On July 12, 2021, Washington Governor Jay Inslee approved amended state-tribal gaming compacts with 15 of the state’s Indian Tribes that would allow the Tribes to offer retail and online sports betting on the premises of tribal casinos. The compacts were renegotiated pursuant to legislation enacted in March 2020, which allowed the Tribes to request that their compacts be amended to include on-premises sports betting. The newly amended compacts and forthcoming sports betting regulations will require that any vendor who provides sports betting-related goods and services to the Tribes obtain a sports wagering license.
Online Sports Betting Archives
Several States on Track for Fall 2021 Sports Betting Launch, Others Look to Q4 2021 and Beyond
In Spring 2021, eight states enacted legislation approving retail and/or online sports betting, all with the goal of a statewide sports betting launch in time for the 2021-2022 NFL season, which officially begins on September 9, 2021. This article provides an update on the status of the legislation in each of those states, identifying those most likely to go “live” by September 9 and those that appear to be on track for a late 2021/early 2022 launch.
PA House Introduces Esports Betting Legislation
On June 8, 2021, legislation was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that would legalize esports betting statewide. Pennsylvania’s sports wagering statute, as currently written, permits wagering on any “sporting event,” a term which is defined to mean “a professional or collegiate sports or athletic event or a motor race event.” See 4 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 13C01. There is no mention of esports. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has opined that because esports is not explicitly listed among the “sporting events” upon which wagering is permitted, the Board does not have the authority to allow esports betting. continue reading
Louisiana Legislature Passes Bill Establishing Framework for Retail and Online Sports Betting
On June 10, 2021, the Louisiana State Legislature approved legislation establishing a licensing framework for retail and online sports betting in the 55 Louisiana parishes that voted to authorize sports betting in the November 2020 election. The legislation is one of two bills passed to facilitate retail and online sports betting in Louisiana. The other bill, which imposes a 10% tax on proceeds from in-person sports betting and a 15% tax on net proceeds from online sports betting, was signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards on June 4. Governor Edwards is expected to sign the licensing bill in the coming days.