Where is Sports Betting Legal? A Full 50 States Guide - 2026

✅Fact Checked and Updated May 2024 by: Michael Savio

May 2023 marked the fifth year since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was overturned, giving the green light to the meteoric rise of sports betting.

Since then, more than half of the United States has legalized it to some degree, and more are always on the way.

Below, we’ll examine online sports betting and states where sports betting is legal. Consider this your go-to resource for legal sports betting in the United States.

• Interactive Legal States Map
• Where Is Sports Betting Legal?
  •  States With Legal Sports Betting
  • Legal Not Yet Operational
  • Betting Active Legislation/Ballot Initiative
  • No Active Betting Legislation
• US Betting How We Got Here
• Recommended US Sports Betting Sites
• The Impact of Sports Betting Nationwide
• Regulated vs Offshore sites
• Legal Casino Gambling States
  • States Likely to Legalize US Online Casino Gambling
• FAQs

Until May 2018, sports betting was mainly available at Las Vegas, Nevada casinos.

Then, in 2017, the Supreme Court accepted a case and heard arguments in December 2017, Murphy v. National College Athletic Association. The “Murphy” in the lawsuit was New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who had taken over after Governor Chris Christie’s term ended. In May 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in a 7-2 decision that sections of PASPA were unconstitutional as they commandeered power from the states. A 6-3 decision determined all of PASPA was unconstitutional.

When this occurred, states began moving immediately to bring sports betting to their state. Unsurprisingly, New Jersey was among the first, bringing it to the state in June of that year.

Since May 2018, 33 states and Washington D.C. have brought sports betting in some capacity to the respective state.

Where You Can Legally Gamble Online in the US

Click On a State to See Full Details

      Sports Betting (Retail or Online)

      Sports Betting & Online Casinos

      Not Legal/ Movement Expected

So, is sports betting legal?

Sports betting is legal in some capacity—whether online or in person—in 38 states in addition to Washington, D.C., at the time of this writing.

Below is a table that shows the legality of both styles in each location.

When it comes to sports betting, there are 38 states and Washington, D.C., that have made it legal in some capacity. Below, we’ll cover each sports betting state, including what forms of it are legal and how it came to be legal.

Arizona

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

In April 2021, Arizona passed HB 2772, which allowed for retail and online sports betting in the state. The first online sportsbooks came to the state in September 2021. The current legislation allows for 20 online sportsbooks and retail sports betting. Today, there are 17 online sportsbooks available, with six of them launching on September 9, 2021.

To date, the state has a total handle of close to $7.8 billion and has recorded gross revenues of close to $630 million.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Bally Bet, bet365, BetFred, BetMGM, BetRivers, Betway, Caesars, Desert Diamond Sports, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock Bet, SaharaBets, SuperBook, Unibet, WynnBet. 
• Retail Sportsbooks: Casino del Sol, Chase Field, Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, Desert Diamong Casino Tucson, Desert Diamond Casino West Valley, Footprint Center, Gila River Casino Lone Butte, Gila River Casino Vee Quiva, Gila River Casino Wild Horse Pass, Gila River Santan Mountain Casino, Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino, Mazatzal Casino, Paradise Casino, We-Ko-Pa Casino, State Farm Stadium, TPC Scottsdale, Twin Arrows Navajo Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: September 2021.

Arkansas

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Sports betting in Arkansas has been legal since November 2018. When the legislation passed, it focused primarily on retail sports betting. There are three retail sites in Arkansas. The first bet was taken in 2019, alongside the opening of Saracen Casino Resort. In February 2022, the Arkansas Joint Budget Committee finalized rules to expand sports betting, now offering it online for those with a land-based partner. There are currently three online sites to play at, with the first launching in March 2022. A fourth retail casino has yet to be opened but will be called the Legends Resort & Casino.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Betly, BetSaracen, and Oaklawn Sports.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Southland Casino Racing, Saracen Casino Resort, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: September 2019.

Colorado

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Colorado legalized retail and online sports betting in late 2019. The first sportsbooks launched about six months later, in May 2020. Today, there are 20 places to play online, and the state has brought in gross revenues of more than $713 million. For an online site to launch, it must partner with one of the more than 30 land-based casinos in Colorado.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Bally Bet, bet365, Betfred, BetMGM, BetMonarch, BetRivers, Betsafe, Betway, Caesars, Circa Sports, ClutchBet, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, Novig, SBK Sportsbook, SI Sportsbook, SuperBook, Tipico
• Retail Sportsbooks: Ameristar Casino Black Hawkore, Wildwood Casino, Billy’s Casino, Colorado Grande, Golden Mardi Gras Casino, Grand Z Casino, Isle of Capri Casino, Johnny Nolon’s, Johnny Z’s Casino, Lady Luck Casino, Monarch Casino Blackhawk, Red Dolly Casino, Saratoga Casino, Sasquatch Casino, The Lodge Casino at Black Hawk, Wild Card Casino, Z Casino, and more!
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: May 2020.

