There are 38 states where sports betting is legal. As for non-states, it’s also legal in Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Sports betting legal states have enjoyed significant tax windfalls due to the taxation of legal sports betting. Because of that, it is only a matter of time before it is legal in all 50 states, but some states are closer to legalizing sports betting than others.
This article will detail which states are most likely to legalize sports betting sooner rather than later. Regarding sports betting legalization news, the states in line to jump into the fray of legal sports wagering are:
- Missouri
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Minnesota
- Oklahoma
Missouri – Close in the Show Me State
Missouri is the only state with bills to legalize sports betting in 2024. A similar bill was introduced last year, but a lone Senator filibustered it because it did not address funds for veterans’ services or have language for legalizing video lottery terminals (VLT). Because of the Senator’s opposition, it did not look good for Missouri to be on the legal sports betting states map in the near future.
So, state lobbyists launched a Constitutional Amendment that bypassed the state legislature, and the issue of legal sports betting will go straight to the voters. The initiative received the number of signatures needed to be placed on the ballot, so the issue goes to the voters in November.
Georgia – Maybe Next Year for the Peach State
Like 2023, the legislature in Georgia has considered a few bills this year for the legalization of sports wagering. The main question is whether a Constitutional Amendment is needed for sports betting laws to be legal in the Peach State.
Many lobbyists in the state do not think one is required. However, other lawmakers believe there needs to be an amendment to add funds from legal sports betting to problem gambling organizations.
Without an amendment, the funds from taxing sports betting would all go to education, according to the state constitution, but as it stands, no vote will take place, meaning bettors hoping to play the best sportsbook apps in Georgia will have to wait.
It is, nonetheless, now possible to play the Georgia Lottery online.
Hawaii – Betting in Paradise
A bill was introduced on the ballot in 2024, and things looked pretty good, with much support for legalizing sports betting, but the bill ended up dying. Supporters remain optimistic, however, especially as interest in betting on sports like soccer continues to grow. Like Georgia, while legalization is unlikely, there is growing momentum in the Aloha State, which makes it a key market to watch for future online betting opportunities.
Minnesota – Hurdles in the North Star State
While the Minnesota House and the state Senate considered bills this year to legalize betting in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, neither came to fruition. Like in 2022 and 2023, the main issues with lawmakers in the state were whether the licenses for sports betting would be fully given to Native American tribes and how the revenue should be shared.
Again, like Georgia and Hawaii, the earliest a bill would be introduced would likely be sometime soon. The Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling has been vocal on the issue to make sure that legislation would have provisions for funds that would go to gambling treatment as well as problem gambling services.
Minnesota is one of the few states where the sports betting legal age is not 21, as it is 18.
Oklahoma – Maybe Soon in the Sooner State?
There were multiple bills in the Oklahoma legislation for legalizing sports betting in 2024, and one in the Oklahoma House passed. However, there has not been much progress on the issue in the state Senate.
One legislator stated that a majority supported the bill, but voting on the issue would not happen until there is an agreement with the state tribes on how sports betting would work. Governor Kevin Stitt supported a bill on the issue, but the tribes did not support it, ultimately failing.
Again, like the other states above, this year is likely the earliest date another sports betting legalization bill would be on the slate. With some of the tax funds earmarked for problem gambling, the Oklahoma Association of Problem Gambling and Gaming has been at the forefront of supporting bills that would legalize sports betting in the state.
