Weekly Recap in Sports Gambling: Advancements in Arkansas's Digital Betting, New Bills Proposed in Missouri, and Exciting Parlays!
In 2021, the sports betting industry witnessed a flurry of significant events, from major M&A deals to market expansions, particularly in Tennessee. However, when it comes to specific states legalizing sports betting in 2022, the information is not as clear-cut.
As of now, 30 US states offer legal online sports betting, with 38 states having some form of legal sports betting, according to reports from 2025. Missouri is one of the states expected to join this list, as voters approved a law to legalize sports betting in November 2024, with the market anticipated to launch by December 2025.
Other states, such as Tennessee and Massachusetts, have already legalized sports betting, but there is no mention of 2022 specifically in the available information. On the other hand, states like Texas and California remain without legalized sports betting online, with bills proposed but not yet enacted.
The Canadian sports betting market is expected to grow significantly in 2022, offering exciting opportunities for the industry.
Sportsbook advertising has been widespread throughout the year, with many ads not receiving favourable responses. Despite this, wagering on professional, college, and amateur sports is permitted under the approved regulations.
2021 was also a year of missteps for the sportsbook industry, with ten significant incidents reported. However, one standout moment was DraftKings disclosing the longest-odds parlay payout of the year, which paid $85,652 for a $2 bet (+4282500).
In Tennessee, the sports betting industry experienced a busy year, with Philadelphia casinos requiring COVID vaccinations for all on property. Meanwhile, in Arkansas, regulators have approved the expansion of sports betting to digital platforms, although the state has a higher tax rate compared to other states.
Looking ahead, California sports betting interests are making moves for the 2022 ballot, and a fifth Missouri sports betting bill has been filed, allowing for statewide mobile wagering with remote registration. In New Jersey, an online casino is blossoming, but Atlantic County objects to new tax breaks for iGaming.
Remote registration is allowed under the approved regulations, and statewide mobile wagering with operators tethered to existing gaming locations is permitted in some states. Interestingly, there does not appear to be an official league data mandate in some states.
In Canada, 2021's best sports moments and their betting stories are noteworthy, offering a glimpse into the exciting future of sports betting in the country. A lobbyist representing operators views statewide mobile wagering as an opportunity to bring revenue into a legal marketplace.
Finally, a heartwarming story from 2021 saw a former math teacher win $1 million in a DraftKings contest after surviving COVID. As we move into 2022, the sports betting industry continues to evolve, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds.
- As of reports from 2025, 30 US states will offer legal online sports betting, with 38 states having some form of legal sports betting.
- Missouri, with a law approved by voters in November 2024, is expected to join the list of states offering legal sports betting, anticipated to launch by December 2025.
- Tennessee and Massachusetts have already legalized sports betting, but there is no mention of 2022 specifically in the available information.
- DraftKings disclosed the longest-odds parlay payout of the year in 2021, paying $85,652 for a $2 bet (+4282500).
- In Tennessee, the sports betting industry experienced a busy year, with Philadelphia casinos requiring COVID vaccinations for all on property, and Arkansas regulators approving the expansion of sports betting to digital platforms.
- California sports betting interests are making moves for the 2022 ballot, and a fifth Missouri sports betting bill has been filed, allowing for statewide mobile wagering with remote registration.
- In Canada, 2021's best sports moments and their betting stories offer a glimpse into the exciting future of sports betting in the country, and a lobbyist representing operators views statewide mobile wagering as an opportunity to bring revenue into a legal marketplace.
