Where is Sportsbetting Legal in the U.S.?

Sports betting in the United States underwent a dramatic transformation following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. That landmark ruling paved the way for states to legalize and regulate sports betting within their borders, leading to a diverse and rapidly evolving market. As of now, the legal status of sports betting varies significantly from state to state, with some embracing both in-person and online betting, while others have taken a more cautious approach or have yet to legalize it at all. This overview provides a state-by-state breakdown, highlighting the legal status, key developments, and interesting facets of sports betting across the nation, reflecting the complex interplay of legislative actions, economic interests, and cultural attitudes towards gambling.

Sports Gambling in the Yellowhammer State

• Legal Status: Not Legal
• Overview: Alabama remains one of the states without legal sports betting, with no lottery system in place, making it challenging to introduce sports betting.
• Points of Interest:
  • Strong opposition to gambling expansion. Previous bills for a state-run lottery and mobile wagering have not passed.

Sports Gambling in the Last Frontier State

• Legal Status: Not Legal
• Overview: Sports betting is not legal in Alaska, and there has been little movement towards legalization.
• Points of Interest:
  • Limited gambling infrastructure.
  • Low legislative interest in sports betting.

Sports Gambling Status in the Yellowhammer State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Arizona offers full mobile betting with multiple options, including the nation’s first in-stadium sportsbooks.
• Points of Interest:
  • Passed sports betting bill in April 2021.
  • Online sportsbooks went live in September 2021.

Bear State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Arkansas has expanded its betting options to include full mobile betting.
• Points of Interest:
  • Online betting expanded beyond in-person activity at casinos in 2022.
  • Up to eight online sportsbooks allowed.

Sports Gambling Status in the Golden State

• Legal Status: Not Legal
• Overview: Sports betting is currently not legal in California, with failed ballot proposals in 2022.
• Points of Interest:
  • Significant opposition from tribes to online betting initiatives.
  • Legalization efforts paused, with potential new initiatives or constitutional amendments expected in 2026 or beyond.

Sports Gambling Status in the Centennial State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Colorado boasts a robust market with full mobile betting and multiple options.
• Points of Interest:
  • Legal online and retail wagers began in May 2020.
  • Over 26 different betting apps available.
  • Partnerships with Colorado’s 33 casinos are required for operation.

Sports Gambling Status in the Constitution State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Connecticut offers full mobile betting with multiple options through partnerships with tribal nations and the state lottery.
• Points of Interest:
  • Online betting partnerships include DraftKings, FanDuel, and PlaySugarHouse.
  • In-person sportsbooks available at casinos and seven retail locations.

Sports Gambling Status in the First State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (In-person only)
• Overview: Delaware allows in-person sportsbooks but has not legalized online betting.
• Points of Interest:
  • First state outside Nevada to accept a legal single-game sports bet post-PASPA.
  • Three retail sportsbooks in operation.

Sports Gambling in the Sunshine State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Florida has seen a complex legal battle over sports betting, with Hard Rock online relaunching in November 2023 for existing users.
• Points of Interest:
  • Exclusive rights to sports betting given to the Seminole Tribe.
  • Legal challenges and a two-year limbo before relaunching.

Peach State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Not Legal (2025 Launch Possible)
• Overview: Georgia is considering sports betting with a bill passing the Senate and moving to the House for approval.
• Points of Interest:
  • Sports betting could become a lottery game, avoiding the need for a constitutional amendment.
  • Voter decision expected in 2024 if the House approves.

Sports Gambling Status in the Aloha State

• Legal Status: Not Legal
• Overview: Hawaii remains one of the two states without any form of legal gambling, including sports betting.
• Points of Interest:
  • No major legislative moves towards sports betting legalization.
  • Known for strict gambling laws.

Gem State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Not Legal
• Overview: Idaho has not made any significant steps towards legalizing sports betting, maintaining a stance against gambling expansion.
• Points of Interest:
  • No legal framework for sports betting.
  • Limited interest in gambling legislation.

Sports Gambling Status is the Prairie State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Illinois has embraced sports betting with both in-person and full mobile betting options available.
• Points of Interest:
  • Online betting launched in June 2020.
  • Among the top states in handle and tax revenue from sports betting.
  • In-person registration requirement lifted in March 2022.

Hoosier State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Indiana offers full mobile betting with multiple options, having gone live with online sports betting in October 2019.
• Points of Interest:
  • More than 40 online sportsbooks allowed under state law.

Sports Gambling Status in the Hawkeye State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Iowa has a robust sports betting market with full online/mobile betting and multiple options.
• Points of Interest:
  • Began accepting bets in August 2019.
  • Features some of the cheapest licensing fees in the country.

Sports Gambling Status in the Sunflower State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Kansas has quickly established a competitive sports betting market with full online and mobile betting options.
• Points of Interest:
  • Legalized sports betting in 2022.
  • Allowed up to 12 online sportsbooks, with rapid launch aligning with the NFL season.

Sports Gambling Status in the Bluegrass State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Kentucky recently legalized sports betting, offering in-person, online and mobile options.
• Points of Interest:
  • Legislation passed in 2023.
  • Allows racetracks to offer sports betting and partner with online operators.

