Legal Sports Betting States: Complete US Guide
The minimum legal betting age depends on the state, sportsbook, and type of gambling involved. This means that the 46 states once blocked by PASPA can now vote in legal sports betting should they choose to do so. While the following states haven’t all passed laws to legalize sports betting, they also don’t have any laws that specifically ban it. A 2025 study from the University of California, Los Angeles found that the spread of legal sports betting caused consumers to take on more problematic debt and led to an increase in bankruptcies.
Most states have already passed legislation authorizing state-regulated sportsbooks. The American Gaming Association reported a 2023 handle of $121 billion and a revenue of $11.0 billion in commercial sportsbooks. Native Americans were familiar with the concept of small-scale gambling, such as placing bets on sporting contests. The approximately 450 commercial casinos on non-tribal lands produced a total gross gambling revenue of $34.11 billion in 2006. In 2025, South Carolina was considering legislation to legalize commercial casinos in the state. As domestic dependent nations, American Indian tribes have used legal protection to open casinos, which has been a contentious political issue in California and other states.
This comes on the heels of a sports betting tax hike levied in 2024. Illinois sports betting went live in March of 2020. In-person betting is available at certain casinos run by the Seminole Tribe.
In-person sports betting was approved in New York back in 2013, but experienced a lull between the law’s passing until the state’s first legal sportsbook opened in 2019. The Show-Me State became the 39th state to legalize online sports betting on Dec. 1, 2024. After Maryland voters approved legalized sports betting in the 2020 election, the state finally launched online sports betting in November 2022. But in the three years since, the state hasn’t approved online sports betting, and there are just three in-person options in Delaware Park, Bally’s Dover, and Harrington Raceway and Casino. In states where it is permitted, betting sites frequently offer sportsbook promos to attract bettors.
Our opinion is that people are going to gamble online because the technology exists and sports betting sites are readily accessible. As we wait for additional states to pass sports betting legislation, we can look at those that have already legalized online wagering as an indication of what’s to come. More states are likely to legalize online gambling sites and mobile betting apps.
This really opened up the market for where you can bet on sports legally. Legal online gambling is more common in the USA than offline betting. Another aspect of this great sportsbook that has drawn the attention of bettors is the fact that they offer a range of cryptocurrencies as payment methods. Ironically, the states that allow local online sportsbooks sometimes, in rare cases, limit access to offshore bookies.
Some states require online sportsbooks to enable two-factor authentication for all users. One of the biggest factors in determining the quality of a sports betting app is the quality of its ongoing promotions. If a new user’s first bet loses, the sportsbook will refund the losing wager, usually with non-withdrawable bonus funds that can be used on any market.
There are many different criteria upon which one can judge a sportsbook. Again, these rankings are based on the opinions of our betting experts. After a limited run, the sportsbook discontinued operations in the state. They are still accepting casino and poker offerings, if that interests you. 888 Sport is a major sportsbook in the UK, that was active in New Jersey for a while. The sportsbook had some good ideas and showed potential, however, it was never able to make financial sense for Fubo as a company
States Most Likely to Legalize Online Gambling
This law doesn’t target individual bettors, but rather illegal financial practices present in unauthorized https://www.pokernewsdaily.com/sportsbooks/ sports gambling sites. However, USA bettors are able to legally place sports bets with licensed offshore sportsbooks. There are only four states that are allowed to have legal state-sponsored betting, leaving the other 46 without any domestic options (like brick-and-mortar sportsbooks or through the state Lottery).
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed a sports betting regulation bill in June of 2021, and both in-state retail books and online sports betting sites were legal. In January of 2022, online sports betting became legal in Arkansas and state lawmakers approved Betly and Bet Saracen to operate online sportsbooks. Maryland now offers both retail and online sports betting through licensed sportsbooks across the state.
List Of U.S. States That Don’t Criminalize Offshore Betting in 2026
The most unique wrinkle of the laws in place is that you can bet at a few truck stops in the Green Bay area, as they are owned by the Oneida tribe. You may use mobile apps on-site at these gambling venues, but nowhere else. You can bet on college sports in Rhode Island, just not on teams from the state or events taking place within it. The legal gambling age in New Hampshire is 18 rather than 21, differentiating it from many other states.
