Legal Online Sportsbooks by State

While plenty has changed in recent years, it’s still the tip of the iceberg. Legislation is ongoing in many states looking to legalize sports betting in the coming years, as lawmakers and the general public begin to understand the benefits of regulated wagering as opposed to betting at illegal offshore sportsbooks. Sports betting laws vary by state, so it's important to understand the lay of the land before you get started.

States with Legal Sports Betting

New York Sportsbooks

New York approved it years ago and opened several retail sportsbooks in 2019 after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, giving individual states the power to legalize gambling. Online betting at New York top sportsbooks followed suit in January 2022, shattering records by taking $1.6 billion in handle in online bets the first month alone and about $8 billion in the first five months.

Arizona Sportsbooks

While previous attempts to legalize gambling in Arizona fell through, Gov. Doug Ducey reached an agreement with the state’s Native American tribal casinos and signed HB 2772 into law on April 15 to officially legalize sports gambling in the state. Retail and online betting launched in September 2021 behind top Arizona sports betting sites like DraftKings vs FanDuel.

Arkansas Sportsbooks

Gambling has been legal in Arkansas since 2018 (at the state's three casinos), but mobile Arkansas sports betting launched on March 4, 2022. The caveat is there are only two options right now - Southland Casino's Betly Sportsbook and BetSaracen (Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff) because of a contentious revenue sharing rule that requires private operators to share 51% of profits with the casinos (the average is around 15%). This has limited the Arkansas sports betting landscape and it's unclear if and when operators like DraftKings will enter the market. DraftKings and FanDuel staunchly opposed the rule, which was approved in late February 2022.

Colorado Sportsbooks

Colorado voters approved Proposition DD in 2019, effectively making online sports gambling and retail wagering at the state’s casinos legal for the first time. Online Colorado sports betting began in 2020 with heavy interest on local teams like the Denver Broncos, Nuggets, Colorado Rockies and Avalanche.

Colorado reported a record-setting $36.8 million in sports gambling revenue in November 2021. Overall, Colorado has taken in more than $325 million since launched.

Connecticut Sportsbooks

Officially launched on October 19, 2021 after a lengthy process that resulted in Gov. Ned Lamont signing his own bill into law. Lamont struck an agreement with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to launch Connecticut sports gambling along with the state lottery. FanDuel, DraftKings and SugarHouse (Rush Street Interactive) began taking bets shortly after.

This was huge news for diehard New England Patriots fans throughout the state. Unfortunately, Connecticut is one of several state that bans betting on in-state college sports, so no UConn action is allowed. Still, bettors can wager online or with retail locations at the state’s casinos, the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort. There are a plethora of top betting sites in Connecticut to check out.

Illinois Sportsbooks

Illinois finally approved and legalized online betting in 2019, with the state’s first legal online wager placed at BetRivers in June of 2020. The state also approved in-stadium betting, with plans including a DraftKings sportsbook at Wrigley Field and similar options for Guaranteed Rate Field, Soldier Field and the United Center (FanDuel).

The good news for residents is that Illinois' top betting sites are now accessible without bettors first having to sign up in person. That requirement expired on March 5, 2022.

Another change is that you can legally bet on in-state collegiate teams now, which was prohibited in the past.

Indiana Sportsbooks

Indiana sports betting was approved and legalized in May of 2019, with an online launch including Indiana top betting sites like BetMGM and Unibet following a few months later. In-state bettors have since wagered more than $4 billion as Indiana has become one of the most profitable legal gambling states behind hometown favorites like the Indianapolis Colts and Pacers.

Iowa Sportsbooks

The Hawkeye State first started taking legal retail and online sports bets in August of 2019. They’ve since done away with an in-person registration requirement, opening the doors to Iowa’s best online betting sites like BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel Sportsbook. The state has generated nearly $200 million in revenue, despite not having any professional teams in the major leagues. Iowa sports betting is often slept on, but a massive market.

Louisiana Sportsbooks

Louisiana is now open for business with legal mobile and retail sports betting at the top Louisiana online betting sites, including BetRivers, Caesars, BetMGM and DraftKings. Online sportsbooks officially launched in January of 2022, with fans finally able to wager on the New Orleans Saints, Pelicans and LSU college football and basketball.

The online launch was a massive success and the state is expected to gross upwards of $200 million per year at Louisiana top sportsbooks. However, there are still a few pockets of the state where sports gambling remains illegal. Only 55 of the state’s 64 parishes voted to approve it. Betting online, as well as in-person, is prohibited in the remaining nine parishes.

Michigan Sportsbooks

Michigan has been a major success story since launching online wagering in 2021, becoming a top-10 state in terms of revenue and handle. Players are free to wager online with multiple operators like FanDuel, Caesars and PointsBet at as Michigan sports betting continues to grow behind passionate fanbases for the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons.

Michigan betting sites and internet casino gaming generated $1.4 billion in revenue in its first year.

