ABC News is reporting that the three largest states in the US in terms of population size, in the form of California, Florida and Texas are unlikely to legalize sports betting anytime soon. This news is a big blow for those who want to see legalized and regulated gaming across the US. With sportsbook operators vying and hoping for legal entry to these states.
With the likes of California, Florida and Texas having teams that compete in more than half the championship series of the four major US professional sports. Allowing online sports betting in these three states is seen as a lucrative market place for operators.
With the news that the US Supreme Court has allowed every US State to offer legalized sports gambling, it was hoped the three most populous states would follow in the footsteps of New Jersey and Nevada. Thus allowing their residents to bet online.
The Associated Press have recently conducted a 50 state review of sports gambling legislation. This report goes to confirm that the regulation and legalizing of online gaming activity is pretty remote, to non existent in these three most populous states. It is akin to what Muhammad Ali once said. The chances of it happening are slim to none and slim is out of town!
Looking objectively as to why this is the ominous conclusion that the AP have come to, it is very likely down to vested interests and the mighty dollar at play here. With the residents of Texas, Florida and California likely to have a long wait before legalized online sports betting becomes a reality. We are now near 13 years since the UIGEA was implemented on the back of the Safe Port Act in 2006.
Every year since, operators and players alike have been wondering whether this would be the year that online gambling would be regulated and legalized in the US. Yes, there has been some headway made, with the likes of New Jersey and Nevada introducing legislation, thus allowing operators to service their residents. But the US is a big place and so far only seven states have put in place regulation and legislation, thus offering licenses to operators who wish to market there.
Many other states have tried and failed to introduce legislation, including in the past California, which alas still forbids sports betting. So if you are a resident in California a road trip to Nevada is still a necessity if you want to have a bet. But then that is a good enough excuse to head to Vegas, if you are so inclined.
