreement established that the Tribe would have exclusivity over sports betting in the state in exchange for an annual fee of $500 million to be paid to the state.

While the Seminoles can legally start accepting wagers on October 15, 2021, there is a high likelihood that state courts will issue an injunction against that happening. At issue is the fact that independent U.S. sports betting operators and the state's poker and pair mutual interests are prepared to fight the Tribe's exclusive rights in court. For what it's worth, the U.S. Department of Labor never formally rubber-stamped the new compact. It simply became valid after 45 days due to no-decision.

Several lawsuits have already been filed. When the expected injunction comes down, the Seminoles and participating bookmakers will be filing into court to let the courts decide the issue. In the meantime, the Tribe would seem to have a lot of leverage. In the past, they have withheld casino revenue-sharing amounts from the state to help settle issues. That's something they could choose to do here to help settle this issue.