The growth of online sportsbooks has made it easier for Americans to place bets on their favorite sporting events than ever before. The practice of betting on sports was first made legal in the United States back in the 1950s, and over the years there have been many different state-by-state rules around the world of sports betting. It would be amazing if you could make a few bucks just by predicting the winners of a few sports games!
What are the current rules for sports betting in the 48 states? How about the District of Columbia? You might be surprised to learn that not all states have banned sports betting. In fact, many states have adopted quite the opposite approach, and have actually made it quite easy for residents to place bets on sporting events. In this article, we will discuss the most updated information regarding the legality of placing bets on sports in the U.S. This article will cover the following topics:
The History Of Sports Betting
It’s been a long time coming. Back in the 1950s, Nevada was the only state that would allow sports betting. And even then, it was considered a misdemeanor to place bets on sporting events. But as the years went by and the technology advanced, other states got the idea as well. The latest example is New Jersey, which recently passed a law legalizing sports betting. This new law takes effect in 2018. But as far as existing legislation is concerned, the majority of states still have not provided for sports betting, even though it’s been legal for more than 70 years.
Which States Allow Sports Betting?
To find out which states allow sports betting, you have to look to the legislation. It’s quite simple, really. All you have to do is search for the word “bet” in the articles of the bill, and you will discover the statutes pertaining to sports betting in your state of residence. Here is a list of the states that currently allow for sports betting. It’s important to note that the legislation in some of these states allows only for sportsbooks to accept wagers, while other states have opened the door to all types of sports betting.
New Jersey Legalizes Sports Betting
On December 6, 2017, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law a bill that legalizes sports betting in the state. As mentioned above, it had been almost 70 years since the last state had legalized betting on sports. The law takes effect on January 1, 2018, at which time it will be considered a legitimate pastime.
According to the Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind Survey, 62.8% of New Jersey residents approve of the law. And with good reason. Back in 1948, regular sports betting in New Jersey was illegal. It was considered a misdemeanor to wager on sporting events, and the offense could land you in jail. But because of the evolution of the internet and smartphones, today it’s entirely different. You will find many different kinds of online wagering options on New Jersey licensed sportsbooks, including traditional online sportsbooks, mobile betting apps, and even social media shares for lottery games or political campaigns. New Jersey residents now have the opportunity to legally wager on their favorite sporting events, and it seems like everyone is jumping at the chance.
California Legalizes Sports Betting
On September 28, 2016, California Governor Jerry Brown officially signed into law a bill that legalizes sports betting in the state. The law takes effect on January 1, 2018, at which time it will be considered a legitimate pastime.
According to the Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind Survey, 63.1% of California residents approve of the law. And once again, there is plenty of good reason. Before the evolution of the internet and smartphones, it was virtually impossible for American sports fans to place bets on their favorite teams. But because of the spread of smartphones and the internet, it’s now possible to place wagers from the comforts of your home. This makes it easier for everyone concerned, especially those who live in or around California, where most of the professional sports teams are located. As a result, more and more people are placing bets, and for good reason.
Pennsylvania Legalizes Sports Betting
Pennsylvania is another state that has passed legislation allowing for sports betting. The newest state to do so is Pennsylvania, whose legislature voted 43-7 in favor of the law on July 28, 2017. The bill now goes to the governor’s desk for approval.
According to the Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind Survey, 55.6% of Pennsylvania residents approve of the law. And there is also good reason to expect that the law will be popular, as it will provide a legitimate way for residents to bet on their favorite sporting events. Before the evolution of the internet and smartphones, it was very difficult to place bets on sports. But with the spread of technology in today’s world, it’s now possible to do so from the convenience of any location. Pennsylvania passed legislation to make it easier for its residents to place bets on their favorite sporting events, and it seems like it will be popular because of it.
Delaware Legalizes Sports Betting
In 2015, Delaware became the first state to legalize sports betting, and it did so unanimously. The legislation, which was passed with no strings attached, will be in effect from January 1, 2018, at which time it will be considered a legitimate pastime.
According to the Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind Survey, 54.6% of Delaware residents approve of the law. And again, there is good reason to expect that the law will be popular. Before the evolution of the internet and smartphones, it was virtually impossible for American sports fans to place bets on their favorite teams. But with the spread of technology in today’s world, it’s now possible to do so from the convenience of any location. It seems that the popularity of the iPhone gave rise to the smartphone wagering boom, and the simplicity of placing bets on the go has made it a trend that will continue. And with good reason.
What About The District Of Columbia?
The District of Columbia is the federal territory that covers Washington, D.C. Although it was founded in the year 1790, the territory did not officially become a part of the United States until March 3, 1801. Since then, it has officially banned most types of wagering, including sports betting. But as you might expect, plenty of work-arounds have been developed to enable residents to place bets on sports. Some of these methods are a little shady and involve using offshore websites to do business, but for the most part, D.C. is a bit of a dark spot when it comes to sports betting.
In general, it’s a good idea to check the legal information of your state of residence before you make any sort of wager. Since 1948, several states have changed their minds regarding sports betting and have opened the door to its legality. It’s been a long, hard road for American sports fans to get to this point, but with the help of technology and the growing popularity of eSports, it’s certainly possible to place bets on your favorite sports teams.