Sportsbooks

Massachusetts Betting Market Explained

February 21, 2024 William Mcmaster

In 2018, the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Act that had been put in place to ban all forms of sports betting. Since then, US states have been free to legalize and regulate sports betting. Several states have moved quickly to enact new laws, and sportsbooks have started to appear across the country, both in-person and online.

While thirty states have already legalized some form of gambling, many more are still in the process of drafting up laws to regulate it. Massachusetts is one of the states that hasn’t quite finalized the process yet, although it is currently moving towards legal online sports betting.

The New Massachusetts Sports Betting Bill

In July 2021, the Massachusetts House of Representatives decisively supported a plan to legalize sports betting in the state. However, the subject of whether to allow wagers on college sports has emerged as a major sticking point between the House and the Senate.

The good news for fans of sports betting living in Massachusetts is that this bill being passed means that legal sports betting is now very much likely on its way to the state. Of course, the bill will still have to pass through the Senate, and at the moment, it’s unclear how long that will take. The current estimation is that the bill will be passed by the end of 2021, allowing the first sports bets to be placed not long after (Patriot Ledger, 2021).

Outside of sports betting, Massachusetts already allows parimutuel betting on horse, and dog races and the state is also home to several Indian casinos, two resort casinos, and a slot parlor where people can place legal real money wagers on casino games and slots. However, online casinos and poker sites are currently not allowed to operate in Massachusetts and there are no plans to change this currently.

Betting Restrictions in Massachusetts

While sports betting isn’t quite legal yet, the details of the bill that recently passed the House are available to see. The bill outlines the restrictions on how and where people can bet, detailing that bettors will need to be at least 21 years old and will only be able to place bets at licensed sportsbooks. Both online and in-person sportsbooks will require a license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (SBC Americas, 2021).

People from outside the state will be able to place bets at Massachusetts sportsbooks, but only if they’re currently within the state borders. They’ll need to provide their location as well as verify their ID before they can place any real money wagers on sports.

The current proposed bill for Massachusetts sports betting includes college sports, although it’s possible that this will be removed. As it stands, bettors can place wagers on college sports but won’t be able to place proposition bets on college events.

Massachusetts Sports Betting FAQ

Are Online Sportsbooks Legal in Massachusetts?

No, currently the law doesn’t allow online sportsbooks to operate within the state. However, the House recently passed a bill that would allow online sportsbooks to launch in late 2021.

Are Online Casinos Legal in Massachusetts?

Online casinos are unfortunately still banned in MA, despite the new betting laws. This means you won’t be able to play casino games on your computer or mobile but you can still play at land-based casinos.

Is Online Poker Legal in Massachusetts?

No, online poker is currently illegal in the state of MA and you won’t be able to sign up at poker sites licenced in the state. Your only options are sweepstake sites or offshore poker sites that accept MA players.

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Rhode Island Betting Market Explained

February 21, 2024 William Mcmaster

The US has seen rapid growth in legal betting markets thanks to a recent change in federal law. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was unconstitutional. This act had previously blocked legal sports wagering across the US, with a few exceptions, but now it’s lifted, states are free to regulate sports betting however they see fit.

Rhode Island, among others, has now launched its own legal betting market, although some restrictions still remain in place. Those living in the state, as well as those visiting, can now legally place real money wagers on major sporting events including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and international leagues. Read on for our full guide to find out more about the kind of wagering allowed in the state and what restrictions are in place.

Which Forms of Betting Are Allowed in Rhode Island?

The Ocean State is the smallest state in the US by surface area and has a very small population but it’s a popular destination for tourists and holidaymakers thanks to its oceanfront beaches and resorts. The state could also become something of a gambling hotspot because it now allows sports betting.

RI has permitted pari-mutuel horse race wagering since 1934 and, in 2012, agreed to allow full-scale casino gaming at two land-based casinos. In 2018, the state also legalized sports betting, becoming one of the first states to do so when Governor Gina Raimondo signed the bill. Online and retail sportsbooks can now operate in RI provided they’re licensed, but the state doesn’t allow online casinos or poker websites at the moment.

