【stake stats】Will Other SEC States Follow Missouri With Sports Betting?

States Where Sports Betting Is Illegal

Below is the status of sports betting legislation in SEC states:

Texas:Once again, bills have been introduced at the Capitol in Austin to legalize sports betting, but according to The Texas Tribune, passage seems unlikely. An anti-gaming alliance led by Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who heads the Senate, along with groups like Texans Against Gambling, “virtually ensures nothing will make it out of the Legislature this session,” the Tribune reports. The legislative session is scheduled to end on June 2. Previously, multimillion-dollar sports bettor Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale told Gambling.com he doubts gaming expansion will happen in Texas in the near future in part because of pushback from religious groups.    

Oklahoma:In Oklahoma, where tribes have exclusive rights to gaming and operate the state’s only casinos, sports betting bills have again been introduced in the legislature. However, as The Ada News reports, "at least one measure could violate existing compacts with the state’s tribes.” Support from Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, also will be important, but there is no guarantee he will be on board. The session is set to conclude on May 30. 

Alabama:In Alabama, state Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, recently said on Alabama Public Television's "Capitol Journal” that the votes don’t exist in the upper chamber to expand gaming in the state. “I don't have 21 votes in the Senate,” he said. “I've got to have 21 votes in the Senate to move this along.” The session is scheduled to end on May 15.

Georgia:For several years, some lawmakers under the Gold Dome in Atlanta have sought to expand gaming in the state, including legalizing sports betting, and are trying again this year with a proposed constitutional amendment giving voters a chance to decide on the 2026 ballot. Again this year, a challenge is expected in the House. “The legislation is going to have to come from the House,” state Sen. Brandon Beach,R-Alpharetta, told WTOC-TV. “We’ve passed it a couple of times, and it’s died in the House.” Resistance also is coming from groups such as the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

South Carolina:A sports wagering bill introduced on Jan. 14 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee and awaits a hearing. Whether it will succeed before the scheduled May 8 adjournment is uncertain. The governor is among those who are against gaming expansion.  According to Spectrum News, “Gov. Henry McMasterhas been an outspoken opponent of gambling legislation, marking a large obstacle in the push to legalize sports betting.”