The 2018 Supreme Court decision to overturn the federal sports betting prohibition granted individual states the opportunity to legalize and regulate sports betting, resulting in varying regulations from state to state.

Some states have limited legal sportsbooks to retail or “in-person,” while others opted for open online sports betting markets.

BettingUSA.com aims to provide a clear overview of sports betting laws in each state, including where to bet on sports legally and how to get started.

Other key topics include unbiased sportsbook reviews, new customer deposit bonuses, and state-specific listings of licensed sports betting sites and online sportsbook apps.

Online Sports Betting Sites

BetMGM Sportsbook$1500 Second Chance BetBetMGM Bonus Code: BUSABONUS Get Bonus
DraftKings SportsbookNo Sweat Bet up to $1,000DraftKings Promo Code: Not Needed Get Bonus
FanDuel SportsbookBet $5 Get $150FanDuel Promo Code: Not Needed Get Bonus
BetRivers SportsbookSecond Chance Bet Up To $500BetRivers Bonus Code: BUSA Get Bonus
Caesars Sportsbook$1000 Bonus BetCaesars Sportsbook Promo Code: BUSA1000 Get Bonus
Bet365 SportsbookBet $5 Get $150Bet365 Bonus Code: Not RequiredGet BonusGambling problem? Call 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IN/LA/NC/NJ/OH/VA) 21), (KY) 18+. New Customer Offer Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Legal Sportsbooks in the USA

For over 25 years, a federal law (PASPA) prevented most US states from legalizing sports betting.

Everything changed in May of 2018 when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled the federal sports betting ban unconstitutional.

That decision ended a years-long legal battle pitting the state of New Jersey against federal law, the NCAA, and the four major professional sports leagues.

New Jersey’s victory and the Supreme Court’s ruling allowed individual states to legalize and regulate sports betting.

The decision also marked a new high point in a long and winding US sports betting timeline by paving the way for states to bring the industry out of the shadows, and into the light of regulation.

Below you’ll find a map of where sports betting is legal in the USA, and state-specific information after that.

States with Legal Sports Betting Placeholder
States with Legal Sports Betting

Map Key

  • Blue: Online sportsbooks and betting apps are legal
  • Green: Retail sportsbooks only (in-person wagering)
  • Red: Sports betting coming soon; legislation fully passed but waiting for implementation

States With Legal Sports Betting

A growing number of states have legalized sports betting, and many more are in the process of doing so. Each of the following states now has legislation in place authorizing retail sportsbooks, online sports betting, or both.

Below is a list of all US states that have legal sports betting options; expand for more information.

Arizona legalized sports betting in April 2021. The legislation calls for twenty licenses in total, ten for Arizona’s tribal gaming operators and ten for professional sports teams.

Each license holder may operate a retail sportsbook on-premises and partner with third-party operators to offer statewide online sports betting.

Arkansas voters approved sports betting via referendum in the November 2018 elections.

The ballot measure asked voters if they would like to authorize retail sportsbooks at four preselected locations consisting of two existing racetrack casinos (racinos) and two casinos that were still in the early planning stages at the time.

Regulators added rules authorizing online sports betting in 2021, and the first Arkansas sports betting sites opened in March 2022.

Colorado voters legalized sports betting through a statewide referendum held in November 2019.

Retail sportsbooks and online sports betting in Colorado started in May 2020.

Under the law, each casino in Colorado may operate a retail sportsbook on-premises and one online sports betting app that accepts wagers from customers across the state.

Connecticut legalized retail sportsbooks and sports betting apps in May 2021 after renegotiating its gaming compacts with the Mohegan Tribe and Pequots.

The amended gaming compacts permit the state lottery to operate up to 15 retail sportsbooks and each of the state’s two gaming tribes to operate sportsbooks at their casinos.

Additionally, the state lottery and tribal gaming operators may offer statewide online sports betting.

Delaware was the first state to authorize sports betting after the 2018 Supreme Court decision striking down PASPA.

