Where Is Online Sports Gambling Legal?
Online Sports Gambling Legal
Where is online sports gambling legal? The state of Ohio, a sports-crazed state, is the next in line to legalize online sports betting. Ohio legislators and Gov. Mike DeWine both approved bills to legalize online sports betting in early 2021. While some had hoped betting would begin in time for the 2022 NFL season, regulators have announced all forms of betting will be live by late December 2022. The law states that betting must begin by Jan. 1, 2023.
Although Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island have taken some steps toward legalizing sports gambling, there’s still no firm timeline. Maine, for instance, recently passed a bill to legalize online sports betting, but Governor Paul LePage vetoed the legislation. New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Tennessee currently only have retail sportsbooks, and Nevada is the only state without online sports gambling. While these states may eventually allow online sports betting, they will not have legalized any collegiate sports.
In Maine, sports betting was first legalized in 2022. The bill allows for four Native American tribes to partner with commercial operators and create up to four mobile sportsbooks. The bill also requires a study to be completed by Oct. 15, 2020, to be sure the bill will pass. However, be aware that sports betting will only be legal in some states, and that it will be a challenge for lawmakers to come to a consensus on the regulations.
While legal online sportsbooks are always preferred, black market sites are not. Many illegal sportsbooks do not act ethically and may not honor withdrawals in full. Additionally, black market sites may not have the financial security of their patrons, making it unwise to place your trust in them. Furthermore, illegal online sportsbooks lack accountability to state regulatory bodies, meaning that they have no incentive to protect players’ identities. That’s a big reason to choose a legal online sportsbook.
Where Is Online Sports Gambling Legal?
While Massachusetts has legalized online sports betting, other states are not as supportive. In fact, two New England states are mulling similar legislation, including Connecticut and Nebraska. Currently, there is no legal sports betting in Ohio, but the state legislature is considering legislation for this in the next two years. Despite strong opposition, a few other states are on the verge of legalizing sports gambling. If you live in any of these states, be sure to keep your eyes open for any updates.
Delaware, on the other hand, has no online sports gambling. This state’s lottery-run sports betting industry is capped at three brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, and is unlikely to expand much beyond that. However, the state’s small size will likely make it a non-starter. Another state that is open to sports betting is Florida, where Hard Rock Interactive started accepting online sports bets in early November, though it halted its operations after just a month of operation due to a court ruling voiding the Seminole Tribe agreement.
In the next few years, sports betting will become legal in Colorado, Oregon, and New Hampshire. Retail sports betting will begin in New Hampshire on July 1, 2021. Colorado is not the most welcoming state to online sports gambling, but it will be legal in New Hampshire and Michigan casinos in December 2020. The US Department of the Interior is required to approve this measure, but the state is expected to legalize sports betting by 2021. If you are planning to gamble online, check with the US Department of the Interior first.