aming industry experts Fantini Research have released their 2018 National Legislative Preview outlining the year’s biggest issues, and as expected, sports betting and online gaming dominate the review.

With Supreme Court justices currently reviewing the New Jersey appeal, Fantini have put their chips on a decision being made by the court between March and June.

The review states that “We expect several states to move right away on efforts to legalise sports betting if the court strikes down the ban, including New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Mississippi and Rhode Island.

“Efforts are beginning in several other states as well, with legislation already filed or being considered in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma and West Virginia.”

Turning to online gaming, the Fantini review makes a very bold prediction, that if the sports betting appeal is successful and sports betting is legalised, online gaming will soon follow.

They later go on to predict a surge in online gaming legalisation efforts in Illinois, Michigan and New York, speculating that West Virginia and New Hampshire might also follow during the year.

Fantini also predicts a plateau in the trend of states legalising daily fantasy sports, with only Nebraska and Hawaii among the company’s picks for 2018.

In the land-based sector, the company suggested that one of MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands and Wynn might choose to move forward on a $1 billion-plus casino in Atlanta, citing their persistence as an indicator of their willingness to proceed.

Finally, addressing the growing number of state lotteries being created, Fantini Research predicts that up to six states could try to create state lotteries in 2018.

Fantini's 2018 National Legislative Preview is now available to purchase through their website, www.fantiniresearch.com.