Gaming analysts expected multiple states to make a strong push towards legalizing sports betting in 2021 and they were right. Florida and Wyoming are the next two states that are pushing for sports betting to be legalized.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial damage throughout the United States and just about every state is facing a budget shortage. State legislators in Florida and Wyoming are looking for new ways to boost the state budget and legalizing sports betting is one of the main options on the table.
Rep. Anika Omphroy (D) and Rep. Chip LaMarca (R) have co-sponsored a couple of bills that look to legalize sports betting in Florida. HB1317 is going to the House and lists out the process for regulating betting in the state while HB1321 is focusing on the licensing structure for interested betting operators.
The bipartisan bills are pushing for both online and retail sports betting. Omphroy and LaMarca said that they were aware that millions of dollars are currently going out of Florida as illegal sports betting is flourishing in the state. They believe that sports betting needs to be legalized so that this can be stopped and Florida can benefit from preventing millions of dollars flowing out of state.
The licensing fee is set to cost $7.5 million and will be valid for 12 months. The license renewal fee is fixed at $1 million and will last for 1 year. Sports betting will be limited to pari-mutuel facilities, casinos, tribal operators and pro sports venues.
Tom Walters from the Wyoming House of Representatives is pushing HB 133 for sports betting to be legalized in the state. The plan is to introduce HB 133 in March during the legislative session and push for both online and mobile sports betting.
Walters made a similar argument like the one in Florida claiming that sports betting is taking place illegal in Wyoming and bettors have no protection as they are wagering at illegal betting websites.
A legalized market would not only offer betting protection to bettors in Wyoming but will also help the state by bringing in sports betting taxes. HB 133 looks to impose a 10 percent betting tax. Walters says that if everything works out, Wyoming should be able to accept their first bet before the start of the next college season.
About The Author
