Legislative sessions are currently underway in many states across the USA, and it seems like legal sports betting no longer contains the stigma that it once did in the eyes of lawmakers around the country.
Each year following the repeal of PASPA in 2018, more and more states have opted to regulate domestic sportsbooks and allow for bets to be placed on pro and/or college athletics at either brick-and-mortar venues or via mobile or online options.
Arizona, Massachusetts. and Georgia are three very different states from opposite corners of the country, but they all have the same mission in 2021 – to legalize sports betting immediately.
Arizona Sports Betting
AZ is now motivated to approve of sportsbooks that will exist within Tribal casinos and state politicians are hopeful that the additional tax revenue will provide a much-needed boost to their budget.
Also on the table is an allowance for legal Arizona sportsbooks to exist within facilities owned by pro sports teams, such as stadiums and arenas. Arizona is also proposing an 8% take from in-state sports betting locations.
The ink is barely dry on the bill but there is optimism from leadership that it could pass this year, and with regulated casinos already in place, AZ sportsbooks have the potential to open in 2021.
Georgia Sports Betting
Sports betting bills were introduced in GA, and at first, they seemed to be nothing more than a formality that was certain to be stricken down. Now, it appears that legal sports betting in Georgia has a solid shot at becoming law this session, but there is still debate remaining to be had.
The main disagreement between the House and Senate language is a 10% and 14% take on sportsbook earnings, positioning the legislature for an easily achievable truce. Atlanta’s major sports franchises are behind the bill, and if successful, 21 and over bettors in Georgia will be wagering on pro and college sports before long.
There is still an element of casino gambling in the language that is causing difficulty, but pundits are predicting that moods are lightening and that GA sports betting is more likely than ever.
Massachusetts Sports Betting
MA Governor Charlie Baker is intent on establishing legal sports betting in Massachusetts. and now there is a bill circulating in the legislature that intends to provide regulatory guidelines for in-person sportsbooks as well as mobile apps for wagering on athletics.
There are some concerning elements of the bill, including a ban on all high school and college sports betting, and a prohibition on the use of credit or debit cards to make a deposit and place a wager. There will also be a minimum age of 21 to bet on sports in MA.
The effort to legalize sports betting has the support of all five major professional teams in the state, as the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox, and the New England Revolution have joined forces with DraftKings and other domestic sportsbook operators to ensure that the bill crosses the finish line and is signed into law.
Sports bettors in GA, MA, and AZ already have legit options for laying action on pro and college games in place via international sportsbook sites that operate in an overseas location outside the jurisdiction of the United States.
These online international sportsbooks offer more betting lines than domestic books and also allow for a wide variety of funding options, including popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC).
Until these three states can legalize sportsbooks within their borders, offshore betting sites will continue to attract patrons to spend their money overseas.
Source: Arizona Sports, Georgia Recorder, Boston Globe