State of the US States: Everything you need to know

Since the landmark 2018 Supreme Court decision overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the legal landscape of sports betting in the United States has dramatically shifted. This pivotal ruling empowered states to individually determine their sports gambling regulations, sparking rapid growth and expansion nationwide.
Current State-by-State Legal Status of Sports Betting in the U.S.
As of 2025, 39 states, along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, have legalized sports betting in some form. Among these, 32 states specifically offer online and mobile sports betting through regulated U.S. sportsbooks, providing bettors convenient access via smartphone apps and desktop platforms.
State | Online Sports Gambling | Retail Sports Gambling | Sports Gambling Age | Date Legalized | Operational Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Illegal | Illegal | N/A | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | In 2024, Alabama was one-vote away from legalizing the states gambling. |
Alaska | Illegal | Illegal | N/A | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | House Bill 385 was created in 2022 but has not been passed. |
Arizona | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | April 15, 2021 (HB 2772 signed) | Launched (Sept 2021) | On April 15 2021, Gov. Doug Ducey signed HB2772 into law…establishing sports betting |
Arkansas | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | Nov 2018 (Amendment 100 approved) | Launched (July 2019) | In 2018, Arkansas voters approved…Amendment 100…Casino gaming shall also…include accepting wagers on sporting events. |
California | Illegal | Illegal | N/A | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | California has not legalized online or retail sports betting. |
Colorado | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | Nov 2019 (Prop DD approved) | Launched (May 2020) | Colorado voters passed Proposition DD in 2019 and officially legalized sports betting. |
Connecticut | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | May 25, 2021 (legislation passed) | Launched (Sept 2021) | On May 25, 2021, the Connecticut General Assembly enacted legislation authorizing retail and online sports betting. |
Delaware | Legal (single operator online) | Legal | 21 | June 2018 (post-PASPA expansion) | Launched (June 5, 2018) | The first state post-PASPA to accept an in-person wager in June 2018. |
District of Columbia (D.C.) | Legal (city-wide online/mobile) | Legal | 18 | May 3, 2019 (Sports Wagering Lottery Act) | Launched (2020) | D.C. Law 22-312 became effective May 3, 2019.” |
Florida | Legal (exclusively via Seminole Tribe) | Legal (Tribal casinos) | 21 | May 2021 (Seminole tribal compact ratified) | Launched (Dec 2023) | State legislators approved the deal in May 2021. Hard Rock Bet is the sole online operator in Florida. |
Georgia | Illegal | Illegal | N/A | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | Georgia has not legalized gambling in any form, to date. |
Hawaii | Illegal | Illegal | N/A | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | Hawaii has not legalized gambling in any form, to date. |
Idaho | Illegal | Illegal | N/A | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | Idaho has not legalized gambling in any form, to date. |
Illinois | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | June 2019 (sports betting law) | Launched (March 2020) | Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law in June 2019 that allows sports betting in the state |
Indiana | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal (casinos/OTBs) | 21 | May 8, 2019 (HB 1015 signed) | Launched (Sept 2019) | Sports betting has been legal in Indiana since Gov. Holcomb signed House Bill 1015 into law on May 8, 2019. |
Iowa | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | May 13, 2019 (SF 617 signed) | Launched (Aug 2019) | Gov. Kim Reynolds signed SF 617 into law on May 13, 2019, allowing Iowa’s casinos to offer legal sports betting. |
Kansas | Legal (oline/mobile) | Legal | 21 | May 12, 2022 (SB 84 signed) | Launched (Sept 2022) | On May 12, 2022, Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 84 into law, legalizing sports betting in Kansas. |
Kentucky | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 18 | March 31, 2023 (HB 551 signed) | Launched (Sept 2023) | On March 31, 2023, Gov. Beshear signed…House Bill 551 – legalizing sports wagering in Kentucky. |
Louisiana | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | Nov 2020 (voter referendum; laws in June 2021) | Launched (Oct 2021 retail; Jan 2022 mobile) | Gov. John Bel Edwards signed two bills into law on June 22, 2021 to bring sports gambling to the state. |
Maine | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | May 2, 2022 (LD 585 signed) | Launched (Nov 2023) | April 2022: Governor Janet Mills signs LD 585 into law, legalizing sports betting. |
Maryland | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | Nov 2020 (voter referendum; law May 18, 2021) | Launched (Dec 2021 retail; Nov 2022 mobile) | Gov. Hogan signed a sports betting bill into law on May 18, 2021. |
Massachusetts | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | Aug 10, 2022 (H.5164 signed) | Launched (Jan 2023 retail; Mar 2023 mobile) | Gov. Charlie Baker signed Act to Regulate Sports Wagering. August, 2022, legalizing sports betting. |
Michigan | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 21 | Dec 20, 2019 (bills signed) | Launched (Mar 2020 retail; Jan 2021 mobile) | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bills to legalize sports betting…in Michigan on Dec. 20, 2019) |
