All states have the authority to legalize sports betting since 2018. Some jurisdictions, like New Jersey and Delaware, legalized the industry immediately the Supreme Court gave them this mandate. Others like Idaho and Utah have no plans to do it.
This guide breaks down sports betting legalization to show which states have legalized the sector. It also shows which states are in the process and which ones show no sign.
Already Legalized
Before we list states with legal sports betting, check the detailed breakdown on legalsportsbettingstates.com. The guide delves into the sports you can wager, where you can play casino games and bonuses to expect.
- Nevada
Nevada is the first state that comes to mind when most people think of betting on sports. It has a betting market established decades ago. These days, it also lets sportsbooks like Caesars Entertain to offer betting markets online.
- Delaware
Nevada aside, Delaware is another state where sports betting is legal. DE authorized the industry immediately after the Supreme Court verdict in 2018. It permits a handful of online casinos to offer sportsbooks but more companies will be launched soon.
- New Jersey
New Jersey sponsored the bill that struck off PASPA Act. Naturally, it was eager to legalize sports betting as soon as it got a favorable ruling. Amazingly, the Garden State has had tremendous success since legalizing sports gambling.
Last year, sportsbooks in the state recorded $3.2 billion in bets, $800 million which came from mobile bettors. In light of this success, NJ is on track to overtake Nevada as the biggest market for sports punters.
- Mississippi
Mississippi was the fourth state to legalize sports betting in 2018. Surprisingly it only allowed one casino to offer a sportsbook at the time. Additionally, it permitted land-based betting alone. So, you must travel to a betting shop within the state to bet.
- West Virginia
West Virginia has progressive betting laws established in August 2018. Under these regulations, you can wager online or in person at a sportsbook licensed by the West Virginia Lottery Commission.
Interestingly, some people prefer to bet at out of state or offshore betting websites. That’s because of their competitive odds, bigger bonuses and faster payments.
- New Mexico
After several states legalized sports betting in 2018, New Mexico followed suit quickly. It even allowed home-based Santa Ana Star Casino to partner with a Nevada based company to acquire a sportsbook instantly.
New Mexico allows betting for all sports albeit with one exception. You can wager on college games that involve New Mexico State University and the University of New Mexico. However, you can wager on college games involving all other states.
- Pennsylvania
Like West Virginia, Pennsylvania gave its first sports betting license to Hollywood Casino in November 2018. Since then, the Keystone State has permitted over a dozen more land-based and online betting websites.
Pennsylvania allows betting for all major sports, including college games. At one time, though, the NFL sent a letter to PA asking for clarification on how it planned to protect punters and their data. It must have convinced the football league it would provide a safe betting environment because there haven’t been any complaints since then.
- Rhode Island
Rhode Island first legalized sports betting in November 2018. At the time, it allowed gambling on two dedicated places. One year later, the state amended its laws to include mobile betting. That means you can now gamble on all major sports leagues without leaving your home. All you need is to have a working android or iOS device.
- Arkansas and New York
Arkansas permitted sports betting July last year. It has since licensed a handful of companies to offer land-based betting. However, it has no plans to permit mobile betting in the near future.
New York has similar sports gambling laws. The Big Apple authorized land-based betting July last year. Legislators then proposed a law to authorize online betting but it stalled a few months afterward.
- Iowa and Oregon
Iowa legalized sports betting August last year. It permits both land-based and mobile gambling. However, it has limitations on what you can predict in college games. In many cases, the restrictions are on prop bets.
Like Iowa, Oregon permitted sports betting August 2019. The Chinook Winds Casino Resort hosted the state’s first wager. Since then, several more sportsbooks have launched brick and mortar and online betting platforms.
- Indiana and New Hampshire
Indiana supports both land-based and online sports betting. But like its peers, the Hoosier State has some limitations on what you can predict. You can bet on the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS and MLB. Additionally, you can wager on college games—just not eSports.
In New Hampshire, sports betting came to fruition in December last year. Governor Chris Sununo placed the state’s first bet. Since then, New Hampshire’s lottery department has licensed a handful of land-based and mobile betting companies.
- Illinois and Michigan
Illinois is one of the latest states to legalize sports betting. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a betting bill that promotes both land-based and online betting into law this March. The bill bans college bets for teams in Illinois, though.
In Michigan, Detroit welcomed the first sportsbook on March 11, 2020. The state’s bill permits both mobile and in-person bets.
- Montana and Colorado
Montana and Colorado permitted sports betting in March and May respectively. Both states permit in-person and mobile wagering.
Planning to Legalize or No Laws
Besides Utah, Idaho and Wisconsin, all other states have sports betting related bills pending approval. They include D.C., Tennessee, N. Carolina and Oklahoma, which have all but began to accept bets.
Some states, however, have attempted to legalize sports betting since 2018 but met opposition. Take Maine as an example. Legislators had already agreed on a bill that allowed everything but betting on high school games. But Governor Janet Mills vetoed it.
In Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri and Minnesota, bills were passed but fell flat after the committee stage. There’s a ray of hope, though. All these states could re-introduce betting bills sooner or later.