Legal Sports Betting States: Where is Sports Betting Legal?

Alabama: Not Legal

Alabama sports betting is illegal in all its forms. The Alabama lawmakers ended 2024's legislative session without legalizing sports betting in the state.

Alaska: Not Legal

Alaska sports betting is prohibited, and there are no signs of this changing anytime soon.

Arizona: Legal

On April 12, 2021, the state Senate approved Senate Bill HB 2772, which legalized retail Arizona sports betting and online sports betting. Online operators in Arizona took their first wagers five months later in September.

Retail licenses have been issued to professional sports teams and Native American tribes.

Arizona sports betting is now in an interesting place. According to reports, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM control more than 90% of the sports betting market, so some operators have left the state, including Unibet, WynnBET, and SaharaBets. 

This has allowed Arizona to open up more licenses, namely to bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, and Sporttrade. In January 2025, Latin American operator Betcris partnered with Plannatech to start to offer sports betting in Arizona, using Betcris' likeness and logo.

Arkansas: Legal

Arkansas sports betting was legalized in 2018. At first, bets could only be placed at one of three land-based casinos: the Saracen Casino Resort, Southland Casino, and the Oaklawn horse racing track and casino.

After new rules met legislative approval in 2022, online sports betting became legal and officially launched in April of that year.

In May 2024, the Arkansas Racing Commission postponed discussing a plan to legalize iGaming statewide. Talks have resumed and are currently being considered in the state house.

California: Not Legal

Despite legislative efforts to legalize California sports betting, it remains illegal. The most recent failure came in 2022 when California voters rejected Proposition 27, an initiative to legalize sports wagering. 

While it's possible that tribes in California and other similar states may use Florida as a template in the future to amend their current betting status, that won't happen in the Golden State anytime soon. 

An Indian Gaming Association panel at the International Casinos Exhibition revealed that tribal leaders won't pursue sports betting legislation in 2026, which would be the next possible window of opportunity.

Colorado: Legal

Mobile and land-based Colorado sports betting became legal during the spring of 2020. Retail sports betting is limited to casinos in Black Hall, Central City, and Cripple Creek.

Several online operators are available to choose from, including Caesars, Fanatics, and BetMGM.

Connecticut: Legal

Both in-person and online Connecticut sports betting were legalized in 2021. While there are other retail locations, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun tribal casinos are the two most popular places in the state to bet on sports. Fanatics, DraftKings, and FanDuel are available online.

Delaware: Legal

In 2018, Delaware became the first state outside Nevada to legalize sports betting. Until recently, the state only supported retail sports betting at one of the state’s three racinos.

However, at the beginning of 2024, BetRivers launched its state app to offer online Delaware sports betting.

Florida: Legal

Retail and online Florida sports betting are legal. Hard Rock Bet is the only online sports betting operator available in Florida thanks to the operator's compact with the state. In-person betting is available at certain casinos run by the Seminole Tribe. The Florida Seminole Tribe owns and operates the Hard Rock brand, including its sportsbook. 

In February 2025, two bills were pre-filed that would explicitly outlaw Internet gaming and sports wagering with an exception for the Seminoles' existing sports betting operation, suggesting that Florida may be paving the way for the tribe to have exclusive access over impending iGaming. 

Georgia: Not Legal

In-person and online Georgia sports betting are illegal—and it doesn't look like that will change anytime in the near future.

Rep. Marcus Wiedower (R) filed two pieces of sports betting legislation on Feb. 28: House Resolution 450 and House Bill 686 to amend the state constitution to allow sports betting. Neither measure was called to the House floor by the crossover day deadline. Two other attempts from late February, Senate Bill 208 and Senate Resolution 131, have stalled.

Even if the measures had passed, they would still have had a long road to legalization. Lawmakers will have another shot at legalizing next year.

Hawaii: Not Legal

All kinds of gambling, including sports betting, are illegal in Hawaii, though there are some reasons for hope this legislative session.

HB 1308, which would allow four sportsbooks, passed its first reading on the House floor in early March. The Senate Committees on Economic Development & Tourism Senate committee and Commerce and Consumer Protection are holding a public hearing on March 13.

HB 1308's companion bill, SB 1569, was deferred by the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.

