Is Sports Betting Legal?
Sports Betting Legal
The question of whether sports betting in Ohio is legal is a controversial one. There has been a lot of talk about it, and a bipartisan bill has been introduced in the state Senate. Unfortunately, the proposal has failed to gain any traction, and many Senate Republicans oppose legalizing sports betting. Other state lawmakers have considered legalizing sports betting, but haven’t hammered out the details. In Minnesota, Native American tribes would be authorized to take bets on sporting events.
The state of Nevada has decades of regulated sports betting and an established track record. Nevada sports betting laws also require online registration, though a new plan to make registration remote by 2022 has been tabled. In October 2021, sports betting in Nevada topped $1 billion monthly. This figure is expected to rise, with Caesars and Red Rock Resorts planning to allow remote registration. But there is no clear answer just yet. What’s certain is that sports betting in Nevada will eventually be legal in the state.
In the meantime, Maryland has legalized mobile and in-person sports wagering. Currently, there are 60 mobile and online sportsbooks operating in the state. Online sports betting will be legal in the state by 2022. In Michigan, sports betting was legalized on March 11, 2020. The new laws will eliminate the need for patrons to visit a casino to place a bet. Instead, they can log in remotely and place bets within state lines.
Is Sports Betting Legal?
In California, there are several initiatives to legalize sports betting. The Coalition to Authorize Regulated Sports Betting is backed by 18 California tribes and has the backing of the state’s Secretary of State Shirley Weber. They have collected enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot. So far, there’s no indication when the initiative will finally become law in California. The state is preparing for the outcome of the November 2022 election, and will continue the debate throughout the year.
While sports betting is legal federally, it must be approved by the state. Thankfully, several states are pursuing legislation to legalize the activity. Despite the challenges, the OCCC’s approval will open the door for legal sports betting in Ohio. When that happens, the state will be a leader in the country by legalizing sports betting in Ohio. It’s a long shot, but it’s an exciting step forward for the state.
New Mexico is the sixth U.S. state to legalize sports betting. However, it’s still limited to retail sports betting, as legislators have not passed an online sports betting bill since PASPA. Nevertheless, the Pueblo of Santa Ana, which operates the Santa Ana Star, took the first retail sports bet on Oct. 16, 2018. Additional tribal gaming centers followed suit, and WynnBET went online in time for Super Bowl 56.