USA Online Sports Betting – Legal Sportsbooks in April 2024

The online sports betting market in the United States continues to expand. After the federal government repealed PASPA in 2018, lawmakers in many states decided to launch retail and online sports books. Since then, we’ve seen legal sports betting go live in new several new states every year with laws changing all over the country constantly. This can make it a bit difficult to keep up with all of the new developments, so we’ve put together a guide to help you stay on top of where online sports betting is legal in the United States.

State-By-State Sports Betting Laws

Is sports betting legal in your state? Have look below to find out what the specific laws say about whether or not legal sportsbooks are available where you are.

Alabama

• 🔴 Legal sports betting not available in Alaska

Currently, sports betting is not legal in Alabama. Over the years, there have been many attempts to launch legal sportsbooks in the state, including bills proposed in 2019, 2020 and 2021 – but, none have been passed.

There are lawmakers in the state that certainly want to bring legalized online and retail betting into the state. So, 2022 might be their year. We will keep you posted with any developments in Alabama’s sports betting laws.

Alaska

• 🟠Only daily fantasy sports available in Alaska

Alaska’s gambling industry is incredibly limited. There are no legal sports books in the state, nor are there any traditional casinos or even a state lottery.

The only type of gambling available in the state is daily fantasy sports. In this respect, sports betting in Alaska is legal – but only on daily fantasy sports because it is considered a game of skill and not a game of chance.

Arizona

• 🟢 Sports betting is legal in Arizona online and at retail sportsbooks

Betting is legal in Arizona, and has been so since April 12^th, 2021 when the state senate passed bill HB 2772 which approved betting at online and retail sportsbooks. Things moved very quickly, as Governor Doug Ducey signed it into law just three days later.

Then, on September 9^th, 2021, the first legal sports book in Arizona was opened. Here, sports wagering is legal to anyone over the age of 21 and you must be located within the state to wager.

14 bookmakers have launched in the state, providing bettors with plenty of options – and, the selection is going to get even bigger. While BetMGM, Caesars, Unibet were among the first brands to open up online betting sites in Arizona, many more are coming soon, including PointsBet and MaximBet.

Arkansas

• 🟢 Sports betting is legal in Arkansas online and at retail sportsbooks, but online options are somewhat limited right now

Bettors in Arkansas can wager on sports at both online sportsbooks and in-person at casinos – but the online portion was only approved in February 2022. So, there are relatively limited options for betting online. At the moment, only the Betly online sportsbook from Southland Casino Racing has launched in the state.

There is no word on which other bookmakers will go live online in Arkansas. However, we expect to see lots more expansion this year – and we will certainly keep you posted.

California

• 🔴 Sports betting is not legal in California right now.

California is one of the biggest states in America, so it is surprising that lawmakers have not yet made the decision to launch in-person or online betting. Like Alaska, California’s betting laws only permit for gambling on daily fantasy sports.

Colorado

• 🟢 Sports betting is legal in Colorado with many options available to bettors

Sports betting in Colorado was made legal in November 2019, and the first legal sportsbooks in Colorado went live in May 2020. There are over two dozen online sportsbooks available in the state that players can wager on using mobile apps and desktop computers. These include FanDuel, Betway, BetRivers and Caesars.

Soon, we could see new additions to Colorado’s legal online betting market. Bet365 and Betsson are just two of the big brands that may go live in the state this year.

Connecticut

• 🟢 Retail, mobile and online betting are legal in Connecticut

In Connecticut, legal online sports book went live in October 2021, with operators like Sugarhouse, DraftKings and FanDuel launching apps and betting websites. There is now also a permanent retail sportsbook at Foxwoods Casino which is operated by DraftKings.

Sportsbooks in Connecticut have been incredibly successful. During their first two weeks live, mobile sports betting operators took $1.2 million in wagers – and, they are sure to continue on an upwards trajectory.