Pelican State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Louisiana offers full mobile betting with multiple options, following voter approval in 55 parishes.
• Points of Interest:
  • Online sportsbooks launched in January 2022.
  • Up to 41 different mobile apps allowed under law.

Sports Gambling Status in the Pine Tree State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Maine has a limited but growing sports betting market, with mobile betting available.
• Points of Interest:
  • Legalized sports betting in 2022.
  • DraftKings and Caesars are the initial online sportsbooks.

Sports Gambling in the Old Line State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Maryland offers full online and mobile betting with multiple options, following voter approval.
• Points of Interest:
  • Sports betting operators launched fully in November 2022.
  • Law allows for up to 60 online sportsbooks.

Bay State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Massachusetts has recently joined the sports betting market, offering both in-person and mobile betting options.
• Points of Interest:
  • Sports betting bill passed in August 2022.
  • Online betting launched in March 2023, ahead of the NCAAB Tournament.

Sports Gambling Status in the Great Lakes State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Michigan offers full mobile betting with multiple options, having launched online sportsbooks in early 2021.
• Points of Interest:
  • Allows for a maximum of 15 online sportsbooks.
  • Among the top states in monthly handle and all-time dollars bet.

North Star State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Not Legal (2024 Possible)
• Overview: Minnesota has seen sports betting bills fall short but remains a candidate for future legalization.
• Points of Interest:
  • Legislative efforts in 2023 did not pass.
  • Ongoing discussions about giving tribes exclusive access to betting.

Sports Gambling Status in the Magnolia State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (In-person only)
• Overview: Mississippi offers in-person sportsbooks but has not legalized full mobile betting statewide.
• Points of Interest:
  • Launched sports betting in August 2018.
  • Mobile betting restricted to within casino properties.

Sports Gambling in the Ozark State

• Legal Status: Not Legal (2024 Possible)
• Overview: Missouri has considered sports betting legislation, but efforts have fallen short in recent years.
• Points of Interest:
  • Active legislative discussions but no bill passed yet.
  • Potential for a future ballot measure or legislative action.

Treasure State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (In-person only)
• Overview: Montana offers sports betting through the state lottery, with bets placed on property of licensed retailers.
• Points of Interest:
  • Mobile betting technically available but restricted to physical locations.

Cornhusker State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (In-person only)
• Overview: Nebraska has legalized in-person sports betting at licensed horse tracks, following voter approval.
• Points of Interest:
  • Retail sportsbooks opened in 2022.
  • No provisions for online sports betting.

Sports Gambling Status in the Silver State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Nevada, a long-standing pioneer in sports betting, offers both in-person and mobile betting, with in-person registration required for mobile accounts.
• Points of Interest:
  • Extensive network of sportsbooks and betting options.
  • Mobile betting available, but with an in-person sign-up requirement.

Granite State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: New Hampshire offers mobile betting through a state-run monopoly with DraftKings as the sole operator.
• Points of Interest:
  • Launched online wagering in December 2019.
  • No betting on in-state colleges.

Garden State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: New Jersey offers a comprehensive sports betting market with full online and mobile betting and multiple operators.
• Points of Interest:
  • Pioneered the legal challenge that led to the nationwide legalization of sports betting.
  • Home to a wide range of online sportsbooks.

Sports Gambling Status in the Land of Enchantment

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (In-person only)
• Overview: New Mexico has not passed specific sports betting legislation but offers in-person betting at tribal casinos through existing gaming compacts.
• Points of Interest:
  • First bets taken in October 2018.
  • No statewide online or mobile betting.

Sports Gambling Status in the Empire State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: New York offers full online and mobile betting with multiple options, in addition to retail sportsbooks in upstate casinos.
• Points of Interest:
  • Launched online sports betting in January 2022.
  • Rapidly became one of the largest markets in the country.

Sports Gambling Status in the Tar Heel State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (Online, Mobile and in-person.
• Overview: North Carolina legalized online and mobile betting going live on March 11th, 2024.
• Points of Interest:
  • Legalized sports betting at tribal casinos in 2019.
  • Online and Mobile operational since March 2024.

Peace Garden State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal
• Overview: Legislation enabling sports betting in North Dakota was enacted in December 2021, allowing the state’s federally recognized tribes to conduct sports wagering within their reservation territories. A number of tribes have since initiated such offerings.
• Points of Interest:
  • Tribal entities may offer sports betting under federal authorization, similar to New Mexico.

Buckeye State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Ohio offers full mobile betting with multiple options, following recent legalization.
• Points of Interest:
  • Betting went live on January 1, 2023.
  • Extensive market with a variety of operators from day one.

Sooner State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Not Legal
• Overview: Oklahoma has considered sports betting, particularly through tribal casinos, but has yet to legalize it.
• Points of Interest:
  • Complex negotiations related to gaming compacts with tribes.
  • Potential for future legislation or tribal agreements.

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Oregon offers state-run mobile betting through a partnership with DraftKings and retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos.
• Points of Interest:
  • Switched from its own lottery app to DraftKings in 2022.
  • In-state college betting is prohibited.

