Gambling and betting have always been a favorite pastime around the world, ever since its concept was first introduced centuries ago. For gamblers in the US, however, if you didn’t live in a state where betting was legalized, such as Nevada, home of the infamous Las Vegas, you were missing out.
This began to change in 2018, when on May 14th, the US Supreme Court overruled a former federal ban and allowed states to legalize sports betting. How has this changed the world of sports betting, however?
Why is Sports Betting So Popular?
Watching sports, whether it’s baseball, NBA, NFL, NHL, and more, is one of the great pastimes American citizens enjoy. Going to a baseball or NFL game, for example, is iconic, and one which is recognized across the globe. Sports betting allows avid fans a chance to take a risk and make their viewing a little bit more exciting. The changes to sports betting laws are truly significant for the US and one which will change the world of sports forever.
New Legislation By State
Not all states have legalized sports betting, however. A handful has welcomed the change in the law with open arms, but some are still trying to figure out if they will adopt the new law too.
Delaware: This northern state was one of the first in the US to legalize sports betting in 2018. Gamblers are permitted to place bets on almost any sport in one of the state’s three casinos, and online betting is predicted to be available in the near future.
New Jersey: New Jersey has paved the way in the US for online betting. It was one of the first states to allow it after the Supreme Court ruled that the federal legislation infringed on the state’s right to set its own betting laws. It was a major decision and one which saw New Jersey enter the online sports playing field.
Tennessee: In May 2019, Tennessee passed a law to make online sports betting legal, following in the footsteps of New Jersey. However, this legislation does prohibit physical sites for betting, meaning casinos cannot open their doors just yet. Online gambling in this state will officially be legal on 1stJuly 2019.
What Sports Can You Bet On in the US?
Depending on the state you live in, a vast range of sports are available for you to bet on. The NFL is a highly popular one, with fans across the globe watching it weekly. Online betting on NFL games is slowly being introduced across the country, and as the season kicks off between September and February yearly, featuring games Thursday, Sunday, and Monday nights, there’s never been a better time to introduce this fun pastime to your season. Betting on the football season is a great way to take your viewing up a level, scoring your very own touchdown when your bet wins. Betting on touchdown scores is a fun game to play, as is player performance betting, where you can place bets on the total number of passing yards, the number of interceptions thrown, and for defensive players, the number of tackles and fumbles.
Final Thoughts
With the legislation in the US changing the landscape of sports betting forever, the popularity of this pastime is only set to rise. Taking a risk on your favorite team, player, or even betting against the opposition, you can not only can you increase your involvement when you watch a game, but you can also boost your excitement and engagement.