Delaware

• 🟠 Retail sports betting is legal in Delaware, but there are no online or mobile sportsbooks in the state.

Legal sports betting went live in Delaware in June 2018, but there is currently no online or mobile sportsbooks available. The three venues where you can wager on sports are Delaware Park Casino, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway & Casino.

Florida

• 🔴 Neither retail nor online/mobile betting are legal in Florida

Sports betting was once legal in Florida, but it no longer is. In 2021, Hard Rock launched a mobile sportsbook with the Seminole tribe but was forced to pull the app. Since then, there have been efforts to bring betting back to Florida but, reports have stated that it is unlikely that this will happen before 2025.

Georgia

• 🔴 In Georgia, there is no legal option for betting either online or at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.

Lawmakers in Georgia have been working hard to legalize various forms of sports betting in the state, but have yet to experience any success. There is a chance that a law will pass in 2022, and we will keep you updated with further developments.

Hawaii

• 🔴 In Hawaii, there are no legal brick-and-mortar or online sportsbooks.

Hawaii is one of the few states that has not legalized any form of gambling. It doesn’t seem like there are any proposals in place that would change this any time soon.

Idaho

• 🔴 In Idaho, sports betting is illegal.

In Idaho, players cannot take part in sports wagering, whether it is online or in brick-and-mortar venues. Lawmakers do not seem keen on changing things, so it’s unlikely that we’ll see legal sportsbooks in Idaho in the foreseeable future.

Illinois

• 🟢 Online sports betting is legal in Illinois, with a number of apps and websites available for bettors in the state.

In June 2020, the first Illinois online sportsbook went live as BetRivers began taking wagers through its new app. For a while, it was a state requirement for players to register for online betting in-person at a brick-and-mortar casino, but this is no longer the case. Starting in March 2022, bettors can now register online at a wide range of sportsbooks, including BetMGM, DraftKings, PointsBet and Barstool Sportsbook.

Indiana

• 🟢Online and mobile sports betting are legal in Indiana, with over a dozen sportsbooks taking wagers.

Sports betting became legal in Indiana in May 2019, while the first betting apps went live in October of that year when DraftKings and BetRivers launched. Now, there are 14 sportsbooks in the state where players can wager online. Players must be 21 years of age or older, and there is no need to register in person at a brick-and-mortar venue.

Iowa

• 🟢 In Iowa, mobile and online sports betting are legal.

Legal betting was approved in Iowa in May 2019 and the first sportsbooks went live in August 2019. There are now 20 licensed online sportsbooks available in the state, operating in partnership with local brick-and-mortar venues like Q Casino, Wild Rose and Grand Falls.

Kansas

• 🟠 Sports betting is not yet legal in Kansas, but it seems like it legalized sportsbooks may go live in the state later this year.

In 2019, lawmakers in Kansas passed the Expanded Lottery Act which would sports wagering – but it has not yet been signed into law. The state’s gambling industry has shown tremendous support for it, and now it is up to the Senate and House to agree on a version of the bill that will be sent to the governor.

Kentucky

• 🟢 Retail and online sports betting are legal in Kentucky, and will launch before 2024.

HB 551 was passed to legalize sports betting in Kentucky in March 2023, and sportsbooks are expected to launch by the beginning of 2024.

Louisiana

• 🟢 Retail and mobile sports betting are legal in Louisiana.

In June 2021, both mobile and retail sports betting were legalized in Louisiana but, for months, only brick-and-mortar venues are taking wagers. It was only in January 2022, that betting apps went live but they experienced tremendous success, taking $211 million in wagers during the first month. Among the sportsbooks apps available to Louisiana players are BetMGM, Caesars and DraftKings.

Maine

• 🔴Maine has not legalized sports betting.

In 2019, Maine’s state legislature approved a bill that would legalize sports betting but it has not been passed into law yet. Lawmakers seem keen to make sportsbooks legal in Maine, and it’s likely that it will be put forward this year to bring legalized betting into the state by 2023.