Betting Restrictions in Rhode Island

Although most forms of gambling are now allowed in the Ocean State, there are still restrictions on how and where people can wager real money. All gambling in the state is controlled by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, and any casinos or sportsbooks operating here need a license from this organization.

Sportsbooks in the state currently operate out of the two land-based casinos, with kiosks available where bettors can place their wagers. Mobile betting is also allowed, but you have to sign up in person before being able to bet. Anyone who is at least 18 years old will be able to place legal sports bets. For now, the topic of online gambling is still unclear in RI. Although mobile sports wagering is allowed, online casinos and poker are illegal, and there are no current plans to change this.

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Tennessee State Page | A guide to Online Gambling in Tennessee

February 21, 2024 William Mcmaster

Tennessee is a landlocked state in the Southeastern USA, which is best known for being the home of country music and for the high number of volunteers it provided during the War of 1812. One thing it is not known for, however, is its gambling scene, as gambling in Tennessee is practically nonexistent.

Gambling Laws in Tennessee

According to Tennessee’s Code § 39-17-501, “Gambling is contrary to the public policy of this state and means risking anything of value for a profit whose return is to any degree continent on chance”. As one can imagine, that description leaves very little up for interpretation and, indeed, Tennesseans and visitors to the Volunteer State will not come across any racetracks, bingo games (even for charitable purposes), and land-based casinos – not even on Tribe Lands (Case Text, 2021).

But, among this bleak gambling landscape, there is some light. In 2002, a constitutional amendment that would allow Tennessee to have its own State Lottery was voted in. Then, in 2019, the Volunteer State shocked everyone by becoming the first state to approve online-only betting, giving players in the state the opportunity to bet on online sports, horse racing, and take part in ‘daily fantasy sports’ (Tennessee Secretary of State, 2019).

Is Online Gambling Legal In Tennessee?

The 2019 change in law, however, did not make online casinos legal. In fact, it is still illegal for Tennesseans to play any form of online casino game. This is the case even if the casino is licensed in another state or by a foreign jurisdiction given that the player is within the borders of the Volunteer State. This, sadly, includes online poker, blackjack, roulette, video slots, baccarat, and all other games of chance.

As can be imagined, this total ban on Tennessee online casinos has been daunting for players in the state, who would like to play their favorite casino games. And as usually happens, players have managed to find some ways around this. One of these ways is by driving out of the state (usually to Illinois) to play at land-based casinos; while another is to use sweepstakes sites.

Legitimate sweepstakes sites, give you the chance to play online casino games where you can win coins that can be exchanged for prizes. These are legal within Tennessee, though it’s important to note that you should not be required to make a purchase, you will need to pay tax on your winnings, and that winners in Tennessee are not required to sign away publicity rights in perpetuity.

Sportsbooks Are Legal

As of November 1, 2020, online sportsbooks, betting on horse racing, and Daily Fantasy Sports have become legal in the Volunteer State. There are currently seven sportsbooks that cater to Tennesseeans, namely BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, WynnBET, Caesars Sportsbook, TwinsSpires, and Tennessee Action 24/7.

Although each sportsbook offers different services, you can join any of these to bet on baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, soccer (including European soccer), motorsports, and horse racing legally.

Daily Fantasy Sports, where you get to create whole teams and earn points based on the individual’s performance, has also been made legal in the state.

Conclusion

While Tennessee has some of the strictest laws related to gambling, it does seem to be opening up to the idea of allowing its citizens to gamble. In fact, while it’s hard to know what the future will hold for Tennessee’s gambling scene, the state may well end up surprising us like it did in 2019. We’ll obviously keep an eye out on anything related to Tennessee’s gambling laws and update this page regularly!

Tennessee Online Gambling FAQ

Is online gambling in Tennessee Legal?

Practically all forms of gambling are illegal in Tennessee. The only exceptions are the State Lottery, online sports, horse racing, and DFS.

Do I need to pay taxes on my gambling winnings in Tennessee?

Yes, there is a 25% tax on winnings from the State Lottery or from any games legally provided by online sportsbooks. This, however, can go up to 28% if you do not supply your social security number (SSN) to the sportsbook.