Idaho: Not Legal

In-person and online Idaho sports betting is prohibited. It’s not likely to become legal anytime soon since not a single bill has been proposed to introduce it.

Illinois: Legal

Illinois sports betting went live in March of 2020. Retail wagering is available at facilities throughout the state, and there are currently multiple options for betting, including bet365, which just went live on March 13, 2025.

The Illinois House of Representatives approved the state budget, including a major sports betting tax increase, earlier in 2024, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed it into law. This comes after the state saw a handle of $1.26 billion in March 2024. 

A recent Tulchin Research poll of 800 Illinois voters found that 77% say legislators must explore options besides legalizing iGaming to address the state's budget issues.

Indiana: Legal

Land-based and mobile Indiana sports betting became legal in 2019. As required by law, all sites have retail partners, so land-based sports wagering is also readily available in the state.

Fanatics Sportsbook joined Indiana in February 2024 and immediately captured more attention than PointsBet, the site that came before it. 

Indiana's prospective iGaming bill will not be considered further. Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Hamilton) said House Bill 1432 would not move to the full chamber floor after stalling in the Ways and Means Committee.

Iowa: Legal

Since it was legalized in 2019, in-person and mobile Iowa sportsbooks have been made widely available. In addition to 18 brick-and-mortar casinos, bettors can choose from several online options in Iowa, such as Fanatics and Caesars.

With Fanatics coming to Iowa, the state can only hope that it’ll help inject some life into the sports betting landscape. The state’s sports betting handle fell to under $210 million in April 2024, down 23% compared to March 2024 but up 21.4% year over year.

Kansas: Legal

Kansas sports betting has been legal online and in-person since legislation passed in 2022. Bettors can place wagers at four in-state retail casinos and six online operators.  

Like Iowa, Kansas saw a dip in sports betting handles from March 2024 to April 2024. But given the state's prominence in college basketball, this is to be expected. 

In April, the Kansas Legislature amended its gambling law, which allowed the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska to offer sports betting on its reservation. 

Kentucky: Legal

Launched in September 2023, Kentucky is one of the newest states where sports betting has become legal. Numerous horse racing tracks across the state offer retail Kentucky sports betting, and eight online sites, including Caesars and Fanatics, allow bettors to place wagers remotely.

In Dec. 2024, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corp. announced it gave initial approval for Prime Sports' betting license. The license took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, but the sportsbook likely won't launch in the Bluegrass State until March.

Louisiana: Legal

Sports betting is legal in Louisiana both online and in person. Retail sports betting began in October 2021, and online sports betting soon followed in January 2022. 

Currently, race tracks, as well as commercial and tribal casinos across the state, host retail betting locations.

Meanwhile, bettors can sign up for as many as eight Louisiana online sportsbooks.

Maine: Legal

Maine sports betting is legal. Currently, there are only two online sportsbooks, Caesars and DraftKings, that are operating in the state. 

However, this could change in the near future because there are 10 retail betting licenses and two additional online licenses available.

Maryland: Legal

Online Maryland sports betting launched in November 2022, nearly a year after retail betting became legal.

In Feb. 2025, Maryland introduced a bill to repeal online sports betting, but retail sportsbooks would remain legal. Sen. Joanne C. Benson, who authored the Maryland repeal bill, is among the leaders in the majority caucus.

Massachusetts: Legal

Massachusetts sports betting is legal both in-person and online sports betting. The state’s retail casinos accepted the first wagers on the last day of January in 2023. Then, online operators launched in Massachusetts in March 2023, just ahead of the start of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. 

It should be noted that Massachusetts does not allow betting on college player props or in-state college teams (unless they are in a tournament.)

Michigan: Legal

Legal Michigan sports betting went live on March 11, 2020. You can bet on sports in person at most of the state’s tribal and commercial casinos, and online sports wagering is readily available.

Minnesota: Not Legal

Federally recognized tribes of Minnesota have blocked the expansion of gambling in the state; consequently, neither retail nor online sports betting is legal. 

The latest attempts to legalize sports betting in Minnesota have stalled. In January 2025, Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) and Senate Republicans introduced the "Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0." The bill would have taxed operators at a rate of 22% and included restrictions around push notifications.

The bill failed to make it out of committee, tabling it for next year's session. 

