The popularity of sports betting in online gambling has grown in recent years due to a Supreme Court ruling that paved the way for individual states to legalize it. Even though over half of all states have legalized sports betting, it is still illegal in many regions of the country. From 2018 till now, around 30 states have legalized sports betting, with 21 allowing online betting.
It’s difficult to predict whether 2023 will be the year for the legalization of online poker and sports betting in the US, as the legality of these activities varies by state and is subject to change. Currently, online poker and sports betting are legal in a limited number of states, with more states considering legalizing or regulating these activities.
The State of Online Gambling in the US in 2023
As of 2023, only a small number of states have permitted and managed online poker: Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan. If more states pass legislation to legalize or regulate online poker and sports betting, 2023 could be a year of significant progress in this area.
In 2022, sports betting was legalized in Kansas, Maine, and Massachusetts. This means that there are still 16 states in the US without legal sports wagering options. These 16 states include large populations attracting the attention of sports betting operators, such as California, Florida, and Texas. Recently, a State representative of Texas, Charlie Geren, has filed for the legalization of gambling in Texas. Since the state’s constitution does not allow sports gambling, Geren has filed a resolution to amend the constitution, preventing the state from losing huge amounts of money to betting giants. Although legal sports betting in Texas and other such states are not expected to happen soon, it may make progress in 2023. Additionally, some other jurisdictions are likely to legalize sports betting this year.
States Most Likely to Legalise Sports Wagering in 2023
Future of Sports Betting and Online Poker in the US
In the United States, sports betting has become widely available across the country, whereas, in the past, only Nevada offered legal sports betting. This shift was a result of a Supreme Court ruling in 2018. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. predicts that the online sports betting market will generate up to $39 billion in yearly revenue by 2033, compared to the current less than $1 billion. The rapid growth of digital betting is a major contributor to this surge, which received a significant boost during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns due to increased online activities.
As each state in the US can establish its sports wagering laws and regulations, the sports betting experience can vary greatly from one state to another. For instance, one state may only permit in-person betting on sports, while another state may provide online sports betting. This creates challenges for lawmakers who try to legalize sports betting in certain states. Despite the difficulties, the growing popularity of sports gambling and online poker games has prompted many states to legalize it to bring in significant revenue.
2023 Could See Significant Progress
2023 could be a year of significant progress for legalizing online poker and sports betting in the US. Only six states have legalized and regulated online poker, with around 30 states allowing legal sports betting, including online betting in 21 states. Several states are considering legalizing or regulating online poker and sports betting. The success of 2023 in this area will depend on the outcome of ongoing legislative discussions and compromises.