Maryland

• 🟠 Retail sports betting is legal in Maryland but online and mobile sportsbooks have yet to go live.

Legislators approved sports betting in Maryland in April 2021, and the first retail sportsbooks went live in December at Live! Casino, Ocean Downs, MGM National Habor and Hollywood Casino. Online and mobile sportsbooks have yet to launch. Lawmakers are hopeful that mobile betting will go live this year, but we will keep you posted.

Massachusetts

• 🔴 Sports betting is not currently legal in Massachusetts.

Currently, sports betting is not legal in Massachusetts. Lawmakers have made several attempts to legalize betting, but it does not seem like retail or mobile sportsbooks will launch here.

Michigan

• 🟢 Yes, both mobile and retail sportsbooks are legal in Michigan.

Sports betting was made legal in Michigan in December 2019. The first online and mobile sportsbooks went live in January 2021. DraftKings, BetMGM, PointsBet, FanDuel and BetRivers are among the apps available in the state.

Minnesota

• 🔴 Sports betting in Minnesota is not legal.

There are both House and Senate sports betting bills­­ that have been proposed, with HF 778 passing through three committees and heading to the Tax Committee. If passed, it would allow tribal casinos to operator retail, online and mobile sportsbooks.

Mississippi

• 🟠 Mobile sports betting is permitted in Mississippi, but only when located inside of a licensed casino.

Mississippi has one of the more complex set of rules regarding mobile sports betting. The activity was legalized in 2018 and BetMGM became the first mobile sportsbook to go live in the state, users are required to be physically located inside of one of Mississippi’s land-based MGM casinos in order to use the app.

Missouri

• 🔴 Sports betting is not currently legal in Missouri, but lawmakers are keen on changing this.

In Missouri, there is no legal option for betting on sports, but Daily Fantasy Sports is permitted. There are three currently three House sports betting bills and three Senate sport betting bill which, if passed, they would permit locals to wager on sports at riverboat casinos and online.

Montana

• 🟢 Betting is legal in Montana but there is only one operator – Sports Bet Montana. Players must be located in specific casinos and bars to use the app.

Sports betting was legalized in Montana in 2020, but it operates on a different model to other states. Instead of local casinos launching retail and online sportsbooks, all betting operations are handled through the Montana Lottery.

As such, there is just one app that bettors in the state can use: Sports Bet Montana. Additionally, bettors can only use the app when they are located in specific areas. This might sound very strict, but the list of locations where betting is allowed extends from casinos to sports bars – so, there are plenty of places where you can use the Sports Bet Montana app.

Nebraska

• 🔴 Online betting is illegal, but retail betting is allowed

In May 2021, Nebraska’s state legislature passed a bill to make sports betting legal. This only applies to retail sportsbooks, however, and it is unlikely that online sports wagering will be made legal within the next few years.

Nevada

• 🟢 In Nevada, both retail and online sportsbooks are legal, but players must verify their online accounts in person.

Retail and online sports betting is legal in Nevada. There are some specific rules that you should know before wagering online, though. Firstly, you must visit a licensed brick-and-mortar venue in order to verify your account and be able to place your first bet.

There are also limitations on deposits and withdrawals. Unlike at sportsbooks in other states, players must use the physical sportsbook’s cashier to make deposits using cash. There are also options to use personal checks, wire transfers and money orders.

New Hampshire

• 🟢 Both retail and online betting are legal in New Hampshire

In 2019, lawmakers in New Hampshire legalized online and retail sports betting. DraftKings is the only licensed brand in the state, operating an online/mobile sportsbook as well as two physical locations at The Brook Casino and t­he South Side Tavern.

New Jersey

• 🟢 In New Jersey, retail and online sports betting are both legal.

Online and retail betting have been legal in New Jersey since 2018. You must be over the age of 21 and be physically located in the state in order to wager on all major sports (except for New Jersey college sports).