Keystone State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Pennsylvania has a well-established sports betting market with full mobile betting and multiple options.
• Points of Interest:
  • Early adopter of sports betting post-PASPA.

Sports Gambling Status in the Ocean State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Rhode Island offers sports betting through a state-run system with both retail locations and a mobile app.
• Points of Interest:
  • Launched retail betting in 2018 and mobile betting in 2019.
  • Mobile registration requirement repealed, allowing for remote sign-up.

Sports Gambling Status in the Palmetto State

• Legal Status: Not Legal
• Overview: South Carolina has not legalized sports betting, with previous legislative efforts gaining little traction.
• Points of Interest:
  • Discussions have occurred, but no significant movement toward legalization.
  • Strong conservative opposition to gambling expansion.

Sports Gambling Status in Mount Rushmore State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (In-person only)
• Overview: South Dakota allows in-person sports betting at casinos in Deadwood and at certain tribal gaming facilities.
• Points of Interest:
  • Voters approved sports betting in November 2020.
  • Mobile betting might be considered if servers are placed in Deadwood.

The Volunteer State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Tennessee is one of the only online-only sports betting market, with no in-person betting facilities.
• Points of Interest:
  • Launched in November 2020 with several operators.
  • Implemented a 10% hold rule, which was later replaced with a 1.85% tax on handle.

Sports Gambling Status in the Lone Star State

• Legal Status: Not Legal
• Overview: Texas has not legalized sports betting, with legislative efforts facing significant opposition.
• Points of Interest:
  • Large potential market due to population and deep sports culture.
  • Political and legislative challenges remain substantial.

Sports Gambling Status in the Beehive State

• Legal Status: Not Legal
• Overview: Utah, known for its strict anti-gambling stance, is unlikely to legalize sports betting.
• Points of Interest:
  • Constitutional prohibitions against gambling.
  • No movement toward changing the legal status of sports betting.

Sports Gambling Status in the Green Mountain State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (Limited options)
• Overview: Vermont has recently legalized sports betting, allowing for a limited number of online sportsbooks.
• Points of Interest:
  • Governor signed the sports betting bill in June 2023.
  • A competitive bidding process will determine the operators.

Old Dominion State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Virginia offers full online and mobile betting with multiple operators, having launched online sports betting in January 2021.
• Points of Interest:
  • Legislation includes provisions for operator promotions and tax deductions.

Evergreen State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (In-person only)
• Overview: Washington allows in-person sports betting at certain tribal casinos, with no statewide online or mobile betting.
• Points of Interest:
  • First bets taken in September 2021.
  • Online/mobile betting restricted to within casino premises.

Sports Gambling Status in the U.S. Capitol

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Washington D.C. offers both a district-wide online and mobile app run by the lottery and retail betting at specific locations.
• Points of Interest:
  • Private operators can offer online and mobile betting within designated areas.

Flag of West Virginia

Mountain State Sports Gambling Status

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: West Virginia offers full online and mobile betting with multiple options, alongside in-person betting facilities.
• Points of Interest:
  • One of the first states to launch sports betting post-PASPA.
  • Features several operators and retail locations.

Sports Gambling Status in The Badger State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets (In-person only)
• Overview: Wisconsin has allowed the Oneida Nation to open retail sportsbooks at its casinos, with no mobile betting.
• Points of Interest:
  • First sportsbook opened in November 2021.
  • No plans for statewide online/mobile betting.

Sports Gambling Status in the Equality State

• Legal Status: Legal, Taking Bets
• Overview: Wyoming has approved statewide mobile wagering, making it one of the few states with an online-only model.
• Points of Interest:
  • Launched online sports betting in September 2021.
  • Allows for an unlimited number of operators, subject to regulatory approval.

As we look towards the future of online and mobile sports betting in the United States, it's clear that we stand on the cusp of a significant shift in the gambling landscape. The rapid adoption and expansion of sports betting across numerous states since the overturning of PASPA signal a growing acceptance and normalization of gambling in American culture. Personally, I believe that the momentum behind sports betting will only continue to build, driven by technological advancements, increasing state legislation, and the undeniable allure of additional tax revenue.

The trend towards mobile and online platforms seems unstoppable, offering convenience and a breadth of betting options that traditional in-person venues simply can't match. As technology evolves, so too will the ways in which we bet, with innovations in live betting, virtual reality, and blockchain technology potentially transforming the sports betting experience. Moreover, the integration of sports betting within the media and sports industries is likely to deepen, blurring the lines between entertainment, sports fandom, and gambling.

However, this bright future is not without its challenges. Regulatory frameworks will need to evolve to address concerns around problem gambling, underage betting, and the integrity of sports. States will also have to navigate the complex interplay between tribal gaming rights, commercial interests, and legislative priorities.

In conclusion, the future of online and mobile sports betting in the US is vibrant and full of potential, promising to reshape our engagement with sports. As we move forward, it will be crucial for stakeholders to balance growth with responsibility, ensuring that sports betting contributes positively to the economic and social fabric of the nation.