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Where Is Online Sports Betting Legal in the USA?

Written by: Mike Lukas
Fact-checked by: James Whitelock
Updated March 1, 2024
17 min read

Online sports betting is legal in 30 states in the United States. If you are wondering whether online and mobile sports betting is legal in your state, take a look at the map or table below. If you’re looking for the latest status of online betting in a particular state, we have provided a breakdown for all 50 states with the very latest news and information.

What States Have Legal Online Sports Betting?

StateOnlineRetail
AlabamaXX
AlaskaXX
Arizona
Arkansas
CaliforniaXX
Colorado
Connecticut
DelawareX
Florida
GeorgiaXX
HawaiiXX
IdahoXX
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
MinnesotaXX
MississippiX
MissouriXX
MontanaX
NebraskaXComing soon
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New MexicoX
New York
North Carolina✓ (Coming on March 11)
North DakotaX
Ohio
OklahomaXX
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South CarolinaXX
South DakotaX
TennesseeX
TexasXX
UtahXX
VermontX
Virginia
WashingtonX
Washington DC
West Virginia
WisconsinX
WyomingX

💡 We strongly recommend only using legally operating online sportsbooks. Offshore sportsbooks are not regulated and betting with them comes with risks.

Alabama

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

There is no legal sports gambling market in the state of Alabama. Bills aiming to legalize sports betting were introduced in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, but ultimately failed. No bills were submitted during the 2023 legislative session.

State lawmakers are no doubt paying attention to the growing U.S. legal market that includes two of Alabama’s neighbors - Tennessee and Mississippi. With those who live near the border able to cross over to place legal sports bets.

Check out our Alabama sports betting page for more information.

Alaska

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

There are no legal sports betting options in Alaska, although there are ten tribal casinos, bingo halls, and pari-mutuel facilities that are spread across nine cities throughout the gigantic state.

A sports betting bill (HB 385) was introduced to the state's legislature in February 2022 by Representative Adam Wool, but there has not been much momentum since.

Take a look at our Alaska sports betting guide.

Arizona

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers, Betfred, Unibet, Desert Diamond, Barstool, Hard Rock Bet, Betway, Bally Bet, Superbook, Golden Nugget, Sahara Bets, WynnBET, ESPN BET, and TwinSpires.

Both online and in-person sports betting is legal in Arizona. In April 2021, the Arizona senate passed HB 2772 by a 23-6 margin, which paved the way for both online and retail sports betting in the state. It has been legal to bet on sports in Arizona since September 2021, and now 18 online sportsbooks operate mobile markets there while tribal casinos handle most of the retail action.

Arizona holds a 4.4% share of the total handle in the US, the 6th largest in the country.

More information can be found in our Arizona sports betting guide, and you can find all of the Arizona sportsbook bonuses here.

Arkansas

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: Betly, Bet Saracen, and Oaklawn Sports

It is legal to bet on sports in Arkansas, both online and in person. The mobile sports betting market in Arkansas launched on March 7, 2022, though its steep 51% revenue share rate has since kept the major online sportsbooks away. There are currently only three mobile betting options available in the state, providing a limited online betting experience for residents.

Find out more in our Arkansas sports betting guide.

California

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

The state of California came close to legalizing sports betting for residents in 2022, but the voters turned down both propositions due to their effects on the native population who control the gaming market there.

Two new sports betting initiatives were filed at the end of October 2023: The Tribal Gaming Protection Act (23-0031) and the Sports Wagering Regulation and Tribal Gaming Protection Act (23-0030). These initiatives aim to keep in-person and online sports gambling wholly owned by Indian tribes.

The petition must collect 874,641 signatures before the end of April in order to appear on the November 2024 ballot.

The state of California is currently home to 21 major professional sports franchises, which is far more than any other US state. It ranks as the most populous U.S. state (39 million), so the potential legal sports betting market there is predicted to be lucrative.

Stay up-to-date with the latest movements in our California sports betting guide.

Colorado

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, PointsBet, bet365, BetRivers, ESPN BET, Superbook, Betfred, Betway, Tipico, Smarkets, Bally Bet, SI Sportsbook, Betsafe, Barstool, BetMonarch, Circa Sports, ClutchBet, and Sporttrade

Legal sports betting launched in Colorado in May, 2020, and their law stipulates that online sportsbooks must partner with a local casino in order to legally operate in the state. There are currently 21 mobile sportsbooks available to wager with, providing bettors with plenty of choice. And with more than 30 casinos in Colorado, there is still room for more operators to enter the market.

Check out our Colorado sports betting guide and grab a Colorado sports betting bonus when signing up.

Connecticut

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, and SugarHouse

Residents of Connecticut have enjoyed legal sports betting since Governor Ned Lamont struck a deal with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes in May 2021. That gave the tribes and the state lottery the right to offer retail and online sports betting. The state started taking retail bets in October that same year, with the mobile market launching soon after.

As of the end of 2024, Connecticut’s legal sports betting market has generated a $3.4 billion handle, which has created $338 billion in sportsbook revenue and over $34.6 million in tax income for the state.

Read more in our Connecticut sports betting guide.

