US Online Sports Betting Legality in 2026
Legal Sports Betting States in the U S. Updated by State
In the limited area of interstate off-track wagering on horseraces, there is a need for Federal action to ensure States will continue to cooperate with one another in the acceptance of legal interstate wagers. The States should have the primary responsibility for determining what forms of gambling may legally take place within their borders; It is thanks to the IHA that a horse racing fan in Illinois, for example, can walk into an off-track betting shop (OTB) and place wagers on the Kentucky Derby. “No provision of this subchapter shall be construed as altering, limiting or extending any Federal or State law or Tribal-State compact prohibiting, permitting or regulating gambling within the United States.” The NCAA and four major professional sports leagues sued to prevent the law from taking effect. We are Here to Help You Make Informed Betting Decisions and help players have more fun and more wins when gambling online.
Mobile or online sports betting is not allowed in all US states, and for example, some states allow in-person wagering, or betting on horse races, but placing bets online is still considered illegal. In May 2022, Governor Janet Mills signed LD 585 into law, which legalized retail and online sports betting. A deal between the state’s governor and the Oneida Nation in July 2021 allowed for the opening of retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos while not permitting mobile betting or wagers on the state’s collegiate teams.
Bettors in the Green Mountain State can now explore three top-tier U.S. betting sites. Offline sports betting is still far away in South Carolina. Head online to find a wider offering of betting options. Pennsylvania has long had online sportsbooks available. On January 1, 2023, Ohio officially launched sports betting following the passage of legislation. Apart from this casino operated by the Santa Ana Tribe, bettors in the land of Enchantment can go online and bet legally—as long as they are at least 21 years old.
Massachusetts was also the first state regulator to go on offense against prediction markets, winning a preliminary injunction against Kalshi’s sports contracts in January 2026. Check out all the latest sportsbook promos in Massachusetts. If you live in one of the nine parishes that voted no, you cannot legally bet inside your parish, though you can drive to one that allows it. Find the best sportsbook bonuses in Iowa with the most value. Check out the best Illinois sportsbook promotions before signing up anywhere.
You only need to be in a legal betting state when you place your bet. It is illegal to bet on sports in a state that has not expressly legalized the activity. However, each state has its own regulations regarding where and how bets can be placed, whether online or in-person. Some states have only tribal gaming and no commercial casinos at present, including Minnesota, and Washington State. The compacts govern which games are allowed in casinos and mandate revenue sharing between the state and the recognized tribe. Indeed, the NCAA, as well as the four major pro sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), were instrumental in getting PASPA through Congress in 1992 and in enforcing it by repeatedly blocking several state-level attempts to legalize sports wagering.
As is the case in many states, you must be 21 years old to bet on sports in Florida. Another interesting wrinkle is that you can bet at the age of 18, but always be sure to check operator-specific policies, which may be more stringent than local law. Check out the latest Arizona sportsbook promos so you can get started on top platforms like FanDuel, ESPN BET, DraftKings, and more. College sports bettors can place wagers on futures and game results, but not props on individual player performances. Land-based casinos also remain strong, with many states reporting record highs. Pay attention to your behaviors when you are placing bets—if you notice that you are becoming reckless or compulsive, you may want to take a break.
There are offshore betting sites available to players throughout the US and some sportsbook apps that are available in 29 states. Bodog, a sister brand to Bovada, is a top choice for sports betting in Canada and other countries with legal sports betting. Sportsbook apps like DraftKings and FanDuel which are regulated locally have a legal sports betting age of 21 and up. From our experience, Bovada and BetOnline are the two best NFL sportsbooks based on what they offer in terms of bets and bonuses. Football is typically the most popular sport offered by all online sportsbooks in the US, between college football and the NFL. Almost all online sportsbooks have promotions offered to new players but some are significantly better than others in 2026 .
A leader in the fantasy sports world, DraftKings has successfully transitioned into one of the top sportsbooks in the USA. All betting content on Props.com is for USA residents who are permitted to gamble in legal states. There are several ways to determine if you are betting on a legal site. These are world-class, highly respected brands in the casino industry, and retail casinos the world over employ their services to design the RNG electronic slots and casino titles you see at the best Vegas, AC, Monaco, and Macau casino resorts. All the best online casino games at the top offshore sites are created and maintained by developers like Realtime Gaming, Rival, and Betsoft. All the operators we recommend are legit online gambling sites with years of experience in the industry and millions of satisfied customers.
