Individual states in the USA have been allowed to pass their own legislation in regards to legal sports betting – since the US Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on single-event sports wagering in 2018. The sports betting industry in the United States is evolving at a fast pace, as legislators push legislation in their respective states to boost state coffers.
27 U.S states currently offer or will soon offer in-person & online sports-betting
6 U.S states currently offer in-person gambling only inside licensed casinos
1 U.S states currently offer mobile or online sports-betting only
Where is sports betting legal in the United States?
Nevada
Available: In Person and Online
Nevada's sportsbooks have been in operation since the state legalised sports betting in 1949, making it the first state to establish a legal sports betting market. While it is the oldest market, it's no longer the most popular, as New Jersey has surpassed it in recent years.
The requirement for in-person registration at a retail sportsbook before placing bets online is one aspect of the Nevada sports betting business that is currently holding it back.
New Jersey
Available: In Person and Online
Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill legalising single-event sports betting at casinos and racetracks, on June 11th, 2018, making New Jersey the third state with a regulated sports betting market. Three days later William Hill sportsbook took the state's first sports wager, which was placed by Governor Murphy himself. Since then, New Jersey has risen to the top of the sports betting world.
Colorado
Available: In Person and Online
For the first time since it was banned in 1992, online sports betting is once again permissible in Colorado. The state has allowed regulated sports betting as of May 1, 2020, and there are presently approximately 20 locations, websites and apps where consumers bettors can place legal sports bets.
Arizona
Available: In Person and Online
On April 15, 2021, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a revised compact with the state's tribal leaders. On September 9, 2021, sports betting went live in the state. Learn more about this form of gambling in The Grand Canyon State.
Indiana
Available: In Person and Online
On September 1st, 2019, Indiana's sports betting market opened for business. Betting on professional and collegiate sports is legal, but not on high school sports or esports. The Indiana Gaming Commission regulates the sector.
Illinois
Available: In Person and Online
Illinois made sports betting legal in 2019 and on March 9, 2020, the first bets were placed. Get the lowdown on legal sports betting in Illinois, including mobile betting apps, retail and online sportsbooks, and future plans.
Iowa
Available: In Person and Online
Iowa was one of the first US states to legalize sports betting. After the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) 1992 in May 2018, The Hawkeye State ruled in favor of sports betting in August 2019.
Michigan
Available: In Person and Online
As of December 2019, Governor Whitmer signed a series of acts that allows not only sports betting to be legalized, but fantasy sports and casino bets. This was all possible due to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) being deemed unconstitutional in 2018 by the Supreme court.
Mississippi
Available: In Person and Online
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) became legal in Mississippi in 2017. A year later, sports betting in Mississippi also became legal after the Supreme Court determined that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was unconstitutional. On August 1, 2018, the first legal bets were placed in The Magnolia State.
New Hampshire
Available: In Person and Online
Bettors in New Hampshire can enjoy placing Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and regular sports bets. Learn about wagering restrictions, taxes, and legal providers in New Hampshire.
New Mexico
Available: In Person and Online
New Mexico is unique when it comes to sports betting because despite there being no laws that allow gaming, multiple sportsbooks and casinos operate within the state.
The state’s tribal gaming compacts allow all forms of Class III Gaming. This includes casino games like slots, craps, roulette, and blackjack.
Rhode Island
Available: In Person and Online
In 2018, Rhode Island gave the green light to a state-regulated sports betting market. Bettors can place in-person bets at two casinos. You can also place bets online using a state-approved sports betting app or international online sportsbooks.
Washington DC
Available: In Person and Online
The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 made sports betting legal in Washington DC on May 3, 2019. Although this was one of the first to give the green light to this form of gambling, sports wagering regulations are complex in DC.
Arkansas
Available: In Person and Online
Soon after the Supreme Court ruled that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 was unconstitutional, Arkansas residents voted to legalize sports betting in November 2018.