This was made possible by a piece of legislation the state passed in 2009 that sought to legalize sports betting. The NCAA and major sports leagues challenged Delaware’s gambling law, and a court agreed that the law violated PASPA.

The 2009 law was stopped from taking effect, but lawmakers never repealed it. For nearly a decade, the law sat on the books, unenforced.

The repeal of PASPA enabled the Delaware Lottery to bring sports betting back to the state’s three licensed casinos. In 2023, the Delaware Lottery introduced online sports betting in partnership with Rush Street Interactive through the BetRivers brand.

Legal sports betting came to Florida after the state renegotiated its gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe.

The amended compact authorized the tribe to offer online sports betting through the Hard Rock Bet brand and operate retail sportsbooks at casinos.

Illinois passed a wide-ranging sports betting bill in 2019 authorizing casinos, race tracks, and professional sports teams to operate retail sportsbooks and online sports betting apps. Pro sports teams can also operate in-stadium sportsbooks.

Racetracks and casinos may partner with major operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings to launch retail sportsbooks and online sports betting apps accessible from anywhere within state lines.

Additionally, the IL Lottery was authorized to accept parlay-style sports wagers at a maximum of 5,000 betting kiosks.

Indiana legalized sports betting in 2019 with a law authorizing casinos to operate retail sportsbooks and online sports betting apps.

The industry-friendly law established a low tax rate and a competitive market, giving bettors plenty of options when choosing where to bet.

The Indiana Gaming Commission regulates sports betting and issues licenses to operators. Sports fans must be at least 21 years old to place wagers.

Iowa legalized sports betting roughly one year after the Supreme Court struck down the federal prohibition. Iowa casinos may apply for sports betting licenses to operate retail sportsbooks and up to two online sports betting apps each.

The minimum age to bet on sports in Iowa is 21, and bettors must be physically present within state lines to place wagers.

Kansas legalized online sports betting and retail sportsbooks in May 2022.

Under Kansas sports betting law, casinos may partner with third-party operators to launch up to three independently branded sports betting sites.

Additionally, casinos may offer in-person wagering at retail sportsbooks and partner with other retail establishments to operate self-serve betting kiosks.

Kentucky legalized online sports betting and retail sportsbooks in 2023 via HB 551.

Kentucky sports betting law authorizes horse race tracks to operate retail sportsbooks and partner with third-party operators to launch up to three online sports betting apps apiece.

Kentucky is one of just a handful of states with a minimum legal sports betting age of 18.

Louisiana voters approved a ballot measure in 2020 to authorize sports betting in most parishes, and lawmakers approved the enabling legislation in 2021.

The Louisiana sports betting law legalized online sports betting, retail sportsbooks, and lottery-run betting kiosks.

Louisiana online sports betting launched in January 2022.

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed sports betting legislation into law in May 2022.

The law allows the state’s four federally recognized tribes to offer online sports betting. Casinos, race tracks, and OTBs can operate retail sportsbooks.

Maryland voters approved sports betting in a statewide referendum during the November 2020 election. Lawmakers passed the enabling legislation the next year, approving retail sportsbooks and statewide online sports betting.

Massachusetts legalized online sports betting and retail sportsbooks in August 2022. The first sportsbooks at casinos opened in January 2023, and online sports betting followed a short time later.

State law limits sports betting to customers 21 or older and allows wagers on professional sports, college games, and esports events.

Michigan legalized sports betting in 2019 with a gambling expansion law authorizing retail sportsbooks and online sports betting sites. Under the law, Michigan casinos can apply for sportsbook licenses, allowing them to launch on-property betting and online sports betting apps.

The MI sports betting law establishes a minimum age of 21 to bet on sports and requires all bettors to be physically present within state lines to bet online.

Mississippi passed a law in June 2018 legalizing retail sportsbooks at authorized casinos. The first legal wager in Mississippi was placed on 1 August 2018, and the state now has dozens of legal sportsbooks.

Online sports betting has not yet been authorized in Mississippi. Current law restricts all betting to customers physically located inside a licensed casino.

