The landscape of sports betting in the United States has changed dramatically in recent years. With the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), states have been given the power to legalize and regulate sports betting on their own terms. Since then, a large number of states have jumped on the opportunity to offer legal sports betting to their residents. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the current state of sports betting in the US, highlighting where it is legal and the various restrictions and opportunities that exist.
Legalized Sports Betting States
As of now, 36 states and Washington D.C. have legalized sports betting in some form, with varying levels of availability and restrictions. Some states allow both retail and mobile betting, while others limit it to retail only or have specific restrictions on the types of bets that can be placed. The following sections will provide an overview of the current status of sports betting in each state.
Alabama
Sports betting is not currently legal in Alabama, despite multiple attempts to introduce legislation in recent years. While there have been proposals to legalize sports betting, none have successfully passed through the state legislature.
Alaska
Similarly, sports betting is not legal in Alaska, with no legislation in the works to change this status. In 2020, the state considered a bill to legalize sports betting, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted progress, and the bill ultimately expired.
Arizona
Arizona legalized sports betting in April 2021, allowing for both online and retail wagering. With 20 operators permitted to operate within the state, residents have a wide range of options for placing bets on their favorite sports.
Arkansas
Arkansas has had legal sports betting since July 2021, with both retail and online sportsbooks available. Betting on in-state professional and collegiate teams is permitted, giving fans plenty of options for wagering.
California
Sports betting is not currently legal in California, despite two major propositions in 2022 that would have legalized in-person and online sports betting. Both propositions failed to pass, and it is uncertain whether the issue will be revisited in the near future.
Colorado
Colorado legalized sports betting in May 2020, allowing residents to place bets through multiple online and retail operators. There are some restrictions on college games, but the state has otherwise embraced the growing sports betting market.
Connecticut
Sports betting became legal in Connecticut in September 2021, with both retail and online options available for residents. The state’s casinos and lottery have partnered with major sportsbooks to offer a range of betting options.
Delaware
Delaware was one of the first states to legalize sports betting following the Supreme Court ruling in 2018. While online sports betting is legal, there are no in-state online sportsbooks available. Betting on in-state collegiate teams is also prohibited.
Florida
The status of sports betting in Florida is currently complicated. Sports betting was briefly legalized, but a court ruling has put the issue on hold due to legal challenges. Discussions on the matter may not resume until summer 2023.
Georgia
Sports betting is not legal in Georgia, despite multiple attempts to pass legislation in recent years. The state legislature has faced challenges in legalizing sports betting, with no successful bills passed to date.
Hawaii
Hawaii currently has no legal sports betting market, with no plans to introduce legislation in the foreseeable future. The state has strict anti-gambling laws, making it unlikely that sports betting will become legal anytime soon.
Idaho
Sports betting remains illegal in Idaho, with no proposed legislation to change this status. Residents looking to place bets on sports must do so through unregulated offshore sportsbooks or travel to neighboring states with legal betting options.
Illinois
Illinois legalized sports betting in June 2019, offering both retail and online options for residents. Betting on in-state collegiate games is allowed, but some restrictions apply to player prop bets.
Indiana
Indiana legalized sports betting in September 2019, allowing residents to place bets through both retail and online sportsbooks. The state permits wagering on both professional and college sports, with some restrictions on college prop bets.
Iowa
Iowa has had legal sports betting since 2019, with multiple retail and online sportsbooks available. Betting on in-state collegiate games is allowed, but certain prop bets on college games are prohibited.
Kansas
Kansas launched legal online sports betting in July 2022, offering residents the opportunity to place bets through a variety of online sportsbooks.
Kentucky
While sports betting is not currently legal in Kentucky, efforts to pass legislation in 2022 failed. It remains to be seen whether a new plan to legalize sports betting in the state will be proposed in 2023.
Louisiana
Louisiana legalized retail sports betting in October 2021, with mobile sports betting following in January 2022. The state offers a range of options for residents to place bets on their favorite sports.
Maine
Maine passed legislation to legalize online sports betting in May 2022, but a launch date has yet to be set. Once live, residents will be able to place bets through various online sportsbooks.
Maryland
Legal sports betting arrived in Maryland following the 2020 election, with retail sportsbooks launching in December 2021. Online sportsbooks became available in November 2022, providing residents with a range of betting options.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts launched sports betting in January 2023, with three in-person locations taking bets. Online sports betting is expected to launch in the state in March 2023, giving residents even more options for wagering on sports.
Michigan
Michigan legalized sports betting in 2020, with both retail and online sportsbooks available for residents to place bets. The state has seen rapid growth in its sports betting market, offering a wide range of options for sports fans.
Minnesota
Sports betting is not currently legal in Minnesota, although legislation was passed in August 2022 to legalize it. A launch date for sports betting in the state has yet to be set.
Mississippi
Mississippi was one of the first states to legalize sports betting, launching its market in August 2018. While retail sports betting is available, mobile betting is limited to on-site wagering at licensed casinos.
Missouri
Sports betting is not currently legal in Missouri, though several bills have been introduced in recent years. These bills have been stalled at the state legislature level, with no successful legislation passed to date.
