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U.S. Sports Betting Timeline – Key Milestones

The U.S. sports betting market is exploding, with new states introducing sports betting bills every month following the lift of a federal sports betting ban in 2018. It’s hard to keep track of the changes so we put together this timeline to keep you up-to-date with the development in legal U.S. sports betting.


South Dakota Signs Sports Betting Regulations Into Law

March 19, 2021
South Dakota Signs Sports Betting Regulations Into Law

Even though citizens voted to allow sports betting inside of Deadwood casinos in November of 2020, the state had to sign a bill into law in order to finalize regulations of the market. On this date, Governor Kristi Noem signed off on a bill that would do exactly that. The bill limits sports betting to land-based casinos in Deadwood and at tribal casinos across the state. It also ensured that online sportsbooks wouldn’t be coming to the state anytime soon.

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Tennessee Action 24/7 Becomes First Sportsbook Ever To Have License Indefinitely Suspended

March 19, 2021
Tennessee Action 24/7 Becomes First Sportsbook Ever To Have License Indefinitely Suspended

Upon private investigation, Action 24/7 was allegedly found to have had money laundering, credit card fraud, and proxy betting occur on their site. Despite Action 24/7 reporting the activity to The Tennessee Education Lottery (TEL), the TEL voted to indefinitely suspend their license. This made Action 24/7 the first ever to be handed such a penalty. Action 24/7 responded by filing a lawsuit against the TEL in order to have their license reinstated.

North Carolina Casino Sportsbooks Finally Launch

March 18, 2021
North Carolina Casino Sportsbooks Finally Launch

Almost two years after North Carolina signed sports betting into law, the state’s tribal casinos finally opened the doors to their sportsbooks. New state compacts had to be signed as well as pass federal review which is why the launch took so long. However, the states only two sportsbooks launched just in time to capture March Madness betting.

Vegas Golden Knights Become First Team Ever To Partner With A Sports Betting Tout Service

February 18, 2021
Vegas Golden Knights Become First Team Ever To Partner With A Sports Betting Tout Service

The Vegas Golden Knights shocked the sports betting world when they partnered with a Mexican-based sports betting tout service. Touts have been notoriously controversial in the sports betting community, causing a flood of negative press aimed at the Golden Knights organization. The team revoked its partnership with UpickTrade only six days after announcing it.

Michigan Launches Online Sports Betting With Flood Of Sportsbooks

January 22, 2021
Michigan Launches Online Sports Betting With Flood Of Sportsbooks

Online sports betting in Michigan started with a bang with 10 online sportsbooks launching on the same day. Sportsbooks such as DraftKings, PointsBet, Barstool Sportsbook, and others were able to capitalize on the three remaining games of the 2020-2021 NFL season including Super Bowl LV. Since then, online Michigan sportsbooks have continued to produce more betting handle month after month.

Virginia Launches First Ever Online Sportsbook With FanDuel

January 21, 2021
Virginia Launches First Ever Online Sportsbook With FanDuel

Online sports betting in Virginia first launched when Fanduel went live only days before the NFL’s conference championships were played. Just a few days afterward, DraftKings joined the market on the day of the conference championships. Other online sportsbooks such as BetMGM, BetRivers, and William Hill have joined the market as state regulators have taken a slow and steady approach to licensing.

FuboTV Acquires Vigtory to launch In-house Sportsbook

January 12, 2021
FuboTV Acquires Vigtory to launch In-house Sportsbook

In an attempt to join the legal sports betting market first-hand, FuboTV acquired the online sportsbook Vigtory. FuboTV plans to use its technology and software to build an online sportsbook that is connected to their streaming service. Vigtory was already licensed in Iowa, but FuboTV plans to expand into other markets in the future.

Entain Plc Rejects MGM Resorts Offer For An $11.1 Billion Acquisition

January 4, 2021
Entain Plc Rejects MGM Resorts Offer For An $11.1 Billion Acquisition

Entain Plc., formerly known as GVC Holdings, partnered with MGM Resorts for a joint venture to build Roar Digital and launch BetMGM. Entain rejected the offer on the principle that the offer undervalued their business. MGM offered an additional billion dollars, however, Entain is still considering that offer.