There is an impressive selection of sportsbooks available to bettors in New Jersey. These include DraftKings, Unibet, PointsBet, BetMGM and Caesars.

New Mexico

• 🔴 Online betting is illegal but retail betting is permitted.

In New Mexico, players are only permitted to wager on sports from a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, including the Hilton Buffalo Thunder Casino, Inn of the Mountain Gods and Route 66 Casino. You must be over the age of 21 to wager on sports here, and you cannot bet on any events involving New Mexico teams.

While sports betting is a popular pastime among New Mexico casino visitors, there does not seem to be any hope of online betting being legalized anytime soon.

New York

• 🟢 In New Jersey, retail and online sports betting are both legal.

It was in 2019 that retail sportsbooks went live in New York – but, it took some time for online sportsbooks to follow. Online sports wagering was made legal in New York in 2021, with the first online sports books going live in January 2022.

Now, if you’re located in New York, you can wager on sports using a wide range of apps like WynnBet, BetMGM, DraftKings and BetRivers.

North Carolina

• 🔴 Online betting is illegal but retail betting is permitted in North Carolina, but there is hope that online sportsbooks will be approved some time this year.

Retail sports betting is legal in North Carolina at the state’s two brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. It looks as though online betting in North Carolina might soon be approved, as there is a bill making its way through the state’s legislature.

North Dakota

• 🔴 Both online and retail sports betting are illegal in North Dakota for the foreseeable future.

Sports betting is not legal in North Dakota at online sportsbooks and retail locations. Lawmakers attempted to pass a law in 2019 but failed, and they have not yet attempted to try again.

Ohio

• 🟢 Sports betting has been legalized in Ohio, with sportsbooks going live in January 2023.

In Ohio,  sports betting sites launched on  January 1, 2023.

Oklahoma

• 🔴 Online and retail betting are not yet legal in Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma, you cannot yet wager on sports online or at retail sportsbooks. There is a sports betting bill that would legalize the activity at tribal casinos making its way through Oklahoma’s state legislature but it is unlikely that it will be passed into law any time soon.

This is because the Governor would have to work with the state’s tribes to come to new terms in their gaming compact. While it doesn’t sound like a big step, the tribes do not have a good relationship, which will delay any discussions about their compact for the foreseeable future.

Oregon

• 🟢 In Oregon, retail and online sports betting are both legal.

Betting has been legal in Oregon since 2019. There are several retail sportsbooks in the state and one betting app. DraftKings operates Oregon’s sportsbooks app, which is operated by the state’s lottery.

Pennsylvania

• 🟢 Retail and online sports betting are both legal in Pennsylvania.

In 2019, Pennsylvania lawmakers made retail and online sports betting legal and operations went live shortly after. The state is now one of the most profitable markets in the United States, and there are many betting operators to choose from, including FoxBet, PointsBet and Betway.

Rhode Island

• 🟢 Online and retail sports betting are legal in Rhode Island. To register for online betting, you must visit a land-based location.

In 2018, Rhode Island became the eight state to legalize retail betting – with online betting following shortly after in 2019. Currently, when you want to sign up to an online betting platform in Rhode Island, you must visit a land-based casino to verify your identity. This is expected to change soon, though.

South Carolina

• 🔴 Neither retail nor online sports betting is legal in South Carolina.

Betting is not legal in South Carolina online or in-person. The only form of legal gambling in the state is the lottery.

South Dakota

• 🔴 There is no option for legal sports betting online in South Dakota. You may only wager on sports from a retail sportsbook.

In South Dakota, bettors do not have any options for placing wagers at sportsbooks online. If you want to bet on sports, you’ll have to visit one of the state’s retail sportsbooks.

Tennessee

• 🟢 Online and mobile sports betting a legal in Tennessee – but, there are no retail sportsbooks.

Tennessee’s sports betting market is quite unique. In 2019, the state launched online and mobile betting without any retail sportsbooks. To this day, bettors in this state can only wager online with many options available, including DraftKings, BetMGM and Caesars.