Montana
Montana legalized sports betting in March 2020, with sportsbooks regulated through the state lottery. The lottery director has the authority to decide which sports can be bet on and what types of wagers can be placed.
Nebraska
Sports betting was legalized in Nebraska in May 2021, with in-person betting available at licensed locations. Betting on in-state collegiate games and events is prohibited.
Nevada
As the home of Las Vegas, Nevada has long been synonymous with gambling and sports betting. The state has a well-established market, offering both retail and online sports betting options for residents and visitors.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire legalized sports betting in 2020, allowing residents to place bets through a partnership with DraftKings. Both retail and mobile sports betting are available, with some restrictions on in-state college betting.
New Jersey
New Jersey played a pivotal role in the legalization of sports betting across the United States and has since become a major player in the industry. The state offers both retail and online sports betting options, with some restrictions on in-state collegiate games.
New Mexico
Sports betting is technically legal in New Mexico, though it operates in a gray area as a result of tribal gaming compacts. The Pueblo of Santa Ana tribe operates a sportsbook at its casino, and several other tribal casinos offer sports betting as well.
New York
New York legalized sports betting in 2013, but it wasn't until 2019 that the first retail sportsbook opened. Online sports betting launched in January 2022, with nine live online sportsbooks available. However, betting on in-state collegiate games is prohibited.
North Carolina
Sports betting is legal in North Carolina but is limited to retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos. Efforts to legalize online betting have not yet been successful, though continued attempts are expected in the coming years.
North Dakota
Sports betting is legal in North Dakota, though it is limited to retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos. No mobile or online sports betting options are currently available in the state.
Ohio
Ohio legalized sports betting in December 2021 and officially launched its market on January 1, 2023. Both in-person and online sports betting are available, giving residents a variety of options for placing bets on their favorite sports.
Oklahoma
Sports betting is not currently legal in Oklahoma, and no significant legislative efforts have been made to change this status. It remains to be seen if a new proposal will be introduced in the future.
Oregon
Oregon has had legal sports betting since 2019, though the market is limited to a single online sportsbook operated by the state lottery. Retail sports betting is also available at tribal casinos, with some restrictions on college sports betting.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in 2018, and the market has since grown to include both retail and online sportsbooks. The state has a thriving sports betting industry, with many options for residents and visitors to place bets on their favorite sports.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island legalized sports betting in 2018, with both retail and online options available to bettors. However, there are some restrictions on in-state college betting and certain bet types.
South Carolina
South Carolina does not currently have legal sports betting, and no significant legislative efforts have been made to change this status. It remains to be seen if any progress will be made in the coming years.
South Dakota
Sports betting is legal in South Dakota, though it is limited to retail sportsbooks at specific locations. Mobile sports betting is not currently available in the state, and no plans have been announced for its introduction.
Tennessee
Tennessee offers legal online sports betting, with no retail options available. The state has a unique situation, as it does not have any casinos to host retail sportsbooks. Despite this, the online market has been successful, giving residents the opportunity to bet on their favorite sports.
Texas
Sports betting is not currently legal in Texas, though there have been some recent legislative efforts to change this status. A bill has been pre-filed for the 2023 legislative session, which could potentially legalize sports betting at a limited number of facilities.
Utah
Sports betting is not legal in Utah and is unlikely to become legal in the future due to the state's strict anti-gambling laws and large Mormon population.
Vermont
Sports betting is not currently legal in Vermont, though there have been some efforts to introduce legislation in recent years. No significant progress has been made, and it is uncertain if the issue will be revisited in the near future.
Virginia
Virginia launched its legal sports betting market in 2021, with both retail and online options available. Some restrictions apply to in-state college betting, but overall, the state offers a wide range of opportunities for sports fans to place bets.
Washington
Sports betting is legal in Washington, but it is limited to retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos. Mobile and online sports betting is not currently available in the state, and there are restrictions on in-state college betting.
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. legalized sports betting in 2018, with both retail and online options available. The market is operated by the D.C. Lottery, and there are some restrictions on college sports betting.
West Virginia
West Virginia legalized sports betting in 2018, with both retail and online sportsbooks available for residents and visitors. The state has embraced the growing sports betting market and offers a range of options for sports fans.
Wisconsin
Retail sports betting is authorized in Wisconsin through a tribal compact. However, online sports betting is not currently available, and there are restrictions on in-state college and amateur sports betting.
Wyoming
Wyoming legalized sports betting in 2021, with the market launching in September of the same year. The state offers online sports betting only, with no retail sportsbooks available.
The Future of Sports Betting in the United States
The future of sports betting in the United States looks promising, with more states considering legislation to legalize the activity. As the market continues to grow and mature, it is expected that additional states will join the ranks of those with legal sports betting options, providing even more opportunities for sports fans to wager on their favorite events. Additionally, as mobile and online sports betting becomes increasingly popular, it is likely that more states will consider expanding their offerings to include these platforms.
However, it is important to remember that the legal landscape for sports betting in the US can vary greatly from state to state. As such, it is essential for bettors to stay informed and up-to-date on the latest developments in their area. By staying informed and following the law, sports fans can responsibly enjoy the thrill of wagering on their favorite events, while contributing to the growth and success of the legal sports betting market in the United States.