Despite the US gambling industry being one of the richest and most successful in the world, its fragmented nature still makes it one of the most complicated. Individual states have the autonomy to determine their own gambling regulations, with a variety of markets, including land-based and online sports and casino markets, lotteries, racing, and more.
The American South has a selection of popular gambling markets, and despite Georgia having some of the strictest gambling regulations, the state finds itself in a similar position to the majority of other states when it comes to online casinos.
Only Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Michigan, Delaware, New Jersey, and West Virginia offer licensed online casino operations at present, despite others exploring bills that would see legislative change. As things stand, consumers in the south have to explore alternative options that circumvent existing regulations.
While operators are prohibited from setting up in the majority of US states, offshore operators can still be accessed legally by players. The offshore online casinos Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi consumers have access to typically offer their customers an extensive range of state-of-the-art games, a variety of payment methods, and some enticing offers.
Bettors in the south who do explore offshore options must ensure they are accessing reputable sites that are licensed in the areas they operate from. This is because local legislation does not cover these operations.
Georgia's current regulations prohibit all casino, sports, and racing betting, whether that is online or in person. This is bad news for Georgian sports fans, but it is not true of all southern states, with Louisiana having a thriving commercial and tribal casino industry, as well as offering both retail and online sports betting.
The Louisiana gambling industry has an economic impact of over $7.5 billion, supports more than 44,000 jobs, and benefits from more than $1.25 billion in tax revenue. The 19 licensed Louisiana casinos generate more than $550 million in gaming taxes, taking in more than $2.3 billion in gross gaming revenue.
When you consider Louisiana's sports betting market, it provides a great case study in favor of online casinos, with the online sports industry dwarfing the revenue generated by retail operations. Of the $3.7 billion betting handle generated by the sports betting industry in Louisiana, the 16 retail operations account for only $290 million of that. In comparison, the 7 online operators generate $3.4 billion.
Mississippi's gambling industry performance reads similarly to Louisiana's, with an economic impact of over $6.5 billion and supporting almost 42,000 jobs. The state has 26 licensed casinos that bring in a GGR of $2.4 billion.
Mississippi's sports betting industry is a bit further behind Louisiana, with 28 licensed operators but limited online operations. This is because the online sports betting industry stalled in the Senate despite its House bill passing in 2024.
Alabama's gambling industry does not yet allow sports betting, and only 3 tribal casinos operate in the state. Despite this, more than 11,000 jobs are supported by it, and it is responsible for an economic impact of almost $2 billion.
Texas has a similar regulatory framework to Alabama, with no legal sports betting market and only 3 tribal casinos in operation. The size of Texas is a major factor in its more impressive performance, though, generating an economic impact of nearly $5 billion and supporting more than 20,000 jobs.
Florida's gambling industry is a bit more complicated, with 8 retail casinos and 7 tribal operations generating an economic impact of nearly $23 billion and supporting over 70,000 jobs. The state benefits from more than $2 billion in tax revenue, and this is likely to increase as the state's sports betting market finally moves forward.
The state originally negotiated a compact with the Seminole Tribe in 2021 that would grant them exclusive sports betting rights at their casinos and via an online app. Despite launching that year, operations were suspended after legal issues ensued.
One of the main issues was centred around whether betting on tribal lands should be extended to mobile gaming if the operations are carried out on them. A decision in June 2024 by the U.S. Supreme Court saw them decide not to take up the case, leaving the existing compact in place.
While the state of the current betting industry in the south is still fragmented and confusing to many, it does leave plenty of growth potential. The performance of markets in states where they are legal is often used when attempts are made to update legislation, and even offshore betting could be a factor.
If consumers are still able to access betting markets that are prohibited from operating in the state, they might be more open to exploring regulatory change. Missed taxes and the potential to implement regulations to protect consumers could be all the inspiration needed for change to take place in the near future.
