In the years since the Supreme Court struck down the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, legalized sports betting has been propelled by the public’s desire to place a wager on a game’s outcome. The proliferation of legal, regulated betting markets has also increased the visibility of sportsbooks and their advertising. Consequently, professional leagues have gained an unprecedented level of transparency into the bets placed on their events.
In 2022, Fanatics began its expansion into sportsbooks by acquiring the US operations of PointsBet. Now available in 11 states, the company is leveraging its sports apparel and merchandise branding to increase its presence in the industry. In addition to its own retail and online sportsbooks, the company offers a number of third-party sportsbook apps.
While the days when baseball was the most popular sport in America may be behind it, MLB has a loyal and passionate following. Interest is always high around opening day and peaks again when the playoffs roll around.
After months of maneuvering in the state legislature, Colorado made sports betting legal in September 2021. Retail and online sportsbooks went live on the same day, with SugarHouse, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers all offering bettors the opportunity to place a wager.