Connecticut

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Connecticut legalized sports betting on October 19, 2021. Just three online sites, including PlaySugarHouse, partnered with the State Lottery. Before this, Governor Ned Lamont settled on this arrangement with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes in May 2021.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: FanDuel, Fanatics, DraftKings.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.
• Legal Online Casinos: FanDuel, SugarHouse Casino, DraftKings.
• Year Launched: October 2021.

Delaware

Legal Status: Retail

Sports betting is in an exciting spot in Delaware. Currently, players can go to retail outlets. Still, state legislators are under the impression that their current laws permit online sports betting. 888 Holdings had operated as the state's only online operator, but BetRivers took over in December 2023. It was the first state post-PASPA to accept an in-person wager in June 2018.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: BetRivers
• Retail Sportsbooks: Delaware Park Casino, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway & Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: June 5, 2018.

Florida

Legal Status: Online and Retail

After a lengthy legal battle, Florida is once again offering legal sports betting. The state’s gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe has been done for years, but legal challenges in federal court have kept the industry on hold until the fall of 2023. Both retail and online sports betting finally got the green light at the end of the year, launching in December 2023.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Hard Rock
• Retail Sportsbooks: Seminole Classic Casino, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek, Seminole Hard Rock & Casino Tampa and Queen, Seminole Casino in Immokalee, and Seminole Brighton Casino
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2023.

Illinois

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

The first sports wager was taken at Rivers Casino on March 8, 2020, after it was legalized in 2019. The first online sportsbook launched a few months later, on June 18, 2020. However, initially, players needed to register in person to wager online. That stipulation was removed on March 5, 2022. You can also bet on in-state college teams as of December 2021, but only at retail sportsbooks.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, ESPN BET, and Circa
• Retail Sportsbooks: Rivers Casino, Grand Victoria, DraftKings at Casino Queen, FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing (Fairmount Park), Hawthorne Race Course, and more than 5,000 sports betting kiosks across the state.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2020.

Indiana

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

The 13th state to legalize sports betting, Indiana became legal in September 2019. One month later, on October 3, 2019, it took its first online wager. The law in the state allows for a staggering 40 online sportsbooks.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Bally Bet, Betr, bet365, BetMGM, BetRivers, Betway, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, Unibet, Hard Rock Bet, SBK Sportsbook.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Ameristar Casino Easy Chicago, Belterra Casino Resort, Blue Chip Casino, French Lick Resort Casino, Harrah's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, Hollywood Casino & Hotel Lawrenceburg, Horeshoe Hammond Casino, Horseshoe Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Rising Star Casino Resort, Bally's Evansville Casino & Hotel, Winner's Circle Clarksville, Winner's Circle Downtown Indianapolis, Winner's Circle New Haven.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2019.

Iowa

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Iowa became legal on August 15, 2019, and 24 casinos have online partners. The licensing fees in Iowa are cheap compared to the rest of the country, charging $45k in the first year and $10k after that.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Bally Bet, bet365, Betred, BetMGM, BetRivers, Betway, Caesars, Circa, ClutchBet, DraftKings, DRF, ESPN Bet, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, PointsBet, Q Sportsbooks, SuperBook, and Tipico.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Isle Bettendorf and Waterloo, Prairie Meadows, Harrah’s Council Bluffs, Horseshoe Casino, Grand Falls, Rhythm City, Riverside, Q Casino, Catfish Bend, Blackbird Bend, Hard Rock Sioux City, Wild Rose: Clinton, Wild Rose Jefferson, Wild Rose: Emmetsburg, Diamond Jo, Ameristar, Isle Waterloo, and Lakeside Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2019.

Kansas

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Kansas launched sports betting on September 1, 2022. That day, six online sportsbooks launched, and that’s all there’s been in the state since. The law allows for 12 online sportsbooks. Retail sports betting also began on September 1, 2022.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: ESPN BET, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, Kansas Crossing Casino, Kansas Star Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2022.

Kentucky

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Kentucky is one of the newest states to launch sports betting, going live in September 2023. They have both retail and online sports betting available, with a wide variety of options for bettors across the Bluegrass State. The state has issued eight operating licenses and has launched seven online sportsbooks. Kentucky has a large bet catalog and has one of the lowest minium-age requirements at 18. 

• Online Sportsbook Apps: bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, ESPN Bet.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Churchill Downs, Derby City Gaming & Hotel, Ellis Park, The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland, The Mint Gaming Hall Cumberland Run, Newport Racing & Gaming, Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel, The Red Mile, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2023.

