A State by State Breakdown of Sports Betting in the U.S.



As the world waits for the Supreme Court to rule on PASPA, a look at where each U.S. state stands on sports betting and their readiness should the law be overturned.

State by state sports betting US

The Supreme Court of the United States will rule on New Jersey's appeal to PASPA, the 1992 federal law that criminalizes sports betting in all but four states, sometime around June. There is a question whether the court will demand a full repeal of PASPA or something less, but many states are expecting a positive ruling and are planning new rules. The following is a breakdown of all states and where they stand.

STATES THAT CAN OFFER SPORTS BETTING UNDER PASPA:

Delaware

Delaware was grandfathered in under PASPA allowing them to offer sports betting due to parlay cards they offered in the 1970s. The state attempted to conduct single game sports betting at their racetracks, but were blocked by the courts and limited to parlays on NFL games only, as they had in the 1970s. Delaware, however, already has a law on the books that allows them to offer sports betting so they plan to offer single game sports betting as soon as the Supreme Court rules that PASPA is no longer the law of the land.

Sports Betting by stateMontana

Montana was grandfathered in under PASPA allowing them to offer sports betting because of pools they ran in the 1970s. To date the state has not attempted to offer sports betting, nor do they seem to have any desire to do so.

Nevada

The state has been offering wagering on sports for decades on both professional and college games and was grandfathered in under PASPA allowing them to continue.

Oregon

Oregon was grandfathered in under PASPA because of a sports lottery they ran in the 1970s. The state has not attempted to offer sports betting since, but there is a possibility they may revisit that decision.

STATES WITH SPORTS BETTING BILLS PASSED INTO LAW:

Connecticut

Bill: HB 6948
Sponsor: House of Representatives Planning and Development Committee
Signed by Governor: July 10, 2017

Details: The bill doesn't go into great details, although it asks for sports betting to be offered at the existing horse racing facilities. Tax and licensing information will be decided when PASPA is no longer a concern.

Mississippi

Bill: MS HB 967
Sponsor: 4 Republican and 2 Democrat House Representatives
Signed by Governor: March 13, 2017

Details: The bill originally aimed at allowing fantasy sports contests amends a section of the Mississippi penal code that disallows betting on sports. Many in the state who voted for the bill indicated they did not realize by agreeing to this bill they were technically voting to legalize sports betting as well as daily fantasy sports. The bill implements a tax and fee to DFS operators, but no details yet on any sports betting tax. The Governor indicated he would not allow betting on amateur games.

New Jersey

Bill: S3113
Sponsor: Sen. Ray Lesniak
Signed by Governor: January 12, 2012

Details: The bill allows casinos and racetracks in the state to offer wagering on professional and amateur sports. No additional fee is required to offer sports betting and the tax is 8% of sports betting revenue which are designated for senior's programs and disabled residents. Casinos and racetracks agree to use another 1.25% of revenue on community and economic development projects across the state.

Pennsylvania

Bill: HB 271
Sponsor: Rep. Jason Ortitay
Signed by Governor: October 30, 2017

Details: The bill amends Title 3 (Agriculture) and Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes which will allow massive changes to various gambling rules in the state and allow for online gambling, daily fantasy sports and sports betting. The bill allows anyone that offers gambling, including casinos and racetracks (all which have casinos), to offer sports betting on professional and amateur sports at a fee. The cost of a license is a one-time $10 million fee and the tax payable on sports wagering revenue is 36%.

STATES WITH PROPOSED LEGISLATION:

California

Bill: ACA 18
Sponsor: Assemblyman Adam Gray

Details: Amends Section 19 Article IV of the penal code to allow the legislature to permit sports wagering only if a change in federal law occurs to authorize sports wagering in the state of California. No details on where sports betting would be authorized or what the rate of tax would be is in the bill, however Gray indicated the state could see up to $200 million per year in tax revenue for the state's general fund with a good portion of that earmarked for schools and education.

Illinois

Bills: HB 4214 and S 2478
Sponsors: Rep. Lou Lang and Sen. Don Harmon

Details: Amends a section of Illinois' criminal code from 2012 that prohibits sports betting by changing the wording to allow for it, but also mandating various consumer protections. The bets would apparently take place at existing casinos and racetracks although no formal decision has been made on where the betting would take place nor a decision on a licensing fee or tax rate.

New sports betting lawsIndiana

Bills: HB 1325 and S 405
Sponsors: Rep Alan Morrison and Sen Jon Ford

Details: Authorizes sports wagering at riverboat casinos, racetrack casinos, and satellite facilities if the federal government removes the restriction prohibiting betting on sports at the state level. A fee will be charged for licensees although the amount hasn't been decided. Sports bets will be taxed at 9.25% of all revenue and a 0.25% excise fee will be paid to the federal government. As well a 1% integrity fee will be paid to the sports leagues and the leagues will have the right to limit wagering on events or bet types they don't agree with. As such, betting on collegiate sports is allowed, but the NCAA has the right to limit or prevent betting with a written request to Indiana Gaming Commission.