In-Person Registration For Online Iowa Sportsbooks Ends

January 1, 2021
In-Person Registration For Online Iowa Sportsbooks Ends

The New Year began a new era for online sports betting in Iowa. Up to this point, those who wished to use an online sportsbook in Iowa had to go to the casino that the site was partnered with and make an account in person. Now, Iowa sports bettors can register and use whichever online sportsbook they prefer. This also opened the opportunity for sports bettors in neighboring states to jump the border and use one of the many online sportsbooks in Iowa.

DraftKings Launches Industry’s First Ever Retail Gift Cards

December 16, 2020
DraftKings Launches Industry’s First Ever Retail Gift Cards

During the holiday season, DraftKings launched the sports betting industry’s first-ever retail gift cards. While play cards existed before, this was the first-ever sportsbook branded gift card. DraftKings gift cards are sold in increments of $25 or $50 and can be used to make deposits into the sportsbook. They are sold in places such as Dollar General, 7-Eleven, Sheetz, and other places within the InComm Payments network.

Sky Ute Casino Announces Plans To Launch First Ever Esports Exclusive Sportsbook

December 16, 2020
Sky Ute Casino Announces Plans To Launch First Ever Esports Exclusive Sportsbook

Sky Ute Casino located in Colorado has partnered with FansUnite and GameCo. to launch the first-ever online sportsbook exclusively for esports betting. Betting on esports increased exponentially during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and Sky Ute Casino is hoping to cash in. The platform will only be available in Colorado at first but the casino is looking to expand in other markets after.

FanDuel Signs With CAGE Companies For Latin American Sports Betting Market

December 16, 2020
FanDuel Signs With CAGE Companies For Latin American Sports Betting Market

As part of the deal, New York-based sports betting giant FanDuel will have the ability to offer sports betting in the Caribbean and Latin American countries where sports betting is legal and CAGE is licensed. FanDuel odds will be available at betting terminals that CAGE operates. The current countries that apply are Bermuda and Barbados but both companies will expand in time.

Bally’s Corp. And Sinclair Broadcast Group Sign $85 million Sports Betting Deal

November 19, 2020
Bally’s Corp. And Sinclair Broadcast Group Sign $85 million Sports Betting Deal

As part of the deal, Sinclair Broadcast Group will rename its 21 FOX Regional Sports Networks to “Bally’s Sports”. Along with naming rights, Bally’s Corp. is looking to increase brand awareness, display odds and betting lines on screen, and promote its online sportsbook. Sinclair will get a 15% stake in Bally’s and will be able to acquire an additional 15% if certain financial goals hit during the current 10-year deal. Sinclair will even get a cut from the traffic they deliver to Bally’s. Bally’s will have access to 42 professional sports teams including the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Louisiana, Maryland, and South Dakota All Legalize Sports Betting

November 3, 2020
Louisiana, Maryland, and South Dakota All Legalize Sports Betting

In a historic day for sports betting, three states legalized sports betting on the same day. In Louisiana, sports betting was legalized in 55-64 parishes. In Maryland, it was legalized statewide. In South Dakota, it was approved in casinos in the town of Deadwood as well as tribal casinos located across the state. However, for each of them, the rules for the industry will have to be figured out by lawmakers in the 2021 legislative session.

First Online Sportsbooks In Tennessee Launch

November 1, 2020
First Online Sportsbooks In Tennessee Launch

Online sports betting launched in Tennessee with DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Tennessee Action 24/7 taking in the very first bets. The launch came almost a year and a half after sports betting was legalized in Tennessee. There is no limit to how many online sportsbooks can get licensed to operate in Tennessee. The Tennessee Education Lottery is still looking through sportsbook operator applications and will likely keep adding to the state’s marketplace.

Northern Arapaho Tribe Announces Plans To Launch Wyoming Sports Betting

October 22, 2020
Northern Arapaho Tribe Announces Plans To Launch Wyoming Sports Betting

Sports betting in Wyoming will officially come through the Northern Arapaho casinos. The Tribe chose to take the same route as New Mexico tribes in launching sportsbooks via their current gaming compacts. The announcement did not come with any plans to launch online sports betting in the state. That will have to come through future legislation but there have been bills introduced in the past, giving Wyoming sports bettors hope.