The result allowed retail sportsbooks in the state's four casinos to open for business, with the first bets placed on July 1, 2019. However, bettors had to wait until March 2022 to access state-approved online sportsbooks.
Oregon
Available: In Person and Online
Oregon saw a return of state-approved sports betting in August 2019, a year after the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA).
One month after the law change, the state-operated Scoreboard sportsbook became the leading operator in The Beaver State. Yet, in January 2022, DraftKings replaced Scoreboard as the sole state-approved online provider available anywhere within state lines.
Wyoming
Available: In Person and Online
Wyoming launched its sports betting market in 2019 after Governor Mark Gordon signed House Bill 0133 into law. But despite there being various state-approved online sportsbooks, there are no retail sportsbooks in The Cowboy State.
Find out more about sports betting laws and available operators in Wyoming.
Louisiana
Available: In Person and Online
Online sports betting apps went live on January 28, 2022. With BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings being amongst the six apps that are now live.
Delaware
Available: In Person
Delaware has always been a front runner with sports bets, with specific parlay bets being legal within the state since 2009 with the 'sports lottery'. However, attempts by Governor Markell to expand on these wagering options have failed to come to fruition.
Virginia
Available: In Person and Online
Virginia legalized sports betting in April 2020 after passing Senate Bill (SB 384)and House bill (HB 896). Since legalizing gambling in the state, sportsbooks have accepted billions of dollars, making serious sums of tax revenue.
Virginia went live with sports betting officially in January 2021. There are currently no brick-and-mortar locations to place sports bets, but there are plenty of online mobile sports betting apps to choose from in Old Dominion.
Montana
Available: In Person and Online
Bettors have access to hundreds of retail sportsbooks in The Treasure State. However, there is still only one state-approved sports betting site in MT, Sports Bet Montana.
Also, although you can access this mobile betting app anywhere, you can only place wagers when on the premises of licensed Sports Bet Montana locations.
Learn more about betting laws in Montana, retailers, and international sportsbooks that operate within state lines.
Tennessee
Available: In Person and Online
You can legally bet on sports in the state of Tennessee. However, you can only wager on sporting events online and not at brick-and-mortar establishments. The Volunteer State's online-only approach to sports betting is unique in the US.
Connecticut
Available: In Person and Online
Online sportsbooks went live in Connecticut on October 19, 2021. The Constitution State launched regulated online sports betting with DraftKings and FanDuel in partnership with the Mohegan Tribe and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.
Get the lowdown on sports betting in Connecticut.
Maryland
Available: In Person
On Monday, April 12, 2021, the Senate and House voted to pass the bill and set the rules for sports betting. The bill, one of the largest ever to pass in the USA, allows 60 online sportsbooks and 40 retailers to operate within Maryland.
Although sports betting is legal and available at many retail locations in Maryland, state-approved online sportsbooks are still yet to launch.
Wisconsin
Available: In Person and Online
Some recent changes in the law within the state of Wisconsin now allow limited sports betting services. As of July 2021, the state's tribal gaming compact was amended for the third time to allow wagering on the Oneida lands.
North Carolina
Available: In Person
In 2021, North Carolina legalized sports betting within the state. However, only in-person betting within The Tar Heel State provided by two tribal casinos currently adheres to state regulations.
Washington
Available: In Person and Online
Washington now offers retail and online sports betting options at tribal casinos within the state. Learn more about wagering in The Evergreen State.
South Dakota
Available: In Person
There are currently ten retail sportsbooks in the Deadwood area, but with 26 casinos operating within state lines, we are likely to see more open soon. In 2022, a new ballot proposed to expand sports betting statewide and allow mobile betting. This attempt died once it reached the House but shows promise that the whole state might one day be able to bet on sports.
Which states will be next to legalize sportsbetting and gambling in the U.S.A?
In which U.S states is gambling currently not legal?
