Sports betting has become increasingly popular in the United States since the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports betting in 2018, but the amount of sports betting activity can vary widely by state. Here are a few states that have seen particularly high levels of sports betting activity:
- New Jersey: Since legalizing sports betting in 2018, New Jersey has quickly become one of the largest sports betting markets in the country. In 2020, the state generated nearly $1 billion in sports betting revenue.
- Nevada: Nevada has long been the center of the gambling industry in the United States, and sports betting has been legal there since 1949. Despite increased competition from other states, Nevada remains a major player in the sports betting industry, with more than $4.3 billion in sports betting handle in 2020.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in 2018, and the state has quickly become one of the largest sports betting markets in the country. In 2020, Pennsylvania generated nearly $400 million in sports betting revenue.
- Indiana: Indiana legalized sports betting in 2019, and the state has seen strong growth in the industry since then. In 2020, Indiana generated more than $1.2 billion in sports betting handle.
- Colorado: Colorado legalized sports betting in 2020, and the state has quickly become one of the largest sports betting markets in the country. In its first year of legal sports betting, Colorado generated more than $2.3 billion in sports betting handle.
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- Iowa: Iowa legalized sports betting in 2019, and the state has seen strong growth in the industry since then. In 2020, Iowa generated more than $575 million in sports betting handle.
- Illinois: Illinois legalized sports betting in 2019, and the state has quickly become a major player in the industry. In 2020, Illinois generated more than $1.4 billion in sports betting handle.
- Michigan: Michigan legalized sports betting in 2019, and the state launched its first legal sportsbooks in 2020. Despite launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan saw strong growth in the industry, generating more than $1.5 billion in sports betting handle in its first year.
- Virginia: Virginia legalized sports betting in 2020, and the state launched its first legal sportsbooks in early 2021. Despite being a relatively new market, Virginia has already seen strong growth in the industry.
It’s worth noting that sports betting is still illegal in some states, and the amount of sports betting activity can vary widely by region even within states where it is legal. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the sports betting industry in 2020, with many sports leagues suspending play or playing in front of empty stadiums. As the pandemic recedes and sports leagues return to normal operations, it remains to be seen how the sports betting industry will continue to evolve.
