US States That Will Legalize Sports Betting in 2024

Sports betting is one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative industries in the United States, with more and more states joining the legal sports betting market every year. Since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, over 30 states have legalized some form of sports wagering, either online, in-person, or both.

However, there are still many states that have not yet completely bought into the idea of sports betting, either due to legal, political, or social barriers. In this blog, we will take a look at some of the states that are likely to legalize sports betting in 2024, and what factors are potentially driving their decisions.

Maine

Maine is one of the states that has been attempting to legalize sports betting for a long time, but has faced many obstacles during this process. The state legislature passed a bill to legalize online and retail sports betting in May 2022, but it was vetoed by Governor Janet Mills, who voiced concerns about the impact of gambling in relation to the state’s youth and economy. Despite this, the lawmakers did not give up, and passed another bill in May 2023, which was signed into law by the governor in June 2023. The new law allows for up to 16 online sports betting operators and 11 retail sports betting locations. The law also includes provisions for consumer protection and sports integrity. The Maine Gambling Control Board is expected to issue the rules and regulations for sports betting by the end of 2023, and the launch date could potentially be in early 2024.

Vermont

Vermont is also another state in the process of legalizing sports betting, after years of debate and discussion. The state legislature passed a bill to authorize online and retail sports betting in May 2023, and it was signed into law by Governor Phil Scott in June 2023. The law allows for up to six online sports betting operators and six retail sports betting locations. The Vermont Lottery Commission is expected to confirm the rules and regulations for sports betting towards the end of 2023, and the launch date is expected to be in mid-2024.

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state that has already legalized sports betting, but only in a limited and physical form. The state legislature passed a bill to allow sports betting at two tribal casinos in July 2019, and it was signed into law at the same time as the bill.. The law allows for in-person sports betting only, with online and mobile capabilities not being allowed.. The two tribal casinos, Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, launched sports betting in March 2021, becoming the first and only venues to deliver sports betting in the state.

However, the state legislature passed another bill to expand sports betting to online and mobile platforms in June 2023, and it was signed into law by the governor in July 2023. The new law allows for up to 12 online sports betting operators and 10 retail sports betting locations. The law also designates the North Carolina Lottery Commission as the regulatory body for sports betting. The North Carolina Lottery Commission is expected to confirm the rules and regulations for sports betting by the end of 2023, and the launch date is expected to be in late 2024.

Other States That May Legalize Sports Betting Soon...

There are also other states that are considering or working on legalizing sports betting, but have not yet passed any legislation or set any timeline for launch. These States include:

California

Arguably the most lucrative state for sports betting, California has been spiraled in a complex debate over sports betting for years. The main issue is the role and rights of the tribal casinos, which have a monopoly on gambling in the state. The tribes have proposed a ballot initiative to legalize sports betting at their casinos and racetracks, but not online or mobile platforms. The initiative was supposed to be on the November 2020 ballot, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is now expected to be on the November 2022 ballot, and if approved by the voters, it could pave the way for sports betting to launch in 2024.

Florida

Another large and lucrative state for sports betting, Florida has also been embroiled in a complicated and controversial debate over sports betting for years. The main issue is the agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe, which operates several casinos in the state. The state and the tribe reached a new compact in April 2021, which would allow the tribe to offer sports betting at their casinos and online platforms, as well as partner with other gambling venues in the state.

The compact was approved by the state legislature in May 2021, and signed in June 2021. However, the compact is facing legal challenges from various parties, including the federal government, which has not yet approved the compact. The compact is also subject to a ballot initiative in November 2022, which would require voter approval for any expansion of gambling in the state. If the compact survives all the hurdles, sports betting could potentially launch in 2024.

Texas

Behind California as potentially the second-most lucrative state for sports betting, Texas has been historically opposed to the idea of gambling expansion, but has shown some signs of interest in sports betting in recent years. The state legislature introduced several bills to legalize sports betting in 2021, but none of them advanced beyond the committee stage.

The bills proposed various models for sports betting, including online and retail options, with different tax rates and regulatory bodies. The bills also faced opposition from the tribal casinos, which have a limited presence in the state. The state legislature is not scheduled to meet again until 2023, which means that sports betting is unlikely to launch before 2024.

Sports betting is a booming industry in the United States, with more and more states joining

the legal sports betting market every year. However, there are still many states that have not yet legalized sports betting, either due to legal, political, or social barriers.