Louisiana

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Sports betting launched in Louisiana in two phases, starting with retail betting. The first retail bets came in October 2021, months after it was legalized in June 2021. Then, at the end of January 2022, online sports betting launched. The law currently allows 41 different legal mobile sports betting apps for online sports betting sites.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: ESPN BET, bet365, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Boomtown Casino, Sam’s Town, Coushatta Casino Resort, Harrah’s New Orleans, Golden Nugget, Amelia Belle Casino, Horseshoe Casino, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, Isle of Capri Casino, Belle of Baton Rouge, Hollywood Casino, Evangeline Downs, Treasure Chest Casino, L’Auberge Casino, Margaritaville Resort Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2021.

Maine

Legal Status: Mobile and Retail

Maine is the latest state to launch legal sports betting. The market is very small, with just two online operators and seven retail locations.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Caesars and DraftKings
• Retail Sportsbooks: Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway, Oxford Casino Hotel, Winners Sports Grill and Off Track Betting, Winners Circle OTB, Favorites OTB, Sanford OTB, Scarborough Downs
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A
• Year Launched: 2023

Maryland

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Until November 23, 2022, sports betting was only legal at a retail sportsbook in Maryland. Legal sports bets in retail settings became possible in December 2021. Sports betting initially became legal after voters voted in favor of it during the 2020 election. Maryland’s law allows for 60 online and 30 retail sites.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: BetFred, BetMGM, BetPARX, BetRivers, Caesars, Crab Sports Maryland, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, PointsBet, SuperBook.
• Retail Sportsbooks: MGM National Harbor, Greene Turtle, Horseshoe Casino, Live! Casino and Hotel, Laurel Park, Riverboat on the Potomac, Ocean Downs Casino & Racetrack, Hollywood Perryville, Rocky Gap Casino Resort, Rosecroft Raceway, Pimlico Race Course, Fair Hill Fairgrounds, Timonium OTB at Maryland State Fairgrounds.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2021.

Massachusetts

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

After years of back-and-forth, Massachusetts legalized sports betting on August 1, 2022. Retail sports betting launched on January 31, 2023, followed by online sports betting on March 10, 2023.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: BetMGM, Betr, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, and WynnBet.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2023.

Michigan

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Sports betting became legal in Michigan in December 2019. The first in-person wagers came at MGM Grand Detroit on March 11, 2020. Online sports betting came in January 2021 with DraftKings and BetMGM.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, Eagle Casino & Sports, ESPN Bet, FanDuel, FireKeepers, Four Winds, Golden Nugget, Play Gun Lake, PointsBet, SI Sportsbook, WynnBet.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Little River Casino and Resort, MGM Grand Detroit, Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Kings Club Casino, MotorCity Casino Hotel, Ojibwa Casinos (Marquette, Baraga), Northern Waters Casino Resort, Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel, Leelanau Sands Casino, Kewadin Casino (Christmas, Hessel, Manistique, St. Ignace, Convention Center), Greektown Casino, and more.
• Legal Online Casinos: DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, PointsBet, BetRivers, WynnBet, Golden Nugget, PokerStars, Hollywood, Play Gun Lake, FireKeepers, Four Winds, SI Casino, Eagle Casino.
• Year Launched: 2020.

Mississippi

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Mississippi launched legalized sports betting on August 1, 2018, while mobile sports betting is allowed only on the campuses of select retail sportsbooks.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: BetMGM and Pearl River.
• Retail Sportsbooks: 1st Jackpot Casino, Ameristar Casino, Beau Rivage, Bok Homa Casino, Boomtown, Fitz Casino, Gold Strike, Golden Moon Hotel & Casino, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Harlow’s, Harrah’s, IP Casino, Horseshoe, Island View, Isle of Capri, and more.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2018.

Montana

Legal Status: Retail

Similar to Mississippi, Montana allows mobile sports betting at specific sites. Montana launched it in March 2020. You can bet at Intralot kiosks throughout various bars and restaurants in the state. The lottery regulates these. Wagers are limited to $250 at a kiosk and $1000 on a website.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: N/A.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Intralot kiosks throughout the state.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2020.

Nevada

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

While Nevada is well known for the glitz and glamor of the Las Vegas Strip, the numerous casinos, and the massive retail sportsbook, they still don’t quite have mobile sports betting down. If you want to bet online, you must visit a retail casino/sportsbook in person to create an account.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: B-Connected, Circa, Caesars, Rampart, South Point, STN, TI Sports, Wastgate SuperBook, William Hill, Wynn Sports.
• Legal Sportsbooks (Retail): Nevada has close to 200 sites to wager on sports at.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2010 (online).

New Hampshire

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Sports betting went live in The Granite State in December 2019. While mobile and retail sports betting is legal in the state, the state has an agreement with DraftKings as the sole provider in the state through June 2025.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: DraftKings.
• Retail Sportsbooks: The Brook and Filotimo Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2019.

