The global iGaming and online betting industry is growing year after year. Despite that, the year 2024 could be considered an epic fail for the USA, as there were no changes related to legislation. In fact, this was the first year since 2018 that none of the US states legalized a new form of gambling, which has been on a rapid rise in the last decade. Luckily, the start of 2025 promises to bring positive changes – here’s what you need to know.
USA’s current stance on sports betting
It’s been seven years since the first states started legalizing sports betting. The 2018 Supreme Court ruling made it possible for states to reconsider their stance on online betting, but Nevada was way ahead of its time. This state, which is known for its abundance of casinos, was the first one to tackle the issue back in 2010, after it launched the STN sports app.
New Jersey and West Virginia were the first ones to legalize online sports betting in 2018, and it didn’t take long for the other states to follow suit. Some states, like Arizona, waited a while before allowing online sportsbooks to become legal. State officials waited a reasonable amount of time before legalizing sports betting in April 2021, with the first sites springing into action in September. While Arizona might not have been the first state to jump on the bandwagon, it certainly wasn’t the last one, as there are still eleven US states that are yet to regulate the online sports betting market.
One of them—Utah—will most likely never accept any form of gambling. But if you live in one of the remaining 10 states that are yet to legalize online sports betting, there are alternatives outside the U.S. that bettors from the States can access if they have a decent Internet connection. Such platforms typically ensure a bit higher bonuses than domestic gambling websites, plus they often include multiple payment options to cater to worldwide players. One thing to remember, though: remember to include your potential international winnings in your US tax return, as well.
Missouri
Missouri’s residents might not be able to access online betting sites just yet, but that’s going to change by the end of the year. The state has already legalized online sports betting, which has generated more than 11 billion in revenue in 2023. Legalized as a result of Amendment 2, the Missouri Gaming Commission is currently setting up rules that will regulate the industry.
It’s expected that changes will take effect by the end of the year, with hopes that some of the remaining states will follow in Missouri’s footsteps.
Georgia
Georgia is one of the largest US states without a legal sports betting industry. State officials are very much aware of what they are missing out on, considering that 22% of Americans have an account with at least one online sportsbook. Senator Brandon Beach has made comments that lead people to believe that he will put the issue of legal wagering into focus.
He said that the state’s stubbornness to legalize the online sports betting industry is resulting in more than just a loss of profit, as it’s giving shady offshore sites a chance to thrive. So far, politics have been delaying the issue of legalization, and there’s a chance that might change in 2025 and beyond.
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the states that doesn’t even have a lottery, so it’s logical that other forms of gambling are illegal as well. However, Hawaiian lawmakers aren’t firmly against the idea of online betting and gambling, as they’ve been dabbling with the prospect during the last few years. So far, the possibility of legalizing the market has been all talk, as there hasn’t been a wagering bill to vote on. The coming legislative session, which is going to run through 2 May, might tackle the issue.
Last year, the legalization of online sports betting reached the committee, but there was no resolution regarding it. The state’s lawmakers couldn’t agree on what the future of online wagering could look like, and none of the bills filed last year contained important details, like licensing fees and tax rates. The good news is that the state is open to legalizing the industry, giving hope that there might be a significant change by the end of the year.
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The bottom line
While some US states are promising contenders for 2025, many are still years away from legalizing online betting. Take Alaska as an example, as this state has never seriously entertained the idea of gambling sites and sportsbooks. There was a brief attempt at legalization in 2022, but the bill fell through once it reached the committee.
As for the remaining states, like California and Texas, a lot depends on the political parties. Chances are slim that anything significant will change in these two states in 2025, but they might have better luck in 2026. Until then, these states’ residents can use a short trip to a neighboring state as an opportunity to indulge in the best sportsbooks on the market.
