The fledgling American sports betting industry faces a critical second year ahead, as more and more states pass sports betting laws. The President and CEO of the American Gaming Association, Bill Miller, says it has expanded to more than $3 billion in total bets in the year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on the activity. Now, in an interview with the Las Vegas Sun, Miller said the AGA will focus on ensuring that emerging markets install proper regulations and practices.

“The Supreme Court decision to overturn PASPA was a transformative moment for the gaming industry. It created a new, legal sector that is driving tremendous growth,” Miller said. “In the first year alone, legal sports betting revenue in the United States increased by nearly $170 million due to the more than $3 billion in bets placed in the legal market.

“The year ahead will be critical to continuing sports betting’s expansion across the country, but most importantly, making sure we get it right,” he said. “With 18 states plus Washington, D.C. having legalized sports betting, we’re committed to promoting regulation and best practices.”

Miller said that the drive to overturn PASPA was about more than expanding gaming markets. “First, it’s important to remember why we pushed to overturn the failed federal ban and allow for legal, transparent sports betting,” he said. “We wanted to destroy the illegal betting market and the criminal activities it finances, protect consumers from illegal operators and, finally, we wanted to protect the integrity of games and bets.”

Read more about the challenges ahead for the US sports betting industry at GGB News