By Online Sports Betting
Throughout the past few years, there have been a number of states that have legalized in-person and legal online sports betting. Many of these states have surpassed Nevada as the leading states in handle and dollar bets. Although Pennsylvania, Illinois and Indiana have legalized sports betting, there are still several other states that have not yet taken the plunge.
Pennsylvania, which has a large population and high-profile sports teams, has been one of the top markets in the country for legal sports betting. Several sportsbooks have opened at commercial casinos and are expected to open even more in the coming months. The state has a limit of 14 sportsbook operator licenses.
Michigan is another state that has been consistently ranked among the top states in sports betting handle. There are currently 15 online sportsbooks operating in the state. The state lottery runs seven retail locations for sports betting. The state also has three tribal casinos. Its sports betting market hasn’t shown any revenue growth, however. It ranks seventh in dollars bet all time.
Top 5 States for Legal Online Sports Betting
Alabama has three tribal casinos and no lottery to operate online sports betting. However, it is considered one of the most operator-friendly states in the country. It is also one of the few states that allows in-person sports betting. The state is close to Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
North Carolina has been among the frontrunners for legal online sports betting in 2022. There have been a number of issues that have kept the state from passing online sports betting legislation. One of the biggest concerns has been the lack of collegiate sports betting. It is also difficult for the state to keep a robust market going due to its small population. However, a recent launch of mobile sports betting could change these numbers.
Connecticut has a smaller population than Pennsylvania and Illinois, but it has some of the highest-profile sports teams in the country. Connecticut is expected to launch sports betting in December of 2021. It will allow bettors to place wagers on in-state college sports.
Delaware has a small population and a lottery-run sports betting market that has lagging revenue numbers. There are three retail sportsbooks in the state, but there are plenty of digital sports betting options in neighboring states. The Delaware lottery is not interested in legalizing online sports betting, however.
Texas is one of the more unlikely states to legalize sports betting, however. With a population of about 5 million, there isn’t a lot of room for the market to grow. However, there are a number of investment from outside gaming interests that could make the state a contender. There are also several Native American tribes that have been running in-person sports betting since October. These tribes are operated by the Department of Interior, so they have a large lobbying presence in the statehouse.
Minnesota, which is surrounded by other sports-crazed states, could also become a sports betting target in the next few years. The state’s legislative race has been competitive. In the past, Minnesota has come close to legalizing sports betting. It is expected to take up the issue again in 2023.