Several states have already legalized sports betting, and eight to 10 more could legalize it in 2019, according to Sports Handle.
At the end of 2018, legislators in five states had pre-filed sports betting bills, and lawmakers in 15 others, including New York and Montana, are planning to file legislation. In some cases, legislation has already been drafted.
So, which states will be next to offer sports betting in 2019? Here’s a look at some of the bills that have already been filed:
Kentucky
The bill, recently re-filed and updated by Senator Julian Carroll, would create the Kentucky Gaming Association to oversee sports betting and calls for a 25 percent tax on net revenue. Sports Handle predicts that the bill will not get to a vote, but Representative Adam Koenig held a hearing in the fall and says he will file his own bill, which is expected to have a more reasonable tax rate.
Tennessee
The bill would create the Tennessee Gaming Commission and includes provisions for mobile and online sports betting. The legislation calls for legalized sports betting “only in jurisdictions that approve sports betting by local option election,” which likely means by county, rather than statewide.
Missouri
Two separate state lawmakers have filed sports betting bills. One bill, filed by Senator Denny Hoskins, includes mobile and online sports betting, and a fee that would go to the state for upgrades, maintenance and building of sports facilities. A House bill, filed by Representative Cody Smith, includes a royalty for professional sports leagues and the NCAA and requires that sports books buy “official league data” and limits online and mobile betting to on-site sports books.
Virginia
A pre-filed bill would allow statewide mobile and online sports betting and limits the number of sports betting licenses to five. However, the bill’s sponsor, Mark Sickles, says he will increase the number to 10, according to Sports Handle. Virginia doesn’t currently have any casino infrastructure. Another bill, sponsored by a state senator, may also be in the works.
South Carolina
South Carolina’s sports betting bill would amend the state constitution to allow sports betting and casino gaming. The issue would be presented to voters on the 2020 ballot and create a sports betting study committee.
