If you like to bet on sports, you may have heard about sports betting legalization in Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey. If you live in one of those states, you might want to check out the laws on sports betting. Regardless of your state of residence, sports betting can be a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Legalization of sports betting in the U.S.
The issue of legalizing sports betting in the United States has divided states. Some have made significant progress, while others are mired in controversy. In recent years, the sports betting industry has generated $1.3 billion in state and local taxes. However, the money collected is a drop in the bucket compared to the overall budget of many states. For example, New York taxes mobile sports betting revenue at 51%, which operators say is unsustainable in the long run.
The popularity of sports betting has prompted legislation in many jurisdictions. The Washington Post reported closely on the D.C. Council’s controversial decision to award a sports betting contract to the company Intralot. The council’s decision benefited Intralot while bypassing the traditional Request for Proposals process. In addition, the council chose Intralot over several other bidders without considering the other proposals.
Legalization of sports betting in New Jersey
After years of litigation, the state of New Jersey finally legalized sports betting. This new law allows casino operators to offer sports betting to New Jersey residents, with certain restrictions. Before legalization, sports betting was prohibited in most states. However, the state Supreme Court overturned the ban, paving the way for sports betting in New Jersey. The bill passed the state Legislature on Thursday, but casinos cannot start accepting bets until Governor Murphy signs it into law. Sports betting operators have urged the governor to sign the bill as soon as possible.
The legalization of sports betting in New Jersey was first prompted by a voter referendum in 2011. This law was then followed by a decade of appeals and federal lawsuits before it was finally upheld by the US Supreme Court in December 2017. The case, Christie v. NCAA, had been blocked by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a federal law passed in 1992 that restricted sports betting to Nevada. In December 2017, the Supreme Court overturned this law, ruling that sports betting was allowed in New Jersey.
Legalization of sports betting in Delaware
The state of Delaware is the first in the country to legalize sports betting online. It’s not the biggest state and it may not be the first place that comes to mind when discussing sports betting, but the state’s progressive streak and long history made it a good fit for the initiative.
Although Delaware has no major professional sports teams, the state is a prime location for sports betting, and Delaware legalized sports betting in June 2018. This state was one of the first states to legalize sports betting after the Supreme Court overturned the 1992 law banning the activity. Sports betting in Delaware is only legal at casinos and racetracks, but it will soon be available online.
Legalization of sports betting in Nevada
Sports betting in Nevada is legal as long as the games are not illegal. Sports betting is a very popular activity in the state. As of 2019, Nevada was second only to New Jersey in total betting handle. In 2020, Nevada’s handle dropped slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it still had the second-largest month. In addition to professional sports, Nevada sports betting has been legal since the beginning of 2018. In Nevada, you can also place bets on esports competitions or virtual sports. However, you must live in or near Las Vegas or Reno to place bets on these events.
Legalization of sports betting in Nevada has paved the way for more than two dozen states to open their doors to the industry. However, sports betting in Nevada is still illegal in high school and collegiate games. In addition, betting on player props is not legal.