US players were forced to make bets outside their country and thereby, increase the profits of other states. According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), the amount of illegal sports betting in the United States was more than $150 billion a year.
The active struggle for the abolition of the ban on betting began from New Jersey state. Since 2011, state senator Raymond Lesnjak has repeatedly raised the issue of legalizing sports betting in the United States, as it can significantly improve the country’s economy through taxes and save thousands of jobs. In 2014, local authorities passed a law allowing residents to bet on racetracks and casinos. The decision of New Jersey was supported by other states including New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Mississippi.
On May 15, 2018, the Supreme Court approved the decision to cancel the PASPA law. There was voting at the meeting where 6 votes were given in favor of the legalization of gambling throughout America. Thanks to the abolition of PASPA, states were able to control the betting industry in their territories and prevent illegal bets on foreign websites. Nevertheless, state authorities still need to think through many nuances to be able to regulate the industry fully.
Of course, the online betting market in the USA cannot be as open as, for example, European one yet. But the court decision on the legalization of online betting in America is an important step towards the development of the industry. The history of sports betting in Europe demonstrates great success that is associated with competent regulation of the industry by the authorities. It also shows how the USA needs to build its gambling infrastructure so that it works for the benefit of all the parties involved: players, operators, and the state.
Sports betting in the USA is a new gambling world that has a huge potential in the gambling market. Betting in some states, for example, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, can be very successful. According to AGA, in the next few years, the state budget may be replenished by the market of sports betting at $ 26 billion per year. At the same time, the number of jobs in the gambling industry throughout America will increase by 150 thousand.
According to AGA, the abolition of the ban on betting in America is the merit of a cohesive team of people who want to make legal and safe sports bets, avoid facing fraud, and develop an honest gambling market. Therefore, with regard to online betting, the main task of the United States for the nearest future is to create all the conditions for transparent operation of gambling companies in the states, to protect the rights of players, and to ensure full legal regulation of sports betting.