Mississippi: Legal

Sports betting is legal in Mississippi and can be accessed at casinos throughout the state. While there are numerous retail locations across the state, online Mississippi sportsbooks are only available when bettors are physically present on the premises of licensed casinos.

Several new pieces of legislation are under review in the state. The Mississippi Senate passed SB 2510, a bill that would ban online sweepstakes casinos. Each violation would be a felony, subject to a $100K fine, up to 10 years in jail, and asset forfeiture. The bill now heads to the state House.

Rep. Cedric Burnett (D-Tunica) introduced House Bill 1302 to legalize statewide sports betting online. Online sports betting platforms would have been run by existing gaming licensees or casinos or by a licensed sportsbook. After being transmitted to the Senate, the bill died in committee.

Missouri: Legal, But Not Live

Voters have officially approved Missouri sports betting. On Nov. 5, 2024, Missouri voters passed Constitutional Amendment 2, which will legalize online and retail sports betting. Therefore, per Amendment 2's stipulations, sports betting will launch in Missouri no later than Dec. 1, 2025. 

There was initial hope that online betting would be live by this summer, though now that looks very unlikely. The Secretary of State's office denied the Gaming Commission's request for emergency sports betting regulations, citing the Dec. 1 deadline. If the proposed rules are unchanged, they could go into effect on Aug. 30. If they are changed, they would be effective on Sept. 30. 

The law allows for 13 casinos and pro sports teams, plus two untethered licenses, to launch sports betting.

Montana: Legal

Montana has legalized in-person sports betting through its lottery system. There are well over 100 different sites with sports wagering kiosks, but no mobile sports gaming exists statewide. You must be physically located on an approved retail premises to place bets with SportsBet Montana.

Nebraska: Legal

The state legislature of Nebraska legalized in-person sports betting in 2021. Online wagers are still illegal, though that could be changing soon. 

Lawmakers are currently considering three main pieces of legislation to legalize sports betting:

• LR20CA, proposed by Sen. Eliot Bostar (D-29), would introduce a state constitutional amendment to allow online betting statewide. It amends the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act to allow casinos to offer online sports betting. Tax revenue would be put towards property tax relief for Nebraska property owners.
• LB438, proposed by Sen. Ashlei Spivey (D-13), would allow online betting statewide without a constitutional amendment.
• LB421, proposed by Sen. Stanley Clouse (R-37), would establish online betting statewide and eliminate restrictions on college sports betting.

Similar legislation to allow voters to decide on the future of online betting was proposed last year, but it died in committee.

Sen. Tom Brandt (R-32) also introduced two bills that would establish a legal framework for daily fantasy sports (LB342) and eliminate restrictions on college sports betting (LB63).

Nevada: Legal

Nevada is the home of legalized gambling in the United States. In 2010, Nevada made online sports betting legal. It offers in-person sports betting at any of its many casinos and other retail establishments, including perhaps the most famous gambling destination in the world: Las Vegas, which hosts over 40 casinos along the main strip.

U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, whose district includes the Vegas Strip, sent a letter to the CFTC urging the commission not to allow exchanges to offer sports markets, saying prediction markets "create a backdoor way to legalize sports betting in states that have not authorized it."

New Hampshire: Legal

In-person and online sports betting are both legal in New Hampshire. However, DraftKings Sportsbook is the only mobile betting option in the state due to a contractual license agreement. This arrangement restricts all other operators from accepting bets online in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire is one of a handful of states with a minimum betting age of 18+. A bill to raise that to 21+ failed in the statehouse.

New Jersey: Legal

New Jersey was the state that challenged PASPA, which led to the Supreme Court overturning the law in 2018. So it’s not surprising that the state immediately took advantage and legalized New Jersey sportsbooks that very year. Now, the state allows betting in person at Atlantic City casinos and NJ horse tracks, as well as online. 

Bettors may soon have access to a new site in New Jersey: Soft2Bet. It recently announced that it plans to launch in New Jersey by summer 2025, thanks to a market access agreement with Caesars Entertainment.

Gov. Phil Murphy recently announced he wants to see the iGaming and sports betting tax rate increase to 25%, though that proposition is likely to meet resistance in the state house. The state is currently considering legislation to allow eSports betting. 

