Whether or not you can legally place a sportsbook wager in your state is a question that you may need to ask yourself. If you live in a state such as Pennsylvania, Florida, or Ohio, the answer to this question may be different than if you live in another state.
Legality of sportsbook betting in Ohio
Whether you are a fan of the NBA or NHL, Ohio sports betting is one of the few states in the Midwest to have legal sports betting. You can bet on your favorite teams on your mobile devices or in person. However, you need to be 21 to place wagers.
When Ohio sports betting is legal, it will be taxed at 10%, with 2% of the revenue going towards problem gambling assistance. The state’s sportsbook sites will verify the account holder’s age and location using geolocation tracking software.
Ohio sports betting is expected to go live in 2023. The state will have more than 40 sportsbooks in operation, including a few mobile sportsbooks. There will also be retail sportsbooks available at casinos and racetracks.
Legality of sportsbook betting in Florida
Despite having one of the largest professional sports leagues in the world, Florida has not yet gotten sportsbook betting legal. While neighboring states have started to offer it, the state has not approved any new sportsbooks. The Seminole Tribe controls gambling in the state.
In 2013, the Seminole Tribe launched a sportsbook in Florida. After a court ruling, the app was shut down. The tribe is still appealing the decision.
DraftKings and FanDuel have been lobbying for sports betting in Florida. They tried to get a sports betting initiative on the ballot in 2022. However, they failed to gather the signatures needed. They have also tried to get a state constitutional amendment approved that would legalize sports betting.
Legality of sportsbook betting in Pennsylvania
Those who have been following the recent developments in the legality of sportsbook betting in Pennsylvania may be curious about where this new industry has come from. The state has a strong gambling tradition, with casinos operating since 2004. But in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s decision to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the state legislature passed a bill to legalize sports betting.
Before PASPA, sports betting in Pennsylvania was legal, but only in person at casinos and racetracks. The new law makes Pennsylvania the seventh state to legalize sports betting, and permits residents to bet in person and online.
Legality of sportsbook betting in Tennessee
Until now, the legality of sportsbook betting in Tennessee was relatively unknown. In a state with little history of gambling, the laws were relatively uncompromising. There were no employers who could exert their own interests in policy, which made it relatively easy for lawmakers to pass the bill.
The initial bill called for betting kiosks to be set up across the state. But during the negotiations, that idea was dropped. Instead, the law allowed for in-person and online betting. Ultimately, the law was passed with a 58-37 vote in the House and a 19-12 vote in the Senate.