Delaware

❌ Online sports betting not legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Give Delaware props for becoming the first state besides Nevada to launch a legal sports betting market in June 2018, just a month after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned PASPA. However, residents can only place bets in person at one of the three retail sportsbooks operating there. The state’s lottery regulates those available sites.

Find all the information you need in our Delaware sports betting guide.

Florida

✅ Online sports betting is legal (restricted access)
✅ Retail sports betting is legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, and SugarHouse

The state of Florida launched a legal sports betting market for a brief month between November and December 2021. However, once a federal judge ruled against an agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe that gave them sole control over that market, that operation was put on a temporary hold.

This ruling was overturned by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in June 2023, which would allow the Seminole Tribe to continue operating online sports betting in Florida. However, further appeals from West Flagler Associates, which owns competing casinos in the state, once again brought things to a halt.

In October 2023, the US Supreme Court denied the request from West Flagler, and the Seminole Tribe is now free to restart operations in the Sunshine State. Hard Rock Bet officially relaunched on Nov. 14, 2023, although only existing customers are able to get immediate access. New customers need to sign up for a loyalty membership at a Seminole-owned casino and play a game in order to access the mobile sportsbook.

In-person sports betting has resumed on Dec. 7 at multiple locations.

Check out our Florida sports betting page to stay updated with the latest information.

Georgia

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

There is no legal sports betting in Georgia, with sports betting bills failing for five consecutive years.

Georgia faces three key obstacles in its quest for online sports betting.

  1. Each form of gambling that the state wants to legalize lacks support, either individually or combined.

  2. The state lacks retail gambling establishments.

  3. The state may need to consider a constitutional amendment in order to make legal sports betting a reality.

EKG report that “there will again be an effort to add casino gambling and parimutuel betting to a sports betting ballot measure bill”.

Two of Georgia’s northern neighbors – Tennessee and North Carolina – have already legalized sports betting for their residents, so those Georgians who live by the border make the quick trip north to place their bets.

Find out more in our Georgia sports betting guide.

Hawaii

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

There are two U.S. states with absolutely no gambling allowed – Utah and Hawaii – so of course, there are no sportsbooks allowed to operate on the islands. That could change in the future, as Hawaii lawmakers proposed a bill in January 2023 to make sports betting and poker legal on Oahu, while State Rep. John Mizuno works to create a standalone sportsbook and card room there. It is important to note that House Bill 344 does not include mobile sports betting.

It makes sense since there are reportedly over 7,200 illegal gaming rooms in Hawaii where drugs and prostitution are commonplace. And given that Hawaiians spend $1 billion annually on gambling in Las Vegas, it might make sense for them to make that possible in state.

Take a look at our Hawaii sports betting guide to stay updated with developments.

Idaho

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

There is currently no sports betting in Idaho, and even DFS isn’t allowed. Since the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, no Idaho state lawmakers have submitted a bill to legalize, regulate, and tax its own sports betting market.

Stay updated using our Idaho sports betting guide.

Illinois

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, ESPN BET, Barstool, Caesars, Circa Sports, and PointsBet

The Illinois legal sports betting market allows residents to place retail and mobile bets throughout the state, that market having launched in 2020. The year prior, the state General Assembly passed a sports betting law, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker then signed in June 2019.

Since that initial launch, the Illinois sports betting market has generated more than $27 billion in total handle, which has created north of $2.28 billion in revenue for the sportsbooks operating there. That has translated to over $361 million in tax revenue for the state.

Everything you need to know can be found in our Illinois sports betting guide. And be sure to check out the best Illinois sportsbook promotions before signing up anywhere.

Indiana

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, Betway, PointsBet, Unibet, ESPN BET, SBK Sportsbook, Hard Rock, and Bally Bet

Hoosier gamblers have access to legal in-person and mobile sports betting and enjoy multiple tribal and commercial casino venues across the state. The first in-person sportsbook began operating in Indiana in September 2019, and the mobile market launched in October. That was just a few months after Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the related bill into law the previous May.

Bettors in Indiana have generated a $14.3 billion handle since the initial market launch in 2019, which has created more than $1.22 billion in revenue for sportsbooks and more than $116 million in tax revenue for the state.

Find more information on our Indiana sports betting page and our Indiana sportsbook promos page.

Iowa

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, bet365, Betway, PointsBet, Tipico, Betfred, ESPN BET, SuperBook, Circa Sports, Barstool, ClutchBet, Elite Sportsbook, Q Sportsbook, DRF Sportsbook, and Bally Bet

It has been legal to bet on sports online in Iowa since May 2019. It took just four more months to straighten out the regulatory aspects of that market before it launched in August that same year. At first, residents were forced to sign up in person to gamble, but that seemed to keep bettors away. That changed in 2021, so now registration can happen online.

Iowa’s sports betting market has created a $7.3 billion handle and more than $524 million in sportsbook revenue since its inception. This has raised more than $35 million in tax revenue to be reinvested in projects vital to the state.

Check out our Iowa sports betting guide for more info and find the latest sportsbook bonuses in Iowa.

Kansas

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, ESPN BET, and Barstool

In September 2022, the legal retail and mobile sports betting market in Kansas started taking bets after a noticeably short regulatory setup period. That haste was attributed to wanting to launch before the beginning of the NFL season since football is king when it comes to creating handle.