New Jersey

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

If we have any state to thank for legal sports betting nationwide, it’s New Jersey, states where sports betting is legal. Thanks to its court case against the NCAA, the Supreme Court ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional. There are more than 20 online sportsbooks, and the state is accepting online sports betting variants, such as Prophet Exchange. Sports betting in the state launched in June 2018, and online sports betting came in August of that same year. New Jersey was one of the first FanDuel sportsbook states and one of the first BetMGM states.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: bet365, BetMGM, BetPARX, BetRivers, Betway, Brogata, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, PointsBet, SuperBook, Tipico, Unibet.
• Retail Sportsbooks: The Meadowlands, Borgata AC, Monmouth Park, Caesars AC, Golden Nugget AC, Freehold Raceway, and more.
• Legal Online Casinos: Borgata, Caesars, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, Party Casino, Tropicana, 888Casino, BetRivers, Stars, BetMGM, DraftKings, Hard Rock, Ocean, bet365, betPARX, WynnBET, Betway, PointsBet, Bally, Harrah’s, Resorts, Mohegan Sun, Pala, Scores, Tipico, and more.
• Year Launched: 2018.

New Mexico

Legal Status: Retail

While no legislation has passed, tribal casinos in the state took it upon themselves to allow it at their casinos. This has been going on since October 2018. It doesn’t seem to be coming soon in terms of complete legalization.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: N/A.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Buffalo Thunder Casino, Inn of the Mountain Gods, Isleta Resort & Casino, Route 66 Casino, Santa Ana Star Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2018.

New York

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

No state had a more highly anticipated online launch for sports betting than The Empire State. New York routinely brings in the most bets in all states where sports betting is legal. Retail sports betting started in July 2019, followed by online sports betting in early January 2022.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetRivers, BetMGM, PointsBet, WynnBET, Resorts, Bally Bet.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Akwesasne Mohawk, Del Lago, Point Place, Resorts World, Rivers Casino, Seneca Buffalo Creek, Seneca Niagara, Seneca Allegany, Tioga Downs, Turning Ston, Yellow Brick Road.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2019.

North Carolina

Legal Status: Retail

Sports betting officially went live on March 11, but in-person has been legal since 2019. However, until March 2021, it was only allowed at two tribal casinos. Online sports betting was legalized in the summer of 2023, but the industry was delayed while the state established the industry's framework. Debate over the rules that will govern operators tookn time, but it led to a smooth launch in the Tar Heel state. So far, bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Underdog are live and accepting bets.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: N/A.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, Catawba Two Kings.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2019.

North Dakota

Legal Status: Retail

Like New Mexico, North Dakota has launched in-person sports betting for tribal casinos. There’s no legislation on the books for any sports betting in the state. The first bets were taken in December 2021.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: N/A.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Dakota Magic Casino, 4 Bears Casino and Lodge, Sky Dancer Casino & Resort.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2021.

Ohio

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Sports betting was legalized in Ohio in December 2021, but the state held off on a full launch until January 1, 2023. On launch day, more than 12 online sportsbooks became available.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Bally Bet, bet365, Betfred, MVGBet, BetMGM, BetPARX, Betr, BetRivers, Betway, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, Hard Rock, Prime, SuperBook, Tipico.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Belterra Park, The Banks, Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Hollywood Casino Toleda, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, Hollywood Gaming at Mahonig Valley, JACK Cleveland, JACK Thistledown, MGM Northfield Park, Miami Valley Gaming, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2023.

Oregon

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Sports betting became legal in Oregon in August 2019, and the State Lottery ran it from the start. The only online sportsbook then was Scoreboard, run by the lottery. Then, in October 2022, DraftKings took over and is now the only online sportsbook in the state.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: DraftKings.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Spirit Mountain, Three Rivers Casino Resort, The Mill Casino & Hotel.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2019.

Pennsylvania

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in October 2017, which was months before PASPA was ever overturned. After it was, though, Pennsylvania launched its mobile sports betting market in May 2019, with retail sites accepting bets for the first time in November 2018.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Betfred, BetMGM, BetRivers, PlaySugarHouse, Betway, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, FanDuel, BetPARX, PointsBet, Unibet.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Mohegan Sun Pocono, The Meadows, Hollywood Casino Morgantown, Mount Airy, Rivers Pittsburgh, Valley Forge, Live! Casino Philadelphia, Parxd Casino, Hollywood Casino at Penn National, Wind Creek Bethlehem, and more.
• Legal Online Casinos: PlaySugarHouse, Hollywood, betPARX, Stars, Casino, TwinSpires, BetRivers, FanDuel, Caesars, DraftKings, Wind Creek, PlayLive!, BetMGM Online Casino, Borgata Casino, Stardust, Betway, PointsBet, Golden Nugget.
• Year Launched: 2018.