Iowa

Bill: HB 592
Sponsor: Rep Ken Rizer

Details: The bill calls for an amendment to the criminal code – Code 2018 Section 99F.1 - to allow for sports betting if SCOTUS rules for New Jersey. Bets would be placed at casinos and online. The details of any license fees and tax is confusing although the bill seems to indicate a moderate tax on "adjusted gross receipts", (meaning revenue after bettors are paid their share) that is less than $25,820,000. After that threshold the tax becomes considerable. The sports leagues said they opposed the bill because there is no mention of a 1% integrity fee on total revenue for the leagues, but Rep. Ken Rizer said that their fee would kill the incentive to bet in the state.

Kansas

Bill: HB 2533
Sponsor: House Committee on State and Federal Affairs

Details: There's no real details on the bill other than the fact that it amends a section of the criminal code to allow for sports betting if SCOTUS rules for New Jersey, sports betting will take place at the racetracks in Kansas. Strangely none of the three racetracks in Kansas are operational. This bill, therefore, seems to be a compendium bill to HB 2545 which aims to resurrect the horse racing industry in the state – most notably The Woodlands located in Kansas City, Kansas. No discussion of tax has been made.

Kentucky

Bill: BR 155
Sponsor: Senator Julian Carroll

Details: Aims to add a section to the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) to require the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to authorize sports betting at Kentucky's racetracks. A licensee would pay $250,000 and the tax would be 20% on the total amount wagered on the sporting events. The Racing Commission would set the rules although requirements are that those participating in the event can not wager on the event and severe penalties are established for anyone found tampering with the outcome of the event.

Maryland

Bill: HB 989
Sponsor: Delegate Jason Buckle

Details: Establishes a Task Force to Study the Implementation of Sports Gaming in the State to monitor federal law, study sports gaming in other states, and make recommendations regarding implementation of sports gaming in the State; authorizing, pursuant to specified regulations, the holders of a sports gaming license to accept wagers on sporting events; authorizing a video lottery operator or horse racing licensee to apply for a sports gaming license to accept wagers from specified individuals on specified sporting events; etc. As such, the bill is really for discussion only.

Massachusetts

Bills: S 2273 and S 2480
Sponsor: Sen Eileen Donoghue

Details: Looks to regulate online gambling, daily fantasy sports and sports betting if the Supreme Court strikes down PASPA. The bill would create a tax and likely a licensing fee, but no specific details have been discussed. The bill merely asks the House and Senate to consider the idea and come up with more specifics.

Michigan

Bills: HB 4060, HB 4261 and HB 4926
Sponsors: Rep. Robert Kosowski for HB 4060 and HB 4261 and Brandt Iden for HB 4926

Details: The bill looks to amend the Michigan gaming control and revenue act to allow for sports betting. HB 4060 asks to put the sports betting question to a referendum in the next general election and if the majority of voters agree then the act would be amended within 10 days of the election. HB 4261 looks to allow for parlay betting on sporting events at casinos. HB 4926 looks to allow for internet gambling. It appears that anyone can apply for an internet license although priority will be given to existing casinos. The application fee for a license is $100,000 and the actual fee if a license is granted is $200,000 in the first year and $100,000 after. The tax on gross revenue from sports betting on the internet is 15%. Each year $5 million of taxes and fees will be used for a first responder disability fund, $2 million will be geared to the grape and wine industry and the gaming board will take their costs for regulating and enforcing internet sports wagering from the revenue. Undoubtedly anything left over will go to general revenues.

Missouri

Bill: HB 2320
Sponsor: Rep Bart Korman

Details: The bill looks to amend the Missouri Regulated Statutes to add a section permitting sports betting. The bill allows the state lottery to utilize sporting events in lottery games and allows any excursion gambling boats and daily fantasy sports operators to offer sports wagering. Whether DraftKings or FanDuel would be interested in becoming bookies is unknown. There is no mention of any licensing fees or tax although that would likely be added if the bill passes.

New York

Bills: S 1282 and A 5438
Sponsors: Sen. Tony Avella and Assemblyman David Weprin

Details: Amends Section 9 Article 1 of the state constitution to allow for wagering on professional and amateur sporting events. The betting would be permitted at casinos, racetracks, off track betting parlors and in simulcast theatres. The funds raised would be used for education. No details were discussed regarding licensing fees or taxes.

Oklahoma

Bills: HB 3375 and S 1195
Sponsors: Rep. Kevin Wallace and Sen. Greg McCortney

Details: The bill would expand the Tribal compact with the state to include sports pools. There is also some discussion about allowing sports betting at the racetracks. No discussion on licensing fees or taxes have been discussed although if it's merely an extension of the Tribal contract then discussions will have to be made with the Tribes separately on a fair (if any) tax rate.

