Online Casinos To Become Reality In US Before Sports Betting

Analysts believe legalized sports betting could help the US' deficit woes.

If the US really wanted to make a statement to the world that they were still the country that leads from the front, they would legalize online sports betting. That is not likely to happen anytime soon, but online casino gambling could be on its way in the country.

A strong push is being made by online poker enthusiasts, and the push is now being led by the one state that has long been opposed to regulated online casinos, Nevada. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid started Vegas’ change of heart late last year when he proposed an online poker bill.

The legislation never made it to the light of day on the Senate floor, but it did create enough of a stir for the issue to become a major debating point in 2011. Add on Black Friday a couple of months ago, and online gambling has suddenly become a high priority of lawmakers.

Las Vegas gaming companies have joined in on the action, although they are doing so more for their own revenue streams than the good of Americans. With gaming companies, lawmakers, and millions of US residents all joining the fight, even the strongest of online gambling opponents have changed their tune.

Senator Jon Kyl has made some of the most outlandish and untrue statements regarding the online gambling industry over the years, yet Kyl acknowledged recently that he would be open to regulating online poker.

Slots, poker, craps, and other casino games would be a big win for Americans, but not nearly as big as if legislators really got out in front and regulated online sports betting. While the online casino industry can bring the US millions, online sports betting could bring billions.

Crawling has always come before walking, and analysts believe that will again be the case when it comes to online gambling. That does not mean, however, that millions of Americans cannot dream of the day they can place their sports bets from the comfort of their own home.