FanDuel And DraftKings Both Land Deals With Turner Sports

October 18, 2020
FanDuel And DraftKings Both Land Deals With Turner Sports

Turner Sports landed partnerships with the two leading sportsbook platforms in the U.S., giving each sports betting platform different rights to different broadcasts. For FanDuel, they were given rights to all assets involving the NBA. For DraftKings, they were given rights to every other sport including PGA TOUR and MLB broadcasts. Turner Sports assets include Bleacher Report, rights to March Madness, NCAA.com, PGA.com, PGATOUR.com, MLB on TBS, and NBA on TNT. FanDuel and DraftKings’ odds and advertising will be featured through these outlets.

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5Dimes Admits Illegal Sports Betting, Agrees To Pay Feds $46 Million Settlement

September 30, 2020

Offshore sportsbook website, 5Dimes, effectively shut down and agreed to pay the US federal government $46 million dollars as part of a settlement. The website had been operating out of Costa Rica and was unlawfully accepting payments from American sports bettors for over 20 years. 5Dimes plans on entering the legal U.S. sports betting market later by getting licensed through individual states.

Caesars Entertainment Agrees To Takeover William Hill For $3.7 Billion

September 30, 2020
Caesars Entertainment Agrees To Takeover William Hill For $3.7 Billion

Caesars Entertainment won the bidding war with Apollo Global Management and purchased William Hill for $3.7 billion in cash. With the acquisition, all of Caesars’ casino sportsbooks would be transformed into William Hill venues and the same would be done for Caesars online sportsbooks. William Hill would then get access to Caesars rewards database which includes about 60 million gamblers. It also meant that William Hill would get greater market access for sports betting in the future.

Tribal Casinos Announce Plans To Launch North Dakota Sports Betting

September 25, 2020
Tribal Casinos Announce Plans To Launch North Dakota Sports Betting

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians signed a partnership with IGT PlaySports to launch sports betting at their two casino locations in North Dakota. Those casinos are Grand Treasure Casino in Trenton and Sky Dancer Casino and Resort in Belcourt. The sportsbooks will launch without the need for bills to be passed in the state legislature because they fall under the Class III gaming activities the tribes already offer. The announcement means those casinos will be the first North Dakota sportsbooks ever.

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Barstool Sportsbook Launches For First Time Ever In Pennsylvania

September 18, 2020
Barstool Sportsbook Launches For First Time Ever In Pennsylvania

Barstool Sports was purchased by Penn National Gaming earlier in the year specifically to launch a Barstool Sportsbook online platform. The online sportsbook launched in Penn National’s home state of Pennsylvania. The app was able to quickly gain market share due to the millions of loyal Barstool Sports enthusiasts, also known as “stoolies.” Barstool Sports and Penn National Gaming are looking to launch the site nationwide in 2021.

PointsBet Signs First-Ever College Football Deal With The Colorado Buffaloes

September 9, 2020
PointsBet Signs First-Ever College Football Deal With The Colorado Buffaloes

PointsBet and Learfield IMG College, the media rights holder of the University of Colorado Buffaloes, signed a five-year sponsorship deal. As part of the deal, PointsBet will provide funding to the university, specifically to the Scripps Leadership and Career Development Program which aims to prepare student-athletes for life after college. The deal also gives PointsBet signage at Folsom Field and the CU Events Center as well as advertising space during gameday radio broadcasts.

PointsBet Signs Multi-Year Deal with NBC Universal

August 27, 2020
PointsBet Signs Multi-Year Deal with NBC Universal

PointsBet became the official sports betting partner of NBC Universal and NBC Sports, giving the Australian bookmaker direct access to millions of sports fans across the U.S. As part of the deal, NBC became an investor in PointsBet and set aside millions of dollars in advertising spend for the sports betting operator. NBC also benefits by receiving payment whenever they send sports bettors to make deposits at PointsBet.

After many county-wide votes took place in late 2019 and early 2020, the first retail sportsbook in New Hampshire finally opened at The Brook in Seabrook, New Hampshire.

