Anyone who lives in and around West LA knows that there has always been a friendly rivalry with our East Coast cousins. LA and New York have long vied to be known as the best city to live in and the one which has the most to offer tourists.
Sports is another area where East and West collide in friendly competition. While this begins simply with which coast has the best teams in sports such as football, it also now encompasses which is best for sports betting.
But how do they compare to one another in this respect?
California, Oregon and Washington sports betting legalization: Where things stand and where they may be going
When it comes to legal West Coast sports betting, the major states to consider are Washington, Oregon and California. Of course, for those who live in West LA, California is the one which sparks the most interest.
But where do these states stand on sports betting and where might they head in the future?
Washington
The online sports betting landscape in Washington is fairly clear-cut at the moment and not something West Coast bettors will take pride in. In simple terms, sports betting is not legal in Washington. The only glimmer of hope on the horizon for those on the West is that many think it will be legalized soon.
With so many other states around the US enjoying the benefits of opening up to this market, this is not hard to imagine. While this is a state which has been opposed to gambling throughout its history, support from tribal casino groups plus public pressure could make the difference.
California
Of course, you must look at what is going on in California when talking about sports betting on the West Coast! This is especially true when you consider California is one of the best states for pro sports in the USA.
While Daily Fantasy Sports are now legal, sports betting itself is illegal in California still. This is a major blow and an issue lots of avid Cali sports fans hope to see addressed soon. This is state with a strong history of betting after all and where sports are a huge part of daily life.
It is also close to states that have already legalized this activity, such as Nevada, and this could play a part in any future decisions. With a referendum on retail sportsbooks up for public vote in the November 2022 elections, we could see movement pretty soon. While the planned residential development next to Kirk Douglas theatre is exciting news, legal sports betting could top this – not only in LA but for the whole state.
Oregon
Oregon sports betting is a mixed picture in some ways, but the fact is that it has been legal in the Beaver state since August 2019. There is only one online betting option available though – the mobile betting app operated by the Oregon State Lottery. There has also been one land-based sports betting option sanctioned at a tribal casino based in Oregon too.
While this is great news for sports bettors around Oregon, it does mean the market there is not fully open to all sportsbooks, operators and mobile apps yet. With the expansion of the state lottery to include sports betting though, you would imagine that this could change soon.
How does the East Coast compare for sports betting?
Although we all know that the Westside is the best side, East Coast sports betting does look to be in a better place right now.
New Jersey was the trailblazer for legal sports betting across the US and the state which pushed the US Supreme Court to make its landmark 2018 ruling. Other major East Coast states have also opened up to legal betting on sports since 2018 too, including Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Virginia and Connecticut.
This gives the East Coast a real edge in terms of sports betting currently and leaves West Coast states trailing behind for now. For sports fans on the East Coast, the current picture means they enjoy a much more liberal approach to this activity in general.
West Coast vs East Coast sports betting
As the above shows, the West Coast still has a way to go in terms of legalizing sports betting, especially when you look at the East Coast! All three major West Coast states look likely to take a more positive view of this activity moving ahead though and this could change the balance somewhat.
