Where to Bet Legally on Sports in the U.S.
Let’s face it, sports betting and gambling have long been staples of American society, but it’s just over
the past several years that these activities have now become legal in many states. You can now lay
down your hard-earned cash and back your favorite athletes and teams in some locations without
having to keep looking over your shoulder.
There’s no need to track down your local bookie in a dark alleyway or dingy bar anymore either as
legalized gambling can be done from the comfort of your own home or anywhere else thanks to online
wagering sites. Of course, if you’d like to enjoy the fresh air and partake in some exercise you have the
option of visiting your local casino or retail brick and mortar sportsbook to place your bets.
It may be hard for Americans to keep track of the nation’s new laws regarding legalized sports betting
so we’ve put together this helpful list to help clarify the situation.
Where is Sports Betting Legal in the U.S.?
More than half of the country’s 50 states have legalized some form of sports wagering with retail and/or
online options being available in many of them. In addition, many states which haven’t passed sports-
betting legislation as of yet are currently working on it.
The following states offer legal sports wagering and it’s helpful to know that the activity isn’t regulated
nationwide by federal law as each state has its own laws and rules regarding it.
Arizona
Arizona residents have enjoyed retail and online sports betting since Sept. 9th, 2021 after legislation
was passed to legalize it five months earlier. The state allows 20 operators to provide sports betting
opportunities to the public.
Arkansas
Down in Arkansas, retail sports betting only came into play on July 1, 2019 after residents voted for it
in 2018. The Oaklawn Racing Casino had the honor of accepting the first wagers.
Colorado
Colorado offers both online and retail betting after it was legalized by voters in November, 2019. It
then became reality on May, 2020 when the first bets were placed.
Connecticut
Online and retail sports betting is also legal in Connecticut and has been since October 19, 2021 after
being approved by the government five months earlier.
Delaware
In June of 2018, Delaware became the first state besides Nevada to provide legalized sports wagering.
However, it’s only available in retail settings and not online as of yet.
Illinois
You can legally bet on sports both online and in retail outlets in Illinois as it was passed into law in
June, 2019 and launched a year later.
Indiana
Indiana authorized sports betting in May, 2019 with online and retail options becoming reality just
three months later.
Iowa
Online and retail wagering in Iowa followed the time line of Indiana as it was legalized in May, 2019 and launched in August, 2019.
Michigan
Online and retail sports bets can be legally made in Michigan as wagering took off on March 11th, 2020 after the governor signed it into law in December, 2019.
Mississippi
Retail sports betting at casinos is allowed in Mississippi and has been since August 1, 2018. The state’s ban on the activity was repealed a year earlier.
Montana
In Montana, sports betting began on March 9, 2020 after the governor approved it just a couple of months earlier. The Montana State Lottery oversees the action via mobile devices and kiosks.
Nevada
In case you didn’t know, Nevada has long been the mecca of sports betting in America as it was legalized back in 1931. Both retail and online options are easy to find.
New Hampshire
December, 30 th , 2019 was the launch date of online and retail sports wagering in New Hampshire after it was legalized five months earlier.
New Jersey
Online and retail wagering came into effect in New Jersey in the spring of 2018 with the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City and Monmouth Race Track in Oceanport originally leading the way.
New Mexico
New Mexico allows retail sports betting only at the moment as it launched in mid-October, 2018 at the Santa Ana Star Casino.
New York
Retail wagering is legal in New York state while online sports betting is pending. It officially became legal in 2013 but didn’t hit the streets until June 16th, 2019. Online wagering is expected to launch sometime in 2022.
North Carolina
North Carolina offers retail betting as it took off in March, 2021 at several casinos after being passed into law in July, 2019.
Oregon
Yes, you can take advantage of online and retail betting in Oregon as it launched in August, 2019 at Lincoln City’s Chinook Winds Casino.
Pennsylvania
In November, 2018, Pennsylvania launched its sports betting program with online and retail options available. It didn’t come cheap though as the state levies a 41 per cent tax on its sportsbooks and the licensing fee costs a cool $10 million.
Rhode Island
Residents of Rhode Island witnessed the state’s online and retail betting system begin in November, 2018 after the governor signed a bill earlier in the year.
South Dakota
Voters in South Dakota said yes to retail sports betting in November, 2020 and it was launched in September, 2021.
Tennessee
Tennessee started to allow online sports betting only in November, 2020 with no retail wagering as of yet. It’s the only American state to offer online betting only.
Virginia
The state of Virginia said yes to online and retail sports wagering in April, 2020 and it took off in January, 2021.
Virginia
West Virginia also legalized online and retail betting and it launched on August 30, 2018 at the state’s famous Hollywood Casino.
Washington, DC
Politicians are sports fans too and the nation’s capitol legalized online and retail betting in December 2018 with it being managed by the DC Lottery and launching in May, 2020.
Wyoming
After Wyoming’s governor signed a new law in April, 2021, online and retail sports wagering began just five months later in September.
States with Pending Legalized Sports Wagering
The following states have already legalized sports wagering, but all of the details are still being ironed out.
Florida
In 2021, Florida legalized both online and retail betting but several lawsuits have delayed the launch date.
Louisiana
Residents of Louisiana approved online and retail sports betting in November, 2020 and it was passed into law in June, 2021. However, it will be allowed only in the in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes which voted for it.
Maryland
Online and retail betting at casinos was approved in Maryland by the state’s voters in November, 2020.
Nebraska
Nebraska’s governor signed a bill for retail sports betting in May, 2021 and it will be allowed only at in-person locations.
Washington
Retail wagering on tribal lands became law in March, 2020 with mobile wagering being allowed only at existing tribal casinos.
Wisconsin
In 2021, Wisconsin approved retail and online betting at the Oneida Nation’s wagering locations.
States Where Sports Betting has yet to be Legalized
Not all American states have legalized sports betting as of January 1 st , 2022. However, this could change in the near future if state legislatures or ballot initiatives eventually approve it.
California
California has considered legalizing sports wagering but none of the bills have been successful as of yet. This is mainly due to a majority of two-thirds approval being needed in the legislature.
Kansas
The State Senate of Kansas approved a bill regarding sports wagering in February, 2019, but it wasn’t considered by the State House. Another bill then failed in early 2021.
Kentucky
Legislation considering sports betting was shot down in Kentucky in 2017 and another effort met the same fate in 2020.
Maine
Governor Janet Mills vetoed a bill to allow sports wagering in 2020 and there’s no word yet on anything new in the state of Maine.
Missouri
Several bills have been proposed in the state of Missouri, with many of them seeking to allow wagering on the riverboat casinos. So far, these have had no luck in the state legislature.
Ohio
Ohio considered a bill in 2021 which would have seen 40 licenses for online and retail sports betting being issued. Stay tuned!
Georgia
Lawmakers considered sports wagering in 2020 and 2021 with both bills dying in the Georgia house. Another effort is expected in 2022.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has considered several bills since 2018 but so far all of them have stalled.
Oklahoma
Retail sports betting on tribal land was approved in June, 2020 but the red tape hasn’t been sorted out yet.
South Carolina
Sports-betting legislation fizzled in May 2018 in South Carolina.
Texas
A bill was introduced in 2021 but wasn’t considered in the Texas legislature. However, its expected to be discussed in 2022.
Vermont
Legislation was considered in 2019 and 2020, but it wasn’t successful. However, sports betting could be authorized through the state lottery in the near future.
The following states have yet to introduce any type of sports-betting legislation.
Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota and Utah.