First Retail Sportsbook In New Hampshire Opens For Business

August 12, 2020
First Retail Sportsbook In New Hampshire Opens For Business

The sportsbook is operated by DraftKings which was also the first state-wide sports betting app in the state to launch. Seabrook was one of near a dozen counties that approved retail sports betting and nine other local venues are expected to launch in the future

Washington D.C. Launches First-Ever Stadium Sportsbook

August 3, 2020
Washington D.C. Launches First-Ever Stadium Sportsbook

The first-ever professional stadium sportsbook came in Washington D.C. by way of William Hill and Capital One Arena. Even though there are no games being played at the arena at this time, the box office along with William Hill operated sports betting kiosks opened up to take in wagers. The sportsbook is set to expand once fan attendance for home games is cleared and the next seasons for the NHL and NBA begin.

NHL Makes Its Return In Edmonton And Toronto

August 1, 2020

The NHL returned to action at the start of August with two separate bubbles in Canada. The Western Conference began playing it’s seeding games and playoffs in Edmonton and the Eastern Conference began playing its games in Toronto. The league went a faster route to get straight to the playoffs, which have provided bettors with the most exciting games possible. The Stanley Cup will be played in Edmonton.

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The MLB, which had postponed the start of its regular season, finally began it’s shortened

MLB Begins Season And NBA Returns

July 23, 2020

60 game season on July 23 with the Washington Nationals defending their title. The NBA resumed the remainder of its 2019-2020 season only a week later with a few seeding games before playoffs began. Both sports helped sportsbooks around the country see a surge of betting and helped their revenue’s return to normal.

Illinois

BetRivers Launches First-Ever Online Sportsbook In Illinois

June 18, 2020

Online sports betting in Illinois came by way of BetRivers. BetRivers, owned by Illinois-based company Rush Street Interactive, couldn’t have launched at a better time. Governor J.B. Pritzker temporarily removed the need to register for sports betting apps in person for about a month due to COVID-19 concerns.

BetRivers was able to launch within that month before that rule was reinstated before any other competitors could join the market.

Washington D.C. Launches First Online Sportsbook, GameBet DC

May 28, 2020
Washington D.C. Launches First Online Sportsbook, GameBet DC

After well over a year since it had been legalized, Washington D.C. finally launched its district-wide sports betting app. The launch was actually scheduled to happen sooner, but regulators held out for the return of traditional sports. With sports such as UFC and NASCAR beginning to return, along with the rise in popularity of esports betting and international sports betting, regulators felt it was the right time.

Colorado Launches Its First-Ever Online Sportsbooks

May 1, 2020

Sports betting in Colorado was legalized in November of 2019, but sportsbooks could only officially open on May 1, 2020. Given how COVID-19 caused the state to shut down land-based sportsbooks, online sports betting apps in Colorado became the first to market.

The four initial online sportsbooks to launch on this day were DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and BetRivers. A total of 17 online sportsbooks were granted a license in Colorado, so this day only marked the first of many for businesses in this industry.

Virginia Legalizes Sports Betting

April 29, 2020

Legal sports betting in Virginia came through a large wave of gambling expansion bills. The state will build its first land-based casinos and those casinos have the ability to open with a sportsbook. The state’s NASCAR tracks were also awarded this privilege along with any professional sports stadiums that come to the state.

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Online sports betting in Virginia will also be available statewide to possibly 7-12 online sportsbooks.

DraftKings Becomes The First Publicly Traded Sportsbook In The U.S.

April 23, 2020

Through a three-way merger between DraftKings, SBTech, and Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp., DraftKings officially went live on the Nasdaq in April of 2020. This marked the first time a legal sports betting company in the U.S. was publicly traded. Although DraftKings set the trend, other company’s such as Golden Nugget have since followed and Rush Street Interactive is hoping to do the same.

Read the announcement here

NHL and MLB Suspend Seasons

March 12, 2020
NHL and MLB Suspend Seasons

With 189 regular-season games still to go, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs still to be played, the NHL has suspended its season. Commissioner Gary Bettman is still hopeful that play can resume in a few weeks.