Mississippi Sportsbooks

Mississippi took advantage of the changing landscape earlier than most, legalizing Mississippi sports betting in August of 2018. However, mobile betting remains off-limits and bettors can only place sports bets at a Mississippi casino. It’s unlikely the state will be able to pass legislation in the near future.

Montana Sportsbooks

Montana passed a bill in June 2019, with regulated wagering overseen by the Department of Justice and run by the state lottery. Online betting is still off-limits and wagers must be placed in-person at kiosks and betting apps at licensed casinos, hotels and bars. We'll keep you updated with any updates surrounding Montana sports betting.

Nevada Sportsbooks

Nevada first legalized in 1949, holding strong as the only major legal gambling state prior to the overthrowing of PASPA. The first physical sportsbooks opened in 1975 and has since expanded to include online wagering at Nevada top betting sites and apps beginning in 2010. In-person registration at one of the state’s many sportsbooks or casinos is still required for online betting sites.

New Hampshire Sportsbooks

Online New Hampshire sports betting went live in December 2019. DraftKings remains the sole online operator in state, but the state is expected to issue additional licenses for physical sportsbooks. The state generated roughly $64 million in the first two years.

New Jersey Sportsbooks

New Jersey sports betting is largely responsible for the growing betting landscape across the country, as it brought its case to the Supreme Court that ultimately resulted in legalized sports gambling for individual states in 2018.

The Garden State became the third state to take a legal sports bet in June 2018 and immediately launched a robust offering of New Jersey top online sportsbooks including DraftKings, BetMGM, Barstool Sportsbook, Caesars and many more.

There are also retail options in the state, New Jersey has since surpassed Nevada as the top betting state, generating more than $1.6 billion since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn PASPA. The betting market in New Jersey was the first of many, and continues to grow to this day.

Oregon Sportsbooks

Oregon online sports betting went live in 2019, but bettors were limited to one app regulated by the state lottery. Players complained about heavy juice and house-friendly lines with the lottery app, but the state finally partnered with DraftKings as an online operator in January 2022. That should increase revenue and handle in the coming months and years.

Pennsylvannia Sportsbooks

Pennsylvania sports betting has grown into one of the most successful states after launching online wagering in May 2019. There are now more than a dozen approved operators and Pennsylvania betting apps, and the state set a record with $84.9 million in handle in November 2021.

Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and 76ers now have tons of legal options at Pennsylvania’s online sportsbooks, including retail locations at more than a dozen casinos and racetracks throughout the state.

Tennessee Sportsbooks

The state of Tennessee doesn’t have any physical casinos, making it the only state to offer online-only betting. The top Tennessee sportsbooks launched in November 2020 with operators including DraftKings and BetMGM. Initially regulated by the Tennessee Education Lottery, it is now overseen by the Sports Wagering Advisory Council.

There aren’t any restrictions on college football betting, so fans can get action on Tennessee Volunteers football, as well as the basketball teams, in addition to the Titans and Predators. The state has since generated more than $267 million in revenue.

Virginia Sportsbooks

After a failed attempt in 2019, Virginia successfully passed legal gambling the following year and launched in January 2021. Now there are more than 10 Virginia sportsbooks for online action on local favorites like the Washington Nationals, but betting on in-state college teams like Virginia Tech and VCU is prohibited.

West Virginia Sportsbooks

West Virginia betting websites went online in August 2019, with operators like FanDuel, BetMGM and FanDuel. Players can also wager at physical bookmakers located throughout several casinos in the state, and West Virginia has generated nearly $100 million in revenue since the launch..

Rhode Island Sports Betting

Rhode Island launched in 2018 behind physical bookmakers at each of the state’s two casinos. Caesars is also approved as the sole online operator, and the state recently did away with its in-person registration requirement.

Wyoming Sportsbooks

The state passed and approved two Wyoming online sportsbooks for launch in September 2021. While DraftKings and BetMGM were the lone operators initially, PointsBet has since joined the fold and others could be approved in the future as an additional online betting site.

States with Legal Retail Sports Betting Only

Delaware

Delaware became the first state to launch other than Nevada, doing so by opening gambling sites at three in-state casinos in June 2018. However, there’s been very little indication in the years since that Delaware online betting will follow anytime soon.

North Carolina

The state of North Carolina currently has two options for sports bettors, both of them retail. Bettors can wager at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, but a new bill is set to go to the house and potentially open the door for legal betting at North Carolina betting sites in 2022.

New Mexico

The Santa Ana casino took the first legal sports bet in New Mexico in October 2018, but online betting remains off limits. In-person betting remains unregulated and limited to the state’s tribal casinos, creating a lot of roadblocks for potential online betting down the road.

South Dakota

South Dakota successfully approved legal betting in November 2020, with the first physical gambling site opening in September 2021. Bettors can now get action at four of the state’s casinos on tribal land, and the wheels are in motion with legislation for potential legal online betting in 2022.

