Sports Betting Legalization Efforts Fall Short Across Multiple States in 2024
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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