Major League Baseball has also followed suit, suspending Spring Training games and delaying the start of its regular season indefinitely. 

NCAA Cancels Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments

March 12, 2020

A day after the NCAA announced that its basketball tournaments would still be played, but in empty arenas, the governing body reversed course and instead decided to cancel both championship tournaments. 

This is the first time since the tournament became an annual event in 1939 that an NCAA basketball champion will NOT be crowned. The three-week event, one of the crown jewels of the sports betting calendar, generates almost $1 billion for the NCAA. It’s also one of the biggest moneymakers for the casinos in Las Vegas.

Michigan Opens First Retail Sportsbooks

March 11, 2020
Michigan Opens First Retail Sportsbooks

The very first legal in-person wagers were placed at the MGM Grand Detroit Casino and Greektown Casino, ushering in a new era in sports for the Wolverine State. Among the celebrities on hand to make the first bets were Detroit native Jerome Bettis, former boxing champion Thomas Hearns, and former Red Wings star Dino Ciccarelli. 

The first bet placed was on Michigan State to win the NCAA Tournament.

Sports Betting Becomes a Reality in Montana

March 11, 2020

Montana lottery officials began installing sports betting terminals around the state at the more than 180 licensed locations, which are predominantly bars and gas station casinos. Bets can be placed at the terminal or on a mobile app, but the user of the app can only place bets inside a licensed location.

Applications for licenses continue to be accepted, and more locations in the state could be added.

NBA Suspends Season

March 11, 2020

Following the positive test for COVID-19 by Jazz player Rudy Gobert, the NBA took the unprecedented step of suspending the remainder of the 2019-20 season with 259 games still on the schedule. 

The five teams that played the Jazz in the previous 10 days were told to self-quarantine by league medical officials. The NBA were still hopeful that play could  resume, and the postseason would be played, but a decision on that would be some time.

Illinois Launches First Sportsbook

March 9, 2020

Rivers Casino in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines was the first Chicago sportsbook to open its doors and take the first legal bet in the state. On hand to do the honors was Blackhawks legend Eddie Olczyk, who put $100 on the White Sox to win the American League pennant.   

Two other sportsbooks, which are also operated by Penn National, are close to launching in the state.

Michigan Passes Sports Betting Bill

December 20, 2019

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed HB 4916 to officially make both retail and online sports gambling legal in the state. All tribal casinos, commercial casinos, and race tracks in Michigan – 28 venues in all – can now apply for a license to host a sportsbook at an initial fee of $100,000 and then $50,000 annually after that.

The online portion of the bill also legalizes poker, blackjack, and online roulette.

Colorado Voters Approve Sports Betting

November 5, 2019

By a much narrower margin than expected voters in Colorado approved Proposition DD, legalizing both online and retail sports wagering across the state. The state’s 40 operating casinos, which are clustered in the cities of Cripple Creek, Black Hawk, and Central City, can open physical sportsbooks and build a corresponding mobile app.

State regulators have set a first bet target date of May 1.

Oregon Lottery Launches Sportsbook App

October 16, 2019

Mobile sports betting is now live in the state of Oregon, and early returns suggest that it’s a success. In its first weekend of operation, the app took more than 55,000 bets from over 18,000 unique users. The Oregon Lottery Scoreboard App is, and will remain, the only legal online and mobile sports betting option in the state. 

The Scoreboard App only allows betting on professional sports, and right now, the state has no plans to include NCAA sports – sorry Ducks fans

Indiana Welcomes State-Wide Sports Betting

September 1, 2019

Live in-person sports wagering is now a reality in the Hoosier State. Three Indiana casinos took bets to open the month – Indiana Grand Casino in Shelbyville, Ameristar East Chicago, and Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg – and a total of 13 casinos had open and operating sportsbooks by the end of the month. 

Mobile sports betting went live in Indiana on October 3, and currently, six different mobile sportsbooks have launched, with three more in the works.

Retail and Online Sportsbooks Open in Iowa

August 15, 2019

The first sports bets in Iowa were placed at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, which partnered with WilliamHill to operate its sportsbook. The state has 18 licensed sportsbooks opening across the state, with four total in partnership with William Hill.  There are six mobile sportsbooks operating in the state. Iowa law requires that players who download an app must complete registration at its land-based partner before placing any bets.

