The world is full of incredible sporting events and competitions. The popularity of sports is fundamental to human culture, and sports betting has always been a part of that.
Recently the United States announced that it would no longer prohibit sports betting on a federal level, things have moved quickly around the US. Not only have regulators stepped up in a bid to introduce local frameworks that dictate how sports gambling and interactive casinos can operate, but they have also created the necessary frameworks to introduce the most convenient ways to access these products.
The US Supreme Court only ruled against a prohibition on sports gambling contests known as Professional and Amateure Sports Protection Act (PASPA), but it was the work of local legislators that really allowed for the industry to thrive. Key in this prosperity has been the role of sports and gambling apps that are now featured on the Google Play and Apple App Stores as viable options for players.
Consumers who are interested in interactive gambling or prefer sports betting can find a reliable product that they can trust and enjoy. The states that permit remote gambling through such apps have also grown from just a few, immediately after PASPA in 2018, to over two dozen today. Many jurisdictions immediately saw the advantage of allowing mobile and remote gaming. It not only allowed consumers to interact more safely with the products available, but also boosted revenue for the state and helped to reduce the number of rogue operators and unlicensed websites. The states which have been early adopters include:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Colorado
- Indiana
- West Virginia
The apps these states introduced are available for iPads, iPhones, and Android devices, and they make it easy to find a US licensed casino or bookmaker. All apps that are available in the United States today and offer sports gambling or interactive casino must be licensed by a local authority in their respective jurisdiction.
This could be the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement or Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, or some other state body. In each case, consumers expect to only play at licensed apps and the sportsbooks and casinos they represent.
States with Strong Mobile Apps for Gaming Available
Understandably, the mass-introduction of gaming apps has not been easy and there have been many challenges along the way. Some state legislatures have been uneasy about the legalization of these apps, but three years after the legalization efforts are a fact, many are beginning to understand that these apps are here to stay and must be regulated through legal frameworks.
Good regulation of such an industry should benefit the consumer, business, and the state. For states seeking to build frameworks for such regulation there are already positive examples to emulate. New Jersey has been one of the most forward-thinking states when it comes to gaming. In fact, even before the Supreme Court overruled PASPA, New Jersey enjoyed a strong iGaming industry which has translated into great net benefits for the state and the armies of gamers who have been eager to get their hands on quality products.
New Jersey is both welcoming to retail gaming but also mobile apps that can now be downloaded directly from Google or Apple Stores. The state has been careful to create legislation that would allow it to run ahead with its planned mass release of gaming options.
After years of leading the way, players in the Garden State know that they can enjoy remote gaming and betting. In fact, 90% of all sports bettors in New Jersey now pick a mobile platform and use it over any desktop or in-person venue when they seek to place a wager.
The same is pretty much true for Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has made it possible to enjoy numerous aspects of the interactive experience, including:
- Sports
- Poker
- Casino
All three verticals are well-represented through various apps and they will create new opportunities for players who are looking to play on the go.
Are There Benefits to Gaming on the Go?
Of course, the debate whether mobile betting or gaming really brings greater dividends remains. While naysayers still argue that there is little inherent value in this type of wagering and gaming, the numbers are actually proof that it's thanks to mobile apps that we have seen bigger revenue, bigger engagement, and generally a better overall environment for gaming and betting.
That is not to say there aren't issues in the US with these apps. For example, some states introduce them but only block them to use in in-person venues which largely defeats the original purpose of the app, which is to give the user freedom to do as they please from any part of the state.
However, as an understanding of gaming apps improves, people are also seeing a reason to use them more freely.
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