In recent years, the landscape of sports gambling in the United States has undergone a seismic shift. With the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) by the Supreme Court in May 2018, individual states have been given the power to legalize and regulate sports betting within their borders. A new map created by Newsweek highlights the current state of sports gambling across the country, showing which states have fully embraced the industry and which are still on the sidelines.
According to the map, there are currently 28 states where sports gambling is legal and operational. These states include traditional gambling hubs like Nevada and New Jersey, as well as newer entrants to the market such as Tennessee and Virginia. In these states, sports bettors can place wagers both in-person at casinos and racetracks, as well as online through mobile sports betting platforms.
One of the most striking trends highlighted by the map is the rapid expansion of sports betting across the country. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2018, more than half of all states have passed legislation to legalize sports gambling in some form. This growth has been driven by a desire to capture tax revenue from a previously underground industry, as well as a recognition of the popularity of sports betting among Americans.
However, not all states have jumped on the sports betting bandwagon. According to the map, there are still 22 states where sports gambling remains illegal. These states, which include major population centers like California and Texas, have been slower to embrace the industry due to concerns about the social and economic impacts of gambling. Some states have also faced opposition from powerful anti-gambling lobbies, which have argued that sports betting will lead to increased problem gambling and crime rates.
Despite these challenges, the momentum behind sports gambling shows no signs of slowing down. Several states, including Florida and New York, are currently considering legislation to legalize sports betting in the near future. And with the popularity of online sports betting continuing to grow, it is likely that even more states will join the ranks of those where sports gambling is legal in the coming years.
As the map created by Newsweek clearly illustrates, the landscape of sports gambling in the United States is evolving rapidly. With more states embracing the industry and others still considering their options, it is clear that sports betting has become a major player in the world of American gambling. And as the industry continues to expand, it will be interesting to see how states navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with legalizing sports gambling.