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North Carolina sports betting legalized

July 17, 2019

Although North Carolina has created something of a unique dynamic with its sports betting bills, the state passed its first law in July 2019. At the heart of the positive change was Senate Bill 154 (SB154). Giving Native American tribes the right to offer sports betting in North Carolina, the bill was signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper in July.

New Hampshire sports betting bill passed

July 16, 2019

Despite delays back in January, House Bill 480 (HB480) made fairly swift progressive through New Hampshire’s House and Senate in 2019. Positive votes by both chambers in June resulted in the sports betting bill being passed to Governor Chris Sununu’s desk in July. Having previously supported the legislative efforts, Gov. Sununu signed HB480 on July 16, making sports betting in New Hampshire a reality.

Arkansas Opens Retail Sportsbook

July 1, 2019
Arkansas Opens Retail Sportsbook

As of March 2020, Arkansas is still without a plan for online or mobile sports betting, but in-person betting became a reality with the opening of The Race & Sports Book at Oaklawn. The very first bet taken was $5 on the Cowboys to beat the Giants on the NFL’s opening weekend. 

Arkansas has issued three other gaming licenses for retail sportsbooks, but no other openings have been announced.

June 28 will go down as a definitive date in the timeline of Illinois sports betting thanks to Gov. Pritzker who signed SB 690 into law following positive votes by the state Senate.

Illinois Approves Sports Betting Bill

June 28, 2019

Following numerous disagreements between casino operators, law makers and sports leagues, Senate Bill 690 received a positive votes in 2019. The bill first passed through the House on May 31 and then the Senate on June 2. The bill was subsequently sent to Governor J.B. Pritzker and signed into law on June 28, 2019.

New York State Takes Its First Legal Sports Bet

June 16, 2019
New York State Takes Its First Legal Sports Bet

Rivers Sportsbook at the Rivers Casino Resort in Schenectady opened its door and took the first legal sports bets in the Empire State. Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy placed one of the first bets, putting his money down on the Boston Red Sox – a bold move for a mayor in New York. 

The Rivers was the first of eight New York sportsbooks slated to open. As of March 2020, legal online and mobile sports betting is still being debated by the state government and won’t happen anytime soon.

 

Indiana Launches Legal Live and Online Sports Betting

May 8, 2019

Indiana sports betting became a reality on May 8, 2019. Thanks to positive votes on House Bill 1015, the Hoosier State is now home to live and online sportsbooks. Indeed, the final decision to offer legal sports betting in Indiana fell on the shoulders of Governor Eric Holcomb. Although he left it until deadline day to sign the bill into law, he was ultimately happy with the decision to bring sports wagering to the region.

Iowa sports betting made legal

May 6, 2019

After submitting SF366 in February 2019, Iowa’s lawmakers passed the sports betting bill through to Governor Kim Reynolds. Following a brief review, Gov. Reynolds signed Iowa’s sports betting bill on May 6, making live and online bookmakers legal within the state.

Montana becomes first state to legalize sportsbetting in 2019

May 3, 2019
Montana becomes first state to legalize sportsbetting in 2019

Montana became the ninth state to regulate sports betting in the U.S. and the first to do so in 2019. Governor Steve Bullock signed one of two passed bills on the topic. While he supported the state of Montana introducing sports betting, he vetoed a second bill that was introduced that same day, stating that “Montana needs to enter the sports wagering market conservatively-adopting only one of the two models now”.

Montanta sports betting will be controlled by state state lottery and, interesting, the age limit for those interesting in betting on sports is only 18, compared with 21 in New Jersey.

Tennessee Launches Legal Sports Betting

May 1, 2019

Thanks to Senate Bill 16 (SB16), Tennessee became the third US state to regulate sports betting in 2019. Although the operating conditions are somewhat restrictive, sports fans can now bet on sports online. In getting to this point, SB16 passed two crucial votes in April and May, 2019.

Read more

After making it through the House (58-37) and then the Senate (20-12), the Volunteer State joined the likes of Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware as a US betting hub.

