Sports betting is an important pastime for quite a lot of sports enthusiasts across the world. This is because what can provide a better adrenalin rush while watching a game than the anticipation of winning some quick cash by making correct predictions?
Let us discuss the legalities of sports betting in this article.
Understanding Sports Betting
What is sports betting? Sports betting refers to a kind of gambling. This gambling is specifically for sports enthusiasts. Here, you have to predict and wager on the results of a sports game. Sports betting is available for all sorts of physical sporting activities. These include baseball, basketball, football, cricket and so on. Even non-athletic sporting activities such as Formula racing and non-human sporting events such as horse racing fall under the spectrum of sports betting.
There are various types of sports bets available. These include spread bets, totals, prop bets, money line bets and more.
Spread bets: Here the sports team needs to win or lose by a pre-decided number of points.
Prop bets: Here the wager is on particular events. These include coin toss, touchdown and so on.
Totals: Also called over/under, here the wager is on the total scores of both teams. The scores have to be over or under a pre-determined total.
Money line bets: This bet is based on which team will win or lose. Here, the wagers on the underdogs will be worth more.
Sports betting is usually engaged in by enthusiasts via sports books or sports betting websites. Sports betting can be carried out in land-based sports betting centres where bookies take your predictions and place your wagers. In case a sports book offers horse racing betting but is found outside the racetrack, then this kind of betting is also called off-track betting.
Where is Sports Betting Legal?
In the previous years in the US, sports betting was legal only in the state of Nevada. In 2018, the Supreme Court passed a jurisdiction that decided to legalise sports books and sports betting across the country, to be picked up by respective states and decided upon.
Sports betting sites make profits by placing their odds such that they can make some money in the long run. The house always has the advantage. However, with some luck and mathematical expertise, you can get some quick cash out of sports betting for sure.
Sports Betting Laws by State
In the US, by 2018, sports betting is legal. According to the American Gaming Association, all the 39 states and the District of Columbia have been considering or have already legalised sports betting legislation in some form or the other. Currently, of the 39, 30 states in the US and Washington D.C. have legalised sports betting through the refrain “Live, Legal”. Here you can engage in sports betting legally in land-based or online sports betting centres.
In the three states of Florida, Nebraska and Ohio, sports betting is legal but not yet operational. The citizens can engage in legal sports betting here but there are currently no legal sports betting organisations here.
The remaining six states include Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri and Oklahoma. Here the issue of legalising sports betting is still being debated. There are either pre-filed bills pending in the state legislature or certain voter referendums have been raised.
How Many States is Sports Betting Legal?
39 states and the District of Columbia currently allow legal sports betting in the US. Of this number, 22 let you legally engage in sports betting online as well as in land-based centres.
Is Sports Betting Legal on a Federal Level?
In the year 2018, the Supreme Court did away with the federal ban on sports betting, both online and offline. The state governments were subsequently allowed to set their own policies on the matter. Sportsbooks can now legally operate in the US. However, legislation is still pending regarding the federal level legalisation of sports betting.
In Which States Is Sports Betting Illegal?
In the US, in the states of Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri and Oklahoma, sports betting is still illegal. Sports betting is being debated in such states with voting forums being set up for further discussions, debates and legislation formation.
Final Words
Make sure that you know the restrictions of sports betting and do not bet from a state where sports betting is illegal in the US.
F.A.Q.s
Can I bet on sports online legally?
Yes, you can bet on sports online legally.
Is online sports betting legal in all states?
No, the 6 states of Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri and Oklahoma have not yet legalised sports betting in the US.
Which states will legalize sports betting in 2022?
The states of Alaska and Georgia might legalise sports betting in 2022.