In its first year, Kansas collected $10 million in tax revenue from $2.58 billion in wagers

Get all the latest sportsbook news for the Sunflower State in our Kansas sports betting guide.

Kentucky

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, ESPN BET, Barstool, and Fanatics

Despite being surrounded by six states with legal sports betting, Kentucky gamblers have had no access to an in-state market since lawmakers previously failed to pass a bill.

This changed in 2023 with HB 551 passing both the House and Senate, making in-state sports betting legal. Kentucky pursued an aggressive timeline, and sportsbooks in the Bluegrass State opened for business in September 2023.

The new law allows for an open, competitive market with no restrictions on college wagering, a legal age of 18, no requirement for using official league data, and a tax rate of 14.25%

Find out more in our Kentucky sports betting guide. You can also browse all the sportsbook promos available in Kentucky.

Louisiana

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, BetRivers, ESPN BET, Barstool, and Betfred

The state of Louisiana is divided up into parishes, and at the end of 2020, 55 of the state’s 64 parishes approved legal sports betting, including three of the state’s largest cities: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.

The retail market launched there in October 2021, and the mobile market started at the end of January 2022. Since then, that combined operation has generated $4.9 billion in handle, which has produced $536 million in sportsbook revenue and $71 million in tax revenue for the state.

Find out more on our Louisiana sports betting page.

Maine

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings and Caesars

Online and retail sports betting launched in Maine on November 3, 2023. State legislators and Gov. Janet Mills turned LD 585 into law in May 2022. All four of Maine’s federally recognized native tribes can acquire a license to offer sports betting online.

Due to its high taxes, few operators have decided to open in Pine Tree State.

Stay updated on progress with our Maine sports betting guide.

Maryland

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, PointsBet, BetRivers, SuperBook, Barstool, Betfred, Fanatics, ESPN BET, Crab Sports, Bally Bet, and betPARX

Maryland voters legalized sports betting in November 2020, but that market didn’t launch until November 2022, making that the longest go-live period so far in the growing US sports betting market.

An odd hiccup occurred when that operation finally did launch, with the sportsbooks going live for eight hours before being shut off for a day and then reopened, that procedure to ensure a safe gambling environment.

Maryland’s legal sports betting market has generated over $5 billion in handle, resulting in $46 million in tax revenue for the state, a clear sign that new industry is welcome.

Check out our Maryland sports betting page for more info.

Massachusetts

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, Barstool, Fanatics, Betr, ESPN BET, WynnBET, and Bally Bet

One of the newer legal sports betting markets belongs to the state of Massachusetts, its lawmakers making it the third state to legalize that activity in 2022, though bettors were not able to place legal wagers until March 2023. This put it right on time for the 2023 NCAA March Madness tournament in which multiple Massachusetts school basketball teams participated.

Currently, there are nine mobile sports betting sites available in MA, with Bally Bet expected to launch in late 2023 and Betway expected sometime in 2024.

Find the best Massachusetts online sportsbooks using our state betting guide. Be sure to also check out all the latest sportsbook promotions in Massachusetts.

Michigan

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers, Barstool, SI Sportsbook, ESPN BET, Golden Nugget, Play Gun Lake, Eagle Casino & Sports, Four Finds, WynnBET, and FireKeepers

Retail sports betting has been legal in Michigan since March 2020, with mobile sports betting launching in January 2021. There are now 14 online sportsbooks operating in the state, helping it become one of the larger markets in the industry.

Since its inception, Michigan’s legal sports betting market has generated $13 billion in handle, which has equated to more than $1.12 billion in sportsbook revenue and $56 million in taxes for the state.

Get all the latest news and MI sportsbook promo codes in our Michigan sports betting guide. You can also find legal online casinos in Michigan.

Minnesota

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

Despite support for a legal online sports betting market, lawmakers in Minnesota failed to pass a bill in 2022 and 2023. The tribes in Minnesota want 100% control, and any sports betting bill will need their support in order to pass. The only question that remains to be answered in order to progress is what role racetracks will play.

2024 is the next opportunity for lawmakers to find a solution to this issue.

Stay updated by checking our Minnesota sports betting page.

Mississippi

❌ Online sports betting not legal (except when physically at a licensed casino)
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Once the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA in May 2018, Mississippi was one of the first states to jump aboard. It launched its retail sports betting market in August 2018 and added a mobile option, as well.

Except here’s the catch: To place a bet using a mobile sportsbook, bettors must show up to a licensed casino, a hiccup that state lawmakers have repeatedly tried to fix but face plenty of opposition on.

Read more on our Mississippi sports betting page.

Missouri

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

There is no legal sports betting in Missouri. After Kansas moved forward with their market in 2022, a fire was lit under state lawmakers in 2023. Two new house bills – HB581 and HB556 – were filed for the legislative session but neither passed.

The main proponent for this issue is State Rep. Dan Roux who sponsored both these House bills, his goal is to give the bettors in Missouri a chance to partake in a regulated market instead of spending their money elsewhere.

Get more info on our Missouri sports betting page.

Montana

❌ Online sports betting not legal (except when physically at a licensed casino)
✅ Retail sports betting legal

People in Montana who are over 21 years old can legally bet on sports either in person or by using a mobile sportsbook at a retail location. The market launched in March 2020 in conjunction with their state lottery. The law there allows all licensed lottery retailers in the state to offer sports betting on their premises, yet because of that, bettors have a limited choice of mobile sportsbook options.

