College Football Playoff Betting Stake Halted for Sports Gamblers in Texas and Alabama
Chillin' ‘n' Gamblin': The Gambling Landscape and the College Football Playoff Semifinals
Gambling news aficionado and veteran reporter, Larry Henry, dives deep into the world of betting, focusing on the College Football Playoff semifinals and the unexpected twists, courtesy of the ever-changing legal gambling landscape.
Sports bettors across most states are rejoicing as the semifinals of the College Football Playoff roll in. However, the excitement is not universal. Residents of Texas and Alabama, home to two of the championship's contenders, will be left out in the cold as sports betting remains illegal in these states.
Wondering who's battling it out on Monday? Michigan, ranked No. 1, faces off against No. 4-seed Alabama at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Kickoff's at 5 p.m. ET, and at FanDuel Sportsbook, Alabama is +1.5. Meanwhile, No. 3-ranked Texas squares off against No. 2-ranked Washington at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Kickoff's at 8:45 p.m. ET, and at Caesars Sportsbook, Texas is -4. The winning teams from each semifinal will clash again on January 8 for the national title game in Houston.
But wait! Sports bettors from Texas and Alabama aren't completely out of luck. They can wager legally by crossing over into states where sports betting is permitted—not many options in their case, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. Three of Alabama's neighbors—Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi—have legalized sports betting, ensuring they're ready to accommodate those seeking a flutter. Likewise, for bettors in Texas, Louisiana offers a welcoming gambling haven, beckoning with potential wins from metropolitan hotspots like Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
So, what's the deal with sports betting remaining illegal in these two states? In Texas, lawmakers are keeping their gaming cards close to their chests until the next legislative session in 2025. And in Alabama, the upcoming February 2024 session might see some reluctance from legislators to push pro-gaming measures due to concerns about a political backlash during the 2024 presidential election year.
Houston furniture store owner, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, is one of the many Texan bettors who make the trip to Louisiana to put their bets down—but he doesn't anticipate a change in the gambling scene in Texas anytime soon. He cites opposition from religious groups as a significant factor in the slow progress of legalization efforts.
Meanwhile, Louisiana people might want to send their grateful (and gambling) neighbors a thank-you card for their continued patronage! If you fancy staying up-to-date on the latest sports betting news, sign up with us here to get the inside scoop on all the action!
Source: Gambling.com, Sportsbook Review (FanDuel), Caesars Sportsbook, Larry Henry Bio
- In the Southwestern United States, while sports betting is legal in many states, it remains illegal in Texas and Alabama, leaving some sports bettors frustrated.
- Despite the illegal status of sports betting in Texas, some residents, such as furniture store owner Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, travel to neighboring states like Louisiana to participate in sports-betting activities.
- In Alabama, legislators might show reluctance during the upcoming February 2024 session to push for pro-gaming measures due to concerns about a political backlash during the 2024 presidential election year.
- Sportsbook Review, FanDuel Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, and Larry Henry's news updates provide the latest news and information for those interested in sports-betting activities, including the College Football Playoff semifinals.
