Sports Betting Legalization Efforts Fall Short Across Multiple States in 2024

By Michael Harrison

April 23, 2025 at 09:07 PM

Sports betting legislation made no significant progress in 2024, marking the first year since 2018 without new state legalization. Here's what happened in states that considered sports betting legislation:

Georgia

  • Multiple bills introduced with debate over constitutional amendment requirement
  • Constitutional amendment needed to use revenue beyond education
  • Senator Bill Cowsert's bill with strong problem gambling protections passed Senate but stalled in House
  • Expected to be reconsidered in 2025

Hawaii

  • Introduced sports betting bill with first substantive hearing
  • Bill failed but showed increased lawmaker interest

Minnesota

  • Both House and Senate considered legalization
  • Failed due to disagreements over tribal licensing and revenue distribution
  • Negotiations continued until session end without consensus

Missouri

  • Bills introduced but faced opposition without VLT inclusion
  • Previous filibuster concerns remained
  • Constitutional Amendment initiative gathered enough signatures for November ballot
  • Initiative includes significant problem gambling funding

Oklahoma

  • Multiple bills introduced; one passed House
  • Stalled due to lack of tribal agreement
  • Governor supported legislation but couldn't secure tribal support
  • May resurface in 2025

South Carolina

  • Bill introduced but didn't receive hearing
  • Made no significant progress

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