The minimum sports betting age in Mississippi is 21.

Montana lawmakers took a unique approach to legalizing sports betting, opting to pass a law authorizing the MT Lottery to place sports betting kiosks at bars and restaurants.

Online sports betting is technically legal in Montana, but limited by one unfortunate rule: bettors must be located inside a licensed establishment to place bets via mobile devices.

Nebraska legalized retail sportsbooks in May 2021 with a new law permitting racetrack casinos (racinos) to offer in-person sports betting.

Bettors must be 21 or older and can bet on a wide range of professional, college, and esports events. However, Nebraska sportsbooks may not accept wagers on games involving in-state universities.

Nevada has long offered sports betting at retail sportsbooks and was the first state to authorize online sports betting back in 2010. Under state law, bettors must be located within state lines and register an account in-person to use mobile betting apps.

New Hampshire legalized retail sportsbooks and online sports betting in July 2019. The new law enforces a minimum age of 18 to bet on sports and allows customers to bet on pro and college games alike.

The New Hampshire Lottery regulates sports betting. Intralot manages sports wagering offered through lottery retailers/kiosks and DraftKings has a monopoly operating online sports betting and retail sportsbooks.

It is largely thanks to New Jersey that federal sports betting prohibition was overturned.

Governor Chris Christie fought a legal battle over sports betting in 2011 and 2012 when a state referendum and subsequent law legalizing sports betting prompted the NCAA, NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL to enjoin the new law in New Jersey.

This kicked off a six-year legal battle between New Jersey and sports leagues. Ultimately, New Jersey came back from the edge of defeat to claim victory.

The Supreme Court sided with New Jersey to strike down PASPA, a federal law that stopped states from enacting sports betting laws.

Online sportsbooks and retail sportsbooks are legal in New Jersey to bettors aged 21+.

Sports betting came to New Mexico through a non-traditional route. Rather than waiting for lawmakers to take action, Native American groups launched sportsbooks at their tribal casinos.

The Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel was the first to act in late 2018, and others followed in early 2019.

The Native American groups insist their sportsbooks are legal under existing tribal-state compacts, and so far, state officials have declined to push the issue.

New York has legal online sports betting and retail sportsbooks at casinos.

The first New York sportsbooks opened in July 2019, and online sports betting began in January 2022. Nine online sportsbook brands selected by the state offer legal online betting to fans 21 and older.

North Carolina passed a limited sports betting bill in 2019 authorizing tribal casinos to launch sportsbooks, subject to state-tribal compact negotiations. Additional legislation approved in June 2023 legalized online sports betting in North Carolina and approved retail sportsbooks at qualifying professional sports venues.

North Dakota has not formally legalized sports betting, but several tribal casinos opened retail sportsbooks under gaming compacts with the state.

The odds of North Dakota legalizing online sports betting any time soon are low, but in-person wagering is available to anyone 21 or older.

Ohio passed a wide-ranging law in December 2021 authorizing online sports betting and up to 40 retail sportsbooks. The first Ohio betting sites and retail sportsbooks opened on January 1st, 2023.

In addition, qualifying bars and restaurants operate self-serve wagering kiosks.

The Oregon Lottery offers legal online sports betting through an exclusive partnership with DraftKings Sportsbook. That means DraftKings is the only online sportsbook authorized in Oregon.

Additionally, some tribal casinos operate retail sportsbooks.

Pennsylvania was one of the first states to legalize sports betting, courtesy of legislation approved in 2017.

The first Pennsylvania sportsbooks opened in late 2018, following the repeal of PASPA. Online sports betting launched in mid-2019.

Puerto Rico legalized retail sportsbooks and online sports betting in 2019, and the commonwealth took its first legal wager in 2022. With low licensing fees and multiple types of businesses eligible to apply for sports betting licenses, Puerto Rico has the key ingredients for a competitive, fan-friendly market.

Unlike most states, Puerto Rico allows fans 18 or above to bet on sports.

