Where is Sports Betting Legal in the United States?

Just a few years ago, legal sports betting in the United States was largely limited to Nevada. Today, regulated sports wagering is available in dozens of jurisdictions, including 39 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, with many offering access to online sportsbooks. This represents one of the most significant shifts in American gambling regulation in decades.

The transformation began in 2018, when a landmark Supreme Court decision struck down the federal restrictions that had limited states’ ability to legalize sports betting. The ruling opened the door for states and tribal gaming jurisdictions to establish their own regulatory frameworks, helping fuel the rapid growth of a multi-billion-dollar industry.

So, where is sports betting legal in the US? Quick answer: As of September 2026, sports betting is legal in some form in 39 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. Sports betting remains illegal in Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Below, we break down the exact legal status of every state, including where betting is full online, retail-only, single-operator, or tribal-only.

What is legal sports betting?

Legal sports betting has rapidly transformed the American gambling landscape, evolving from a tightly restricted activity into a mainstream form of entertainment available in dozens of states. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 2018 decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), states have gained the authority to legalize and regulate sports betting within their own borders. This shift has fueled significant growth in both online sports betting and retail sportsbooks, with new state-level legislation and increasingly competitive betting markets emerging across the country.

At its core, legal sports betting refers to wagering on sporting events through platforms and operators that are authorized and regulated by state, territorial, or tribal authorities. This can include online sports betting via mobile apps and websites, as well as in-person sports betting at retail sportsbooks located in casinos, racetracks, or other licensed venues. States like New Jersey and Ohio have become leaders in the industry, with regulatory bodies such as the Ohio Casino Control Commission ensuring that operators adhere to strict standards for consumer protection and responsible gambling practices.

States that offer online sports betting and retail sports options have seen substantial increases in tax revenue, which often supports public programs, infrastructure, and economic development. For example, Rhode Island channels a portion of its sports betting revenues directly into the state’s general fund, helping to finance essential services. Legal sports betting also supports jobs at casinos, sportsbooks, and their partners, though its broader economic effects, including any impact on other forms of local spending, are debated among researchers and vary by state.

However, the expansion of sports gambling also brings challenges. The risk of gambling addiction is a serious concern, prompting many states to require responsible gambling practices such as self-exclusion programs, while many regulated operators also offer voluntary deposit, spend, or time limits. These measures are designed to help sports bettors manage their activities and seek support if needed, ensuring that the excitement of sports wagering does not come at the expense of personal well-being.

To participate safely, sports bettors must use only licensed operators, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM, among many other regulated online sportsbooks. For a full rundown of the best sports sites available in United States, compare licensed operators state by state before creating an account. These platforms are required to follow strict guidelines that protect consumers, promote fair play, and encourage responsible betting behavior. Understanding the legal landscape, knowing where sports betting is legal, which operators are licensed, and what regulations apply, empowers individuals to make informed decisions and enjoy sports betting responsibly.

Key terms to know:

• Legal sports betting: Wagering on sports events through platforms authorized and regulated by state, territorial, or tribal authorities.
• Online sports betting: Placing bets on sporting events via online platforms or mobile apps.
• Sports wagering: The act of betting on the outcome of a sporting event.
• Regulated sports betting: Sports betting that is subject to oversight and rules set by government agencies.
• In-person wagering: Placing bets at physical locations such as retail sportsbooks or casinos.
• Responsible gambling practices: Policies and tools designed to promote safe betting and prevent problem gambling; many regulated operators offer voluntary deposit, spend, or time limits, along with self-exclusion programs, though specific requirements vary by state.

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, staying informed about the latest sports betting legislation and regulatory changes is essential. Whether you’re a seasoned sports bettor or just exploring the world of sports gambling, understanding these fundamentals will help you navigate the industry confidently and responsibly.

Current Legal Status Overview

The legal sports betting industry has experienced explosive growth since the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision. As of September 2026, sports betting is legal in some form in 39 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Thirty-two states offer regulated online sports betting, while Wisconsin has authorized a tribal online model but had not launched a statewide mobile app as of this update. According to the American Gaming Association, U.S. commercial sportsbooks generated $16.96 billion in revenue from $166.94 billion in handle in 2025.