Rhode Island

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

Two real money casinos started offering sports betting in 2018. In 2019, mobile sports betting came to the country’s smallest state, the state lottery-owned SuperBook as the lone provider.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: Sportsbook Rhode Island.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Bally’s Twin River Lincoln, Bally’s Tiverton.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2018.

South Dakota

Legal Status: Retail

Retail sports betting came to South Dakota in September 2021. However, it can only be done in Deadwood and at tribal casinos.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: N/A.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort, Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort, Gold Dust Casino, Mustang Sally’s, The Lodge at Deadwood, Dale’s Sportsbook at Deadwood Mountain Grand, Dakota Sioux Casino & Resort, Dakota Connection Casino, and Midnight Star Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2021.

Tennessee

Legal Status: Mobile

There are no retail casinos in Tennessee. As a result, online sportsbooks in the state can operate without any partner. Sports betting launched in November 2020. However, there’s a mandate in Tennessee for a 10% hold, so this results in worse odds in the state.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Tennessee Action 24/7, Caesars, Bally Bet, ESPN BET, Wagr, SuperBook, Betly, Hard Rock, Fanatics, ZenSports.
• Retail Sportsbooks: N/A.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2020.

Vermont

Governor Phil Scott signed Bill H127 into law on June 14, 2023, which officially legalized online sports betting in the state. Like Tennessee, the bill only legalized online sports betting so that retail will remain illegal. The Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery regulates the industry, which launched on January 11, 2026. The state launched with three operators: FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics
• Retail Sportsbooks: N/A.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2026.

Virginia

Legal Status: Mobile

Like Tennessee, Virginia is another one of those legal betting states with sports betting that doesn’t require a land-based partnership for online sites to launch. Online sports betting came to the state in January 2021. The Virginia Lottery oversees all sports betting.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetRivers, BetMGM, bet365, Betway, Unibet, Betfred, ESPN Bet, Bally Bet, SI Sportsbooks, Hard Rock, Betr, Superbook, Fanatics.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Caesars Casino Danville, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2021.

Washington

Legal Status: Retail

Washington legalized sports betting in March 2020, and the first bet was placed more than a year later in 2021. While retail sports betting is legal, it can only be done at tribal casinos.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: N/A.
• Retail Sportsbooks: There are more than 20 tribal casinos in the state.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2021.

Washington D.C.

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

In Washington, D.C., you can only bet district-wide at GamBetDC, but other apps can be used at certain locations. Retail sportsbooks continue to pop up, though not in casinos. There are now six retail sportsbooks, with most found at pro sports stadiums. You can also bet from a mobile app within a two-block radius. It launched in 2020.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: GamBetDC, BetMGM, Caesars.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Nationals Park, Capital One Arena, Audi Field, Grand Central Sportsbook, Handle 19, The Cloakroom.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2020.

West Virginia

Legal Status: Mobile and retail

West Virginia legalized sports betting in 2018, with the first online site launching on August 26, 2019. The first retail sites launched in 2018.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Betly, Caesars, Fanatics, ESPN BET, BetRivers, Golden Nugget.
• Retail Sportsbooks: The Greenbrier, Hollywood Casino Charles Town Races, Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, Wheeling Island Casinos, Mountaineer Casino.
• Legal Online Casinos: DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, PointsBet, WynnBET. (Launching Soon).
• Year Launched: 2018.

Wisconsin

Legal Status: Retail

In July 2021, Governor Tony Evers and Oneida Nation struck a deal for tribal casinos make it one of the states with sports betting. After some delays, it finally launched in February 2022.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: N/A.
• Retail Sportsbooks: Green Bay Casino, Potowatomi Casino Milwaukee, Oneida On-Stop locations across the state.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2022.

Wyoming

Legal Status: Mobile

From the jump, Wyoming allowed statewide mobile sports betting. The first online sportsbooks took bets on September 1, 2021. As for retail sports betting, the Northern Arapaho Tribe appears to be a contender to bring it to the state shortly.

• Online Sportsbook Apps: DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars.
• Retail Sportsbooks: None.
• Legal Online Casinos: N/A.
• Year Launched: 2021.

As of March 2026, there are not states that have passed new legislation to legalize sports betting.

The next state could be Missouri, who currently has an ballot initiative to open a. legal sports betting market. The state's Senate has rejected several sports betting bills, leading to proponents to begin a signature-gathering effort to put the issue on the November ballot. The latest polls show strong public support, meaning we could see sports betting in Missouri in 2026.

