Sports Betting in the South: A State-by-State Legalization Status Update

by Rebecca Martin

Are you a total novice when it comes to gambling? Do you wish to enter the world of online gambling and act like a pro from the start? Do you want to learn more about the state of gambling in the Southern states? You’ve come to the right place, then. Online betting can throw you a curveball if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are some tips for novice betting.

Knowing what to do and what to avoid when it comes to online gambling is crucial. There isn’t a single website that can satisfy every gambler’s needs; some are outright frauds. You must avoid becoming a victim of these scams as a novice. There are a few essential characteristics to consider in a betting site to determine its reliability. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about how to start betting, along with a list of U.S. bookmakers online. Additionally, you may learn everything there is to know about the legality of sports betting in the U.S.

Current Situation of Sports Betting in the South

Every civilization in the world incorporates gambling in some way. Gambling includes participating in cooperative games with stakes, such as poker and dominoes, and placing bets on the results of sporting events and animal races. Games of chance and skill are generally performed in secret, well away from the prying eyes of authorities, with communities tacitly allowing them to take place.

The same is true for the Southern states, where gambling of some kind may be found in every city, town and municipality. Unfortunately, the South’s gaming regulations are infamously archaic, relying on antiquated guidelines established during colonial rule or post-colonial power grabs. Online gambling has significantly increased the industry’s influence and breadth beyond land-based casinos, making these old rules an even bigger issue. For instance, despite local laws outlawing such activities, inhabitants of the South have access to the internet, smartphones and sports betting, making them easily accessible to casino games, sports betting, lottery games and bingo.

The government in the South has reacted by legalizing, regulating and taxing the gaming sector, which has grown more and more well-liked in recent years. In reaction to the growth of internet gambling, the government also enacted regulation in 2006 that forbids the general public’s use of online gambling platforms.

State-by-State Legalization of Sports Betting in the U.S.

Is sports betting legal in the U.S.? As previously indicated, many Southern states are creating legislation to legalize sports betting. The wonderful thing about it is that governments are legalizing both offline and internet betting, giving everyone who wants to bet access.

Of course, some states’ opposition to legalizing sports betting is the biggest issue. The South’s betting regulations vary from state to state; they only have in common that they all function independently. You should inquire with local authorities about the laws regulating the state if you intend to open a casino in any of these states.

Florida

Could there finally be an end to the conflict in Florida over the reinstatement of legal sports betting? Florida mobile sports betting has been suspended due to legal challenges from the Seminole Tribe after being legalized for only three weeks in 2021. In-person casino gambling and pari-mutuel horse racing conducted by the Seminole are still permitted in Florida. Still, sports betting cannot resume there until all legal issues have been resolved. Although it is anticipated that the case will finally be on the calendar in 2023, it is still unclear when the actual procedure will begin.

Georgia

Although many states are getting closer to legalizing sports betting, it doesn’t appear that Georgia will do so anytime soon. Georgians are passionate about their sports teams, so if sports betting there were legalized, it’s safe to say that particular Georgia sports betting promo code would be well-liked.

However, the most recent attempts to legalize sports betting in Georgia were unsuccessful in 2021, and there hasn’t been any progress since then.

Louisiana

Voters in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette, approved legal sports betting in November 2020. The first live betting event took place in October 2021. On January 28, 2022, six online sportsbooks became live, including FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM. Soon after, WynnBet opened, giving the state access to seven online sportsbooks.

Texas

Will Texas be the upcoming state to legalize sports wagering? Before the 2023 legislative session, one senator pre-filed a sports betting bill that would change the Texas constitution and authorize gambling on sports for the first time in Texas. Even though the recently re-elected governor has made it obvious he opposes legalizing Texas sportsbooks, the issue of allowing Texas mobile sports betting may have a second chance.

Tips and Tricks for Safe Betting in the Southern States

Legal License for Gambling

There are several bookies out there who are running sites illegally without any recognized licenses. They offer their customers several alluring deals, and these may seem like heaven for someone new to the world of betting. But providing sensitive information to these sites without making a security check puts your assets at risk and can get you into legal trouble. If you are a newcomer, it is more than likely that you may fall prey to the flashy bonuses and numerous sports selections offered by fraudulent sites. We recommend you avoid trusting every gambling website and exercise extreme caution when disclosing personal information.

Safety First

It would help if you were sure of a few things before you run off and start betting on a random online site. One of them is the security of your data. Not every website that provides gambling services online has a license the government has approved. And betting on illegal sites can have legal complications in the long run and pose a threat to online data theft. Ensure that the site you choose has SSL encryption that enables it to protect all the personal information that you enter onto the site. Otherwise, sensitive information like your bank details can fall into the wrong hands.

Go Through Customer Reviews Online

One of the most responsible ways of acquiring accurate information about a bookmaker online is to read the honest evaluations of their clients. You may learn the truth from these evaluations and other customers’ experiences with U.S. online sportsbooks. It will help you understand if the site’s services are worth your money. Unfortunately, greater exposure does not automatically imply that a website is reliable and trustworthy or that it offers its users the highest chances of winning. It is natural for the sites to participate in extravagant self-advertising, where they claim to provide you with top-grade services, which in most cases merely rings hollow. People have the propensity to go toward the more popular online betting sites. More often than not, it turns out that less popular sites offer higher quality security and better opportunities for their customers.

The world of online gambling is vast and confusing. But given all this, the possibilities are significant if you can find your way correctly. Whether you are an amateur or have been gambling for years, online gambling offers a window of opportunity. All you have to do is remember the above do’s and don’ts before getting a membership on any gambling site.

BetZillion’s sports betting expert Rebecca Martin is a highly regarded personality in the online betting field. She boasts a wealth of knowledge in the area of online betting thanks to her many years of experience.