Rhode Island

Bill: S 2045
Sponsors: 5 state Senators

Details: The bill proposes to allow for sports betting at the Twin Rivers Casino in Lincoln and the Tiverton Casino Hotel, which is scheduled to open this year near Newport. The bill claims that the voters already agreed to expanded gambling via referenda in 2012 and 2016 and that this would help the facilities. There is no mention of any licensing fees or taxes although there is a stipulation that betting on any Rhode Island teams, whether playing in state or out of state, would be prohibited.

sports betting laws in the USSouth Carolina

Bill: H 3102
Sponsor: Rep. Todd Rutherford and Rep. Russell Ott

Details: Amends the state constitution of 1895 to allow for sports betting by a section allowing the General Assembly to authorize gambling including sports betting and striking a section that makes it unlawful for a person of honor, trust or profit from engaging in gambling activities. There is no mention of where the activities will take place, what licensing fees will be charged or what the tax rate is but that presumably would be discussed if the bill passes. It is notable that the bill only mentions professional sports betting so likely betting on amateur games would be prohibited.

West Virginia

Bills: HB 2751, S 106, HB 4396, S 415
Sponsors: Sen. Stephen Baldwin, Sen. Michael Maroney and various House Delegates

Details. HB 2751 and S106 looks to amend the state constitution to allow for sports wagering by permitting betting on sporting pools. Licenses would be given to existing gambling facilities and the tax would be 2% on each wager paid to the "Sports Betting Special Revenue Fund." How the funds will be allocated is unknown. No betting is allowed on amateur sports in these bills. HB 4396 and S415 look to provide licenses to the four state racetracks and "the historic resort hotel" to accept wagers at the facilities and online under the oversight of the West Virginia Lottery Commission. While there is no mention of what hotel that is, it is likely the Mardi Gras Hotel and Casino in Cross Lanes, WV since that's the only hotel with an existing casino. The bill allows wagering on both professional and collegiate sports and requires a $250,000 initial license fee and $100,000 for a 5-year license after the first year and the tax payable would be 10% on adjusted gross sports betting revenue, which is the revenue after bettors are paid their winnings.

STATES VERY UNLIKELY TO INTRODUCE A BILL:

Alaska – Other than some charitable gambling the state has no wagering, not even a lottery.
Arizona – Current law says all gambling is illegal unless specifically authorized and there is little desire currently in the legislature to expand gambling. Tribal negotiations to agree to it would also be tough.
Arkansas – There's no desire in legislature to examine sports betting.
Hawaii – There is no gambling in the state at all and most legislators want to keep it that way.
Idaho – Very strict laws make gambling expansion unlikely. The state took FanDuel and DraftKings to court.
Nebraska – There's no desire in the state legislature to examine sports betting.
New Hampshire – There is limited gambling facilities that a sports bill would help, and the state legislators seem happy with DFS revenue which it legalized in 2017.
New Mexico – All casinos are Tribal casinos, so unless the Tribes request sports betting, it is unlikely to become an issue.
North Dakota – The state is content with the small charitable sports pools it offers. Like New Mexico it would need to work out arrangements with the Tribes, who have given no indication they are interested in sports betting.
South Dakota – The only casinos in the state are a bunch of tiny casinos in Deadwood to save it from being a ghost town. There is no demand from the legislators in the state to introduce sports betting.
Tennessee – The state authorized DFS, but there are no racetracks or casinos that sports betting would help. There appears to be no interest by state legislators to expand on DFS.
Texas – The state is very strict on gambling. Other than horse racing and a Tribal casino they are trying to shut down, there is no gambling in the state. The racetracks do not seem interested in expanding to sports betting and neither do legislators.
Utah – Mormon rules forbid gambling so there is absolutely no gambling in the state and never has been. That won't change with sports betting either.
Vermont – The state doesn't have any casinos or racetracks. They legalized DFS, but have given no indication they are interested in sports betting since there are no facilities it can help. The state seems content to attract tourism due to its aesthetics.
Virginia – The state has no racetracks or real casinos. The state legalized DFS which will likely be enough since no facilities will benefit from sports betting.
Washington – Very strict gambling laws and the difficulty of reaching an agreement with Tribes will keep sports betting off the table in the state for some time.
Wyoming – All casinos are Tribal and there is no indication that the Tribal leaders or state legislators are interested in gambling expansion.

STATES UP IN THE AIR:

Alabama – Legislators seem split on the idea. No law is expected anytime soon but that could change if neighboring states pass a law and the state can work out an agreement with the NCAA.
Colorado – They are very likely to introduce a bill, but no legislation has yet been created.
Florida – State legislators seem split on the idea of whether a sports betting bill would be helpful. The state would have to work out an agreement with the Seminole Tribe.
Georgia - State legislators seem split on the idea of whether a sports betting bill would be helpful. What happens in Florida and South Carolina could be important in that decision.
Louisiana – No bill has yet been created but the state will likely introduce legislation if PASPA is repealed.
Maine – No bill has yet been created and it's uncertain what facilities a sports betting bill would help. Legislators seem split on the idea.
Minnesota – The state is likely to introduce a sports betting bill if they can reach an agreement with the Tribes.
North Carolina – An iffy state. The legislators seem split but there can be an argument to be made supporting sports betting, particularly if South Carolina's bill passes.
Ohio – No legislation has yet been introduced, but one will likely be produced if PASPA is repealed. Too many racetracks and casinos would benefit from it.
Wisconsin – The state would likely consider a sports betting bill if they can reach an agreement with the Tribes.

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