Georgia Lawmakers Initiate Initial Discussion on Sports Gambling Regulation
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Michael Savio, a writer from Denver, is a seasoned expert on the sports betting industry, providing accurate and easy-to-understand information for readers as a columnist for Casino.com. With over four years of experience, he has been closely following the evolution of the industry.
As of July 31, 2025, the legal status and recommendations for casino and sports betting markets vary significantly by jurisdiction in the United States.
Sports Betting
Following the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down PASPA, enabling states to regulate their own sports betting markets, sports betting is legal in 38 states plus the District of Columbia. Many states have fully operational legal sports betting markets, both online and retail.
However, California, a major potential market, does not have legal traditional online sports betting as of mid-2025. The state is actively addressing illegal gambling issues, with the Attorney General classifying daily fantasy sports (DFS) as illegal sports wagering under current law and proposing legislation (AB 831) that would ban DFS and sweepstakes contests. This bill passed committee with some opposition and might restrict typical marketing sweepstakes and promotions as well.
Online Casinos
The legality of online casinos is evolving in some states. Massachusetts, Virginia, Illinois, and Ohio have introduced 2025 bills to legalize online casinos connected to their land-based casinos, indicating legislative momentum toward regulated online gaming markets.
Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos, which offer cash prizes often through promotional games rather than traditional betting, face legal challenges. Connecticut and Montana have banned sweepstakes casinos, with Connecticut’s ban effective October 1, 2025. California is considering measures to outlaw sweepstakes casinos under new legislation.
Sports Prediction Markets
Regulatory developments continue expanding markets around sports prediction contracts. A 2024 court ruling affirmed such contracts as permissible financial products rather than gambling, potentially expanding legal markets for sports-related event contracts beyond traditional betting.
In summary, by late July 2025:
- Sports betting is widely legal and regulated in most U.S. states, with ongoing expansions.
- Traditional online sports betting remains illegal in California, with efforts underway to clamp down on DFS and sweepstakes.
- Online casino legalization is advancing via new bills in several states.
- Sweepstakes casinos face bans in some jurisdictions.
- Regulatory developments continue expanding markets around sports prediction contracts.
These developments reflect a regulatory landscape that is dynamic, state-specific, and balancing consumer protection with expanding legal gaming markets.
When Michael Savio is not covering the industry or betting on sports, he explores Colorado. Two sports betting bills from the previous session did not pass due to their late introduction. When Michael Savio is not covering the industry, he bets on sports.
- Despite California not yet legalizing traditional online sports betting, Michael Savio, an expert on the sports betting industry, continues to follow the evolution of the industry, given his interest in sports betting beyond his role as a columnist.
- As the legal status of online casinos is evolving, Michael Savio, a seasoned sports betting expert, takes note of the momentum towards regulated online gaming markets in states like Massachusetts, Virginia, Illinois, and Ohio.