New Mexico: Legal

New Mexico has Native American casinos that operate under compacts with the state per the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Under the terms of the compacts, they have been allowed to open retail sports betting locations at their gaming facilities.

Online sports betting is not permitted, and sports bettors cannot wager on college games involving schools in New Mexico.

New York: Legal

Legal sports betting in New York went live in 2019 when retail betting sites launched at upstate casinos. Online betting began in January 2022 and has since grown to nine operators. 

A new bill filed in NY would increase the number of available mobile sports betting operators to 16 from 9 and decrease the tax rate to 25% from 51%.

North Carolina: Legal

Online North Carolina sportsbooks were legalized on June 14, 2023, and officially launched in March 2024. Seven sites launched, all on March 11. The sports betting handle climbed to nearly $650 million in April 2024. 

Gov. Roy Cooper called for legislators to allow bettors to deduct sports betting losses from their taxes; this year, the House will hear a new bill to do exactly that.

Retail locations were legalized in the Tar Heel State in 2019, and retail Caesars Sportsbooks have operated at tribal casinos since 2021. Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy is adding a poker room and 12-story hotel tower in two phases.

North Dakota: Legal

Tribal casinos in North Dakota have opened retail sports betting locations under existing gambling compacts. North Dakota’s state legislature has not legalized online betting, but there is some support among lawmakers.

Ohio: Legal

Ohio sportsbooks are legal both in-person and online. There are nearly 20 online betting operators, and there are many retail locations throughout Ohio, as well. Sports wagers can even be placed at select Kroger grocery stores in Cincinnati and Dayton.

As of Aug. 29, Betr, the Jake Paul-founded microbetting site, has soft-launched in Ohio, where it's held a sports betting license for some time. Several sportsbooks, including Betway and SuperBook, left the state over the summer as they exited the U.S. market.

Oklahoma: Not Legal

Sports betting is not legal in Oklahoma. 

Gov. Kevin Stitt supports legalization, though he has said he will veto any legislation that grants Oklahoma tribes exclusivity over sports betting. Stitt's recently released plan to introduce sports betting in Oklahoma would allow in-person bets at sites operated by federally recognized tribes while protecting tribal facility investments.

As with several other states where it is illegal, sports betting won't be enacted without the approval of the state's tribes. 

Sen. Casey Murdock (R) has filed Senate Bill 164 to legalize sports betting, but it's unlikely to pass.

Oregon: Legal

The first legal Oregon sports bet was placed at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in August 2019. Online sports betting is legal and live as well. 

However, DraftKings is currently the only legal online operator in Oregon.

Pennsylvania: Legal

Pennsylvania sportsbooks are legal both online and in person. 

The sportsbook at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course opened in November 2018. Legal mobile betting in Pennsylvania followed in 2019. 

Rhode Island: Legal

Rhode Island, which legalized sports betting in 2018, has two casinos that allow sports betting. The Lottery Commission oversees online Rhode Island sports betting. 

The lottery-run Sportsbook RI is the only online sports betting app available in the state.

South Carolina: Not Legal

Sports betting is currently illegal in South Carolina. The two sports betting measures filed in the House of Representatives during this legislative session, House Joint Resolution 3353 and House Bill 3625, are stuck in committee after being formally introduced in January.

H 3353 Joint Resolution would amend the state's constitution to allow the legislature to authorize pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, sports betting on professional leagues, and casino gambling—all at brick-and-mortar locations in person, not online. HB 3625, also called the "South Carolina Sports Wagering Act," would legalize online sports betting in the state and has bipartisan support.

Even if either is passed, expect strong opposition from Gov. Henry McMaster; he opposes gambling.

South Dakota: Legal

South Dakota legalized retail sports betting in 2021. Casinos in Deadwood and some tribal properties offer it.

There is no provision for online sports gaming, but lawmakers are in favor of mobile sports betting, so it is still a possibility.

Tennessee: Legal

Online sports betting became legal in Tennessee in 2020, but the state is still adding to its roster. With no limit on licenses, there is a lot of competition among nearly a dozen online Tennessee sportsbooks.

In-person betting is not offered because there are no retail locations in the state. 

The newest online betting opinion to go live is bet365, available as of March 16, 2025.

