News & learning for US sports bettors.
Long-form explainers on regulation, state launches, betting policy, sportsbook promotions and the industry changes that can affect how and where you bet.
NFL Kickoff 2026: Record $32.3 Billion Handle Projected as Prediction Markets Close the Gap
Legal sportsbooks are on pace for a record $32.3 billion NFL handle in 2026-27, even as prediction markets grow twice as fast. Here's what's driving both numbers.
Leagues vs. Sportsbooks: Inside the 2026 Player Prop Crackdown
After a wave of gambling scandals across the NBA and MLB, leagues and sportsbooks are rewriting the rules on player prop bets. Here's what changed and why.
The Per-Wager Tax Spreads: Why More States Are Eyeing Illinois's Sportsbook Surcharge Model
Illinois's per-bet excise tax pushed FanDuel and DraftKings to add wager surcharges. Here's how that model is influencing tax fights in other states in 2026.
Why the US Sports Betting Map Has Stalled in 2026
Missouri's December 2025 launch may be the last new state market for a while. Here's why legalization has stalled in 2026 and which states are still trying.
Sports Betting Cash Flows Into the 2026 Midterms as Industry Fights State Tax Hikes
Sportsbook operators are spending heavily in state-level 2026 races to fight tax hikes, prop bet restrictions, and lingering state bans. Here's where the money is going.
The "Phantom Income" Tax Fight: What the New 90% Gambling Loss Rule Means for US Sports Bettors in 2026
How the 90% federal gambling-loss deduction cap can create taxable phantom income, who is most exposed, and what Congress may do next.
Prediction Markets vs. Sportsbooks: Inside the Kalshi Legal War Reshaping US Sports Betting
Why Kalshi, Polymarket, state gaming regulators, and the CFTC are fighting over who gets to regulate sports-related event contracts.
Missouri Sports Betting: Inside the 39th State's First Year of Legal Wagering
A look at Missouri’s December 2025 launch, its crowded operator field, licensing structure, promotions, and what the rollout says about modern state markets.
2026 State-by-State Sports Betting Roundup: Where Legalization Stands Right Now
Where US sports betting legalization stands in August 2026, from states nearing mobile launches to long-term holdouts and tribal-compact roadblocks.
NFL Season Sportsbook Promos 2026: How No-Sweat Bets, Odds Boosts, and Bonus Bets Actually Work
How 2026 NFL sportsbook offers work - including bonus bets, no-sweat structures, deposit matches, odds boosts, expiration windows, and payout considerations.