Minnesota | Illegal | Illegal | N/A | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | Minnesota has not legalized gambling in any form, to date. |
Mississippi | Legal Mobile apps allowed at retail venues. | Legal (casino/sportsbooks) | 21 | 2017 (law change effective 2018) | Launched (Aug 2018) | In 2017, Mississippi legalized sports wagering (HB 967). |
Missouri | Legal (launching in 2025) | Illegal | 21 | Legalized via 2024 ballot | Launching towards end of 2025 | Missouri Gaming Commission planning to make sports betting available by Dec. 1, 2025. |
Montana | Legal at licensed state lottery terminals. | Legal | 18 | May 3, 2019 (HB 725 signed) | Launched (Mar 2020) | In early May, Gov. Bullock signed House Bill 725 into law, legalizing sports wagering. |
Nebraska | Illegal | Legal (racetrack casinos) | May 27, 2021 (LB 561 signed) | Launched (June 2023) | May 27, 2021 – Gov. Pete Ricketts signed LB 561 into law. In-person betting…becomes legal in Nebraska”. | |
Nevada | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 1949 (sports betting legalized) | Launched (operating for decades) | 1949: Nevada legalizes sports betting. | |
New Hampshire | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 18 | July 12, 2019 (HB 480 signed) | Launched (Dec 2019) | Gov. Chris Sununu signed bill H480 into law in July 2019. |
New Jersey | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | June 11, 2018 (A4111 signed) | Launched (June 2018) | Gov. Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 4111, allowing sports betting in NJ. | |
New Mexico | Illegal | Legal (tribal casinos) | N/A (tribal gaming compacts) | Launched (Oct 2018) | Tribal casinos are allowed to offer sports betting, as per the 2015 Indian Gaming Compact. | |
New York | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 2013 (retail via referendum); April 2021 (online law) | Launched (July 2019 retail; Jan 2022 mobile) | Gov. Cuomo signs bill legalizing online sports betting. | |
North Carolina | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | June 14, 2023 (online law) | Launched (Mar 2021 retail; March 2024 mobile) | Gov. Roy Cooper signed sports betting into law in June 2019. | |
North Dakota | Illegal | Legal (tribal casinos) | Tribal gaming compacts | Launched (2021) | All sports betting must take place in-person in a tribal casino. | |
Ohio | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | Dec 22, 2021 (HB 29 signed) | Launched (Jan 2023) | Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29, establishing sports betting in the Buckeye State. | |
Oklahoma | Illegal | Illegal | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | Oklahoma has not legalized gambling in any form, to date. | |
Oregon | Legal (Single-operator model with DraftKings Sportsbook) | Legal (tribal casinos) | Legal since 1989. | Launched (Oct 2019) | Oregon started “Sports Action” a parlay service in 1989. | |
Pennsylvania | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | Oct 30, 2017 (HB 271 signed) | Launched (Nov 2018) | Gov. Tom Wolf signed HB 271 into law in October 2017. | |
Rhode Island | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | 18 | June 22, 2018 (budget bill signed) | Launched (Nov 2018 retail; Sep 2019 mobile) | Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the bill into law in 2018. |
South Carolina | Illegal | Illegal | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | South Carolina has not legalized gambling in any form, to date. | |
South Dakota | Legal on Deadwood/tribal venues only | Legal (Deadwood casinos) | S. Dakota legislature on gambling. | Launched (Sept 2021) | In November of 2020, voters approved ‘Amendment B,’ which legalized sports gambling in Deadwood city limits. | |
Tennessee | Legal (online/mobile) | Illegal | Tennessee Sports Gaming Act of May 2019 | Launched (Nov 2020) | Gov. Bill Lee allowed the legislation to become law without his signature. | |
Texas | Illegal | Illegal | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | Texas has not legalized gambling in any form, to date. | |
Utah | Illegal | Illegal | N/A (not legalized) | N/A | Utah has not legalized gambling in any form, to date. | |
Vermont | Legal (online/mobile) | Illegal | June 14, 2023 (HB 127 signed) | Launched (Jan 2024) | Vermont legalized sports betting on June 14, 2023. | |
Virginia | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | April 2020 (SB 384/HB 896 signed) | Launched (Jan 2021) | The state past legislature SB 384, legalizing sports betting. | |
Washington | Legal at Tribal casinos only | Legal (tribal casinos) | March 25, 2020 (HB 2638 signed) | Launched (Sept 2021) | Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law March 25, 2020 making sports betting legal at tribal casinos in the state. | |
West Virginia | Legal (online/mobile) | Legal | March 9, 2018 (SB 415 became law) | Launched (Aug 2018) | West Virginia became the first state to legalize sports betting during 2018. | |
Wisconsin | Legal at Tribal casinos only | Legal (tribal casinos) | 21 | N/A (first compact July 2021) | Launched (Nov 2021) | Gov. Tony Evers and the Oneida Nation agreed to allow sports betting at the tribe’s casino. |
Wyoming | Legal (online/mobile) | N/A (no retail casinos) | 18 | April 5, 2021 (HB 133 signed) | Launched (Sept 2021) | Gov. Mark Gordon signed HB-0133 authorizing and regulating online sports wagering. |
Key Impacts of U.S. Sports Betting Legalization
The expansion of legalized sports betting across the United States has led to significant economic and regulatory developments. Below is a data-driven analysis of the key impacts observed during 2024 and early 2025.
