As sports gambling legislation advances across the United States, excitement builds among bettors eager to legally place their bets on NFL games, with a particular spotlight on the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite not being the favorites to secure the Super Bowl in 2024, the Las Vegas Raiders attract significant attention from the betting community, signaling a pivotal shift in the sports betting scene. Football, as the most widely bet sport in the USA, holds a special allure due to its unpredictability and the sheer thrill, drawing in a diverse crowd of seasoned and casual bettors.
Raiders fans, spanning from the team’s historical roots in California to new strongholds in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and even as far as New York, find themselves at the heart of this transformation. The team’s relocation to Las Vegas, a city synonymous with gambling, has only intensified this connection. For these fans, the potential for legal sports betting opens up a realm of engagement with the game, offering a rich tapestry of betting opportunities beyond just game outcomes—spanning individual player performances and seasonal achievements. The evolving legal landscape reflects a broader societal shift towards embracing sports betting as a core aspect of the sporting experience, enriching how fans interact with and enjoy football.
Who Can Legally Wager Online?
Legal online sports betting is now available in 38 states, including Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico, each with its regulations. Delaware, for example, permits online casinos and casino games but stops short of legalizing online sports betting. Conversely, Oregon allows online sports betting while prohibiting online casinos and poker.
The legalization of online sports betting has been welcomed in states like Oregon and Washington, where Raiders fans have a sizable presence. It has expanded the market and enhanced the betting experience with various options for wagering on the NFL season and beyond.
Michigan online casino offers can be very diverse and include numerous ways to bet on most sports. Delaware made history by being the first state to launch online gambling after the PASPA was overturned in 2018. It offers three online casinos with sportsbooks, albeit without mobile app options.
The introduction of mobile betting apps has revolutionized how football fans bet. They can now place wagers from anywhere in states, including New Jersey, Nevada, West Virginia, Oregon, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, further broadening the scope for Raiders fans to support their team.
Iowa illustrates the swift adoption of online sportsbooks, launching its first online sports betting platform in August 2019. Initially requiring in-person registration at partnered casinos, this mandate is set to expire, simplifying access further.
Recent entries like Colorado have expanded the online gambling arena, launching sports betting in May 2020 and potentially offering up to 33 online sportsbooks, enriching the betting landscape for Raiders enthusiasts.
Tennessee has forged a path for states without physical gambling venues by launching an online betting platform following the legalization of online sports betting in April 2019. Sites went live in the following year.
Who Cannot Wager Legally Online?
Despite the widespread availability of legal online betting, specific areas, notably California—a state with deep ties to the Raiders’ legacy—remain in legislative limbo regarding sports betting. However, movements toward legalization hint at a changing future that could include sports betting as a legal and celebrated part of the sporting and cultural fabric.
State Updates on Sports Betting:
- Texas Sports Betting: Encountered a breakthrough with a bill passing the House in 2023 but stalling in the Senate. It awaits further action in 2025.
- Alabama Sports Betting: This has seen little progress, with 2023 efforts failing and subsequent legislation in 2024 excluding sports betting.
- Georgia Sports Betting: Georgia continues to face challenges, with legislative attempts falling short due to political hurdles, though efforts persist into 2024.
- Minnesota Sports Betting: After a setback in 2023, advocates are preparing to reintroduce a sports betting bill in 2024 with renewed hope.
- Missouri Sports Betting: Missouri is a state that faces internal opposition, particularly over the issue of video lottery terminals (VLTs), stalling legislative progress.
The evolution of the sports betting landscape, especially for NFL and Raiders fans across the US, marks a significant departure from the era when Nevada was the sole hub for legal digital betting. With more states embracing legal gambling, the variety and accessibility of betting options are expanding, offering fans new ways to connect with the game they love.