DOJ issues revised opinion on Wire Act

January 14, 2019
DOJ issues revised opinion on Wire Act

In January 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reversed its previous opinion on the Wire Act. Having previously stated that the Act’s gambling restrictions didn’t apply to online gaming, it performed a 180 under pressure from anti online gambling advocates.

Under the new opinion, the DOJ stated that the federal restrictions on “wire communications” apply to all forms of gambling, not just sports betting. In the weeks following the decision, Attorney Generals from New Jersey and Pennsylvania challenged the decision in a three-page letter. Subsequent challenges have also been made by other states.

Rhode Island launches legal sports betting

November 26, 2018

Rhode Island became the eighth US state to legalize sports betting. The state was quick to enact its own laws thanks to previous votes in 2012 and 2016 giving casinos and sports betting the green light.

With PASPA struck down and a 2018 senate budget finally authorizing the previous votes, licensing started in July of that year. At the start of February 2019, Rhode Island extended its sports betting laws to include mobile and online platforms.

Pennsylvania launches legal sports betting

November 17, 2018

Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in late 2017. However, due to PASPA, the law was put on hold. With an activation clause in place, Pennsylvania sports betting became a reality just five months after PASPA was deemed unconstitutional.

Hollywood Casino became the first venue to offer regulated sports betting along with the help of William Hill. In April 2019, the state legalized online and mobile sports betting.

Read the Pennsylvania legislative framework here.

Sports betting authorized in New York

November 5, 2018
Sports betting authorized in New York

New York referendum authorizes sports betting at casinos when it is legal under Federal law. Up to 7 casinos allowed, 4 licenses have been granted

The decision was was supported by 57 percent of voters. Read more on nytimes.com

New Mexico tribe launches legal sports betting

October 16, 2018

Despite a lack of sports betting regulation in New Mexico, the Tamaya Nation at the Pueblo of Santa Ana seized an opportunity to exploit a legal loophole following the demise of PASPA.

Although the state itself hasn’t implemented its own sports betting laws, a tribal gaming compact gives native Indian tribes the scope to offer provisions inside gaming venues. With that being the case, the tribe launched sports betting at the Santa Ana Star Casino and Hotel in Bernalillo, October 2017.

Read the Santa Ana Star Casino announcement here.

West Virginia launches legal sports betting

August 31, 2018
West Virginia launches legal sports betting

West Virginia introduced regulated sports betting in August 2018. It was the fifth state to do so after New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware and Mississippi. The Hollywood Casino at Charlestown Races took the first legal bets on August 30 and went fully live on September 1, 2018. In December 2018, West Virginia became the third US state to offer legal online sports betting.

Read the full announcement on forbes.com

NJ launches first legal sports betting app

August 1, 2018

Following the advent of legal sports betting in New Jersey back in June 2018, the state’s top operators quickly moved to offer online options. By August 1, DraftKings beat the big casinos to the punch by launching the Garden State’s first mobile sports betting app.

The daily fantasy sports operator had a hold over the market for three weeks before playMGM mobile went live on August 22. With two operators offering mobile sports betting, others quickly followed. By April 2019, New Jersey had eight mobile sportsbooks.

Mississippi launches legal sports betting

August 1, 2018
Mississippi launches legal sports betting

Legal Mississippi sports betting started in August 2018. Having previously repealed laws that prohibiting sports betting back in 2017, the Magnolia State was quick to act once PASPA was defeated in May 2018.

In August 2018, the Mississippi Gaming Commission oversaw the launch of sportsbooks linked to Beau Rivage (Biloxi) and Gold Strike (Tunica). Today, the state has more than 20 venues offering regulated sports betting.

NJ launches legal sports betting

June 14, 2018
NJ launches legal sports betting

After successfully working to overturn PASPA, New Jersey became one of the first states outside of Nevada to place a legal sports bet. The golden wager was placed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy at Monmouth Park Racetrack on June 14, 2018.

Murphy bet $20 Germany to win the soccer World Cup and $20 on the New Jersey Devils to win the Stanley Cup.

Delaware launches legal sports betting

June 5, 2018

Like a horse in the home straight, Delaware sprinted towards the finish line in May 2018. Just two weeks after the Supreme Court shot down PASPA, Delaware launched its first regulated sportsbook.