Since the legal market opened in Montana, sportsbooks have generated more than $170 million in handle, raising more than $3.6 million in tax revenue for the state.

Read more in our Montana sports betting guide.

Nebraska

✅ Online sports betting legal but not yet launched
✅ Retail sports betting legal

In May 2021, Nebraska state lawmakers made sports betting legal there, except they have not launched a market since. As part of a larger gambling expansion measure backed by voters, Gov. Pete Ricketts signed that legislation into law but there is still no launch date from the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. Right now, legal online sports betting in Nebraska is in limbo.

Stay updated by reading our Nebraska sports betting guide.

Nevada

✅ Online sports betting legal (in-person registration required)
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Online sports betting is legal in Nevada, but the state law requires bettors to register in person at a casino before they are allowed to wager online. This has impacted the market somewhat, especially during the COVID lockdown when casinos were not open. Despite being considered the mecca of gambling in the US, Nevada holds just a 5.75% share of the online sports betting market, putting it behind five other states.

New Hampshire

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings

New Hampshire legalized online sports betting in December 2019 with the passage of HB 480. Massachusetts-based DraftKings has a virtual monopoly on the mobile market.

New England is very sports bettor friendly, with all states either having a legal market or one in the works. New Hampshire’s operation so far has generated a $2.63 billion handle, which has created $206 million in sportsbook revenue and $94 million in taxes for the state.

More information can be found on our New Hampshire sports betting page.

New Jersey

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers, bet365, Borgata, Unibet, ESPN BET, Tipico, PointsBet, Barstool, Hard Rock, Golden Nugget, Betway, SuperBook, PlayUp, and betPARX

It was thanks, in part, to the efforts of New Jersey lawmakers that the U.S. Supreme Court eventually overturned PASPA in May 2018, which opened the way for all states to legalize their own sports betting market. Not long after that the Garden State launched its own retail and mobile operations.

Now, New Jersey is one of the top sports betting states having generated more than $44 billion in handle. Sportsbooks have created revenues of more than $3.2 billion to date, raising north of $450 million in tax revenue for the state.

Our in-depth NJ sports betting guide has everything you need to know, as well as our NJ sportsbook promos page for the latest bonuses and offers. You can also find more about gambling in New Jersey in our NJ online casinos guide.

New Mexico

❌ Online sports betting not legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

New Mexico became one of the first U.S. states to offer legal sports betting, but the situation there is unique in that it is offered in person only at one of its four tribal-run casinos. No sports betting legislation has been passed there. Instead, the tribes have interpreted their gaming compact with the state in a way that allows them to offer any form of Class III gaming.

Read more on our New Mexico sports betting page.

New York

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers, PointsBet, Resorts World, and Bally Bet

It took just over a year after PASPA was overturned in May 2018 for New York to legalize sports betting, with the first retail sportsbooks launching in July 2019. The mobile market took longer to set up – it launched in January 2022 after lawmakers included mobile sports betting in the stated budget bill which was then signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

New York has become one of the largest US legal sports betting markets, having generated a $35 billion handle since its inception, that total giving sportsbooks $2.6 billion in revenue, which has accounted for more than $1.5 billion in tax revenue.

Find the best NY sportsbooks right here and the latest NY sportsbook promotions here.

North Carolina

✅ Online sports betting legal (Set to launch on March 11, 2024)
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Residents of North Carolina can sports bet in person only at one of the two tribal casinos, which are far from the state’s major cities. However, that is about to change.

In 2022, mobile sports betting was on the legislative docket, but that bill lost by one vote during the session. An amended sports betting bill was once again put to the Senate in June 2023, which passed and was subsequently signed by Governor Roy Cooper. The legal procedures seem to be in place and legal sports betting is set to launch on March 11, 2024.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is a longtime proponent of online sports betting, and since his term lasts through 2025, there has always been a good chance that if a bill passes, he would sign it into law. The new bill allows for 12 mobile sportsbook licenses, as well as pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and more retail sportsbooks.

Read more about North Carolina sports betting.

North Dakota

❌ Online sports betting not legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Due to the language in the compacts that exist between North Dakota and its federally recognized native tribes, in-person sports betting is allowed there, but there is no mobile option. Residents must show up to bet in person at one of the tribal venues located throughout the state.

Check out our North Dakota sports betting page for more insights.

Ohio

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, BetRivers, PointsBet, ESPN BET, Bally Bet, Tipico, Betfred, Betway, Fanatics, Hard Rock, SuperBook, Barstool, Betr, MVGBet, betPARX, betJACK, and Prime Sportsbook

Online sportsbooks in Ohio began taking bets at midnight on New Year's Day, 2023. That’s after state lawmakers passed a bill at the end of 2021, and Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law soon after.

Boasting 21 online sportsbooks, Ohio has quickly become one of the top sports betting states. With a trailing 3-month (to August 2023) online GGR of $43.3 million, only New York, New Jersey, and Illinois are outperforming the Buckeye State.

Check out our Ohio sports betting guide for more information. If you're looking for a bonus, browse the latest Ohio sports betting promotions.

