In May 2018, the Supreme Court overturned a 1992 law that prohibited states from legalizing sports gambling. Maryland, which last week approved two casinos to begin offering sports gambling by the end of this week, will begin operating the mobile component next year, too.

New York's online sports betting launch is expected to be operational next year. New York, which already allowed some casinos to have sports betting operations on the premises, also awarded mobile sports wagering contracts to nine operators last month, including well-known names like Bally's Interactive LLC, BetMGM LLC and Resorts World, according to the New York State Gaming Commission's website. I mean, prior to 2019 consumers had to either pay to fly to Vegas to place your bet, which most people are unable to do or are unwilling to do, or you had to be with an illegal bookie or with an offshore site,” Forman said. The other states that began operating online sports betting were Virginia, Wyoming and Arizona, according to the AGA.ĭavid Forman, senior director of research at the AGA, said much of the sports gambling growth has been driven by the fact that people in many states can place bets on their smart phones, without having to travel to a casino.

Of the states that made sports gambling legal in 2021, four launched an online or mobile component, including Florida, which in November legalized betting on major sports both online and in person by awarding a deal to the Seminole tribe.