U.S. map with compass
Since the Supreme Court blew the lid off sports betting in 2018, states have been rushing to legalize faster than a running back with a clear path to the end zone. The map of the United States has been steadily filling in with legal markets, leaving a few conspicuous holdouts.
Which states remain in the march toward legal sportsbooks?
These are not just any states. They are the giants, the behemoths of population and professional sports, the markets that make sportsbook executives drool. California, Texas, and Florida represent the holy grail of untapped potential.
But the path to legalization in the big states is a treacherous one, filled with political maneuvering, powerful stakeholders, and enough drama to fuel a season of a prestige television show. So, which of these titans will be the next to join the party? Let’s break down the contenders.
The California conundrum
California is the ultimate prize. With nearly 40 million people and a dizzying number of professional sports teams, it is the undisputed king of potential markets. The state had its chance in 2022 with two competing ballot initiatives, one backed by the state’s powerful tribal casinos and the other by a coalition of online sportsbook operators. The result was a spectacular failure. Both propositions were rejected by voters in a landslide, a political faceplant of epic proportions.
The lesson from this debacle is clear: nothing happens in California without the blessing of the tribes. They are the dominant force in the state’s gaming landscape, and they are not keen on ceding control to outside operators. The tribes have made it clear that any future sports betting measure must go through them, and they are in no hurry. Some tribal leaders have even suggested that online sports betting might not arrive until 2028. For those hoping to place a legal wager on the Lakers anytime soon, that timeline is less than ideal. The path forward in California is a long and winding one, and it is paved with tribal negotiations, not good intentions.
The Texas two step
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the political obstacles to legal sports betting. The state has a powerful coalition of professional sports teams, known as the Texas Sports Betting Alliance, lobbying hard for legalization. The Dallas Cowboys, the Houston Astros, and the Dallas Mavericks are all on board, eager to get a piece of the action. But they have run into a formidable opponent: Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
Patrick, who presides over the State Senate, has been the primary roadblock to progress. He has repeatedly stated that there is not enough support for sports betting among Senate Republicans, and he has been unwilling to bring the issue to a vote. Despite a bill passing the House in 2023, it was dead on arrival in the Senate. The Texas legislature only meets every two years, so the next opportunity will not come until 2025. While supporters remain optimistic, the political reality is that as long as Patrick remains in power, legal sports betting in Texas is a long shot.
Florida fiasco
Florida is a special case. The state technically has legal online sports betting, but it is a monopoly controlled by the Seminole Tribe through their Hard Rock Bet app. This arrangement is the result of a gaming compact signed with the state, which has been the subject of numerous legal challenges. So far, the compact has survived, leaving the Seminoles as the only game in town.
For Floridians, this means they can legally bet on sports, but they have no choice of operator. For the major sportsbook companies, it means they are locked out of a massive market. While there are still some legal avenues to challenge the compact, the most likely scenario is that the Seminole monopoly will remain in place for the foreseeable future. So, while Florida has technically legalized, it is not the open, competitive market that exists in other states.
Georgia sports betting
Georgia has become the poster child for legislative frustration. For seven consecutive years, sports betting bills have been introduced, debated, and ultimately defeated. The 2025 session was no different, with a promising bill failing to even get a vote in the House. The reasons for the repeated failures are numerous. There are disagreements over whether a constitutional amendment is needed, how to allocate tax revenue, and the moral implications of expanding gambling.
Despite the setbacks, there is a sense of inevitability in Georgia. The state’s professional sports teams are all in favor of legalization, and public support is growing. It seems likely that a bill will eventually pass, but the question is when. The political gridlock in Georgia is a powerful force, and it could be another few years before a breakthrough is achieved.
Which of these large states will be the next to legalize? The smart money is on none of them. The political and legal hurdles in California, Texas, and Florida are simply too high to overcome in the short term. The most likely candidate is actually a state that has been flying under the radar: Minnesota. The state has been close to passing a bill in recent years, and there is a growing consensus among stakeholders. While it may not be the massive market that everyone is waiting for, it could be the next domino to fall. As for the giants, they will continue to be the subject of speculation and wishful thinking, but for now, they remain on the sidelines.
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