Alabama
South Carolina
As it stands, South Carolina is strongly opposed to any sports betting. This is mainly due to the conservative values and large population of Christians that reside within the southern state.
Although many don't realize it, state residents can bet on sports online legally because Palmetto State's laws don't contain any online betting regulations.
Which states are unlikely to legalize sports betting?
USA Legal Sportsbetting Frequently Asked Questions
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Which states will be next to legalize sports betting and gambling in the USA?
Many expect California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and South Carolina to legalize sports betting. State-approved sports betting options are currently available in 32 states.
Bettors in states without a state sportsbook can use reputable international operators - such as Bovada, BetUS, BetOnline, MyBookie and other sites - to place wagers.
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In which US states is gambling currently not legal?
48 out of 50 states permit gambling in some capacity. Only Utah and Hawaii enforce a 100% ban on this pastime.
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Which states are unlikely to legalize sports betting?
More and more states are changing their stance on sports betting. At the current rate, it seems that most states will give this form of gambling the green light.
However, Utah looks the least likely to legalize the practice.
The Beehive State's strict Mormon population has always adopted a tough stance on gambling. As Mormons account for nearly 90 percent of representatives, lawmakers don't stand much chance of getting sports betting bills over the line.
Hawaii and Alaska are also in no rush to bring in state regulation of sports betting providers. However, this hasn't deterred lawmakers from introducing pro-gambling bills.
As a result, bettors in these states have to use international onlinesportsbooks to place wagers.
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When did gambling begin in the US?
Record of gambling in America started with the first colonies in the early 1600s. Although many Puritans opposed gambling, early settlers still played lotteries and bet on cockfights - a practice they brought with them from Europe.
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Where are the best places to gamble in the US?
Although many see Las Vegas, Nevada, as the best place to gamble because of its dozens of casinos, poker rooms, sportsbooks, and high-end restaurants. Online operators in New York and New Jersey accept millions in bets every month.
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Which US state is the sports betting capital?
New Yorkers wagered over $1.6 billion using betting wagering apps in the first month after state-approved online providers went live on January 8, 2022, making it the sports betting capital of the United States.
The Empire State broke previous records set by neighboring state New Jersey ($1.3 billion in October 2021) in its first month and has outperformed other states every month since launching.
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Is sports betting legal on a federal level?
In 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, allowing state-based and international sportsbooks to operate legally in the US.
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Which sport takes the most bets in the US?
Unsurprisingly, football attracts the most wagers in the US.
The football betting market has grown significantly since the US overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. Due to the high demand, online bookmakers like Bovada provide punters with various NFL and college football wagering options.
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What is the most popular bet in the US?
As a moneyline bet is the most simple wagering option in sports betting, it's the most popular bet in the US.
For example, if you want to bet on Connor Mcgregor to win against an opponent or wager on the Tampa Buccaneers beating the Philadelphia Eagles, this is a moneyline bet.
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Do you have to pay taxes on sports bets?
As sports betting winnings are considered income, you must report your payouts because they may be subject to federal and state taxes.
The responsibility of reporting betting income lies with the taxpayer - only winnings of $600 or more will make a sports betting provider send you a 1099-MIS form.
According to the IRS: “Gambling winnings are fully taxable, and you must report the income on your tax return...Gambling income includes but isn’t limited to winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse races, and casinos.”
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What is a sportsbook deposit match bonus?
These promotions match your first deposit up to a certain percentage - ranging from 10% to 500%.
Claiming a 100% welcome bonus when signing up doubles your first deposit. For example, if you deposit $50 to activate this promo, the online sportsbook will match it with an extra $50, giving you a total of $100.
Yet be aware that if you win a bet using these funds (the deposit and deposit match amount), you may have to meet wagering requirements (also known as playthrough or turnover) before you can withdraw your winnings.
Also, there is usually a limit on the amount you can deposit and claim this deal - the average being $1,000.
Popular international sites such as Bovada
and BetUS
offer new and existing customers these generous deals.