Are More States Going to Legalize Online Gambling?
By Space Coast Daily // October 13, 2020
Online gambling is not legal in all states in the United States. In many states, there is some form of ban on online gambling. In two states, Iowa and Hawaii, online gambling is strictly prohibited. CasinoBernie is a hot casino website to find top news and information about the casino world.
Thanks to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic, more states in the United States are considering legalizing online gambling and removing some of its harsher restrictions on the industry. This is in a desperate attempt to meet up with a huge budget deficit and look for new revenues for the states.
With virtually all industries affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in America, online gambling still stands strong. While other sectors were downsizing and recording losses, online gambling grew and increased in popularity as a result of COVID-19.
Here are some reasons why more states are going to legalize online gambling.
A New Source of Revenue
In states where it is illegal to conduct online gambling, there are booming underground gambling industries recording millions of dollars in revenue. Players in these states are turning to other states online casinos and using services like VPN to bypass the requirement.
The disadvantage of this is that potential revenue, such as taxes is missed. Also, taxes on earnings of online casinos is non-existent. These casinos make a whole lot of money. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, states badly hit by COVID-19 are turning to online gambling as a source of new revenue.
Revenues gotten from online gambling is not going to contribute more than 1 percent of the state’s budget. Although small, for states struggling to meet their budget, this revenue can make a significant impact. In California, legislators are considering sports betting and other online gambling activities as a viable means of meeting its $54 billion deficit.
More States are Reawakening to its Potential
Only 18 states in the United States plus Washington D.C., offers sports betting. In four more, internet gambling status is legal.
As of today, Virginia and Tennessee legislators have approved legal status for sports betting. The law is yet to commence. There is growing optimism that in a few months, the law will kick-off.
Two tribal casinos offer online gambling in North Carolina. A bill is in motion in the statehouse to allow it to spread statewide. Washington And Oklahoma also approve of sports betting but at the tribal casinos, but only with some regulations set.
The most likely states to legalize sports betting this year are Ohio, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. By November, Louisiana will hold a referendum on sports betting. Illinois is another state considering approving internet gambling to help it generate some needed tax revenue.
Online Gambling Status in the U.S.A
Two years ago, the Supreme Court gave a judgment that boosted online gambling in the U.S. It declared the federal ban on sports on sports betting as illegal and asserted the power of the state to choose if they want to legislate it or not.
Where does each state stand in regards to online gambling? What states is online gambling legal? What states are close to making online gambling legal? Find the answers to these questions below.
Legal Status 2020
States that allow partial mobile betting include: Iowa, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, and Rhode Island.States that only provide legal status for sportsbooks include Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, and New York.
States that allow full mobile betting privileges include Colorado, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C., just recently gained legal status. No betting yet within these territories.
In the following states, online gambling laws are under consideration by the legislature or the November ballot: Maryland (November ballot), Massachusetts, and Ohio. By the end of 2020, these states should have gotten legal status for online gambling.
State Projections for 2021
By 2021, it is projected that 15 more states will get legal status for betting. Currently, there are 10 states whose legal status bills are under consideration by their respective legislators. They include Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Vermont.
2 states have no movements, they are North Dakota and Texas. South Dakota requires the November ballot. Louisiana may need a possible referendum. Maine needs a Governor vetoed the bill.
State Projections for 2021 and Beyond
There are q10 states in this category with uncertain betting futures. Seven of these states have no movement, three have tribal gaming conflict, and one is under consideration by the legislature. States that fall into the no movement category include Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming.
States that have tribal gaming conflicts include Minnesota and Wisconsin. States, where the legal status is under consideration by the legislature, include Nebraska.
The Future of Online Gambling in the U.S.A
All forms of online gambling will inevitably gain legal status in all American states. Instead of frustrating this inevitable conclusion, states should work at ways to regulate the industry. It will contribute a needed source of revenue for states.