South Carolina

South Carolina has a bit to go and some hurdles to cross before sports betting arrives. In 2022, bipartisan lawmakers proposed a bill to allow up to 12 online sportsbooks, but it didn’t go anywhere. In late 2022, Rep. J. Todd Rutherford proposed a constitutional amendment to allow residents to vote on legal sports betting. The bill failed to gain traction, which wasn’t helped by opposition from Governor Henry McMaster.

HB 3749 is currently making it through the state’s legislature, but expectations for its approval remain low. The bill would legalize up to eight sports betting apps.

Georgia

Although two bills to bring sports betting to Georgia died in March 2023, there is a new initiative already under way for 2026. While there are a lot of legislators in favor of legalizing sports betting, the bills being proposed would require an amendment to the state's constitution. That means for a sports betting bill to become law, it would need to have two-thirds of the House and Senate approve it. If that high bar is achieved, it would then need to be put on a ballot for the public to vote. Over 50% of the Senate and House support the bill, but others remain wary over including it in the constitution. 

Texas

Texas presented some new bills in February 2023 that could have brought online sports betting in early 2026, but strong opposition from Governor Dan Patrick means it is already likely dead. As long as Patrick remains in office, legal sports betting in Texas remains unlikely. If Texas opts to legalize the industry, it would likely not happen until 2025 at the earliest.

Oklahoma

Rep. Ken Luttrell’s HB 1027 advanced through the House on March 21, 2023. However, it’s believed that Governor Kevin Stitt and the state’s gaming tribes are too far apart to get the industry going. Efforts to legalize the industry failed once again in 2023, but there is a new proposal submitted for 2026. However, its chances of passing remain unlikely.

Missouri

Missouri sports betting bills failed once again in 2023, but that could change in 2026. Proponents of the industry are in the process of gathering signatures for a couple of new proposals. Some expect these to find more success in part because State Representative Denny Hoskins is looking for a new role in the government. Hoskins has been a vocal opponent against legalizing sports betting, filibustering in each bill that has come up for a vote. He is expected to do the same for the two new sports betting bills submitted for 2026, however local pro sports team have formed a coalition to help legalize the industry by having it added to the 2026 ballot.

Minnesota

The 2023 legislative session saw a few different bills proposing legal sports betting, but they were not able to pass them. While the Tribes and many legislators support legalized sports betting, there is a debate over the ability to offer live betting. A new amendment to a 2026 sports betting bill would ban in-game betting, easing some fears of problem gambling. However, proponents of sports betting are dropping their support, citing a major cut to revenue and increased incentive to use offshore sportsbooks. Given the strong disagreement, it is unlikely we see a bill passed in 2026. 

Hawaii

A new bill in 2023 seeking to legalize sports betting, poker, and a standalone sportsbook and card room to open in Oahu failed to get enough votes to advance. This comes after HB 1973 was shot down in January 2022, leaving little hope for legalized sports betting in Hawaii.

United States Sports Betting Restrictions

Throughout the legal betting sites and states, several states have restrictions on what you can and cannot bet on. These restrictions typically focus on college sports betting and, in a few instances, on mobile betting. Below is a comprehensive list of the restrictions in each state.

• Arizona: You cannot bet on college player props.
• Colorado: You cannot bet on college player props.
• Connecticut: You cannot bet on in-state college teams.
• Delaware: You cannot bet on in-state college teams.
• Illinois: You can bet on in-state teams, but you must do so at retail sportsbooks.
• Indiana: You cannot bet on college player props.
• Iowa: You cannot bet on player props on in-state teams.
• Massachusetts: You cannot bet on in-state teams unless they’re playing in a tournament.
• Mississippi: Mobile sports betting is legal, but only on the campuses of certain sites.
• New Hampshire: You cannot bet on in-state teams or games.
• New Jersey: You cannot bet on in-state college teams or games.
• New York: You cannot bet on games in-state college games or player props.
• Oregon: You cannot bet on college sports in the state at all.
• Pennsylvania: You can't bet on college player props.
• Rhode Island: You cannot bet on in-state teams or games.
• South Dakota: You cannot bet on in-state college teams or college player props. You can only wager in person in South Dakota.
• Tennessee: You cannot bet on college props pregame or in-play.
• Virginia: You cannot bet on games involving an in-state college team or any college player props.
• Washington: You cannot bet on in-state teams.
• Washington D.C.: You cannot bet on college games or teams in D.C.
• West Virginia: You cannot bet on college player props.
• Wisconsin: Retail-only, but you cannot bet on in-state college teams.

Alaska

Since Rep. Adam Wool presented a bill in February 2022, the desire for sports betting in the state has been silent. We wouldn’t expect sports betting to arrive there any time soon.

Alabama

While bills were presented in 2021, 2022, and 2023 but they died relatively quickly. There are currently two new sports betting bills being considered, but the Senate has already begun to slim them down, signaling they are unlikely to pass. While the 2026 efforts may be doomed to fail once again, support is growing among Alabama legislatures, given the amount of money being made by neighboring states. 