1. Record-Setting Revenue and Tax Contributions
Legal sports betting continues to be a substantial revenue source for several states:
- New York: In the 2024–25 fiscal year, New York reported a sports betting handle of $23.94 billion, generating $2.14 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) and over $1 billion in tax revenue, marking the first time a U.S. state surpassed the $1 billion mark in annual sports betting tax collections.
- New Jersey: In 2024, New Jersey's sports betting handle reached $12.77 billion, with a GGR of $1.09 billion, resulting in approximately $156 million in tax revenue.
The tax revenue from sports gambling is earmarked for public projects and state funds, which go back to the community and to numerous responsible gambling initiatives.
For comprehensive revenue data per state, see detailed U.S. sports betting revenue statistics.
2. Collaboration with Native American Tribes
Legal sports betting in the U.S. continues to evolve through tribal-state partnerships, which have become pivotal in expanding access while honoring tribal sovereignty. Tribal gaming operations—governed under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA)—have been instrumental in shaping local markets and ensuring culturally and economically inclusive frameworks.
- Florida: In December 2023, Hard Rock Bet, operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, relaunched online and mobile betting following legal affirmation of the 2021 tribal-state compact. In 2024, the platform has quickly become a leading operator in the state due to its exclusivity and mobile-first design.
- Wisconsin: The Oneida Nation and other tribes launched retail sportsbooks following new compacts signed in 2021–2022. The arrangement allows tribes to modernize offerings and attract new visitors to tribal casinos while maintaining compliance with federal law.
- New Mexico, North Dakota, and Washington State also permit sports betting exclusively through tribal casinos, reinforcing a model of trust and revenue-sharing that supports tribal economies.
As more states negotiate compacts with tribal nations, the model is seen as essential for expanding sports betting into untapped regions, ensuring market stability, and incorporating culturally responsible gambling practices.
3. Maturation of State Regulatory Bodies and Cross-State Coordination
Many state regulators have enhanced their oversight mechanisms, emphasizing transparency, data sharing, and collaborative efforts to ensure integrity and consumer protection. Almost all U.S. gambling states publish detailed monthly and annual reports presenting data on handle, revenue, hold percentage, and tax revenue—core metrics that allow policymakers, researchers, and the public to assess the industry's financial and regulatory health.
In addition to financial reporting, several states have begun expanding their public disclosures to include operator-level data, promotional deduction transparency, consumer complaints, and disciplinary actions:
Massachusetts: Enhanced Transparency and Reporting
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has implemented a comprehensive reporting system, requiring licensees to submit detailed monthly revenue reports. These reports, including data on operator performance, consumer complaints, and regulatory infractions, are publicly available to promote transparency and accountability.
Indiana: Strengthened Enforcement and Exclusion Measures
The Indiana Gaming Commission has intensified its enforcement actions by regularly updating its Exclusion List. As of January 2025, 1,111 individuals were added to this list for various infractions, including cheating and other criminal activities, effectively barring them from participating in any casino or online sports wagering activities within the state.
4. Evolving Standards for Promotional Integrity and Advertising Restrictions
In 2024, state regulators intensified efforts to curb misleading advertising and promotional practices in sports betting.
- Ohio: The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) proposed amendments to Ohio Administrative Code 3775-16-09 to prevent sports gaming promotions tied to non-gaming consumer transactions. This action was in response to instances where operators offered promotions based on unrelated consumer purchases, which the Commission deemed misleading and a threat to the integrity of sports gaming.
5. Artificial Intelligence: Enhancing Player Safety, Platform Integrity, and Operational Efficiency
Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly vital role in the evolution of online sports betting and gambling, with applications across user safety, fraud detection, personalization, and compliance. In 2024–2025, regulatory discussions and operator adoption accelerated, focusing on measurable outcomes rather than speculative benefits.
AI for Responsible Gambling Monitoring
Several jurisdictions are now using AI to help detect early signs of problem gambling. AI tools analyze behavioral patterns—such as chasing losses, frequent session spikes, or increased deposit frequency—to flag at-risk users in real time.
According to the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) report, major operators now use AI systems to identify behavioral red flags and initiate interventions such as automated messages, cooling-off suggestions, or voluntary limit-setting tools.