Odds for more sports betting expansion could fade after rapid growth to 38 states

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In a landscape where sports betting has rapidly expanded to encompass 38 states, the prospects for further expansion in 2024 are becoming increasingly uncertain due to various challenges, including political resistance and conflicting financial interests among existing gambling operators.

One of the states still awaiting legalization is Missouri, where Brett Koenig, a resident, finds himself unable to place bets despite having access to a sports betting app on his smartphone. This situation has prompted him to initiate a social media campaign named “Let MO Play” to garner support for legal sports betting in the state.

Several states have already benefited from sports betting, collecting over $4 billion in taxes from wagers exceeding $280 billion since 2018. Vermont is set to join this list on January 11, 2024. However, the path to expansion for other states seems challenging due to the unique hurdles they face.

Becca Giden, the policy director at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, a California-based consulting firm, notes that the remaining states without legalized sports betting encounter multiple obstacles. The landscape has evolved into a situation where various stakeholders are looking to maximize their benefits from the legalization framework, potentially leading to friction and delays.

States where sports betting remains illegal include Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. California and Texas, with their large populations, would be significant prizes for sports bettors, but neither state appears poised to adopt sports betting in 2024.

In California, recent attempts to legalize sports betting faced strong opposition, with voters rejecting two rival sports betting initiatives despite a substantial $463 million raised by supporters and opponents. Tensions persist among online gaming companies, tribal casinos, and horse tracks, making progress challenging.

Texas, on the other hand, lacks a mechanism to place citizen initiatives on the ballot in 2024, despite speculation about potential support for legal sports betting due to the sale of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team to the Las Vegas Sands casino company.

Neighboring Oklahoma has its share of tribal casinos, and Republican Governor Kevin Stitt proposed allowing in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and online sports wagering. However, this plan faces opposition from tribal authorities.

Minnesota could be the next state to authorize sports betting, but it may require a bipartisan vote in the Senate, where Democrats hold a narrow advantage. Lawmakers are grappling with differences between tribal casinos and horse racing tracks, both seeking exclusive rights to sports betting.

In Missouri, efforts to legalize sports betting have repeatedly stalled in the state Senate, where disagreements persist over pairing it with the regulation of slot-machine-style video games. The involvement of multiple stakeholders, including online sports wagering companies, casinos, professional sports teams, and video gaming terminal interests, has led to a lobbying effort involving around 80 lobbyists.

Despite this, the prospects for both an initiative petition and legislation in Missouri remain uncertain. Data indicates significant interest in sports betting among Missourians, but they are currently forced to travel to neighboring states to place their bets.

In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp has shown openness to legalizing sports betting, but progress has stalled due to a rejected constitutional amendment. The debate in Georgia is complex, as proponents of casinos and horse racing aim to leverage sports wagering to expand other forms of gambling.

Lastly, in Alabama, legalizing sports betting would require a constitutional amendment approved by voters. Some lawmakers are working on new gambling legislation that encompasses casinos, a lottery, and sports betting, although success remains uncertain.

In summary, the expansion of sports betting to additional states faces challenges such as political resistance and competing interests among stakeholders. While some states remain on the cusp of legalization, the road ahead is far from straightforward, with complex debates and legislative hurdles to overcome.

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More about Sports Betting Expansion Challenges

• U.S. Sports Betting Landscape: Source article for the information on sports betting expansion.
• California Sports Betting Initiatives: Details on the challenges faced in California.
• Texas Mavericks Sale Speculation: Information on the potential impact of the Dallas Mavericks sale on sports betting in Texas.
• Oklahoma Governor’s Sports Betting Plan: Insights into Oklahoma’s sports betting plans and tribal opposition.
• Minnesota Sports Betting Legislation: Details on Minnesota’s legislative efforts.
• Missouri Sports Betting Lobbying: Information on the lobbying efforts in Missouri.
• Georgia’s Sports Betting Prospects: Insights into Georgia’s sports betting potential.
• Alabama’s Gambling Legislation: Information on gambling legislation in Alabama.