Could States Beyond Missouri Consider Legalizing Sports Wagering?
In the Southeastern Conference (SEC) states of Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, sports betting remains illegal as of mid-2025. While legislative activity varies across these states, each faces significant hurdles in legalizing sports betting.
Texas has the most active legislative efforts towards legalizing sports betting, but faces significant political resistance. The Texas Legislature is scheduled to end on June 2, and it seems unlikely that sports betting will be legalized due to the opposition of an anti-gaming alliance led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and groups like Texans Against Gambling.
Alabama has no licensed sportsbooks, and state law prohibits all forms of mobile or retail wagering. State Sen. Greg Albritton stated that the votes don't exist in the Alabama Senate to expand gaming, and the session is scheduled to end on May 15.
In Oklahoma, while sports betting bills have been introduced, at least one measure could potentially violate existing compacts with the state's tribes. Governor Kevin Stitt's support will be important, but there is no guarantee he will be on board.
Georgia is considering a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting, but it faces resistance in the House and the governor is an outspoken opponent of gambling legislation.
In South Carolina, a sports wagering bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, and its success before the scheduled May 8 adjournment is uncertain.
Larry Henry, a veteran print and broadcast reporter and editor with experience in media outlets in gaming states such as Nevada, Tennessee, and Louisiana, has been following these developments closely. Henry has worked as a political editor at the Las Vegas Sun and as managing editor at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Northwest Arkansas.
Not all SEC states are resistant to sports betting. Tennessee is a mobile-only state for sports betting, while Mississippi has in-person sports betting at casinos but not off-site mobile wagering. Legislation is underway in Mississippi to legalize off-site mobile sports betting.
The outcome of whether any of these bills will be approved this year is uncertain. As the legislative sessions in these states come to a close, it remains to be seen if sports betting will become legal in any of the five SEC states still without it.
- Amidst the ongoing legislative efforts, Texas and Alabama appear to have the least promising prospects for legalizing sports betting, as the Texas Legislature is ending on June 2 with little hope for sports betting legalization, and Alabama's session is scheduled to end on May 15 with insufficient votes to expand gaming.
- Despite varying legislative activities, the finance sector is closely monitoring the developments in the SEC states, particularly Texas and Oklahoma, where political resistance and potential legal complications are posing significant challenges to the legalization of sports betting.
