Sports betting is a hot topic in the United States as more and more states look to legalise gambling markets. Nevada used to be the only state where you could place your sports wagers, but in May 2018, a Supreme Court ruling changed everything.
North Carolina and Vermont are the newest members in a growing list of states with legalised sports betting. Now, over 34 states have legal sports betting in one form or another, and more states are getting ready to launch their own sports betting regulations before the end of 2023.
With each state having its own unique attitude towards gambling, it can be hard to keep up with all the legislation changes and know where you can and can't place your wagers. So, today we'll be breaking down the sports betting situation in America, providing you with a comprehensive guide to all 50 states.
Alabama: Not legal
Despite multiple efforts to legalise in the past, including attempts in 2019, 2021 and 2022, sports betting is not currently legal in Alabama.
Alaska: Not legal
Despite Governor Mike Dunleavy showing support for a bill to legalise sports wagering in early 2020, unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to any changes to regulations and the bill expired in May 2020. The idea has not been revisited since.
Arizona: Legal
Sports betting in April 2021 in Arizona by Governor Doug Ducey, followed by the launch of the first sportsbooks in September 2021. These sportsbooks recorded an impressive $1.75 billion in wagers during their first four months of operation.
Arkansas: Legal
Sports betting in Arkansas has been since March 2022. There are currently three in the state — in Hot Springs, Pine Bluff and West Memphis — that allow legal sports wagering in person
California: Not legal
Sports betting remains illegal in both retail and online venues in California holding two different ballot options to legalise sports betting in November 2022 that broke spending records and had active ad campaigns, they both received significant downvotes.
Colorado: Legal
Colorado sports betting is legal as of May 2020.The state officially legalised sports betting via a voter referendum in November 2019. Now, all bets are placed via authorised and regulated sportsbook apps and operators.
Connecticut: Legal
Sports betting has been legal in Connecticut since September 2021. There are three online sportsbooks licensed to operate: Draft Kings, FanDuel and Play SugarHouse. Other platforms that are not regulated by the state of Connecticut are considered illegal.
Delaware: Legal
Delaware was the first state to legalise sports betting after the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. Sports betting is currently only available in person at three retail gambling locations in the state: Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway. While online sports betting is also legal in the state, there are no online betting sites available yet.
Florida: Under Review (Aug 23)
Sports betting in Florida was made illegal after a judge ruled against it in 2021. But in June 2023, the DC Court of Appeals unanimously overturned the District Court decision to block it. A petition for a rehearing was filed on August 14, 2023 with hopes to bring sports betting back to the Sunshine State.
Georgia: Not legal
Sports betting is not currently legal in Georgia. However, there have been several attempts to legalise sports betting in the state in recent years. The most recent attempt came in March 2023, when a bill to legalise both retail and online sports betting was introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives. The bill passed the House but was voted down in the Senate.
Hawaii: Not legal
Hawaii has a long history of opposing gambling, and there is little support for legalising sports betting among lawmakers. In 2019, a bill to legalise sports betting was introduced in the state legislature, but it did not pass. It is unlikely we will see an effort to legalise and regulate sports betting in Hawaii for some time.
Idaho: Not legal
Sports betting is not legal in Idaho. There have been a few attempts to change sports betting legislation in Idaho, but none of them have been successful.
Illinois: Legal
The Illinois General Assembly passed a sports betting law in 2019, which Governor J.B. Pritzker signed in June of that year. The law allows for both retail and online sports betting in the state.
Indiana: Legal
Online and in-person sports betting are both legal in Indiana. Sports betting became legal in Indiana on May 2, 2019, when Governor Eric Holcomb signed it into law. There are currently 11 online sportsbooks operating in Indiana, including BetMGM FanDuel and Draftkings, along with over 100 retail sports betting locations.
Iowa: Legal
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) began accepting applications for sports betting licences in July 2019 after making it legal in May that year. The first sportsbooks went live in August 2019.
Kansas: Legal
Kansas sports betting was legalised in May 2022, with the first mobile sports betting apps going live on September 1. There are now four state-run retail locations and six mobile sportsbooks available.
Kentucky: Legal
Sports betting is legal in Kentucky. The Kentucky Sports Wagering Act was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear on March 31, 2023. Retail sports betting will go live on September 7, 2023. Online sports betting will go live on September 28, 2023.
Louisiana: Legal
Sports betting was legalised in Louisiana in November 2020, after 55 of the state's 64 parishes voted in favour of a ballot measure. There are currently more than a dozen retail sportsbooks and seven legal online sportsbooks in Louisiana.
Maine: Legal (Not Yet Launched)
Sports betting was made legal in Maine in May 2022. The Maine Gambling Control Unit has not yet set a date for when sports betting will go live in Maine, but it is expected to be sometime in 2023. Online sports betting will be available through tribal casino operators and one commercial operator.
Maryland: Legal
Sports betting was legalised in Maryland in November 2020, after voters approved a referendum on the issue. Retail sports betting began in December 2021, and online sports betting launched in November 2022.
Massachusetts: Legal
Massachusetts sports betting was legalised in August 2022, after the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) approved a set of regulations for the industry.