Washington

Washington opened its first retail bookmaker in September 2021 after approving legal in-person wagering in early 2020. Legal betting is still limited to retail locations/tribal casinos, at which mobile betting is allowed when on site.

Wisconsin

The Oneida Nation launched the first retail gambling site in Wisconsin at the end of November 2021. It's at the Oneida Casino, near Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport. Online betting isn't expected any time soon. Wisconsin residents can bet on college athletics, but not on games involving college teams within the state.

States with Upcoming Legal Sportsbooks

Kansas

Kansas betting is on the verge of launching after Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 84 into law on May 12, 2022. Lawmakers are hopeful that it will launch near the start of the 2022 NFL season. Kansas will be run by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission and the Kansas Lottery. Betting on College will be permitted, which is huge in a state that loves its Kansas Jayhawks basketball.

Each of the four state-run casinos will be allowed three "skins" or mobile apps. Each casino can apply for an additional skin if it partners with a professional sports team. There are expected to be up to 50 retailers operating betting kiosks. Kansas is a little different than the rest of the nation in that lawmakers chose to earmark 80% of betting revenue for efforts aimed at bringing a pro sports teams to Kansas, namely the Missouri-based Kansas City Chiefs.

Ohio

Online betting is now legal in Ohio. Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29 into law on Dec. 22 after it passed through both the House (72-12) and the Senate (31-1) two weeks earlier.

Sports betting in Ohio will have a universal state date of Jan. 1, 2023. That is the latest possible start, according to Senate Bill 84. There was initially was hope that Ohio would launch near the beginning of the 2022 NFL season, but the reality is Ohioans will have a few weeks of regular season NFL betting and then the playoffs. Once it is live, residents of the Buckeye State will finally be able to wager on the Cleveland Browns and Cavaliers, Cincinnati Bengals, the Reds and all college teams, specifically the Ohio State Buckeyes. Here's what you need to know about which Sportsbooks Will Launch in Ohio when goes live.

Maryland

The approval of Maryland sports betting came in November 2020. It’s been a slow process, with retail betting at Maryland finally going live in December 2021 for legal action on area teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles. Bettors can do so at a number of physical bookmakers partnered with the likes of Caesars and TwinSpires.

Initially officials were hopeful Maryland would launch in the fall of 2022, however, it might not be until even later in the year based on the latest meeting of the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission. The issue is a disparity study that needs to be completed before the application process can begin.

North Carolina

North Carolina already has retail betting, but online betting won't be legal until at least 2023 since House Bill 688 failed by a single vote this summer. Gov. Roy Cooper is a betting supporter, so there is a chance that North Carolina will legalize it in 2023, however, it's uncertain if college betting will be allowed. That was a sticking point in the summer of 2022 and would be a huge missed opportunity if online sports bettors can't get action down on Duke-North Carolina and other college games.

Massachusetts Sports Betting

Massachusetts sports betting will soon be legal after a compromise was reached at the last minute on August 1. Lawmakers faced enormous pressure to compromise since almost every state bordering Massachusetts (Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and New York) have legalized. Massachusetts bettors can wager on college sports, but not in-state teams unless they participating in tournaments. DraftKings is based on Boston and other certainties to launch are WynnBET, BetMGM and Barstool (founder Dave Portnoy is from Massachusetts and a huge Boston sports fan).

Nebraska

Nebraska is slowly making progress and passed a bill to legalize it in May 2021. Gov. Pete Ricketts also signed a bill to approve six additional casinos and physical betting locations. The state also formed the Nebraska Gaming Commission which will oversee future developments at Nebraska betting websites. However, the wait continues as the casinos and retail bookmakers are currently being built and expected to start opening sometime in 2022.

Florida

Florida sports betting has been complicated from the very beginning. The tribe's Hard Rock betting app launched in early November 2021, but a federal judge soon ruled that the new compact, which gave the Seminole Tribe exclusive control in the Sunshine State, violated the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act (IRGA).

As a result, betting in Florida won't be legal until at least 2025. Why? Because the Seminole Tribe lost a series of court rulings and temporarily suspended online betting operations in early December 2021. There is an appeal underway, but it will be a lengthy process. Florida's final hope for legal betting in 2023 was a constitutional amendment, but two initiatives fell short of the signatures needed.

DraftKings and FanDuel both of which poured millions into the failed cause. The end result is sports betting won't be on the ballot until the 2024 election. If it gains approval in 2024, Florida wouldn't potentially go live until sometime in 2025.

States with Ongoing Sports Betting Legislation

While more than half of the states have approved legal sports gambling in some form since the Supreme Court struck down PASPA, others are still waiting to get the ball rolling. While the following states have begun the legislation process, it’s still a long road once the bill is passed. States must figure out how to regulate, allocate licenses, distinguish mobile betting rules and get everything approved in time for launch – that process can take months at best, and often more than a year.

• Alabama
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Oklahoma
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• North Dakota
• Vermont