Going live inside the state’s three casinos, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway & Casino, SportsPick made Delaware a sports betting state on May 31, 2018. To celebrate the launch, Governor Carney bet $10 on the Phillies.

SCOTUS declares PASPA unconstitutional

May 14, 2018
SCOTUS declares PASPA unconstitutional

Following a long running legal battle initiated by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the Supreme Court of the US declared Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was unlawful. Following a legal challenge initiated by New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak in 2009, Governor Christie set the wheels in motion.

By 2012, New Jersey had passed its own sports betting bill, a move that laid the foundations for a six-year fight. Eventually, in May 2018, PASPA was deemed unconstitutional. This allowed New Jersey to enact its sports betting laws and other states to invoke the 10th Amendment and exercise their right to offer regulated sports betting.

New Jersey launches legal online poker and casino

November 21, 2013
New Jersey launches legal online poker and casino

Now considered a catalyst for the wave of online gaming and sports betting currently sweeping across the US, six casinos and seven poker rooms went live in New Jersey back in 2013. After the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) 2011 conclusion that the Wire Act didn’t extend to online gambling, Assembly Bill A2579 was filed in 2012.

Moving through the New Jersey Assembly and then the Senate, the bill was signed into law by Governor Chris Christie. By April 2013, Caesars Entertainment applied for the first license and in November the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) oversaw a soft launch. Today, New Jersey is the stand out state in terms of online gaming provisions.

 

Delaware launches legal online poker and casino

August 13, 2013

Regulated Delaware online poker and casino gaming became a reality back in 2013. The catalyst for change came in June 2012 when HB 333 was signed into law.

Using software created and overseen by 888, Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway & Casino started to offer online gaming. Working with New Jersey and Nevada, Delaware formed a liquidity sharing pact in 2015, meaning poker sites could combine playerpools from all three states.

Nevada launches first legal online poker

April 30, 2013

Like New Jersey, Nevada took advantage of a 2011 Wire Act opinion by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and launched online gaming. Ultimate Poker, owned by former UFC owners and Station Casinos, the Fertittas, went live in April 30, 2013.

Within six weeks, WSOP.com, backed by Caesars Interactive Entertainment, launched and quickly became the leading online poker site in Nevada. Today, the state has a thriving online gaming economy and an intrastate liquidity sharing compact with New Jersey.

Nevada launches first legal online sports betting app

October 27, 2011

With the Wire Act allowing Nevada to offer sports betting, it became the first US state to launch mobile products. In 2011, Cantor Gaming created an Android sports betting app and started a wave of innovations.

Just weeks later, William Hill announced it too had developed a mobile sports betting app for Nevada. Today, with sports betting bigger than ever, sports fans can wager money via casinos, online and on their mobiles in Nevada.

DOJ Issues opinion on Wire Act

September 20, 2011
DOJ Issues opinion on Wire Act

In September 2011, the US betting industry was handed a break by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Assessing the Wire Act, members of the DOJ concluded that the law only applied to sports betting, not all online gambling.

In making this assessment, the DOJ essentially made it possible for states to regulate online casino and poker. The opinion was subsequently reversed in January 2019 (see above) but challenges mean it may not bring an end to online betting and gaming in the US.

Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act UIGEA passed

October 13, 2006

Coming into force as part of the SAFE Port Act, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) make it illegal for gaming to process or accept real money bets. One of the biggest misconceptions with UIGEA is that it made online gambling illegal. In practice, it simply made the movement of money into and out of gaming sites illegal, thus rendering it impossible to legally bet online within the US.

Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) passed

October 28, 1992

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was designed to prohibit sports betting outside of select states. Under the terms of the Bradley Act, only Nevada was allowed to offer full sports betting. Additionally, sports lotteries offered in Oregon, Delaware and Montana were exempt from PASPA’s restrictions.

The 1961 Wire Act is a federal act that prohibits certain types of betting via the use of wire communications.

Wire Act passed

September 13, 1961
Wire Act passed

The Federal Wire Act reads:

“Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses a wire communication facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.”

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