Online Sports Betting Laws in the U.S. and Maryland

online betting

While sports betting is popular in the U.S., its popularity is far greater abroad. In the United Kingdom, for example, more than half of residents surveyed said they plan to bet on sporting events. As more people become familiar with the games they can bet on, the industry has blossomed. Some sports betting sites offer a variety of betting options, including wagers on popular soccer, basketball, football, and baseball games. Others offer an extensive selection of games, and the vast number of sports betting websites continues to increase.

New York’s state lawmakers were among the first to place a bet. Assembly member Gary Pretlow, chair of the state Assembly’s racing and wagering committee, and Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy bet on the Boston Red Sox. The state introduces legislation to legalize online sports betting, and creates a task force to study the economic impact of the industry. Senator Michael Addabbo claims New York is losing out on $1 billion a year because of the lack of legal sports betting. As such, he continues to push Senate Bill 17D.

The state of Maryland will soon release a multitude of online sportsbooks. These online sportsbooks will provide Maryland residents with a variety of options when it comes to wagering on sports. If New York’s decision stands, this could spur a massive growth in the sports betting industry. Until now, most of the state’s gambling business has been limited to upstate casinos. However, this is set to change soon. The new bill will also allow sports betting for mobile devices.