Why do I need to give sportsbooks my social security number in Tennessee?

When you join a sportsbook, you will be given the option of submitting your SSN. While this may seem strange, this is used by the sportsbook to report their business to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

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Oregon Betting Market Explained

February 21, 2024 William Mcmaster

Over the past few years, sports betting has opened up in the US, with states across the country being given the green light to launch their own regulated gambling markets. This decision came directly from the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2018 that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was unconstitutional.

Previously, this act had ruled that states weren’t permitted to allow sports wagering in any capacity, although there were a few exceptions. OR was among those exceptions, with betting having been previously allowed on the NFL between 1989 and 2007. However, the change in law has allowed the state to fully legalize sporting bets, including those made over the internet.

Since this ruling, many states, including Oregon, have moved to legalize and regulate sports betting, allowing residents and visitors to place bets on the biggest sporting events from around the world. The Beaver State voted to legalize sports betting in August 2019, with the first retail sportsbooks appearing in the state not long after. While real money wagering on sporting events is now regulated, there are still lots of rules regarding the overall gambling market. Find out the details below.

Which Forms of Betting Are Allowed in Oregon?

Oregon used to allow betting on the NFL through its state lottery, which was known as Sports Action. Players could choose between four and fourteen games each week and had to guess the correct team based on a point spread to win real cash. Although PASPA made this illegal, it still continued until 2007.

In 2019, OR joined a growing number of states in legalizing sportsbooks once more, setting up their own regulated betting market, including mobile sportsbooks. The first legal bet was made in September of that year, while the first online sportsbook launched shortly after. Although wagering is allowed in OR, online casinos and poker sites still aren’t permitted. The state does offer multiple tribal casinos as well as licensed poker clubs, however.

Betting Restrictions in Oregon

The Oregon State Lottery controls all gambling in Beaver State. So far, the state has only allowed its own sportsbook service to launch, so operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel haven’t been able to go live. This means the only option OR residents have so far is the Scoreboard betting site, which is also available as an app and was developed in conjunction with SBTech.

Only those who are at least 21 years old are able to place real money wagers, whether in person or online. In addition, internet gambling sites require users to prove their location before they can bet.

Oregon Online Gambling FAQ

Are Online Sportsbooks Legal in Oregon?

Yes, online sportsbooks are now legal in OR, with residents and visitors now able to sign up and bet real money on professional and college sports.

Are Online Casinos Legal in Oregon?

No, online casinos aren’t currently legal, and it doesn’t look like there are any plans to change that.

Are Poker Sites Legal in Oregon?

Online poker isn’t legal in OR right now, but players can enjoy lots of licensed poker clubs..

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Montana Online Betting Market Explained

February 21, 2024 William Mcmaster

In recent years, the US has changed its stance towards sports betting as well as other forms of gambling. Since the Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018, the floodgates have opened. Many states across the country have started to introduce their own laws and regulations governing gambling and mobile wagering. Montana is one of the many states that has now legalized real money gambling, with in-person, online, and mobile betting all now permitted within the state.

Although Montana has legalized sports wagering, there are still a lot of rules regarding gambling, and residents of the state don’t have access to the same online sportsbooks that have been launched in other states. However, fans of sports won’t mind too much as there are still lots of different events and markets to bet on at licensed locations. Read on to find out the full details on betting in MT state.

Which Forms of Betting Are Allowed in Montana?

The Treasure State joined a slew of other US states in legalizing sports betting in May 2019. Governor Steve Bullock signed the new law into action, and in 2020, the first retail sportsbook locations started taking bets. However, unlike a lot of other states to have legalized sports wagering, the law in the Treasure State is very restrictive towards internet gambling operators. In fact, for the next seven years, at least, no other operator is allowed to hold a betting license other than the Montana state lottery company Intralot.

These rules mean that residents of MT will only be allowed to bet at Sports Bet Montana, and the monopoly means that bonuses and odds won’t be as competitive as those found in other states. Despite the change in law towards betting, the state legislators don’t have any plans towards making online casinos or online poker legal. However, bars and taverns throughout the state are able to apply for a license to offer various games, including slots, keno, live poker, and more.

