Latest Updates in Sporting Bets
Headline: Sports Betting Market Developments Across Illinois, Georgia, and New Jersey
In the ever-evolving world of sports betting, several significant changes and updates have been observed in key states across the United States.
Illinois
The Land of Lincoln, a pioneer in legal sports betting, has seen rapid market growth since its inception in 2019. However, a recent regulatory change has introduced a new per-bet tax of 25 cents on the first 20 million bets annually for operators. This tax is being passed on to bettors as additional fees starting July 2025.
In response to this change, sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Hard Rock Bet, among others, have implemented increased fees for bettors. One such sportsbook, BetRivers Sportsbook, has increased its minimum bet requirement in Illinois to $1.
Moreover, Illinois has taken steps to protect young people and problem gamblers by banning sports betting advertisements on college campuses and implementing stricter, uniform advertising rules across all gambling sectors. These rules require operators to maintain detailed advertising logs, include responsible gambling messaging, and restrict ad agreements that tie compensation to wagering outcomes or volumes.
Georgia
Unlike Illinois, Georgia remains a state without legal sports betting as of 2025. Efforts to legalize or regulate sports betting are ongoing but face significant political and regulatory hurdles, and no comprehensive legislation has been passed. As a result, no authorized sportsbooks are operating in the state.
New Jersey
The Garden State, another sports betting powerhouse, legalized sports betting shortly after the 2018 Supreme Court ruling. New Jersey boasts a robust regulatory framework overseen by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, allowing numerous retail and online sportsbooks.
Unlike Illinois, New Jersey has avoided controversies around passing fees on bettors. Instead, it emphasizes consumer protections, responsible gambling programs, and transparent advertising regulations. The state continues to evolve its rules to maintain fairness and integrity in the market, focusing on preventing underage betting and problem gambling.
National Developments
In a separate development, the White House has requested that a Senate committee delay a vote on its Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) nominee due to growing concerns over his ties to Kalshi, a sports betting company. President Trump has expressed support for the nomination but has not yet confirmed how they will proceed. This situation is being closely watched as it may have implications for the sports betting industry.
[1] Illinois sports betting revenue reaches $14 billion in 2024 [2] Illinois bans sports betting ads on college campuses, tightens ad rules [3] Illinois sportsbooks pass on new tax to bettors [4] Illinois tightens sports betting advertising rules [5] [No data from search results indicating recent developments in Georgia's sports betting regulations] [6] Trump supports CFTC nominee despite Kalshi ties controversy [7] White House requests delay in CFTC nominee vote over Kalshi ties [8] BetRivers Sportsbook increases minimum bet requirement in Illinois [9] [No direct recent changes found in search results indicating major ongoing disputes or regulatory changes in New Jersey or Georgia]
- Despite the new per-bet tax in Illinois, sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Hard Rock Bet, among others, have implemented increased fees for bettors, with BetRivers Sportsbook raising its minimum bet requirement to $1.
- Conversely, New Jersey, another sports betting powerhouse, emphasizes consumer protections and responsible gambling programs rather than passing fees on to bettors, while Illinois has taken steps to protect young people and problem gamblers by banning sports betting advertisements on college campuses and implementing stricter advertising rules.