State betting laws impact things on the state level and cover everything not already covered by federal gambling laws. For example, it may not be immediately clear what it means for gamblers in your state specifically when you read that the Supreme Court has stricken down the federal sports betting prohibition. The implications of the decision are unclear, but the decision has not stopped a growing number of states from taking up sports betting legislation. Legal sports betting has expanded as well thanks to a 2018 Supreme Court decision striking down the federal prohibition. New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware quickly got on board and legalized online casino games, online poker or both provided organizations seeking to organize such games are properly licensed and approved. If you’re ready to get started, explore the best available platforms in your state with our guide to the best sports betting apps.
- In the seven years since the Supreme Court repealed the federal ban on sports betting to essentially make it a state-specific decision, 39 states (and Washington, D.C.) have passed legislation to permit the sports wagering.
- The convenience afforded by the ability to play from your own home or on the go is one of the greatest perks of the rise of widely available mobile sports betting.
- In some states, gaming tribes are fighting against the legalization, others can’t agree on tax rates, and a few have government officials who are adamantly against all gambling.
- Offshore sportsbooks are also available online in North Carolina and tend to have better odds.
- If you want to avoid the crowds and the tourist prices on the strip, online gambling is also legal throughout Nevada.
- Below, we’ll share some of the most common ongoing promotions from the best betting sites and explain the pros and cons of each.
The HB2772 betting bill allowed for up to 20 sports betting licenses, half granted to professional sports teams and organizations and the other half to Native American tribes. The first Arizona sports betting apps launched on Sept. 9 of the same year, coinciding with the 2021 NFL season. Supreme Court case out of New Jersey forever changed the sports betting landscape. Legal sports betting in the United States has taken off in the 5+ years since the Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). We’ve kept up to date on all things sports betting in the United States. Until then, Texas bettors do not have access to state-regulated sportsbooks.
If you are looking for trusted online poker platforms in the U.S., please check our list of the best U.S. online poker sites to find safe options to play today. Suffice to say, poker is still a strong driver of land-based and online gambling in the USA. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, and Nevada have fully regulated and licensed online poker within their respective jurisdictions. To that end, brick-and-mortar casinos host tournaments and cash games nationwide. As the quintessential American gambling game, poker remains a popular option in both IRL and online settings. Today, DFS is legal in many states; however, some jurisdictions classify it differently from traditional gambling due to its inherent skill component.
Legalized sports betting began in Indiana in September 2019, and mobile betting went live a month later. This change has also allowed more online-only sportsbooks to offer their services to players. In the seven years since the Supreme Court repealed the federal ban on sports betting to essentially make it a state-specific decision, 39 states (and Washington, D.C.) have passed legislation to permit the sports wagering. The legality of sports betting varies by state, with some allowing it while others do not. Now, these states, along with Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico, have legal, regulated sports betting industries.
To open a new online sports betting account and place your bets, you need to complete an in-person registration at a casino or sportsbook. With the rapid growth of online sports betting in New York and the USA more broadly, bettors have access to a wide variety of sportsbooks that offer unique features, promotions and betting options. Some states have legalized in-person sports betting, some states offer online betting, and some states have legalized sports wagering in both retail and online wagering formats. The Old Dominion functions as an online-only sports betting state for now, but land-based commercial casinos and sportsbooks will eventually allow in-person betting in Virginia as well. Michigan’s gaming compact allows both commercial and tribal casino operators to offer online sports betting.
Currently, the state offers only retail sports betting, primarily in the historic town of Deadwood, as online betting hasn’t been legalized yet. Since November 2018 both of Rhode Island’s casinos have offered retail sports betting. MGM, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Wynn, and plenty of other leading casino brands now offer online sportsbooks and betting apps.