Our team in the betting field has years of experience reviewing legal online sportsbooks and only recommends ones that are safe and reliable. Gov. Tony Evers signed a new tribal compact with the Oneida Nation that allowed retail sports betting at tribal casinos. Retail sports betting in tribal casinos is legal.
Offline sports betting is available at only one casino in New Mexico. New Hampshire became the 16th state to legalize sports betting in 2019. However, many bettors still prefer the flexibility offered by offshore sportsbooks.
A joint resolution to put a ballot measure to voters for the November midterm elections to legalize online sports betting through Deadwood casinos passed the Senate 23-10. New Mexico was one of the first states to offer legal sports betting after PASPA, but it exists only in person at tribal casinos. Legal sports betting launched in Colorado in May 2020, and state law requires online sportsbooks to partner with a local casino. It has been legal to bet on sports in Arizona since September 2021, and 14 online sportsbooks now operate in the state while tribal casinos handle most of the retail action.
US Online Sports Betting Legality in 2026
It also offers competitive odds, a wide range of bet types, and one of the best live betting experiences in the industry. FanDuel’s platform is particularly popular with beginners due to its easy-to-use interface, quick registration process, and well-organized betting markets. FanDuel is one of the most widely available sportsbooks in the U.S., operating in 25+ states.
In 2022, A bill was advanced that would have created a state-wide operation to oversee sports wagering within the state, but state legislators ended their session without voting on it. It joined Tennessee as the only two states to have just an online option and no retail locations. Missouri was one of two states (North Carolina) to jump into the betting party in 2024, and it left just 11 states (including Texas and California) out of the picture for 2025.
It is worth noting that gambling underage is illegal and can lead to serious legal consequences. The legal gambling age varies depending on the location and type of gambling. The best betting site for you will depend on your location and preferred betting experience. You will need to report your betting earnings on your annual tax return and pay any taxes owed.
The main restrictions on betting in the Garden State are in the area of college sports as there’s no betting on NJ-based college teams. Currently, DraftKings is the only available online sportsbook in New Hampshire. You cannot bet on minor league sports, college athlete prop bets, or individual games involving in-state colleges. The legal betting age in the state is 21 years, and while college prop betting previously allowed, the state banned the practice in August 2024. You must be 21 years old to play, and while there are restrictions on college prop bets, the Hawkeye State has generally strong offerings.
Even with the prevalence of legal online sports betting sites, there are many non-legal or offshore sites available. In many states, land-based casinos may partner with two or more sports betting providers to operate multiple online sportsbooks. Our advice to readers who live in states that have not yet legalized sports betting is to use daily fantasy sports sites or sweepstakes sportsbooks as an alternative, and avoid using offshore betting sites.
Multiple bills introduced in 2025 sought to establish and regulate online sportsbooks, and all of them died before the legislative deadline. HB 910, introduced in 2026, would legalize mobile betting under the Georgia Lottery and sidestep the constitutional amendment question entirely. Three online sportsbooks is on the low side, which limits your ability to line-shop and keeps promo competition softer than in neighbouring New York or New Jersey. In May 2026, the Colorado State Senate passed a consumer protection bill that would place significant new restrictions on online sportsbooks operating in the state.
Damon is a seasoned Sports Betting Editor and Betting Data Analyst specializing in sportsbook reviews, in-depth betting guides, and detailed analysis of U.S. sports betting revenue trends. According to revenue reports from states with legalized sports betting, Americans wagered over $164bn on sports betting in 2025 alone, generating over $3.7bn in tax revenue for the US. As we have established, the sports betting and gambling legislations vary quite vastly between each US state, so obviously, the age limits for different types of gambling are also alternate nationwide. The parentheses in each year’s cell show how the total number of US states with legal commercial sports betting has changed during the year in question. The following table shows the tax on bettor’s sports betting and gambling-related winnings state-by-state.
As one of the most conservative states in the Deep South, Alabama has no gambling other than the handful of land-based casinos with slot machines. The top online sportsbook operators in Tennessee are BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings and FanDuel. Kentucky DFS (daily fantasy sports) sites are also legal, and major sports leagues are the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS and the PGA Tour The DC Office of Lottery and Gaming generated GamebetDC.com as the mobile betting app.