Texas

• 🔴 Sports betting is illegal in Texas both online and at retail sportsbooks.

No law has been passed to permit betting in Texas in any form. The last time a betting law was proposed in Texas was in January 2022, but it was shot down and it does not seem like there will be another attempt any time soon.

Utah

• 🔴 Sports betting is illegal in Utah both online and at retail sportsbooks.

There are no laws permitting either in person or online betting in Utah. The state’s laws dictate that all forms of gambling are illegal, even if they are permitted at a federal level. So, it doesn’t seem like  betting will ever be legal in Utah.

Vermont

• 🔴 Sports betting is illegal in Utah both online and at retail sportsbooks.

Sports wagering is not legal in Vermont, as are many other formats of gambling. Lawmakers in the state have not proposed any bills to legalize the activity, so it’s unlikely that legal sportsbooks will be available in Vermont for the foreseeable future.

Virginia

• 🟢 Both online and retail sports betting are legal in Virginia.

Online betting has been legal in Virginia since 2020. Several top-rated brands are available in the state, including BetMGM, FanDuel and DraftKings.

Washington

• 🟠 Retail sports betting is legal in Washington, but online bets can only be made if you’re located in certain tribal casinos.

Sports wagering in Washington was made legal in 2020, and retail sportsbooks went live very shortly afterwards. The retail sportsbooks in the state are located at tribal casinos. At these locations, players can place bets using their mobile devices – but, there is no option to bet online outside of brick-and-mortar casinos.

West Virginia

• 🟢 Online and retail sports betting are legal in West Virginia.

Online betting has been legal in West Virginia since 2018, as it was one of the first states to legalize the activity. There are give retail sportsbooks across the state and six online sportsbook options in WV.

Wisconsin

• 🔴 Sports betting is illegal in Wisconsin at online sportsbooks, but there is one retail sportsbook in the state.

In Wisconsin online sports betting has not yet been made legal. There is one retail sportsbook in the state, located at Oneida Casino. No bills have been proposed to legalize online gambling.

Wyoming

• 🟢 Online and retail sports betting are legal in Wyoming.

In 2021, Wyoming’s Governor Mark Gordon signed House Bill 133 which made sports betting legal in the state. This was after a failed attempt in 2020 as Wyoming had quite a strict view on gambling. Prior to this, any game with any aspect of luck was deemed illegal but things changed when the federal government repealed PASPA.

Now, players across the state can wager on sports at several sites. These include FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM. It’s expected that PointsBet will join in soon

Stay Updated About USA Sports  Betting Laws

This article was lasted updated on March 27th, 2023. Whenever a new law is passed, we will ensure that it is covered in this article.

USA Sports Betting FAQs

What is a retail sportsbook?

A retail sportsbook is the widely accept term for a brick-and-mortar venue. This means it is a physical location where you wager on sports, rather than an online betting site or a mobile sports book app.

Do I have to be a resident of a certain state to be able to wager online there?

No, it is not a legal requirement of players at USA sportsbooks to be actual residents of the state in which they are located. You only need to be located within the state.

How do online betting apps know where you’re located?

Sophisticated geolocation software is used to determine where you are located when trying to access a betting app or website. Some players use a VPN to get on betting sites if betting is not yet legal in their state; while this isn’t explicitly illegal, the betting site you’re accessing may penalize you by restricting your account.

What is the most widely available sportsbook in the United States?

If you’re a big betting fan who travels often, you might want to sign up with Caesars Sportsbook. This operator is live in 23 states. Fortunately, you don’t have to create a new account every time you visit a new state, so this is a perfect solution if you’re a

How do I age verify at USA online sportsbooks?

In the vast majority of states that have legalized online sports betting, you simply need to send in documents that confirm your age. Some states use online verification where your identity is checked against your credit records, while a few others require you to visit a land-based venue to verify in person.