Legal Sports Betting States in The US – Where Can you Bet and How?
By Space Coast Daily // August 6, 2024
Online sports betting is a trend that has gained traction in the last decade and is still growing quickly.
The easy access and ability to place a bet in the comfort of your home or anywhere through a computer or mobile device has been a game changer in sports betting. However, bettors in the US are also able to place bets online in certain states. In this article, we shall discuss where online sports betting is legal within the states and where it is not.
Online sports betting in the US
Sports betting, as popular as it was, remained illegal anywhere outside the state of Nevada in the United States up until 2018. The overturning of PAPSA, a federal law banning all sports betting, was a turning point. This allowed each state to regulate and enforce the operation of sports betting within their individual jurisdictions.
Since then, several states have regulated the activity, making it legal for residents (and visitors) to place sports bets. New Jersey was the first to start accepting online sports bets and is home to more than a dozen sportsbook apps, including Unibet. If you’re interested in trying out the platform, make sure to check out Cheekypunter’s help on how to claim Unibet bonus.
Currently, there are a total of 38 states that have legalized sports betting, besides Washington DC. And of those, 30 states have also made online betting legal. Here’s an overview of the legal states and what they offer:
| States | Online Sports Betting | Retail Sports Betting |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | Yes | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes |
| Maine | Yes | No |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | No | Yes |
| Montana | No | Yes |
| Nebraska | No | Yes |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | No | Yes |
| New York | Yes | Yes |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | No | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | No | Yes |
| Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Vermont | Yes | No |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Washington | Yes | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes |
| Wyoming | Yes | No |
| Washington DC | Yes | Yes |
It is important to note that some states that do not offer legalized online sports betting have special laws that partially permit sports betting. Certain tribes in New Mexico and North Dakota can bet under an existing class III gaming compact. The state of Mississippi allows for online sports betting only at licensed casino establishments that offer them. Similarly, Montana offers in-person betting through lottery terminals and apps that only work in designated locations.
Future outlook
North Carolina is the most recent state to legalize online sports betting, and there’s a lot of change to be expected over the coming years. So far, the states that have yet to legalize any form of sports betting are Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Sports betting is illegal in these states since efforts by the legislature to get a bill approved have been unsuccessful. The likes of Missouri and Nebraska have ongoing bills that could see them become the latest additions to the legal sports betting states in the near future.
Online Sports betting in the US is a heavily regulated industry with different states employing distinct laws and approaches. There has, however, been a growing movement for a more liberal environment across states to allow for the legalization of online sports betting. The process, though not uniform, seems to be moving in a positive direction, and a time when sports betting is legal in all states looks to be closer than ever before.