Utah

Utah has laws that deem sports betting illegal, even if a law was passed to legalize it nationwide. Sports betting will never land in Utah.

Idaho

There are simply no developments regarding sports betting in Idaho.

California

Californians had a chance to pass sports betting during the November 2022 elections and voted against it. Two new proposals have been submitted for 2026, but have received a harsh rebuke from the state’s gaming tribes, causing them to be dropped before they signature-gathering phase was completed. 

BetMGM: BetMGM offers new players a $150 in Bonus Bets. Simply place one moneyline bet of at least $5 and you can claim the bonus bets, regardless of the wager's outcome. As far as sports betting markets go, BetMGM offers players all of the most popular American sports but also has tools like Easy Parlay that make it simple to craft these larger wagers.

Bet365: Equipped with a simplistic user interface design, bet365 offers players several bonuses and promotions, including early payouts, parlay bonuses, and a choice between a welcome bonus where you’ll get $150 in bonus bets or a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net. The claim to fame for bet365 is its live betting user interface, which provides live updates on the game. Although more than half of the United States has legal online sports betting, Bet365 Sportsbook, it’s currently available in five states.

DraftKings: Operating in over 20 states, DraftKings is perhaps the most well-known online sportsbook. DraftKings admittedly lags in the welcome bonus department, but there are numerous daily promotions and odds boosts that help make up for it. On top of that, the betting markets that are available at DraftKings dwarf what you’ll find at most sites.

FanDuel: FanDuel offers new players $200 in Bonus Bets when their initial wager of $5+ wins. There are also additional promotions available as well, including bet insurance. As a new player, you’ll have access to the sports betting 101 guide that educates you on all wager types and how to play on the site. FanDuel has partnerships with notable figures in sports, such as Kay Adams, Brandon Marshall, and Pat McAfee

Borgata: The online version of the legendary retail site in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Borgata Sportsbook falls under the same umbrella as BetMGM. Here, you’ll be able to live stream certain international contests and even edit your bet before it bets.

SI Sportsbook: SI Sportsbook has numerous features, including Perfect 10. This is a free-to-play game where, if you make 10 accurate guesses against the spread, you’ll receive a payout of up to $10,000 in site credit. Additionally, there’s a Betfeed tool that shows all of the latest wages made on the site. As a new player, you’ll get eight $25 free bets for wagering just $20.

BetRivers: Developed by Rush Street Interactive, BetRivers Sportsbook offers new players a Second Chance Bet ranging from $100-$500, depending on which state you are in. While existing player promotions are available at numerous online sportsbooks, few offer the number of promos that BetRivers does. These promotions include squares, bets and gets insurance, and more.

SugarHouse: SugarHouse Sportsbook is the same as BetRivers, only it’s the brand that the sportsbook used to go by before the rebranding, which began in 2020. However, SugarHouse still exists in Pennsylvania. BetRivers and SugarHouse have similar promotions and bonuses and user interface designs.

Socially

While the expansion of the legal sports betting industry will result in some people experiencing problematic sports betting addiction, there are numerous resources that can be consulted to help curb its impact. There have been a number of conflicts with state politicians over the matter, with some states being much more in support of it while others are completely against it.

Economically

With more than 38 states and Washington D.C. having legalized sports betting, the industry has generated well north of $15.569 billion as of January 2023. In terms of handle, the states have also taken in more than $200.5 billion in wagers. On top of the revenue generated by the sportsbooks and the taxes that the state receives, this industry has created thousands of new jobs and has increased investments in sports venues.

Sports

Professional sports have completely embraced legal sports betting. Each league has its own official sports betting partner, and advertisements for these platforms are seen during commercials, broadcasts, and even throughout the arena. Professional teams have also seen an uptick in revenues in states where sports betting is legal.

Media

The rise of legal sports betting has had a massive impact on sports media. Some examples include DraftKings purchasing the sports gambling network VSIN, SI Sportsbook licensing its brand for an online sportsbook, Barstool Sports opening an online sportsbook and then rebranding to ESPN BET, and more. This impact comes before sports betting is even legal in some of the larger states like California, Florida, and Texas.

Partnerships and Sponsorships

The partnerships that have come as a result of sports betting are almost endless. Not only do numerous professional teams have sports betting partners, but some sites have partnerships that enabled them to offer sports betting in the state.

These partnerships extend beyond sports teams, though, such as partnerships with actual stadiums and arenas, like Madison Square Garden.

These partnerships provide an influx in revenue for the leagues, and now it’s common to see particular networks promote the odds for games airing on their network.

