Sports betting laws ‘Coast to Coast’ in America have essentially been a group of sleeping giants ever since the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was enacted. For two decades, PASPA dissuaded states from legalizing sports betting. However, that all changed in 2012 when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation to permit ‘Nevada-style’ sports gambling in his State.
The NCAA, NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL sued to stop New Jersey’s plan. Notably absent was the UFC. Whom have taken a pro stance to sports gambling including it as part of it promotional platform. The lawsuit in question was accepted for review by the Supreme Court.
Yesterday (May 14, 2018), it ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional, opening the flood gates for legal sports gambling from sea to shining sea. Additional states have recently moved to introduce legislation that would legalize sports betting, which can now be activated since PASPA was deemed to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Those looking to rejoice must keep in mind, the Supreme Court ruling only paves the way for state legislature, so it will take some time to get local laws enacted. There is definitely cause for celebration, however, as it’s apparent that legalized betting is coming sooner rather than later, depending on which state you live in. Officials in three states — Delaware, Mississippi and New Jersey — have pledged to start accepting legal bets within the coming weeks. The urgency to implement a new tax revenue is widespread across the country. However when it comes sports gambling, those individual states wanting to introduce sports betting into their economy will be a larger majority but it will not be universally embraced state to state.
Despite the lucrative tax revenue that sports betting could provide, some states may decide it’s not for them, leaving sports fans in those states looking for some ‘action’ in neighbouring ‘Sin Cities’ offering accommodation for sports betting or instead relying on myriad gambling websites without leaving the comfort of your own home like our friends at Several Bookmakers.
However, for the ‘greater good of the gambler’ and the sports organizations as a whole, there remains no doubt legal sports betting in the U.S. will change the game.
In all reality, illegal sports gambling is happening in all shapes and forms all around the United States, and it’s not regulated or taxed. Gambling in general has been around since the beginning of time. It would be in everyone’s best interest to regulate and tax online gaming instead of letting the money flow out of the country or to illegal gaming operators. Those operators won’t disappear, but it will force them to be more competitive and statewide operation to be more convenient. Legalized sports betting in America, is already mostly done online. This model will almost inevitably force the hand of the governments to legalization of other forms of online gambling including sports betting. Some U.S. jurisdictions are already exploring bringing back online poker and daily fantasy sports.
The future of legalized gambling in America is red hot. The chances of becoming a professional sports gambler and the dangers for recreational sports gamblers in America are both increasing by the second. The exhilaration and emotions you can feel when betting on sports (more particularly MMA) almost feels surreal at times. The same can be said about the Supreme Court announcement.
However, with so many seemingly limitless possibilities, always remember if it’s betting on sports or amongst friends — gamble within your limits.
