Missouri moves towards sports betting while Wyoming’s iGaming bill stalls and New York bans college prop bets. Other U.S. states focus on regulation and consumer protection.
The U.S. gambling landscape at the state level continues to evolve with several states pushing for or refining legislation related to sports betting, iGaming, and other forms of gambling. Here’s an in-depth look at recent developments in Missouri, Wyoming, and New York, as well as broader trends across the nation.
Missouri: Progress Towards Legalized Sports Betting
Missouri has witnessed significant strides towards legalizing sports betting. The state’s initiative, buoyed by substantial public support, has moved forward with the collection of over 340,000 signatures, leading to the Secretary of State’s approval for a ballot measure in November 2024. This initiative could open the door for Missouri to join the ranks of states with legal sports betting, potentially revitalizing an already vibrant casino industry. The push for this change reflects a growing acceptance among Missourians for regulated sports betting, which could lead to increased tourism, economic benefits, and new revenue streams for state coffers. However, the journey to legalization is not without its hurdles, including debates over regulatory frameworks, tax rates, and the protection of consumers, particularly in terms of responsible gambling measures.
Wyoming: Stalling of iGaming Legislation
Wyoming’s attempt to legalize online casino gaming through House Bill 162 encountered a significant setback when it failed to advance from a House committee on February 4, 2025. The bill, which aimed to regulate and tax online casino operations, was postponed indefinitely, reflecting the complex interplay of local interests, particularly from tribal gaming leaders wary of the impact on their existing operations. Despite the bill’s provisions for tribal involvement in iGaming, the concerns were not adequately addressed to sway committee members. This development underscores the challenges of expanding gambling laws in states where traditional gaming entities hold significant sway. Wyoming’s legislative session ends on March 6, 2025, leaving little room for reconsideration unless there’s a dramatic shift in support. This situation might encourage lawmakers to revisit the topic in future sessions with possibly revised strategies to balance economic incentives with stakeholder interests.
New York: Addressing Prop Bets on College Athletes
New York has made notable legislative moves to curb certain types of gambling that could undermine the integrity of college sports. A bill passed by an Assembly committee on November 14, 2024, aims to ban “prop” bets on college athletes, focusing on protecting student-athletes from the pressures of betting. This legislation reflects a broader national conversation about the ethics and integrity of sports betting, especially when it comes to amateur athletes. New York’s proactive approach might set a precedent for other states to follow, highlighting a potential shift in how gambling laws consider the impact on participants rather than just regulation for revenue. This legislation also comes in the context of New York’s booming sports betting market, which has been one of the largest in the U.S. since legalization, showing a nuanced approach to gambling policy that balances economic benefits with ethical considerations.
General Trends in U.S. Gambling Legislation
Across the United States, 39 states, along with Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., have now legalized sports betting, with 31 allowing mobile betting. However, the pace of new legalizations has slowed, indicating a maturation or perhaps a saturation point in some areas. The focus has shifted from legalization to refinement, with states now grappling with the details:
- Taxation and Revenue: There’s a keen interest in optimizing tax rates to balance revenue generation with maintaining a competitive market for operators.
- Consumer Protection: With gambling more accessible, states are increasingly focused on consumer protection, including measures to combat gambling addiction, enforce age restrictions, and ensure fair play.
- Responsible Gaming: There’s a growing emphasis on responsible gaming, with states like New York mandating warnings about gambling addiction on all gambling advertisements, signed into law in October 2024, setting an example for others.
- Technological Integration: The use of technology, including AI for both enhancing user experience and for monitoring gambling behavior, is becoming more prevalent, pointing to a future where gambling is more personalized yet closely monitored.
These trends suggest that while the expansion of legal gambling in the U.S. continues, the focus is increasingly on managing the social and ethical implications of this expansion, ensuring that growth doesn’t come at the expense of public welfare.
iGaming enthusiast and writer. I enjoy playing and testing new slots as well as working with many developers in the casino software industry. My new passion includes covering the endless innovation of crypto for iGaming its benefits for both players and casinos.
