Currently, states that allow sports betting have varying laws that govern their policies. Some states allow only land-based casinos to operate sports betting while others permit online sports betting. There are also various tribal casinos that view online sports betting as a potential revenue source. The states that allow sports betting have varied levels of regulation, but online betting has become the dominant form of sports betting.
Online wagering dominates the sports betting market
Among the 20 states that have legalized sports betting, online wagering is the clear leader. Several sportsbooks are operating in most states’ betting markets, and bettors can open accounts with multiple online books to find the best betting value.
Sports betting in the United States has grown rapidly in recent years. The market is fueled by the number of sporting events each year. It is also expected to grow due to technological advancements, such as the introduction of virtual reality, cashless payment methods, and blockchain technology.
Tribal casinos view online sports betting as a potential revenue driver
Several tribal casinos in Washington State have received federal approval to offer sports wagering. The state’s 30 tribal casinos can open sportsbooks once they secure licenses. The law allows wagering on athletic and non-athletic events. There are currently seven retail sportsbooks operational in Washington.
Several international gambling companies, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, are interested in controlling the legalized market. These companies operate iCasino games in a few states. They have spent several hundred million dollars to promote Proposition 27.
Tennessee legalized online/mobile-only sports betting in June 2018
Earlier this year, the legislature in Tennessee passed legislation to legalize online/mobile-only sports betting. This was the first state to pass legislation on sports betting. In November 2019, the governor will have three days to sign or veto the bill.
Tennessee sports betting is a state-run system, with the state lottery running the wagering system. However, there are restrictions. Only casino facilities are allowed to offer the service. And only two casinos can offer it.
Indiana resembles New Jersey’s market
During the first two months of the legal sports betting market in Indiana, the state followed a similar pattern to the market in New Jersey. The two states both saw significant growth in their sports betting industry. However, there were notable differences between the two states. New Jersey, for example, enjoys a significant advantage in attracting casual fans to sports betting. New Jersey enjoys a larger population and is close to the New York City metro area.
Illinois Lottery permitted to place up to 5,000 sports betting kiosks
Whether it was the most recent draft of the state’s sports betting bill or the previous version, the Illinois Lottery was allowed to install up to 5,000 sports betting kiosks statewide. While the statewide lottery has yet to deploy parlay wagers, there are several live retail sportsbooks at casinos across the state. There are also a number of sportsbook-like kiosks at restaurants and bars.
While the state’s lottery may be the only player in the sports betting game, there are several state-owned land-based casinos and tribal casinos with sportsbooks of their own. The state’s two mega-influential tribes reportedly haggled for several years over sports betting licensing.