Betting Restrictions in Montana

Obviously, the most obvious gambling restriction in MT is that players can only sign up to bet at Sports Bet Montana. In addition to this, although mobile betting is allowed, it may only be done at a retail sportsbook location which is a bit of an inconvenience. The licensed site uses geolocation software to confirm your location before you can place a real money wager. All betting, as well as daily fantasy sports, is controlled by the state lottery.

Unlike in some other states, which require you to be 21, the minimum age to bet in Montana is 18. When you sign up to the sportsbook site, you’ll need to verify your age within 30 days by submitting a copy of your ID. Deposits can only be made using a debit card or ACH transfer, and withdrawals must be made using the same method.

The state-owned sportsbook offers a good selection of odds on major sports, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and more. In addition, it’s possible to bet on college sports, including those involving Big Sky Country teams. A wide range of wagering markets are also available, but maximum bets do apply on some options.

Montana Online Gambling FAQ

Are Online Sportsbooks Legal in Montana?

Yes, online sports betting is legal in the state. However, those in the state only have access to one sportsbook and can only bet at a terminal or using the app while inside one of the licensed locations.

Are Online Casinos Legal in Montana?

No, online casinos aren’t legal in the state, and there aren’t currently plans to change that. Tribal casinos are available, however, and many bars also have a license to offer casino games.

Sources:

https://www.intralot.com/newsroom/intralot-congratulates-montana-lottery-for-the-launch-of-sports-bet-montana/
https://www.ktvh.com/news/sports-betting-gains-forward-momentum-with-kickoff-of-nfl-season

New Hampshire Online Betting Market Explained

February 21, 2024 William Mcmaster

In recent years, the US has changed its stance towards sports betting as well as other forms of gambling, allowing states across the country to write their own laws. Since 2018, lots of states have now moved to legalize betting, and there are growing numbers of Americans who now get access to online wagering as well as playing casino games. The Granite State is a relatively recent addition to the growing list of states which have legalized some form of gambling.

The Granite State legalized gambling on sports in 2019, with both retail and internet sportsbooks allowed to operate in the area from that point onwards. The state does allow some other forms of real money staking, but there are some restrictions, especially when it comes to online wagering. Find out all the details on NH betting below.

Which Forms of Betting Are Allowed in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire legalized daily fantasy sports back in 2017, and in 2019, the state also agreed to legalize sports wagering. Governor Chris Sununu signed both into law, allowing fantasy sports as well as online and in-person sports betting. 2019 saw things happening quickly for Granite State gambling, and it wasn’t long before sportsbooks were popping up across the state and launching on the web and on mobiles.

Aside from sports betting, New Hampshire does allow other forms of gaming, although there are lots of conditions in place. Locations throughout the state can apply for a license to become charitable casinos, where table and card games are provided. However, any form of casino gambling involving a machine is banned, so slots are out of the question. Horse race betting is also permitted at a single location in NH.

Betting Restrictions in New Hampshire

In the Granite State, the gambling industry is controlled by the New Hampshire State Lottery, and any site or location must obtain a license before it can offer real money wagering. Since legal sports bets launched in NH, several sites, including DraftKings, have launched. For any form of gambling other than the lottery, players must be at least 21 years old to place a bet.

For online wagering, anyone can sign up and register at a licensed sportsbook provided they’re of age, but they’ll need to be within the borders of the state to place a bet. All sportsbooks will verify the UD and location of each user before they can bet real cash,

New Hampshire Online Betting FAQ

Are Online Sportsbooks Legal in New Hampshire?

Yes, online sportsbooks are now legal in NH, and players can sign up to start betting at DraftKings and other sites.

Are Online Casinos Legal in New Hampshire?

No, online casinos aren’t currently legal, and there doesn’t appear to be any plans to change that.

Are Poker Sites Legal in New Hampshire?

Online poker isn’t legal in New Hampshire, but players can join real poker tables at charitable casinos across the state.

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