Global_Gaming_Business,_February_2019

10 Global Gaming Business FEBRUARY 2019

those surveyed believe that regulation and over-

sight of gaming should be left to state and sov-

ereign tribal governments. These sentiments

are telling, given the rapid spread of legal, regu-

lated sports betting across the United States

since May.

Since PASPA was overturned last year, one-

fifth of the states have authorized sports bet-

ting, with states and sovereign tribal nations

taking action to meet the demands of their res-

idents to set up safe, legal, regulated sports bet-

ting markets. By the end of 2019, it is possible

that more than half of states will have passed or

considered sports betting legislation.

As state legislatures consider bills to legalize

and regulate sports betting within their juris-

dictions, AGA will continue to serve as an ac-

tive voice, advocating for policies that establish

reasonable tax levels, protect the consumer, en-

hance the integrity of competitions and wagers

and enable the legal market to thrive.

Casino Clark is vice president of strategic commu-

nications for the American Gaming Association.

AMERICAN GAMINGASSOCIATION

I

t’s impossible to talk about the year ahead

without acknowledging the momentous

progress legal sports betting made in 2018.

This time last year, single-game sports betting

was legal only in Nevada, despite the presence

of casino gaming in 40 states across the U.S.

When the Supreme Court struck down the

Professional and Amateur Sports Protection

Act (PASPA) last May, it didn’t just unlock

new economic potential for the rest of the

country—it opened the door for safe, regulated

alternatives to a vast and thriving illegal sports

betting market.

For a long time, the American public

wanted to end the federal ban on sports bet-

ting, with a majority approving of legalized

sports betting as far back as September 2017.

Since then, the sentiment has only grown.

AGA’s recent research measuring Ameri-

cans’ current attitudes on sports betting found

that the overwhelming majority (63 percent) of

Americans support the Supreme Court’s ruling

striking down the federal ban.

Further, nearly two-thirds (66 percent) of

Opening

the Door

The legalization of sports betting

created enormous economic potential

By Casey Clark

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