Texas: Not Legal

Although bills have been introduced to legalize sports betting (including one in 2023), it remains prohibited in Texas. Legislative sessions only occur every other year in Texas, so 2025 is the earliest a sports betting bill can be considered again.

In advance of the 2025 legislative session in Texas, Las Vegas Sands Corp. is circulating an online petition to expand gaming in the Lone Star State. 

In Feb. 2025, Texas State Rep. Sam Harless (R) filed House Joint Resolution 134 to amend the Texas Constitution to allow regulated sports wagering. Its companion legislation (SJR 65) in the Senate was filed in March.

Utah: Not Legal

Utah is one of two states, along with Hawaii, that doesn’t allow gambling. The state has a large population of Mormons who are strongly opposed to gambling on religious grounds, so it’s possible that sports betting will never be legalized.

Vermont: Legal

Online sports betting went live in Vermont on January 11, 2024, prompting the launch of three online VT sportsbooks: DraftKings, Fanatics, and FanDuel. 

Currently, there are no retail locations in the state. Unlike other states, Vermont doesn’t require sites to have a land-based partner; instead, the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery is responsible for choosing which sites can launch. 

In early Feb. 2025, Rep. Thomas Stevens introduced H.133, which would repeal the Vermont sports betting and state lottery laws. 

Virginia: Legal

Online sports betting went live in Virginia at the beginning of 2021. Over a dozen legal sites now operate in the state. 

Sporttrade went live in Oct. 2024 in Virginia, making it the fifth state where the sportsbook has a presence. The Sporttrade iOS app was made available on the launch date, with plans for an Android app later in the year. Sporttrade joins several other long-established Virginia sportsbooks.

In-person betting is also an option at several Virginia casinos. Wagering in collegiate sports is illegal.

Washington: Legal

Tribal casinos in Washington, some of which have partnered with online operators, started taking bets in September of 2021. You can bet on mobile while on the premises of one of these casinos, but statewide online wagering is not yet legal. 

Washington sports betting on in-state collegiate games is not allowed.

West Virginia: Legal

Both in-person and online West Virginia sports betting are legal. There are brick-and-mortar sports betting locations in the West Virginia horse tracks and The Greenbrier, a private resort. 

Fanatics and Caesars Sportsbooks are among the state's operators.

Wisconsin: Legal

Sports betting is legal in Wisconsin only at tribal casinos. Legal online sports betting would require an adjustment to the state constitution. 

It is worth noting that in-state betting on college competition is prohibited.

Wyoming: Legal

Online Wyoming sports betting sites and retail sportsbooks are legal. Five major betting companies have launched in Wyoming: BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and Fanatics. You can bet in person at the Wind River Hotel & Casino live sportsbook.

Wyoming considered passing restrictions on college sports prop betting in 2024, but they were tabled for a later date. Instead, Wyoming introduced harsher punishments for those who harass athletes: They will be placed on the state's involuntary exclusion list, prohibiting them from betting on anything within state lines.

Washington D.C.: Legal

DC sports betting underwent a major change in 2024. In April, FanDuel replaced GameBetDC, the city-controlled online sports betting platform, as the official partner of the DC Lottery. In the first 30 days, FanDuel brought $1.9M to the city.

The District's 2025 fiscal year budget included provisions for launching up to seven online sports betting operators. Before the council officially approved the new budget, FanDuel president Christian Genetski said FanDuel would terminate its relationship with the DC Lottery and continue as an independent operator. 

BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook expanded their online presence in Washington, D.C., in July, allowing bettors to place wagers anywhere in the district. Previously, online bets were restricted to the two-block radii surrounding Nationals Park and Capital One Arena.

Hotels, bars, and restaurants can apply for retail sports betting licenses. The Office of Lottery and Gaming regulates sports betting in the District of Columbia. 

Recently, ESPN BET became an official partner of the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and Washington Mystics, all based in D.C. Could this signal that ESPN BET may launch in the District soon?

Puerto Rico: Legal

A 2019 bill legalized sports betting in Puerto Rico. BetMGM and Caesars are the two apps available to make wagers on the island. 

However, to use the apps, you must first register in person at the operator's land-based locations: Casino del Mar (BetMGM) and Casino Metro (Caesars).