The state of play in the U.S sports betting market 2021
The US gambling market is in a rather volatile state, with each year bringing new changes to existing laws. This is generally good news for punters hoping to one day enjoy legal gambling services nationwide. The path to legalization of all forms of gambling is long and twisted, with certain states unlikely to legalize it for decades to come. The sports betting market is on a constant expansion and has made some of the biggest progress in recent years. There is still a lot of resistance from some states, but the number of open-minded legislators is constantly growing.
Three examples worth following
Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey chose to lead by example and legalize online gambling many years ago. Their lawmakers found it worthwhile to challenge the effects of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement by passing bold gambling bills. Sports betting was already legal in Nevada, but other states found creative solutions to legalizing within their borders. Some went a step further and did the same for online casino games and poker, which acted as a magnet for international gambling operators.
The shining example of these three states and the success of their policies have encouraged other states to follow suit. Small steps were made in the right direction over the last few years, with help coming from unexpected sources. The Super Bowl is a national celebration of football and the most anticipated sports event of the year. Not surprisingly, some states made exceptions for their citizens to be able to bet on this amazing match. There was tremendous interest for this one-time proposition — and this helped the event in a year crippled by the pandemic.
Esports have gained a lot of traction as well and Americans have some of the most skilled players in the world. Popular games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2 and Counter Strike Global Offensive are played and watched by millions. In 2020 and the year before, American punters were allowed to bet on the final acts of some major international competitions. These tiny exceptions are paving the way to greater changes that could come to fruition in the upcoming years.
2021 can be the turning point for sports betting
Every year brings new hope for sports betting fans, but things are advancing at a rather slow pace. 2021 could be different, as the number of states ready to legalize sports betting is about to reach critical mass. Some of the bigger and more populous US states are on the list and lawmakers are considering the best avenues to legalize sports betting. They enjoy the support of states residents, who overwhelmingly favor the passing of new gambling bills.
It will take some time before sports betting will be legal in most American states, both online and offline. Each year brings sports betting fans one step closer to this goal, but time and patience are needed.