States could parlay Supreme Court's gambling decision into revenue

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - The Supreme Court's ruling that states can legalize sports gambling could have some impact on Arizona.

While there will still be plenty of legislative hurdles to get by if Arizona wants to implement legalized sports betting, some seem to think it's a good idea.

Governor Doug Ducey issued a tweet on this issue, after the decision was announced.

At least a few venues, like horse track Turf Paradise, are already equipped to take bets.

"Vegas, where it is legal to bet on sports, gets about 3% of the action on March Madness," said Vince francia, GM of Turf Paradise. "That leaves 97% that is being wagered in America. Office pools, parties. It's fun, it's almost an accepted American tradition, it's not legal."

Sports gambling could be an automatic win for a state that implements it. It's estimated that $150 billion worth of illegal wagers are made nationwide, and Las Vegas gambling insider Pauly Howard says the news is being taken well in Sin City.

"It'll be staggering with what's going to happen," said Howard. "To think just in Nevada alone last year, $5 billion alone was bet, every single handle it just goes up, up and up. March Madness and Super Bowl, it doesn't matter. There's nothing stopping it."