Below is a sample of the partnerships you’ll find with most sportsbooks mentioned above:

Regulated sportsbooks in the United States have several advantages over unregulated/offshore sportsbooks. Regulated sites protect players should any sportsbooks try to take advantage of them or not pay you out. With offshore sportsbooks, you don’t have that same luxury. Most offshore sites have licenses from countries that are so small it’s almost irrelevant and inconsequential—it serves as a way to prop up a site as being “licensed” without it actually providing the benefits that you receive in the United States.

While offshore sites may offer large welcome bonuses, it’s unknown whether you’ll actually receive those benefits. If you do, questions remain around whether you’ll receive your withdrawn funds in a timely manner or, again, at all. With legal US betting sites, you know that your bonus is guaranteed, and all of your winnings will be available for withdrawal via a payment method that is available on the betting site.

The peace of mind of playing at a legal and regulated online sportsbook in the United States cannot be understated. Regardless of how attractive the odds or welcome bonuses are, the downside of playing could prove to be financially catastrophic.

Regulated Sportsbooks

• They provide security that you’ll never run into issues of not receiving your winnings.
• Partnerships with professional teams.
• Responsible gaming initiatives to assist those with problematic gambling tendencies.
• Peace of mind.

Offshore Sites

• Licensed by less than reputable entities or countries.
• No peace of mind that you’ll certainly receive funds you withdraw.
• Potentially worse encryption software to keep your data safe, if anything at all.
• Some sites have very little customer support.

Like PASPA for sports betting, there was a nationwide law that prevented states from offering online casinos, known as the Federal Wire Act.

The law was initially enacted in 1961 in an attempt to curtail mob operations. In the late 1990s, offshore casinos began appearing online, and states over the next decade wanted to welcome them, but it was prohibited due to the law also known plainly as “The Wire Act.”

Then, in 2011, a Department of Justice opinion allowed states to legalize online gambling, as they stated the law applied only to sports betting.

From here, states like New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania became the first to legalize online gambling.

Below, we’ll look at the six legal gambling states and the current legal gambling sites

Connecticut

Connecticut legalized online casino gambling the same day sports betting came to the state in October 2021. There are two online sites in the state DraftKings and FanDuel. You can also gamble in person at places like Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.

Delaware

Delaware has had legal gambling since 2012, but it’s quite different from the current state of how the industry operates. There are three racinos (casinos at horse race tracks) in the state that are operated by the lottery. In 2023, BetRivers reached an agreement to launch three online sportsbooks and casinos, making them the lone operator in the state. 

Michigan

As part of the package signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in December 2019, this included online casino gambling. Today, there are 14 online casinos to play at, including popular platforms like BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, and more.

New Jersey

Online casinos were legalized way back in 2012 and 2013 in New Jersey and is easily the epicenter for gambling on the east coast. Atlantic City is arguably the most well-known city in the state, and it has numerous casinos to play at in person that are also partnered with various sites or launched online casinos under their own brand.

Pennsylvania

In October 2017, Pennsylvania not only passed a law to legalize sports betting, but it also included online casinos. The first online casinos, Hollywood Casino, PlaySugarHouse, betPARX, and more, launched in July 2019. The latest online casino to launch in the state was Tropicana Casino in May 2023.

West Virginia

Online casino play became legal in West Virginia on March 27, 2019, but the first sites didn’t launch until July 15, 2020. There are seven online casinos currently in the state, with WynnBET Casino pending launch.

Indiana

After the legislation was brought but ultimately died in 2022, Rep. Ethan Manning made it a point that he’d pursue additional legislation in 2023. That attempt failed after the House Public Policy Committee wouldn’t even allow a hearing to discuss the bill.

Illinois

With 12 land-based casinos in the state, Illinois should be one of the next states to launch online gambling. There are currently two bills in the Illinois General Assembly, but they are with committees that may never actually review the bills. That means Illinois will likely need to wait at least one more year for legal online casinos.

Maryland

After adding online sports betting in late 2022, lawmakers in the state will look to move online gambling along by adding a referendum to the 2026 ballot.

New Hampshire

While online sports betting is legal in the state with DraftKings Sportsbook as the sole provider, there hasn't been much traction for online gambling. That changed this year as the Senate passed the online gambling bill SB 104, but by only one vote. While it will be a challenge to get the bill through the House vote, the Senate vote was a major step forward for the industry.

New York

Online sports betting has been a massive success in The Empire State, and online gambling certainly will be too. A few pieces of legislation have been on the subject, but they all fail to make any headway. However, Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. has another bill proposed, but a lack of support means it likely won’t be voted on until 2026.

States Where Gambling Is Legal

As seen by the lists above, online gambling at real money casinos is not quite as widespread as online sports betting.

Below is a table showing all the states online where casino gambling is legal, as well as states where casino gambling is illegal.