Rhode Island has a limited sports betting market comprised of retail sportsbooks at both Twin River casinos and a single online sportsbook operated by the state lottery: SportsBetRhodeIsland.com.

Online sports betting launched in September 2019 for bettors 21 or older.

South Dakota authorized sports betting through a ballot measure approved by voters during the November 2020 election. State lawmakers passed enabling legislation in early 2021 to approve retail sportsbooks at casinos in Deadwood.

Tennessee legalized online sports betting in May 2019.

The Tennessee law was the first in the USA to approve online wagering only, and it places no cap on the number of licenses authorities may issue to operators.

There are no retail sportsbooks in Tennessee.

The Virginia legislature legalized online sports betting and retail sportsbooks in April 2020.

The first Virginia sports betting sites and apps launched in January 2021.

Additionally, qualifying sports franchises, stadiums, and NASCAR racetracks may operate retail sportsbooks.

Vermont legalized online sports betting in May 2023 via H. 127.

The law requires bettors to be 21 or older to participate, allows college betting, and emphasizes responsible gambling.

Washington legalized sports betting in March 2020 with a bill authorizing retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos, and “on premises” online betting apps.

The Washington Gambling Commission regulates sports betting and issues licenses to operators.

Online sports betting debuted for Washington DC residents in May 2020 with the launch of GambetDC. The GambetDC website is accessible from any desktop and most mobile devices for customers who are 18 or older and located within city limits.

Additionally, the BetMGM Sportsbook app is available within a two-block radius of Nationals Park, and the Caesars Sportsbook app is available within two blocks of Capital One Arena.

Lawmakers in West Virginia passed sports betting legislation in 2018. Lawmakers implemented a sensible 10% tax rate for operators and crafted the legislation to foster competition among the state’s casinos.

Bettors 21+ and physically located within state lines are eligible to bet online at licensed sportsbooks.

Wisconsin legalized sports betting by amending its tribal gaming compacts with the Oneida Nation. The successful renegotiation of gaming compacts with the Oneida Nation cleared the way for additional tribes to follow suit.

Wisconsin sports betting is limited to retail sportsbooks at tribal casino properties.

Wyoming legalized online sports betting in April 2021. Lawmakers opted to legalize online betting only because Wyoming lacks commercial casinos that could house retail sportsbooks.

State law directs the Wyoming Gaming Commission to oversee sports betting and authorizes five online sports betting operators to accept wagers from bettors 18+.

All Major Sports And Leagues

The following sports can be found at all licensed US sports betting sites. All of these sports betting markets are offered at legal online sportsbooks in the USA.

The NFL is the most dominant sport in the United States, both in terms of viewing and betting. The league fully embraces sports betting and has official partnerships with most major sportsbooks.

Legal NFL betting is available in a growing number of states, both at retail sportsbooks and at online sports betting sites.

Our NFL betting guide contains information about where it’s legal, how football betting works, and where to bet online. We also update a guide to betting on the super bowl every year.

Busy seasons, fast-paced games and sudden changes in momentum make the NBA an attractive American sports betting market. According to data going back to 1992, the total amount of money wagered on NBA games is second only to the NFL.

The NBA supports sports betting and wants to shape legalization.

The NBA was the first major professional American sports league to soften its stance on sports betting and begin lobbying efforts. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver penned an op-ed way back in 2014 voicing his support of legalization, and issued this statement following the Supreme Court repeal of PASPA.

Use our guide and learn how to bet on NBA games online, and which NBA betting sites you can trust.

Although the MLB initially opposed sports betting, the league quickly became supportive of legal wagering. Today, the MLB partners with major sports betting operators for branding, advertising, and data purposes.

MLB Position on Sports Betting: In 2017, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league was “reexamining” its stance on sports betting. In 2018, the MLB came out against a bill passed in West Virginia.

After the Supreme Court decision, the MLB issued a new statement stating the league would like to protect the integrity of its games and would support legislation it deems conducive to that goal.

The NHL has a unique culture of die-hard fans and rivalries. Like other professional sports leagues, the NHL has thawed its formerly icy relationship with sports betting. Now, the NHL calls many of the largest sportsbooks “official sports wagering partners.”

