The ability to not only watch athletic events in real-time but also bet on game outcomes is an invaluable resource for dedicated sports fans everywhere
Sports fandom in the U.S. is a passion shared by many. Whether you are a supporter of a specific football, baseball, basketball, hockey team or other major organization, a sense of unified pride and energetic atmosphere can be felt amongst fellow sports enthusiasts that inhabit different arenas, stadiums, and ballparks.
For a large majority of dedicated supporters, a big aspect of their fandom is undoubtedly the ability to place wagers on a wide variety of sports teams and their players. Although there has been a long history of sports betting in the U.S., from the early years of Nevada’s brick and mortar locations all the way up to digital services, nowadays the big discussions surrounding the industry have to do with America’s expanding online sportsbook presence and the path to legalizing more opportunities for fans.
In this article, we take a look at some of the ways the sector is changing, and how it will continue to evolve, in a country where sports are extremely influential and important to everyday life.
State-By-State Legalization
The beginnings of online sportsbook growth in the U.S. can largely be accredited to the passage of one landmark New Jersey bill that was signed into law in the summer of 2018. The state’s governor at the time, Phil Murphy, was a huge playmaker in this decision, and soon after virtual providers would pop up all over the web to serve fans. Today, there are currently 14 online sportsbooks with fully legal NJ operations, connecting their new customers with free bets to jumpstart the digital experience.
However, it isn’t just the Garden State that has decided to jump on board in recent years. Each state has had its own specific journey when it comes to legalizing the activity for online users. For example, over a dozen locations in different regions such as Oklahoma, Florida, Connecticut, and California have each had some type of legislative action taken concerning the regulation of sports betting.
New Jersey shares legalization in Colorado, Michigan Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa just to name a few. On the other hand, the action is still prohibited in several states and others where no legislative activity has been pushed through, such as Utah. Depending on the place, legalization is either a long shot, right on the horizon, or simply a matter of time.
Mobile Opportunities for On-The-Go Usership
In those places where online sportsbook providers have become fully regulated, mobile options have also transformed into a mainstream offering. Nowadays fans want the ultimate convenient experience, and sometimes that means placing a wager during halftime at a live game or analyzing odds while on the subway home from work.
Both activities are now feasible as the industry continues to expand their services in order to adapt to different channels of use. The market volume of audiences consuming these mobile platforms is steadily increasing as well because the identity of the industry and its accessibility are shifting from physical locations to the simple possession of a functioning smartphone.
The fact is, mobile technology plays a huge role in the advancement of businesses all around the world in different ways. As for sports betting companies, these devices allow for greater fan engagement and increased productivity among many other advantages.
Nowadays, many online betting platforms with desktop versions also have mobile applications where fans can use their services on-the-go
Official Partnerships with Major Leagues
When sports organizations partner with sports betting operators, fans take notice. In the U.S., major professional leagues like the NBA, NHL, MLB and more, have joined hands with online operators through various multi-year deals.
For both teams and fans, partnerships like these are effective marketing tactics for revenue growth. As more legislation continues to be passed and the legalization climate broadens cross-country, these relationships can be expected to advance as well.