Michigan: Legal.
Sports betting became legal in Michigan on December 20, 2019. The first retail sportsbooks opened in March 2020, while the online launch took place in January 2021.
Minnesota: Not legal
Sports betting is not currently legal in Minnesota, with bills being turned down in each of the last three years.
Mississippi: Legal
Sports betting has been legal in Mississippi since August 1, 2018. Sportsbooks are allowed to operate at all 28 casinos in the state. Online sports betting is also legal in Mississippi, but you can only legally bet online when you are physically located within a casino.
Missouri: Not legal
Sports betting is not legal in Missouri as of August 29, 2023. The most recent bill passed the Missouri House of Representatives in February 2023, but it failed in the Senate in May 2023.
Montana: Legal
Sports betting became legal in Montana in April 2019, when Governor Steve Bullock signed House Bill 725 into law. The law allows for sports betting at all licensed lottery retailers in the state, including casinos, bars, restaurants, and convenience stores.
Nebraska: Legal
Sports betting is legal in Nebraska, but only at retail locations. Online sports betting is not yet available in the state.
Nevada: Legal
Sports betting has been legal in Nevada since 1949, making it the first state in the United States to regulate wagering on sporting events. Nevada is also the only state that has allowed sports betting online since 2010 and now has over 200+ sportsbooks available to its residents.
New Hampshire: Legal
New Hampshire legalised both retail and online sports betting on July 12, 2019.
New Jersey: Legal
Sports betting was legalised in New Jersey in June 2018, soon after the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA. In-person sports betting began in August 2018, and online sports betting began in November 2018.
New Mexico: Legal
Sports betting is legal in New Mexico, but it is currently only available in person at five tribal casinos.
New York: Legal
Sports betting is legal in New York at 11 casinos across the state and online through 9 mobile sportsbooks.
North Carolina: Legal
North Carolina legalised sports betting in June 2023, allowing for both in person and online sports betting. Retail sports betting is currently available at three tribal casinos in the state:
North Dakota: Legal
Sports betting was legalised in North Dakota in December 2021, but is currently only available in person at three tribal casinos in the state: Dakota Magic Casino & Hotel in Hankinson, Spirit Lake Casino & Hotel in Spirit Lake and Four Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town.
Ohio: Legal
Sports betting became legal in Ohio on January 1, 2023 and hosts 18 licensed sportsbooks both online and retail.
Oklahoma: Not Legal
Despite several attempts over the last few years, sports betting legalisation bills have regularly failed to pass the senate. The latest attempt failed to pass in August 2023.
Oregon: Legal
Sports betting is legal in Oregon for both retail and online wagering.
Pennsylvania: Legal
Pennsylvania opened its first retail sportsbook at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in November 2018. There are currently 13 licensed sportsbooks operating in the state.
Rhode Island: Legal
There are two retail sportsbooks in Rhode Island: Twin River Casino in Lincoln and Tiverton Casino Hotel. While mobile sports betting is available through Sportsbook Rhode Island, a product of the Rhode Island state lottery.
South Carolina: Not legal
There have been multiple attempts to legalise sports betting in the state, but none have been successful. In 2023, a bill was introduced in the state legislature that would have legalised sports betting, but it was not passed.
South Dakota: Legal (Retail Only)
Sports betting has been legal in South Dakota since September 2021. However, it is only available in person at casinos in Deadwood and tribal casinos in the state. You cannot place bets online or through mobile apps.
Tennessee: Legal
Sports betting is only available online in Tennessee. There are currently 11 licensed sports betting operators, but there are no retail sportsbooks in the state.
Texas: Not legal
Sports betting is not legal in Texas at this time. The Texas Constitution prohibits all forms of gambling, including sports betting.
Utah: Not legal
Sports betting is not legal in Utah. It is one of two states (the other being Hawaii) with absolutely no legal gambling. This means no casinos, poker, lotteries, charitable gaming, betting on horses or even bingo.
Vermont: Legal (Not Yet Launched)
Governor Phil Scott signed a bill into law on June 14, 2023, that legalised sports betting in the state. The Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery has not yet announced when sports betting will be available. However, it is expected to launch in early 2024.
Virginia: Legal
Sports betting became legal in Virginia in April 2020. There are currently 13 online sportsbooks operating in Virginia including: BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, Betway and more.
Washington: Legal
Sports betting is legal in Washington state, but it is only available through 10 tribal casinos. Betting is not allowed on minor league sports, in-state collegiate sports, or esports.
Washington D.C.: Legal
Sports betting was legalised in Washington, D.C. in 2018 both online and in person.
West Virginia: Legal
West Virginia was one of the first states to legalise sports betting after the US Supreme Court overturned the PASPA in 2018. There are currently five retail sportsbooks operating in the state alongside nine online sportsbooks.
Wisconsin: Legal (Retail Only)
Sports betting is legal in Wisconsin, but is limited to in-person wagers only. It is offered by three of Wisconsin's federally recognized tribes via tribal american gaming compacts.
Wyoming: Legal
The Wyoming Legislature passed a bill legalising sports betting in March 2021. Four sportsbook apps are currently available in the state: DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Caesars.