The financial impact extends far beyond private operators. Sports betting produced $3.71 billion in state and local taxes in 2025, while total U.S. commercial gaming revenue, including casinos and iGaming, reached $78.72 billion and generated $18.09 billion in gaming taxes overall. These figures reflect commercial gaming only and do not fully capture tribal gaming activity, which is reported separately. They demonstrate how quickly legal sports betting, including in-person betting, has evolved from a niche Nevada offering into a mainstream entertainment option that rivals traditional casino gaming in many markets.

Despite this growth, eleven states still prohibit all forms of sports betting: Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. The reasons behind this patchwork vary by state and are rarely reducible to a single ideological divide; they include state constitutional requirements for voter approval, the relative influence of tribal gaming interests, existing lottery and casino arrangements, legislative leadership priorities, and disagreements over tax and licensing structures.

Last verified: September 4, 2026.

The 2018 Supreme Court Ruling That Changed Everything

The foundation of today’s legal sports betting landscape was laid on May 14, 2018, when the Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Murphy v. NCAA. This ruling struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a 1992 federal law that had effectively banned single-game sports betting and prevented states from choosing to offer online sports betting in all states except Nevada.

PASPA represented the federal government’s attempt to contain sports betting to Nevada, where it had been grandfathered in due to existing state laws. The federal ban created a situation where only Nevada offered legal single-game sports betting, while other states were limited to parlay-style wagering through state lotteries. This restriction frustrated many states that saw potential tax revenue flowing to illegal offshore operators or Nevada casinos.

New Jersey led the charge against PASPA, arguing that the federal law violated states’ rights to regulate gambling within their borders. The state’s legal challenge took six years to reach the Supreme Court, but the eventual 6-3 decision completely transformed the American sports betting landscape. The Court ruled that PASPA unconstitutionally commandeered state regulatory authority, effectively allowing each state to decide its own sports betting policy. Native American tribes have also opened retail sportsbooks in several states through a separate legal pathway: under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Class III gaming such as sports betting on tribal land generally requires a tribal ordinance, a state that permits that form of gaming, and an effective Tribal-State compact approved or deemed approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior, rather than a standalone state law authorizing sports betting.

Delaware became the first state outside Nevada to launch legal sports betting in June 2018, just weeks after the Supreme Court decision, and remains available statewide today. Within months, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states followed suit, beginning the rapid expansion that continues today. The ruling didn’t legalize sports betting nationwide, instead, it gave each state the authority to craft its own approach to sports betting legislation.

State-by-State Legal Status

States with Full Legal Sports Betting (Online and Retail)

The majority of states with legal sports betting now offer both online and retail sportsbooks, recognizing that mobile betting drives the vast majority of handle and revenue. Major operators like DraftKings and FanDuel have historically controlled the largest share of the online market, though competitive sports betting markets feature numerous licensed operators competing for customers.

These comprehensive markets allow residents to place bets through mobile apps, desktop websites, and physical retail sportsbooks at casinos, racetracks, and sometimes standalone locations. The convenience of statewide mobile wagering and in-person wagering has proven crucial for maximizing both customer participation and state tax revenues.

New Hampshire launched its regulated sports betting market in December 2019, with DraftKings as the exclusive online operator. The state allows online and retail betting, but restricts wagers on in-state college teams. The legalization of sports betting in neighboring states has also influenced New Hampshire’s betting handle.

West Virginia was among the early adopters of legal sports betting, launching both online and in-person sportsbooks in 2018. Major operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM are available to bettors in the state.

Arkansas offers both retail and mobile sports betting. In March 2026, FanDuel launched through a partnership with Oaklawn and DraftKings launched through Southland, joining BetSaracen as licensed online operators; the former standalone Oaklawn Sports app was replaced by FanDuel, now operating as “FanDuel powered by Oaklawn Sports.”

Top Performing Markets

New York stands as the largest legal sports betting market in America after launching mobile sports wagering on January 8, 2022. The state’s massive population and aggressive tax structure (51% on online gross gaming revenue) have created enormous tax collections despite limiting licenses to just nine operators. New York’s success demonstrates how large population centers can generate substantial betting handle even with restrictive operator licensing.

New Jersey pioneered the legal challenge that toppled PASPA and has maintained its position as one of the nation’s premier sports betting destinations. The state took $10.9 billion in bets during 2021 and consistently ranks among the top three markets nationally. New Jersey’s competitive licensing approach allows numerous operators, including online sportsbooks, to compete, which can increase consumer choice, while generating substantial tax revenue for the state’s general fund.

Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top five nationally for betting handle and has built one of the most successful retail and online markets. The state requires online operators to partner with existing casinos, creating a hybrid model that benefits both digital platforms and traditional gaming venues. Pennsylvania’s approach demonstrates how partnership requirements can successfully bridge traditional casino gaming and modern online sports betting.

Illinois leverages its Chicago metropolitan area to rank among the top five states for both betting handle and tax revenue. The state’s competitive licensing structure and major population centers have attracted virtually every major sports betting operator, creating robust competition among licensed operators.

Michigan ranks among the top markets nationally in all-time betting handle despite launching online betting relatively recently. The state’s competitive market structure and partnership with Detroit’s major sports teams have created strong consumer adoption and sustained growth in both online and retail betting markets.

Recent State Launches

North Carolina launched online sports betting on March 11, 2024. The state allows up to twelve online operators and permits retail sportsbooks at Native American casinos, and bettors wagered more than $6.8 billion in the state during its first full year, according to the Associated Press, quickly establishing it as one of the largest new markets.

Vermont took a unique approach by launching online-only sports betting on January 11, 2024, without any retail sportsbooks. This digital-first model reflects Vermont’s small population and limited casino infrastructure while still providing residents access to regulated sports wagering. The state allows up to six online operators and focuses heavily on responsible gambling practices.

Missouri became the nation’s 39th state to legalize sports betting after voters approved Amendment 2 in November 2024, and the state’s online and retail sportsbooks officially launched on December 1, 2025. The launch was tied to existing riverboat casinos and Missouri’s professional sports teams; early monthly handle points to an annual pace of roughly $4 billion, according to Missouri Gaming Commission data, more modest than the states that ranked in the top ten nationally in 2025.

Maine launched mobile sports betting on November 3, 2023 under a tribal-rights model, not a commercial-versus-lottery hybrid. The state’s four Wabanaki tribes hold the mobile wagering rights: DraftKings operates in partnership with the Passamaquoddy Tribe, while Caesars operates in partnership with the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. Retail sportsbooks are licensed separately by the Maine Gambling Control Unit.

States with Limited Sports Betting Options

Several states have legalized sports betting but impose significant restrictions on where and how residents can place wagers, including limits at racetrack casinos. These restrictions often reflect political compromises needed to pass sports betting legislation, or constitutional requirements that confine gambling to specific locations or tribal sovereignty.

In North Dakota, sports betting is available exclusively through retail sportsbooks operated by tribes under their Tribal-State gaming compacts, without a specific state law authorizing sports betting. New Mexico follows a similar pattern, with tribes operating in-person sportsbooks based on their compact terms even though the state legislature has not separately authorized sports betting. Both states illustrate situations where tribal gaming law, rather than direct state legislation, is the primary basis for legal sports betting, and online betting remains unavailable.

Tribal gaming compacts, such as those in Wisconsin and Washington, often involve Class III gaming, which under federal law includes sports betting. These compacts allow tribes to offer in-person sports betting at their casinos, subject to state and federal regulations.

In Washington state, legal sports betting is limited to in-person sportsbooks at tribal casinos, with no statewide mobile betting permitted, reflecting the state’s approach to confining sports betting to tribal lands while maintaining strict regulatory oversight.

Retail-Only States

Nebraska launched in-person sports betting in June 2023. Wagers are permitted at licensed racetrack enclosures, including racetrack casinos, rather than at bare racetracks without gaming facilities, and statewide online or mobile betting is not currently authorized. Two initiatives concerning online sports betting qualified for Nebraska’s November 2026 ballot, making the state one of the more important ones to watch heading into the vote.

South Dakota offers retail sportsbooks at Deadwood casinos and tribal facilities but prohibits statewide mobile wagering. The state’s constitution restricts gambling to the historic mining town of Deadwood and tribal lands, creating geographic limitations that prevent most residents from accessing legal sports betting. This restriction significantly limits the market’s potential despite South Dakota’s sports-passionate population.

Wisconsin’s compact agreements with Native American tribes had long limited sports betting to in-person wagers at tribal casinos, but that changed on April 9, 2026, when Governor Tony Evers signed a law authorizing online sports betting run exclusively through tribal-operated platforms. National operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM can only enter the Wisconsin market by partnering with a tribe, and as of mid-2026 no tribal mobile app had gone live yet while individual compacts were still being finalized with the state’s eleven federally recognized tribes.