Snoqualmie Casino opened in September of 2021, and this gaming tribe was first to supplement its retail sportsbook with an online betting app on the property’s grounds. Washington Governor Jay Inslee approved a compact to allow in-state gaming tribals casinos to operate retail sportsbooks in March of 2020. Retail and online sportsbooks are illegal, but the state has land-based casinos. The state of Wisconsin allows certain types of gambling in tribal gaming casino, including sports betting. Legislation of sports betting in Michigan came in March of 2020, but online sportsbooks had to wait until January of 2022 to go live.
Below is a list of mobile launch dates for every legal state. BetRivers remains the only active sportsbook in the state. You can bet on who you think will get elected in the next presidential election and who will win an Oscar among other wagering opportunities.
The Florida Seminole Tribe owns and operates the Hard Rock brand, including its sportsbook. In the past, the biggest roadblocks to legalization have been a lack of communication between supporters of new initiatives and the state’s federally recognized tribes. The survey showed that most high-volume bettors have above-average incomes and credit scores, suggesting they have the financial means to sustain their betting activity. Sports betting operators saw their revenues increase by more than 25% to $13.7 billion in 2024.
In short, the UIGEA made it illegal for US firms to knowingly process financial transactions for illegal gambling sites. The UIGEA did not criminalize online gambling itself, but rather attempted to hamstring the industry by targeting the finances of illegal gambling operations hosted on overseas servers. Betting News is your trusted source for betting picks and up to date news and stats on the NFL, MLB, NHL and many other sports. Meanwhile, some states have begun talks and even implemented online horse betting. Land-based racetracks remain the primary IRL venues, while online platforms like TVG, or Twinspires offer remote wagering.
When was gambling legalized in the United States? The legal gambling age in the USA depends on the state. New Jersey ranks close behind thanks to Atlantic City and its online market. When people talk about U.S. gambling regulations, they are usually referring to state laws. At the national level, two legal milestones shaped today’s market.
If you’re in one of the legal sports betting states mentioned above, check out our guide to betting soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup this summer. Sports betting, and online sports betting is here to stay in the United States and is only growing in popularity. Although New Mexico did not pass a law explicitly allowing sports wagering, the state’s attorney general determined that casinos could offer it under the existing tribal-state compact. Other states that launched legal sports operations in 2018 included Pennsylvania (November 2018, mobile sports betting came later) and Rhode Island (November 2018, mobile sports betting came later). New Jersey and Delaware were quick out of the gate and so was West Virginia (mobile sports betting came later … sort of) which had preemptively passed its sports betting law in March 2018.
The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case marked a significant turning point in the long-running legal battle. Although this was fairly described as a long-shot effort by some, the Sports Wagering Act of 2014 set the stage for a whole new round of legal maneuvering. However, lawyers representing New Jersey did not even attempt to argue the Sports Wagering Act was compatible with PASPA. The sports leagues held high ground as their argument was difficult to debunk.
DraftKings, a name synonymous with massive daily fantasy sports contests, has quickly grown its presence within the regulated sports betting industry. It also includes a Parlay Lounge with unique betting options and various sportsbook promotions. A blue blood of retail casino gaming in the U.S., BetMGM is now strengthening its online presence. The brand is widely known for having a fantastic array of betting options, offering odds on everything from the major U.S. sports to cricket, handball, darts, and more. They arrived in the United States with a premium sports betting product in 2019. For more details on sports betting in the Show-Me state, check out our guide!
They are still accepting bets on horse racing if you’re interested in that. The major German sportsbook had a solid product, as well as an early team-up with USA Today. A collaboration with 888Sport, Sports illustrated launch it’s own betting site in 2021. A short-lived sportsbook from the massively popular Underdog Fantasy brand, the long-rumored Underdog Sportsbook only ever officially launched in North Carolina. Along with Prophet, Sporttrade strived to bring exchange-style betting stateside.
DraftKings is available in most major online markets, ensuring broad accessibility across the U.S. This makes it one of the most accessible choices for users looking to bet legally across multiple jurisdictions. Tribal gaming groups remain a powerful force in California’s gambling landscape, and any future legislation will likely need their full support to succeed. While many of these markets are considered potential candidates for future legalization, progress has been slow in recent years.