States That Have Made Official Betting a Reality

official betting

Several states have made official betting a reality. Some of them were ahead of the curve, while others have taken longer. In the end, a legal sports book may not be a matter of if, but when. In addition to brick-and-mortar establishments, there are online alternatives to consider. Some states have been gambling-hostile, while others have embraced the industry as a way to bolster tourism. The following are the states that have officially legalized sports betting in some form or another.

Connecticut has been the slow burner when it comes to sports betting. A bill was signed in May 2021, but was ultimately delayed by a number of factors. For example, the state is governed by a series of tribal compacts, and the state lottery is not permitted to have an online sports book component. The state did however make its presence known with the opening of a sportsbook at Chase Field in September of that year.

Rhode Island was the first state to legalize sports betting. In fact, it is one of the few states to allow sports betting at a land-based establishment. There are currently three land-based casinos owned by Bally’s Corporation, and a fifth is set to open in the fall of 2018. They are all powered by IGT, which has also supplied the technology to several Nevada casinos. The sportsbook at the new casino is a high-tech affair, with a state-of-the-art jumbotron, multiple TVs and high-definition video feeds to keep customers happy.