Over the last year and a half, we have witnessed unexpected changes on a global scale. The Covid-19 pandemic affected many industries, destroying many of them. However, one specific market, online betting in the US, has been favoured by restrictive security measures around the globe. With travel bans and numerous lockdowns, millions of us have stayed home, and the entertainment options are not many. That is why one of the most important revolutions in the world of online casinos and sports betting is currently taking place. Today, many United States have legalized these activities, and another is about to follow suit. Here is what to expect from the US online casino and sports betting industry.
The Fast Growth of US Online Casino and Sports Betting
In May 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States legalized sports betting and opened the door to practising daily fantasy sports. Thanks to this step, illegal betting can now be limited or disappear. Ever since the various states have had the choice whether to authorize sports betting or not. Every state has its own regulatory body, which operates within the borders. In fact, New Jersey was the first state to initiate the legalization of sports betting. It quickly became the leader in the US market, offering many reputable online gambling platforms. The big land and mortar casino operators, like Borgata Casino or BetMGM, quickly followed and launched online casinos
By taking this step, the US online casino and sports betting industry is opening many profitable possibilities. The large public of the US states attracts much attention, and we see more and more European-based brands trying to win the hearts of American gamblers. Even if not all of the states legalized online casinos and their many entertaining options, the residents have a satisfying choice of thousands of slot machines, variants of classic games like roulette or blackjack, as well as betting on live sports events.
Which the US States Already Legalized Online Gambling and Sports Betting?
The pioneers of the US gambling market are not many. Among the first ones to make their residents happy were New Jersey, Delaware, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Iowa, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Many other states like Maryland and South Dakota are also about to open their borders to sports betting in late 2021 or early 2022. Despite the many benefits that online gambling can bring (financial growth, job opportunities, taxable revenue, etc.), some states aren’t even close to considering making changes in their legislation. For example, Hawaii and Utah are two of the areas where you can’t bet either online or in a land-based casino due to the total ban on gambling.
And while some states won’t open their eyes, there are 400 casino-hotel and 465 land-based casino venues in the US. In 2019, the total revenue from these establishments was nearly $98 billion! With the technological revolution of the 21st century, we expect to see more and more iGaming solutions in the future. US residents will be thrilled to take advantage of the various online casino services – a variety of titles, storylines, visuals, bonuses, and loyalty programs.
US Online Casinos and Sports Betting Expanding in 2021
The future of US gambling is bright and full of opportunities – after many local referendums, voters said yes to legalizing sports betting on the territory of their states. In the time of speaking, more than half of the US states are slowly moving forward to making changes in their legislations.
In 2019, North Carolina’s Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill allowing sports betting and two native tribe casinos. Then, in 2020, a sportsbook operating deal was sealed but for retailers only. In 2021, the chances are big for North Carolina to launch betting on sports events. Following next is Washington which legalized the activities in 2020. However, the state still hasn’t approved the regulations, but one thing is for sure – sports betting will be allowed in tribal casinos or at sportsbook venues only.
Last year, Maryland joined the trends by allowing its voters to choose whether they should legalize sports betting. The result was positive, and this is one of the few states which will accept online betting as well. Like in Washington, the laws need to be worked out, and for the moment – the launch date is not clear. South Dakota’s voters also said yes, but there isn’t a regulatory framework yet. Then we have Louisiana, where retail-only sports betting will be allowed. Finally, there are Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Nebraska that are open to authorizing land-based and online gambling by the end of this year.
Which Global Trends Will Enter the US Market?
The competition in the global gambling market is growing every day. To stay ahead of the others, many casino operators are opting for different strategies that will attract new customers. In the US, New Jersey dominates around 90% of online gambling, and there is a reason for its success. A large choice of platforms offering premium services and many privileges to American gamblers, including:
- Daily fantasy sports
- A variety of payment methods
- Thousands of slot machines
- Hundreds of live casino games
- 24/7 customer supports
- Mobile applications
Not only that but there are generous bonuses for newly registered players. For those who proved their loyalty, there are rewards as well – trips to luxurious destinations, customized offers, discounts, free spins, sportsbook bonuses, tournaments with cash prizes, and a lot more!
If the predictions are right about European brands entering the US market, there will be surprises like VR slot machines, multiple-player live betting sessions, game shows, and even payments with cryptocurrency. We can’t wait to see the future of the US online casinos and sports betting market and tell you more about it – stay tuned!