NHL Position on Sports Betting: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman previously insisted the NHL is not a popular target for sports bettors and accounts for a tiny percentage of annual betting handle. After the repeal of PASPA, the NHL issued a statement stating the league would monitor the situation and react accordingly.

The PGA quickly took advantage of the new opportunities presented by legal sports betting. In fact, the PGA was the first major sports league to directly enter the sports betting business.

With nearly every golf tournament having a single winner, sportsbooks have come up with surprisingly diverse golf betting options, including head-to-head matchups and props between individual golfers.

PGA Position on Sports Betting: The PGA officially came out in support of sports betting legalization with a statement issued in April of 2018 that said it “supports the regulation of sports betting in a safe and responsible manner.”

After the Supreme Court struck down PASPA, the PGA Tour issued a statement reiterating its stance.

College betting tends to be subject to greater regulatory scrutiny due to concerns that amateur athletes are most susceptible to corruption.

As a result, some states impose no restrictions on college betting; some states prohibit college betting altogether, and some states prohibit wagers on games involving in-state teams.

Some states impose no restrictions on college betting at all.

The UFC has long maintained a friendly relationship with sports betting. The UFC hosts major events at casinos, and president Dana White openly discusses his propensity to bet large sums of money.

UFC betting sites target the biggest fights with promotions, bonus bets, and odds boosts.

The legalization of sports betting was a positive development for boxing, which has long held a poor reputation related to gambling.

With legal boxing betting, regulators can monitor sportsbooks for suspicious betting patterns, work closely with authorities, and notify commissions of suspected foul play.

For bettors, the ability to bet on boxing legally is a huge improvement for a sport that pairs very well with betting.

Tennis betting accounts for a small portion of the handle taken by sportsbook operators compared to other sports. However, tennis betting is highly popular internationally and now stands to benefit immensely thanks to the legalization of online sports betting in the United States.

The ATP has a complicated relationship with sports betting.

Highly visible match-fixing scandals have rocked the organization recently, but the league has not shied away from taking advantage of the opportunities presented by legal Tennis betting.

The legalization of NASCAR betting has come at a convenient time for a league looking for ways to increase fan engagement.

The first example of NASCAR taking advantage of legal sports betting came in early 2020 when it announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Penn Entertainment.

Legal soccer betting in the US covers all major international leagues and MLS games.

Here in the US, Major League Soccer and US Soccer cozied up to sports betting via partnerships such as their deal with Stats Perform for live betting data.

Online cricket betting ranks distantly behind major US professional sports leagues in betting handle, but all mainstream US sportsbooks offer daily cricket markets and cover all the major competitions.

Cricket fans can visit any of the betting sites we recommended to bet on daily test matches, the ICC World Cup, the Ashes, Twenty20 matches, and more.

Online Sports Betting Apps

BettingUSA’s expert team conducts online sportsbook reviews that are unbiased, straightforward, and factual.

Picking the best online sportsbooks for one’s individual needs is made a lot easier with reviews of sports betting apps that are honest and thorough.

BettingUSA.com reviews all licensed online sportsbooks in the USA, even those we don’t have a commercial arrangement with.

As new sports betting sites open, BettingUSA investigates licenses held, the history of the operator, the value of welcome bonuses, terms and conditions of promotional offers, sports covered, and much more.

Online Sports Betting Bonuses

Licensed online sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses to new customers as an incentive to sign up, deposit, and bet online.

Most states with legal online sports betting have enacted legislation favorable to a competitive market, which has, in turn, resulted in online sports betting operators ramping up their marketing spend to attract new customers.

Nearly all licensed online sportsbooks offer a welcome bonus to new customers. Sports betting offers take a variety of forms, such as match deposit bonuses, bonus bets, second-chance bets, and first-wager loss refunds.

Expert tip: All sports betting promotions are designed to look tempting, but only some sportsbook bonuses live up to the hype.