Oklahoma

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

There is no legal sports betting in Oklahoma. A bill (HB 1027) sponsored by state Rep. Ken Luttrell was up for debate during the state’s 2023 legislative session, but it ultimately failed. Any movement towards the legalization of sports betting will have to wait until 2024.

Four of Oklahoma’s neighbors already have legal sports betting – New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Arkansas – so that gives border residents a nearby solution until state lawmakers can launch a market.

Read more in our Oklahoma sports betting guide.

Oregon

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings

In August 2019, Oregon launched its legal sports betting market, but it was done through the state lottery instead of through legislative action. So bets had to be placed via a single mobile app that bettors found to be limiting and troublesome.

At the start of 2022, Oregon switched from that lottery app to DraftKings as its sole sportsbook, giving gamblers there a quality option, generating almost a $1.7 billion handle to date.

There are multiple tribal casinos in Oregon that take in-person sports bets, though gamblers can not place wagers on in-state colleges since that is prohibited by law.

Find more information in our Oregon sports betting guide.

Pennsylvania

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers, ESPN BET, Unibet, PointsBet, SugarHouse, Betway, Barstool, Betfred, and betPARX

The legal retail and mobile market in Pennsylvania is a top-5 operation in the US, having generated a $25.6 billion handle since its retail inception in 2018. The mobile betting market launched in 2019, and, together with in-person betting, that combined operation continues to top the charts.

Residents of Pennsylvania can also bet at the racetracks and casinos there and purchase lottery tickets operated by the state.

Find more information in our Pennsylvania sports betting guide. Browse our PA sportsbook promos page for the latest bonuses. You can also learn about online casinos in PA if you're a fan of playing slots or table games.

Rhode Island

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: Caesars

Rhode Island was one of the first states to launch a legal sports betting market soon after the U.S. Senate overturned PASPA in 2018, its two commercial casinos taking sports bets right away. After state legislators ended the in-person requirement for signing up to play using mobile apps, that handle did increase, but the state’s low population keeps that market from growing.

The Rhode Island legal sports betting market has generated a $1.8 billion handle, which has created $160 million in sportsbook revenue and $81 million in tax revenue.

Read more on our Rhode Island sports betting page.

South Carolina

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

Despite multiple attempts to bring legal sports betting to South Carolina, right now, that activity remains illegal. That’s after a related bill – HB 5277 – was introduced to lawmakers in 2022, generated bipartisan support for legalization, but then somehow died in committee. 2023 told a similar story, with a new bill - HB 3749 - failing to get over the line.

Sports betting advocates in South Carolina will now have to wait until 2024 to have another shot at legalization.

More info can be found in our South Carolina sports betting guide.

South Dakota

❌ Online sports betting not legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sports betting in South Dakota launched in September 2021, but bettors can only place wagers in person in Deadwood and at the state’s tribal casinos. That’s despite a recent effort to bring a mobile option to residents via a 2022 bill – SJR 502 – which passed the Senate but failed to get approval by the House.

With just over 900k residents (ranked 47th), South Dakota’s retail sports betting market has not generated a lot of action, and so far, it has created a $17 million handle, which has given sportsbooks $2 million in revenue and the state just $194k in taxes.

Find out more on our South Dakota sports betting page.

Tennessee

✅ Online sports betting legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, SuperBook, Hard Rock, ESPN BET, Betly, Barstool, Action 247, Wagr, Fanatics Sportsbook, and ZenSports

Due to a lack of casinos in Tennessee, only mobile sports betting has been legal in that state since the start of November 2020. That market is regulated by the state’s Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC). Now, there are 13 online sportsbooks licensed to operate in Tennessee, giving residents there a wide choice of options.

Tennessee sportsbooks have taken $10.7 billion in wagers since sports betting was legalized. This has generated more than $1 billion in revenue for the sportsbooks and $187 million in taxes for the state.

Read more in our Tennessee sports betting guide and find the latest bonuses on our Tennessee sportsbook promotions guide.

Texas

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

Texas has no legal sports betting, but 2023 gave a glimmer of hope for bettors in the Lone Star State. A Democrat-backed sports betting bill - HJR102 - passed the house, but ultimately did not make it to the Senate.

Since the Texas legislature meets every two years, the next opportunity to legalize sports betting will be in 2025.

Stay abreast of any changes in our Texas sports betting guide.

Utah

❌ Online sports betting not legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

The Mormons of Utah do not permit gambling so that state has no legal sports betting market. There does not appear to be any future plans to change this and Utah remains the most unlikely candidate for only sports betting in the U.S.

Read more on our Utah sports betting page.

Vermont

✅ Online sports betting legal
❌ Retail sports betting not legal

In Feb. 2023, Vermont took a significant step towards the legalization of online sports betting when Rep. Matthew Birong introduced a new sports betting bill. The bill received the nod from a Senate committee towards the end of April, and subsequently, the full Senate gave its approval in early May.

Governor Phil Scott endorsed this shift towards online sports betting by officially signing the bill into law on the 14th of June. The bill allows between 2-6 mobile sportsbooks to operate in Vermont. The process of sportsbook operators submitting their proposals to secure a license in the state has been completed, and the doors have been opened for mobile sports betting in Vermont on January 11, 2024.

Take a look at our Vermont sports betting guide for more information.

Virginia

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers, PointsBet, bet365, ESPN BET, Unibet, Betway, Barstool, Betfred, Bally Bet, SI Sportsbook, Hard Rock, SuperBook, and Betr

Legal sports betting launched in Virginia at the start of 2021 and now has 17 operating sportsbook apps. More casinos are now in the works thanks to provisions in the sports betting law that called for the construction of those venues.

The Virginia legal sports betting market has generated a handle of $12 billion, which has created $1.2 billion in sportsbook revenue and more than $120 million in tax revenue for the state.

Find all the best VA sportsbooks in our Virginia sports betting guide.

Washington

❌ Online sports betting not legal (except when physically at a licensed casino)
✅ Retail sports betting legal

In 2020, Washington state lawmakers passed a sports betting bill, and in September 2021, that legal market launched. However, residents there can only place sports bets at one of the state’s tribal casinos located on tribal lands. Bettors are also permitted to place wagers online, but only when in those casinos using tribal sports betting apps.

There is currently no movement to create a statewide online sports betting market.

Read more in our Washington sports betting guide.

Washington DC

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: Caesars, BetMGM, and GambetDC

The US District of Columbia has legal sports betting with retail and mobile options available. Here’s where DC mobile sports betting gets interesting – the district is what is known as a ‘sole-source operator jurisdiction,’ meaning there is only one betting app – GamBetDC – available for bettors there. However, due to that app’s limitations, other options have been made available to residents:

  • Caesars - Capital One Arena has a full sportsbook bar and restaurant, and Caesars Sportsbook allows mobile wagering only within the stadium.

  • BetMGM - BetMGM Sportsbook opened in Nationals Park on Feb. 1, 2022; the mobile app is available within a two-block radius.

Check out our Washington DC sports betting page for more insights.

West Virginia

✅ Online sports betting legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers, PointsBet, ESPN BET, Barstool, Golden Nugget, and Betly

West Virginia was one of the first U.S. states to legalize sports betting soon after the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018. Residents there have a choice of 10 sportsbook apps to choose from.

Bettors in WV have wagered over $2.2 billion, which has created $190 million in sportsbook revenue and almost $20 million in tax revenue for the state.

For more info, take a look at our West Virginia sports betting page or our West Virginia online casinos page. You can also browse all of the available West Virginia sportsbook promotions right here.

Wisconsin

❌ Online sports betting not legal
✅ Retail sports betting legal

There is no statewide online sports betting in Wisconsin. Residents of Wisconsin can gamble on sports thanks to a 2021 agreement with the Oneida Indian Nation that amended the compact between that tribe and the state. Now bettors can place sports wagers in Green Bay at any of the Oneida One-Stops (truck stops) located in that general area. The tribe also offers a sports betting app that only works on those One-Stop locations.

More information can be found on our Wisconsin sports betting page.

Wyoming

✅ Online sports betting legal
❌ Retail sports betting legal

Legal sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and PointsBet

Wyoming’s legal sports betting market launched in September 2021 so as to be in time for that NFL season. There are several tribal but no commercial casinos in the state so that sports betting market exists primarily via mobile.

Five sportsbook mobile apps are available in Wyoming, including DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, and PointsBet.

Wyoming bettors have generated a total handle of $320 million, which has created $32 million in sportsbook revenue and $1.78 million in tax revenue.

Read more in our Wyoming sports betting guide.

Current Online Sports Betting Situation in the USA

Right now, online sports betting is available legally in the states highlighted in the table above.

Prior to May of 2018 sports betting was largely regulated by the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This legislation effectively made sports betting illegal across the country with a few major exceptions:

  • All forms of gambling remained legal in Nevada.

  • State sports lotteries remained legal in Delaware, Montana, and Oregon.

  • Jai alai and pari-mutuel betting on horse racing and dog racing remained legal.

In 2011, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie filed a lawsuit saying that the PASPA violated US States’ rights to govern themselves. That same year, New Jersey held a non-binding referendum to find out whether its citizens were in favor of legalized sports betting. The state voted overwhelmingly in favor of legalized gambling on sports.

It took until 2018 for the case to be settled, but the Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of New Jersey, now led by new Governor Phil Murphy, giving each state the authority to legislate its own rules governing sports betting.

Since then, the sports betting landscape has progressed rapidly as the majority of states scrambled to pass laws and get in on the wealth of tax revenue associated with regulated sports betting.

Which States Offer Legal Online Sports Betting?

Although sports betting is now legal in many states, not all have realistically set up provisions or given out licenses to authorize sports betting online and mobile sportsbooks.

These are the states that currently offer viable online and mobile betting platforms where you can place mobile wagers:

  • Arizona

  • Arkansas

  • Colorado

  • Connecticut

  • Delaware

  • Illinois

  • Indiana

  • Iowa

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Louisiana

  • Maine

  • Maryland

  • Massachusetts

  • Michigan

  • Nevada

  • New Hampshire

  • New Jersey

  • New York

  • Ohio

  • Oregon

  • Pennsylvania

  • Rhode Island

  • Tennessee

  • Vermont

  • Virginia

  • Washington DC

  • West Virginia

  • Wyoming

Which States Are Legalizing Online Sports Betting Soon?

The following states have approved online sports betting and will launch soon:

  • Nebraska

  • North Carolina (March 11, 2024)

Which States Are Unlikely to Legalize Online Sports Betting?

The only state truly unlikely to ever legalize sports betting is Utah. The state’s strict Mormon population has always taken an extremely tough stance on gambling and we don’t predict that will change any time soon as long as they have a majority in the state legislature where they account for nearly 90 percent of representatives.

What Sports Can You Bet on Online in the USA?

If a state has allowed legal sports betting, you can bet on all professional sports and most college sports. With exclusions generally being put on sports where competitors (or a majority of competitors) are under the age of eighteen.

Popular sports to bet on include:

Is Betting on Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in the USA?

Real-money fantasy sports betting is legal in every US state in some form except Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Hawaii.

The difference between playing fantasy sports and traditional sports betting boils down to a distinction made in the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act of 2006.

The UIGEA makes a specific exception for fantasy games where the outcome relies on the player’s understanding of stats and other information instead of on chance.

The distinction between skill in fantasy sports and in traditional sports betting is confusing at best and it was put to the test in the 2007 New Jersey District Court case Humphrey vs. Viacom Inc. The court found in favor of fantasy sports being a game of skill and therefore exempt from anti-gambling laws.

DFS 2.0, which is a player prop parlay variation of traditional DFS, has faced scrutiny recently from certain state regulators (such as Florida and Wyoming) who have labeled the practice as sports betting and sent cease and desist letters to operators.

Best Daily Fantasy Sports Sites in the US

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DraftKings

4.5/5

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FanDuel

4.5/5

100% Deposit Match up to $100

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$500 Deposit Match Bonus

Which States Allow Legal Betting on Horse Racing?

Betting on horse racing is legal in all US states with the exception of Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas, Utah, and Washington DC.

Best Horse Racing Betting Sites in the US

TwinSpires

4.4/5

$200 Sign-Up Offer

21+ | Terms and conditions apply

History of Online Sports Betting in the USA

Let’s take a closer look at the major developments in US sports betting and gambling law and how it laid the groundwork for the revolutionary changes we’re seeing right now.

1860: All Forms of Gambling Banned in the US

Following the revolutionary war, gambling had developed a bad reputation and was beginning to be associated with vice and corruption. In 1860, the US federal government banned almost all forms of gambling that involved a bettor making a cash wager with a bookmaker or casino, including betting on sports.

Interestingly, betting on horse-racing was not included in the ban. This ban further encouraged the negative public opinion of gambling and it also inspired organized crime and other shady elements to offer gambling services illegally.

1867-1890: Horse Race Betting Legalized

In 1867 horse racing was officially licensed and regulated at the state level. It was also the first year horses raced at the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness Stakes started not long after in 1873 and the Kentucky Derby kicked off in 1875.

By 1890 there were over 300 racetracks spread throughout the country, clearly showing Americans’ love of betting on sporting contests.

1910: All Gambling Banned Again

As the 20th century began basically all forms of gambling had been deemed illegal once again, including lotteries. By 1911 less than 30 racetracks remained and organized crime had solidified its position as the main option for gambling and sports betting.

1931: New Deal Legalizes Gambling in Nevada

Following the Great Depression, the United States was in desperate need of revenue. To help accomplish key elements of his New Deal, namely the Hoover Dam, FDR legalized gambling in Nevada.

1949: First Legal Sportsbook Opens in Las Vegas

The first legal bookmakers opened their doors in Las Vegas in 1949 and were given permission to accept bets on all pro sports including horse racing. The sports books were called Turf Clubs and operated independently of Vegas casinos.

This was a big moment in sports betting history because it was the first time people could legally bet on events like horse racing without physically being at the racetrack.

1951: 10% Tax Levied on Sports Books

The sports betting industry took a big hit in 1951 when the US federal government introduced a 10% tax on all sportsbooks' gross revenue. It ultimately proved unmanageable for bookmakers and drove many of them out of business completely. This was another factor that led to more illegal sports books run by organized crime groups.

1961: The Wire Act

Because organized crime had developed sports betting into such a profitable business, JFK tried to come up with new tools for law enforcement to use to combat the problem.

The Wire Act made it illegal for anyone to use wire communication like phones and telegrams to pass on information pertaining to sports betting.

1974: Federal Government Cancels 10% Tax

In 1974 the 10% tax that was choking out legal sportsbooks in Nevada was rescinded. Nevada Senator Howard Cannon was responsible for the move, arguing that by reducing the tax to 2%, so many sports books would open up that the federal government would make more money than they did with 10% tax. It worked, allowing sports betting led to a flourish of betting operators in Las Vegas.

1975: First Sportsbook in a Vegas Casino

Three quarters of the way into the 20th century the first sportsbook was opened inside a casino at the Stardust which was run by Frank Rosenthal. Rosenthal is said to be the inspiration for Martin Scorsese’s iconic film Casino.

1979: First Casino on Native American Reservation

The Seminole Tribe in Florida was the first indigenous group in America to open a casino and even though they didn’t feature sports betting right away, it would prove to be a pivotal step towards widespread sports betting to come.

1992: Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA)

By far the biggest blow to US sports betting, PASPA made it illegal to bet on any professional or amateur sports whatsoever.

There were exceptions: All gambling in Nevada was still permitted, as was betting on jai alai, dog racing and some special sports lotteries operating in Delaware, Oregon and Montana.

1996: First Online Sports Bet

Probably the single biggest event in modern sports betting occurred when Jukka Honkavaara placed a $50 wager at Austrian-based internet sportsbook Intertops.

It was the first ever online sports betting wager. It gave US gamblers a way to sidestep the entire brick and mortar sportsbook system by betting online and it paved the way for what would become a multi-billion-dollar global industry.

2006: Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA)

Sportsbooks and online casinos servicing Americans hit a big bump in the road in 2006 when the US government passed the UIGEA. While it didn’t make betting illegal for US citizens, it did make it illegal to accept any payments on behalf of an illegal online casino or sportsbook operating in America.

The UIGEA didn’t completely stop offshore sports betting sites from accepting US players but it did cause many of the reputable sites to pull out of America.

2018: Murphy vs. NCAA

Perhaps the biggest thing to happen to sports betting in the US in the last century, this landmark case between New Jersey and the NCAA has completely changed the outlook for sports gambling in America.

In May, 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey, saying that each state should have the authority to regulate sports betting within its own jurisdiction.

In a few short months many states including New Jersey, Mississippi, West Virginia and New Mexico began accepting legal sports bets in land-based casinos and online.

How to Make Sure You’re Betting on Sports Online Legally

The best way to guarantee that your sports wagers are 100% legal is to visit our comprehensive guide for your home state. We update our guides regularly as more and more states legalize sports gambling so you’ll always get the most up to date information. If sports betting is legal, we’ll recommend the best sites to sign up and bet with.

WSN does not recommend betting with unlicensed offshore sportsbooks so if a sports betting site is listed here you can rest assured it’s licensed and legal in the United States.

Online Sports Betting Bonuses and Promotions in the USA

All sportsbooks offer attractive bonuses and promotions to new customers in order to entice them to their site. If you are on the lookout for an online sportsbook to join, make sure you are taking advantage of these offers.

There are various types of bonuses that sportsbooks typically offer. Some of the most common ones:

  • Free Bet Bonus

  • Risk-Free Bet

  • Money-Back Bonus

  • Sign Up/Deposit Bonus

  • No Deposit Bonus

  • Reload Bonus

  • Enhanced Odds/Profit Boost

For more information check out our complete guide to sports betting bonuses which contains everything you need to know about sportsbook promotions.

We have also created bonus guides for individual states to make sure you never miss an offer in your area. Take a look below.

Latest US Sports Betting News

Fully legal online sports betting is still a relatively recent phenomenon in the country and laws vary greatly across the states. Here's an overview of what's been going on across the country in regards to sports betting.

  • March 1, 2024 - Pre-registration opens for several sportsbooks in North Carolina.

  • Feb. 2, 2024 - Betr has gained access to Indiana market and intends to launch its sportsbook in the state before the 2024 NFL season.

  • Jan. 30, 2024 - bet365 starts operating in Indiana.

  • Jan. 30, 2024 - Caesars Entertainment agrees to a tribal deal that will allow it to launch mobile sports betting in 5 states, Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, Louisiana, and New Jersey.

  • Jan. 30, 2024 - ClutchBet launches its online sportsbook in Louisiana.

  • Jan. 26, 2024 - bet365 launches free-to-play fantasy contest in Colorado and four other states, offering a $25,000 prize pool for each upcoming NFL game.

  • Jan. 25, 2024 - Atlanta-based PrizePicks adds a new peer-to-peer game, PrizePicks Arena, to Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming. More states are pending.

  • Jan. 24, 2024 - Legal online sports betting in North Carolina is due to start on March 11, 2024, just in time for NCAA March Madness. Up to 12 operators are expected to be available on day one.

  • Jan. 23, 2024 - Due to unresolved licensing issues, Maine sports betting could be put on hold in November 2024.

Responsible Gambling In The USA

It is important to remember that betting is for entertainment purposes and not a viable or sustainable form of long-term income and should not be treated as such.

Remind yourself to take breaks and rejoin reality whenever you notice that you have had your sportsbook open for an extended period of time. Set deposit limits to control how much you are taking out of your account to gamble, and contact any of the following resources if you have questions or would like to speak to someone about how to counteract the negative effects of gambling.

1. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)

Call: 1-800-522-4700 (24-hour confidential national helpline)

Text: 1-800-522-4700 (24-hour confidential national text service)

2. 1-800-Gambler

Call: 1-800-gambler

3. Gamblers Anonymous

Call: (909) 931-9056

Email: [email protected]

4. Gam-Anon

Call: 718-352-1671

Email: [email protected]

5. Smart Recovery

 Call: 440-951-5357

FAQ

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AUTHOR

Mike Lukas

1205 Articles

Mike Lukas is a retired standup comedian turned freelance writer now living in Dallas, Texas, originally from Cleveland, Ohio. His love for the game of football and all things Cleveland Browns turned Mike into a pro blogger years ago. Now Mike enjoys writing about all thirty-two NFL teams, hoping to help football gamblers gain a slight edge in their pursuit of the perfect wager. Email: [email protected]

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