Update on Sports Betting Legislation in Key States

To date, twenty-three states have already passed sports betting legislation with about half of them also legalizing online sports betting. While nearly half the states have moved forward on this within three years of the U.S. Supreme declaring the nation's ban on sports betting was unconstitutional, there are still a number of highly populated states that haven't made a decision on the sports betting issues.

Among the states that have not yet officially approved sports betting are Ohio, Florida, Arizona, and California. Of these states, it appears that only Ohio and Arizona have made any recent overtures to move forward on this issue. With that in mind, let's take a look at the current state of sports betting legislation in 11 states where changes may be forthcoming.

New York

After Governor Andrew Cuomo had a sudden change of heart, the Governor and legislature have finally reached an agreement on how to move forth with mobile sports betting legislature. As soon as the legislation gets drafted, Cuomo should sign the bill, giving New York gamblers the ability to gamble online by sometime this fall.

Ohio

The process has been moving slowly as negotiations have been intense between interested parties like online bookmakers, existing casinos, the Ohio Lottery, and the Ohio professional sports teams. However, there is enough support in the legislatures to feel confident something could get done by the end of the year.

Georgia

While things seemed to be moving in the right direction, the state's Democrats decided to come out against sports betting in retaliation for the legislature's controlling Republicans passing the state's new voter's rights law. Sports betting and voter laws are strange bedfellows. There will be no sports betting legislation in Georgia in 2021.

Arizona

In states like Arizona where Indian Tribes tend to control the state's gambling industry, sports betting legislation has been moving at a snail's pace. Don't expect legislation in 2021.

Massachusetts

There is plenty of interest within the Mass state legislature to get a sports betting bill approved sometime this year. With as many as 12 bills floating about the Congress floor, the question remains which way will the state go?

Missouri

The inability to agree on sports gambling control, tax rates, and licensing fees is standing in the way of anything getting any time soon. With that said, the energy seems positive enough to give hope to Missouri residents for sports betting in the future.

Kentucky

Congress closed down in March without any meaningful sports betting legislation on the table. Maybe in 2022.

Connecticut

When the Mohegan Tribe, the Mashantucket Pequots, and Gov. Ned Lamont finally agreed in theory on how sports betting would be run in the state, the legislature finally got to work drafting good sports betting legislation. Things should move forward quickly now.

Kansas

Disagreements between the House and Senate could derail sports betting legislation for 2021.

Nebraska

The legislation seems imminent after voters said yes to sports betting in November. Residents could be wagering by the end of the year.

Maine

After a near-miss in 2020, there is now a new sports betting bill on the floor at this time. Maybe things will get done in 2021.