Oral arguments in New Jersey’s sports betting case got underway this week, which meant the collective eyes of the gaming industry focused almost exclusively on the Supreme Court.
According to attendees, New Jersey got the better of the opposing professional sports leagues during the hour-long session. The state is now seen as a clear favorite to win the case.
What that win will look like — a partial or full repeal of PASPA are both possibilities — is anyone’s guess.
Meanwhile, Ohio is making a late push to legalize daily fantasy sports. A DFS bill is now just a governor’s signature away from becoming law.
Here is DFS Report’s monthly look at the latest DFS and sports betting legislative efforts across the United States.
DFS legislation update
Ohio is on deck
After a bill passed its House of Representatives back in September, Ohio is now on the cusp of legalizing daily fantasy sports. According to Dustin Gouker, the Ohio Senate passed the bill and sent it to Governor John Kasich’s desk.
Ohio would become the 19th state to legalize DFS (and one of the largest) if Kasich signs the measure.
The DFS bill tally
The list of states that have passed DFS legislation stands at 18:
- Arkansas
- Connecticut (pending tribal approval)
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
| 2017 DFS Legislation Tracker | |||
| State | Bill introduced | Legislation passed | DFS legalized pre-2017 |
| Alabama | X | ||
| Alaska | |||
| Arizona | |||
| Arkansas | X | X | |
| California | |||
| Colorado | X | ||
| Connecticut | X | X | |
| Delaware | X | X | |
| Florida | X | ||
| Georgia | X | ||
| Hawaii | X | ||
| Idaho | |||
| Illinois | X | ||
| Indiana | X | ||
| Iowa | X | ||
| Kansas | X | ||
| Kentucky | X | ||
| Louisiana | |||
| Maine | X | X | |
| Maryland | X | ||
| Massachusetts | X | ||
| Michigan | X | ||
| Minnesota | X | ||
| Mississippi | X | ||
| Missouri | X | ||
| Montana | X | ||
| Nebraska | X | ||
| Nevada | |||
| New Hampshire | X | X | |
| New Jersey | X | X | |
| New Mexico | |||
| New York | X | ||
| North Carolina | X | ||
| North Dakota | |||
| Ohio | X | ||
| Oklahoma | |||
| Oregon | X | ||
| Pennsylvania | X | X | |
| Rhode Island | X | ||
| South Carolina | |||
| South Dakota | |||
| Tennessee | X | ||
| Texas | X | ||
| Utah | |||
| Vermont | X | X | |
| Virginia | X | ||
| Washington | X | ||
| West Virginia | |||
| Wisconsin | X | ||
| Wyoming | |||
| Total | 26 | 8 | 10 |
Legal Sports Report’s legislative tracker has information and up-to-the-minute updates on all DFS legislation.
Sports betting legalization update
Oral arguments favor New Jersey
By all accounts, Monday’s oral arguments went swimmingly for New Jersey.
Timeline for a decision
The court could render its opinion as soon as January, but the decision could also drag on into June. Here’s a look at the possible dates for a decision based on when the court is scheduled to release decisions:
- Jan. 22
- March 5
- April 2, 30
- May 14, 21, 29
- June 4, 11, 18, 29
New push at the federal level
Soon after oral arguments wrapped up, New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone introduced the GAME Act (Gaming Accountability and Modernization Enhancement Act) which allows states to legalize sports betting.
In addition to Pallone’s advocacy, Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) used Monday’s oral arguments as a call to action, calling on Congress to hold hearings on the matter in an official statement.
Is Massachusetts eyeing sports betting?
With New Jersey’s outlook improving, Massachusetts is ready to take a look at sports betting, beginning with a quick update during a Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7.
Sports betting bill tally
The list of states that have passed sports betting legislation stands at four:
- Connecticut
- Mississippi
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
| Sports Betting Legislation Tracker | |||
| State | Bill introduced | Legislation passed | PASPA Exemption |
| Alabama | |||
| Alaska | |||
| Arizona | |||
| Arkansas | |||
| California | X | ||
| Colorado | |||
| Connecticut | X | X | |
| Delaware | Parlay betting is legal | ||
| Florida | |||
| Georgia | |||
| Hawaii | X | ||
| Idaho | |||
| Illinois | |||
| Indiana | |||
| Iowa | |||
| Kansas | |||
| Kentucky | X | ||
| Louisiana | |||
| Maine | |||
| Maryland | X | ||
| Massachusetts | |||
| Michigan | X | ||
| Minnesota | |||
| Mississippi | X | X | |
| Missouri | |||
| Montana | Sports pools are legal | ||
| Nebraska | |||
| Nevada | Sports betting is legal | ||
| New Hampshire | |||
| New Jersey | X | X | |
| New Mexico | |||
| New York | X | ||
| North Carolina | |||
| North Dakota | |||
| Ohio | |||
| Oklahoma | X | ||
| Oregon | Parlay cards are legal | ||
| Pennsylvania | X | X | |
| Rhode Island | |||
| South Carolina | X | ||
| South Dakota | |||
| Tennessee | |||
| Texas | |||
| Utah | |||
| Vermont | |||
| Virginia | |||
| Washington | |||
| West Virginia | X | ||
| Wisconsin | |||
| Wyoming | |||
| Total | 13 | 4 | 4 |
