The gambling landscape in the United States has shifted immeasurably.
A ruling by the Supreme Court has determined that continued blocking of sports betting is unconstitutional. Not only is this a fundamental shift in the legal view of the authorities at the top level, but it has also laid the foundations for the introduction of betting on an array of events across the country.
The decision in New Jersey ends the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) which had restricted the vast majority of states from offering wagering on sports such as the NFL, NBA and MLB.
The American Gaming Association estimates that this market is worth $150 billion a year - with 97 per cent of that figure currently wagered illegally.
Is sports betting legal in the US now?
While the Supreme Court ruling has widespread ramifications, it will now be up to each individual state to decide and legislate their own position on sports betting.
Nevada is currently the only one that offers this on a state-wide basis thanks to the “Grandfather rule”.
This ensured that long-standing legalized sports betting could remain in place when President George W. Bush enacted PASPA in 1993. Montana, Oregan and Delaware also offer limited services to their residents.
Some states have already passed laws which would allow sports betting under the current conditions. These include Mississippi, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and of course New Jersey, which has been the focal point of the long-running legal battle to overturn the PASPA ruling.
How can you bet in the US?
Some states offer land-based casinos and limited wagering opportunities through outlets like lotteries or horse racing tracks. Those in Nevada can also place online bets through a number of apps provided by licenced operators. This technology often triangulates user location based on their device to ensure bets are placed within state lines.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is also an outlet for wagering real money. These are judged to be games of skill, rather than luck, so have been allowed to flourish legally in recent years despite the PASPA ruling.
States that already have the gaming infrastructure in place to accommodate sports bettors, such as established casinos or horse racing tracks, can now roll out their operations as soon as they wish to do so with some aiming to be up and running in a matter of weeks. That’s not the case everywhere though.
While many states have been theoretically given the green light to introduce wagering on sports, the reality is that the legislative agenda in each one will impact on their ability and desire to offer this as a product within its borders.
California, Michigan and New York are among the states to have legislation bills pending on the subject but the majority don’t currently have provisions in place to allow sports betting.
What’s more, due to the time-frame for passing new laws there could be a significant delay in many states until such time as they’re in a position to change their stance.
Best sports betting sites in the US
Offshore casino and sportsbooks have served the US mainland in recent years with many based in island locations such as Antigua or Malta.
These operators could now be rivalled by established brands expanding their presence to the newly legislated market or other entrants looking to capitalize on the opportunity.
The stocks of several London-based operators including William Hill and Paddy Power Betfair rose sharply on the back of Monday’s Supreme Court ruling, gaining an estimated £1.5 billion in value. Both brands already have a presence in the American market via the casino sphere while 888 operate a tri-state poker network across New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada.
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