‘Sin’ Taxes on Sports Bets, Legal Pot Gain Steam as Virus Rages

States that shunned so-called sin businesses like marijuana and sports betting not long ago are quickly joining the trend to tax those industries as lawmakers grope to close deficits that have grown during the pandemic.

Thirteen states, including New York and California, are slated to take up legalization of sports betting soon. New York is also among seven states—along with Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Mexico, and Texas—that already have introduced bills to legalize recreational marijuana, or have governors who have called for legislation ahead of upcoming sessions. There’s even momentum in Southern states, including Texas, Florida, and Alabama, to ...