Unique State Models

Tennessee pioneered an online-only model with no retail sportsbooks, launching in November 2020. The state permits mobile and online wagering throughout Tennessee but prohibits any physical sportsbook locations. This digital-first approach has proven successful, generating substantial tax revenue while avoiding the political challenges of expanding casino gaming.

Wyoming operates a similar online-only model that launched September 1, 2021, permitting statewide mobile wagering without retail locations. The state’s small population and limited casino infrastructure made online-only betting the most practical approach, and per-capita participation has remained strong despite the small overall market size.

Florida operates under a single operator model through the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet platform. A complex legal settlement between the state and the Seminole Tribe grants exclusive statewide mobile betting rights to the tribal operator while permitting retail betting at tribal facilities. The Seminole Tribe has exclusive control over sports betting in Florida, holding sole authority to operate both online and retail sportsbooks through 2051. This monopoly approach differs dramatically from competitive markets in other states.

Oregon’s statewide mobile sports betting market is operated through the Oregon Lottery, with DraftKings as its exclusive online technology partner, a single-operator model for the online channel. This is not the only legal sports betting in the state, however, since tribal casinos, including Chinook Winds, may also operate retail sportsbooks under their own tribal gaming authority.

Nevada requires in-person registration before permitting online betting, reflecting the state’s pre-2018 regulatory framework. While Nevada pioneered legal sports betting, its registration requirements create friction compared to states permitting remote registration. The state maintains its position as a major market due to Las Vegas tourism and established casino partnerships.

States Where Sports Betting Remains Illegal

Despite the widespread adoption of legalized sports betting, eleven states maintain a complete prohibition on sports wagering. These holdout states, in the face of legalized gambling elsewhere, often reflect conservative political cultures, constitutional restrictions, or failed legislative attempts that have left supporters waiting for future opportunities:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• California
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Minnesota
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah

South Carolina remains one of the states where sports betting is illegal, with no legislation passed to legalize it yet.

Understanding why sports betting remains illegal in these states helps explain the complex political and cultural factors that influence gambling legislation. Some states face constitutional barriers requiring voter approval, while others confront strong opposition from religious groups or existing gaming interests that prefer the status quo.

States with Recent Failed Attempts

Texas represents the most significant untapped sports betting market in America, but political divisions have prevented legalization despite growing support. Texas last advanced a sports betting measure this far in 2023, when HJR 102 and its companion enacting bill, HB 1942, passed the House before Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick blocked them from reaching the Senate floor. The 2025 session saw no comparable progress, and because the Texas Legislature meets in regular session only in odd-numbered years, 2027 will be the next regular-session opportunity. The state’s large population and passionate sports culture would likely create one of America’s largest betting markets if legalization occurred.

California has seen multiple ballot initiatives fail, despite the potential for the nation’s largest sports betting market. Competing interests between tribal casinos, commercial operators, and existing gaming stakeholders have created complex political dynamics that have prevented successful ballot measures, and no new measure reached voters in 2026 as some earlier projections had suggested. Industry observers now point to 2027 or 2028 as the more realistic window for another ballot attempt.

Minnesota has not yet passed a sports betting bill through either chamber of its legislature. House File 2000 stalled in the House in May 2024, when it was sent back to the Ways and Means Committee rather than reaching a floor vote; at the time, Minnesota’s government was a single-party DFL trifecta, not a divided government. A 2025 proposal ended in a 6-6 tie in committee, and a 2026 bill, SF 4139, received only an informational hearing without advancing, amid continuing disagreements among tribes, racetracks, charities, and other stakeholders over taxation and licensing structures.

Georgia has seen repeated legislative attempts fail, despite support from professional sports teams and potential operators. A 2025 constitutional amendment stalled in a Senate committee, but in 2026 a similar measure, House Resolution 450, did reach a full House vote on March 6 and failed 63-98, well short of the two-thirds majority a constitutional amendment requires. A separate, lottery-based proposal that would not have required a public vote also failed to advance. Because any constitutional amendment needs voter approval, no sports betting measure has yet appeared on a Georgia ballot. Georgia’s large population and sports culture would create a significant market opportunity.

Alabama has considered sports betting legislation multiple times, but sports betting provisions were removed from gaming bills in 2024 due to political opposition. The state’s conservative political culture and existing gaming interests have created obstacles to sports betting legalization despite potential tax revenue benefits.

Oklahoma has seen multiple bills introduced in the legislature to legalize sports betting, but none have succeeded in passing.

