Sports Betting Legislation in the US: Where Things Stand
Senate Nixes Georgia Sports Betting Referendum
In the US Senate, a united federal approach to sports betting legislation remains elusive. Following the Supreme Court's scrapping of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the power to legalize sports betting was bestowed upon individual states [1].
State-Level Scenarios
- 38 states, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, currently have legal sports betting in some capacity. 30 states offer online sports betting [1].
- Legislative pursuits regarding sports betting are ongoing or recently proposed in states such as:
- Hawaii: Despite advancements, HB 1308 remains in a conference committee due to disputes over tax rates [3].
- Nebraska: The approval of casino-style gaming in 2020 has paved the way for online sports betting, but several hurdles, including a potential filibuster, must be overcome [3].
- Mississippi and other states, including Alabama and Georgia, have seen their sports betting bills either fail or stall amidst the current legislative session [2][5].
Gambling Issues on the agenda
Issues related to problem gambling are a primary concern in the broader sports betting legislative discourse. As more states opt for legalizing sports betting, there is mounting concern about potential negative effects on vulnerable individuals and communities. At present, a united Senate- or federal-level response to address these concerns isn't widely reported. Instead, many initiatives to tackle problem gambling are happening at the state level, usually through gambling commissions or public health initiatives.
State-Level Responses
Several states are taking steps to combat problem gambling, including:- The integration of responsible gaming tools and resources for consumers.- Increased funding for gambling addiction treatment and support services.- Development of public awareness campaigns about the risks of excessive gambling.
At present, there is no comprehensive federal framework designed to address problem gambling within the context of sports betting. Instead, responses to these concerns remain scattered across various states.
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References
[1] L Smith, Sports betting in the United States: A brief history, ABC News (2021), https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/sports-betting-united-states-brief-history/story?id=78714464
[2] S Aronson, Almost half of states considering sports betting, Business Insider (2021), https://www.businessinsider.com/states-considering-sports-betting-legality-2021-1
[3] L Capps, Sports betting bill in Hawaii stalls due to disagreements over tax rates, KHON2 (2025), https://khon2.com/news/local-news/sports-betting-bill-in-hawaii-stalls-due-to-disagreements-over-tax-rates/
[5] A Gordon, Mississippi misses the chance to legalize sports betting in 2025, Mississippi Today (2025), https://mississippitoday.org/2025/03/28/mississippi-misses-chance-to-legalize-sports-betting-in-2025/
- In the United States, while a unified federal approach to sports betting legislation remains elusive, 38 states, including Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Hawaii (where HB 1308 remains in a conference committee due to disagreements over tax rates), have legalized sports betting in some capacity, with 30 states offering online sports betting.
- State-level lawmakers are considering sports betting legislation in Nebraska, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, but bills are either failing or stalling amidst the current legislative session.
- Problem gambling concerns are at the forefront of sports betting legislative discussions, as more states legalize sports betting; however, a unified Senate or federal-level response to address these concerns isn't widely reported.
- To combat problem gambling, several states are implementing responsible gaming tools, increasing funding for addiction treatment, and developing public awareness campaigns about gambling risks.
- Despite the lack of a comprehensive federal framework, Michael Savio, an expert on the US online casino industry, offers valuable insights and reviews on online casinos, industry news, and more, making him one of the industry's most trusted insiders.
- As the US continues to grapple with sports betting policy-and-legislation, politics, general news, and sports situations may impact the legalization and regulation of sports betting in 2025 and beyond.