Social Implications & Responsible Gambling Initiatives
Despite parlays being tough to hit, the rewards from online sportsbooks can be significant. Despite past support from the state’s governor, there are plenty of opponents to Texas sports betting. In 2022, Californians voted against online sportsbooks in resounding fashion.
In many cases, the lack of progress results from competing interests with differing views on how the state should regulate sports betting. That said, most horse racing betting sites accept customers from 30 or more states. The Department of Justice responded in 2011 with a memorandum stating it has reinterpreted the Wire Act as only applying to sports betting. As a result, no US state had the authority to legalize online poker or casino sites, even if they passed legislation to do so. Some states expressly prohibit horse racing betting in all its forms, but most either passively allow the activity or have laws on the books to regulate in-person and online horse racing betting.
Sports betting in Arkansas was legalized in 2019, allowing both in-person wagering at casinos and online betting through licensed operators. Pennsylvania and Illinois are rising too, and now 39 states permit at least some form of legal sports betting since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports wagering in May 2018. Losing is a part of online sports betting and happens to the best of us.
Sports betting became legal nationwide on May 14, 2018, when the U.S. This ensures you’re using a licensed sportsbook and taking advantage of the best available offers in your area. BetMGM is backed by MGM Resorts and has rapidly expanded into 25+ states, making it one of the most widely available sportsbooks alongside FanDuel and DraftKings. FanDuel is active in most major online betting states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio.
Do all states offer mobile sports betting?
- The 7-2 ruling opened the door to legal sports betting in the US by returning to individual states their right to regulate sports betting as they see fit.
- There were no active games, but the state was able to authorize sports betting after PASPA was struck down without the drawn-out process that has happened in other states.
- More often than not, in-game wagering is reserved only for the biggest sports matchups but you may find it in sports with smaller markets.
- A joint resolution to put a ballot measure to voters for the November midterm elections to legalize online sports betting through Deadwood casinos passed the Senate 23-10.
If you are overspending or struggling with gambling, visit our responsible gaming page. If you are feeling stressed or worried, it could be a sign that you aren’t betting within your means. Setting an amount of money to gamble per day or week can ensure you don’t overextend yourself and result in less-stressful bets. Emotions can cause you to make bad bets or take risks that can cost you dearly. Sports betting can be a fun and exciting experience, but only if you do so in a responsible manner. Those delays could lead to the odds changing before you can be, especially when live betting.
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. 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. 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. During the years when federal prohibition was in effect, a massive offshore sports betting industry flourished as offshore online sportsbooks catered to American bettors.
The most commonly used sportsbook deposit methods are credit/debit cards and bank transfers. That is because of their great customer service and the incredible odds that they have to offer on a wide range of sports. The bookmaker has been supplying odds for US players since the 90s and has a lot of respect from betting fans across the country. BetUS is easy to use with clear designations and prop bet offerings. 38 states in total have some sort ofonline gaming legislationin place. They exist in a bit of a legal grey area and there have been tons of cases of customers being treated poorly by those sites.
Sandia Resort and Casino launched its native sportsbook in November 2024, with the space featuring a bar and restaurant, more than 50 televisions and an outdoor patio. House Bill 162 was introduced in https://www.pokernewsdaily.com/sportsbooks/ January 2025; the proposal would allow existing operators to offer online slots and table games within state lines. Online betting is allowed butconfined to tribal lands and properties. Several casinos have partnered with major operatorslike DraftKings and Caesars, facilitating on-site app usage.
This is a hot topic in nearly every state in America (except for Hawaii and Utah, neither of which have any form of legal gambling). Sportsbooks managed a combined $7.5 billion in revenue, with the Super Bowl serving as the biggest betting draw of the year. Many have already jumped at the opportunity to create their own market and forge an identity in the gambling world. While this is not necessarily the first factor that most gamblers consider when choosing their favorite sportsbook, it is an important part of the process. We have a special section dedicated to helping you find the most reliable casinos in the US. Units allow bettors to compare their results consistently and to share betting strategies, since one person’s unit might be $10, while another’s might be $100.
Daily Fantasy sports is regulated separately, so while sports betting may be off the table, legal fantasy and pick’em games may be available in your region. And Puerto Rico, have legalized some form of sports betting. Regulated markets are not homogeneous across the U.S. and regulated sports betting in general is by no means perfect. Overall, Congress has lately seemed content to let states legalize and regulate sports betting as they see fit. But the bill — which would have basically created a clearinghouse and some federal standards for state sports betting markets — didn’t have any legs.