The Favorites, the Contenders and the Longshots to Legalize US Sports Betting in 2023
Kansas, Maine and Massachusetts have legalized US sportsbooks this past year and they have plans to launch operations in 2023 to join the 34 states in the US market. That leaves 16 states with no legal sports betting as of Dec. 31 of 2022.
Breaking down the 16 states with no legal sportsbook operations to date, there are favorites, contenders and longshots to make it on the list for 2023.
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The Favorites
Georgia
On Jan. 9 this year, Georgia’s legislative session began. While legal sports betting in the state is not an imminent priority, the issue will attract some attention with Georgia lawmakers. Lt. Governor Burt Jones is an advocate of legal US sportsbooks in the state. He is hoping that state legislators put it to a vote in 2023.
Lt. Governor Jones commented to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
“I’ve been consistent about the positive return and revenues that safe, secure and legal sports betting could generate for our state – and look forward to working the General Assembly to hopefully make it a reality this upcoming legislative session.”
Minnesota
There are 11 state gaming tribes is Minnesota. For the first time in 2022, a state House bill would have given them exclusive rights to legalize sports betting. The state Senate pulled their support of the cause.
Former state Senate Karle Bigham said that state-wide legal sports betting has a chance to continue in 2023, but only with tribal backing in Minnesota.
North Carolina
The state has legal sports betting in retail establishments because of two tribal casinos operating sportsbooks. The legislative push is legal online sports betting in 2023. A state bill can carry over to the 2024 legislative session if it does not pass in 2023.
There is a debate amongst state legislative about allowing sports betting for in-state college sports games. However, a compromise can be reached in working it out in 2023.
Vermont
As of September of 2022, a study group offered Vermont lawmakers a paper on how legal sports betting might be organized. With Massachusetts agreeing to make sports betting legal in 2023, Vermont is the only one of six New England states to do so.
The Contenders
Alabama
As part of the Deep South, Alabama lawmakers are divided about legal sportsbook in the state. There is no significant hurdles to pass legislation for legal sports betting but the overwhelming majority is not yet in control. Governor Kay Ivey is among one of the hopefuls that the sports betting legislative bill might go through the state House and Senate in 2023 or 2024.
Kentucky
Amongst the horse race betting community, Kentucky might have legal sports betting fans that could wager on football and basketball. Legal sports wagering will definitely be on the table with a comprehensive state House bill that would legalize both DFS (daily fantasy sports) and online poker.
Missouri
The state Senate has two bills that would legally open sports betting in Missouri. Last year, the state casinos and professional sports teams formed a coalition on introducing legal sportsbooks. The state House passed the bill but it was declined by the state Senate. Denny Hoskins is a prominent state Senator that feels legal sports betting may have a better shot of passing in 2024.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt tweeted his support of legal sports betting in the state. However, disagreements between the state legislators and in-state gaming tribes have muddied the waters when it comes to legal sports betting. Gov. Stitt’s rocky relationship with Oklahoma tribal leaders is documented over the years.
South Carolina
State House Minority Leader J. Todd Rutherford prosed a bill last year calling for legal sportsbooks in South Carolina. The bill excluded wagering on college sports as one exception. South Carolina needs more than that to persuade some state legislators with moral objections to gambling.
Texas
As state legislators keep pushing legal sports betting, Texas is probably not going to legalize it in 2023. Moral objections to all forms of gambling remain a significant roadblock for legislation in the state.
The Longshots
Alaska
State Governor Mike Dunleavy actually supports legal sportsbooks in Alaska but that does not mean the majority of the state lawmakers feel the same way. Alaska is not a major priority for legal sports betting in 2023. The state legislative session opens Jan. 27 and there are no bills pending.
California
The in-state California gaming tribes flexed their muscles in 2022, killing the only online sports betting initiative from commercial US sportsbook operators in the state. Any legalization for sports betting will have to go through the in-state tribes and they are happy with the status quo.
Florida
In 2021, a new state compact between the Seminoles and Governor Ron DeSantis got tied up in federal courts. Unless the Seminole Tribe, the US commercial sportsbook operators and the state can all come up with an agreement, it remains the same in 2023.
Hawaii
In 2022, some state legislators came up with a bill that included a sports betting tax of 55%. Future bills to legalize sportsbook wagering in 2023 will need a different tax rate than the one suggested last year.
Idaho
Since PASPA was overturned in 2018, state lawmakers in Idaho have not followed the course of 34 states that do have legal sports betting in their borders over the last five years. The Gem State is probably not going to embrace legal sportsbooks again in 2023.
Utah
The state legislature is probably not going to introduce legal sports betting in 2023. Utah is probably not going to introduce legal sportsbooks sometime in the short and long-term future.
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