Hawaii considered concrete mobile sports betting bills in 2026: HB 2570 cleared an initial committee and a second reading, while a companion measure, SB 3303, was introduced in the Senate. Both measures died when the legislative session adjourned in May 2026 without a final vote.

Alaska’s most recent attempt is not the stalled 2022 legislation but HB 145, which would authorize mobile sports wagering. Introduced on March 21, 2025, the bill saw committee activity as recently as February 2026 but had not become law as of this update.

States with No Active Legislation

Utah maintains the strictest stance against gambling in the United States, with constitutional prohibitions that would require significant political and legal change to reverse. Strong cultural and religious influences also make near-term legalization of sports betting highly unlikely.

Idaho has shown minimal legislative movement since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that enabled states to regulate sports betting. Limited public demand and a conservative political environment have kept momentum low, making near-term change unlikely.

Key Market Trends and Operator Landscape

The legal sports betting industry has rapidly consolidated around a few major operators while developing distinct characteristics that differentiate it from traditional casino gaming. DraftKings and FanDuel dominate the market, leveraging their daily fantasy sports customer bases and aggressive marketing to establish market leadership.

Other major competitors include BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, bet365, and theScore Bet. ESPN BET, which had operated under a partnership between PENN Entertainment and ESPN since replacing Barstool Sportsbook, was rebranded as theScore Bet on December 1, 2025 after PENN and ESPN ended their agreement; ESPN now has a separate sportsbook and odds partnership with DraftKings. These competitors face significant challenges in gaining market share against the established leaders but continue investing heavily in customer acquisition and technology development.

The industry has experienced a notable consolidation trend, with smaller operators like PointsBet and Fubo Sportsbook exiting markets or being acquired by larger competitors. This consolidation reflects the enormous customer acquisition costs and marketing expenses required to compete effectively in mature sports betting markets.

State tax rates create significant variation in operator profitability and market attractiveness. Rates range from Nevada’s 6.75% to New York’s 51% of gross gaming revenue, dramatically affecting operator economics and often determining which companies choose to enter specific commercial gambling markets. Some high-tax states, like New York, also limit the number of licenses issued, though this pattern is not consistent across every state.

Partnership requirements with existing casinos remain common in many states, creating hybrid business models that benefit both traditional gaming operators and mobile sports betting companies. These requirements often reflect political compromises necessary to pass sports betting legislation while ensuring existing gaming interests benefit from market expansion.

Available State Guides

Looking for details on a specific state? The table below links to our dedicated guides and shows each state’s current sports betting status at a glance.

Future Outlook and Upcoming Changes

Near-term expansion will depend on state-specific political and legal developments rather than a fixed timeline.

• Nebraska: Voters will decide on two online sports betting initiatives in November 2026, a step that could move the state from retail-only to a full online market.
• Wisconsin: After authorizing tribal online betting in April 2026, the state is still finalizing compacts with its eleven tribes; no mobile app had launched as of mid-2026, but the model could become a template for other tribal-heavy states.
• Texas: Expected to revisit sports betting when its legislature reconvenes for its 2027 regular session. The same divisions between the Lieutenant Governor and legalization advocates that blocked the 2023 effort remain in place, but legalization would immediately create one of the largest markets nationally.
• California: No ballot measure reached voters in 2026. Tribal stakeholders, who hold significant influence over any path to legalization, have identified 2028 as a more realistic target.
• Federal outlook: Proposals continue to surface in Congress, but none had enacted a comprehensive national framework as of September 4, 2026. Observers generally view federal regulation as unlikely in the near term, given states’ investment in their own systems and the Supreme Court’s 2018 emphasis on state authority.
• Product trends: Micro-betting, enhanced live betting, and streaming integrations are expected to shape the next phase of growth, in both newly legal and mature markets.
• Responsible gambling: States continue to expand self-exclusion programs and operator requirements, while many regulated operators separately offer voluntary deposit, spend, or time limits. Requirements still vary by state.

A note on methodology: state counts in this article, and elsewhere, can vary depending on how a source treats tribal-only markets, on-premise-only mobile betting, and states that have authorized sports betting but not yet launched it. Figures are also specified where possible as handle, gross gaming revenue, or tax revenue, since these are not interchangeable measures.

The legal landscape continues shifting rapidly, with new states launching regularly and existing markets refining their regulatory approaches. Before placing any wagers, always verify your state’s current sports betting laws and only use licensed, regulated operators to ensure both legal compliance and consumer protection.