For bettors interested in taking advantage of new customer bonuses at legal US sportsbooks, BettingUSA has put together a guide explaining how betting welcome promos work in simple terms.

Our guide explains how to evaluate betting bonuses for value, what terms and conditions to look out for, and lists the best sports betting bonuses for sports fans in every state.

How To Bet On Sports

Learn how to bet on sports effectively using our simple betting guides:

Expert Tip: Learn how to calculate vig at licensed US sportsbooks.

Live In-Play Sports Betting

All legal sports betting states have authorized in-play betting, which allows bettors to place wagers during games as they happen.

In-play wagering has proven so popular that it now accounts for as much as 80% of some operators’ online sports betting revenue.

Live in-play sports betting in the USA offers bettors a safe and regulated means to bet on games after they have already started. In-play bets provide a plethora of betting opportunities during every game for an engaging and high-paced form of wagering.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Sports fans who live in states that have not yet legalized sports betting do not necessarily have to sit on the sidelines until their legislatures change the law.

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) is the next best thing to sports betting online, and DFS is legal in nearly every state.

When the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed in 2006 to block payments to online gambling sites, it specifically granted fantasy sports an exception from the law.

As a result, sports fans can play at legal, US-based daily fantasy sports sites for real money.

Although there are many differences between DFS and sports betting, the experience from a fan perspective is largely the same.

In both cases, having skin in the game provides new levels of entertainment to every play of every game.

Avoid Illegal Online Sportsbooks

During the years when federal prohibition was in effect, a massive offshore sports betting industry flourished as offshore online sportsbooks catered to American bettors.

Offshore sportsbooks continue to operate as usual despite state regulations, but American bettors should be aware that the offshore sports betting industry is completely unregulated and illegal.

Customers are on their own when it comes to chasing down payments and dealing with rogue operators and illegal betting sites.

BettingUSA.com will never recommend offshore sportsbooks for US residents. Our editors stress the importance of wagering at legal sports betting sites only.

Our advice to readers who live in states that have not yet legalized sports betting is to use daily fantasy sports sites as an alternative, and avoid using offshore betting sites.

Sports fans can also use our up-to-date state-specific betting guides and watch for legislative updates and US betting news.

Legal Sports Betting FAQ

In many states, land-based casinos may partner with two or more sports betting providers to operate multiple online sportsbooks.

“Skins” is an industry parlance for individually branded betting sites or apps operating off a single casino’s license.

For example, if DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook both operate on a single casino’s license, industry insiders would refer to each as separate “skins”.

If you are located in a state without legal online sports betting or where your preferred app does not hold a license, you can log in, view lines, make deposits, and request withdrawals.

However, you can only place real money wagers from within a state where that online sportsbook holds a license.

If you are visiting legal sports betting states where your online sportsbook holds a license, you may continue placing wagers while there.

However, some online sportsbooks may ask you to sign up for a separate account in that state.

Federal and state laws require licensed online sportsbooks and betting apps to collect certain information, including the last four digits of every customer’s Social Security number.

Sportsbooks must collect this information to verify the identity of every customer and prevent access to minors, people on the self-exclusion list, and other prohibited persons.

Licensed sportsbooks must confirm the physical location of every customer who wishes to place a wager. Most sports betting operators contract geolocation out to GeoComply, a company that specializes in location verification.

GeoComply conducts over 350 checks to verify the location of every customer, ensuring proper detection even if customers use VPNs or other location masking tools.

Most online sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps offer a cash out feature that allows users to close their bets early at the cost of a lower payout.

With the early cash out feature, bettors can lock in a win at a reduced payout or jump ship to cut their losses.

Each state taxes sports betting according to its own needs and goals. Some states opt for a low tax, open market approach, while others employ high taxes to squeeze every ounce of revenue possible out of legal sports betting.

Similarly, some states impose low licensing fees just to cover the costs of checking applicants for suitability, and others levy sky-high licensing fees to collect as much upfront revenue as possible from operators.

Readers can learn more about the tax and licensing situation in every state below: