Real-Life and Online Gambling in the USA: 2026 Guide
In 2023, the Alabama lawmakers are showing slight improvement in legalizing sports betting in the state. In 2020, HB 336 would have created a gambling commission that would oversee the state’s sports betting laws. Some state lawmakers in South Carolina are hesitant on legalizing sports betting. Retail and online sports betting in Kentucky will be allowed to include professional and college games. There are nine horse tracks with casinos that will operate retail sportsbooks. On March 4 of that same year, legal bettors in the state could now place wagers on professional and college sports from online sportsbooks.
It was one of two states (Missouri) to legalize online sports gambling in 2024. Despite no bills being passed, in-person sportsbooks exist because of a previous agreement between Native American tribes and the state — and the Native American tribes’ recent interpretation of that agreement. DraftKings has been the lone mobile operator in the state and bettors can also go to a few retail betting locations.
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.
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.
Previously, online bets were restricted to the two-block radii surrounding Nationals Park and Capital One Arena. Retail wagering is available at facilities throughout the state, and there are currently multiple options for betting. The Arizona Department of Gaming issued a cease-and-desist order to Kalshi and submitted comments to the CFTC calling purchase contracts on future sports illegal gambling. The median household income in Alaska is over $88,000, indicating an incentive for the state to legalize betting to collect tax revenue. Below is a summary of the current legislative status in all 50 states and key jurisdictions, including launch dates, legal betting ages, regulators, and basic college betting rules.
- Props.com offers comprehensive resources on the U.S sports betting industry.
- DFS sites serve as a legally accessible alternative to online sports betting sites in markets that have yet to formally legalize sports betting.
- Only 11 U.S. states do not offer legal sports betting in some form.
- These bets are common in basketball and football, among other sports.
IRL casinos, often referred to as Brick-and-Mortar or land-based venues, attract millions of visitors each year. Casino gaming remains a cornerstone of the American gambling experience. Legal debates continue, but the Act still affects cross-border betting. A map of current legality highlights where Americans can gamble online or at Land-based venues. As a result, gambling laws differ dramatically from state to state. They also tax the gambling sites or venues to generate revenues for their states.
Mobile Dominance
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.
Some states limit betting to in-person wagers at casinos or racetracks, while others allow online and mobile betting statewide. It’s also worth noting that online sports betting is becoming increasingly popular and may be available in some states as well. Any income earned through gambling activities, including sports betting and casino winnings, is considered taxable by the IRS. Allow sports betting in some form, though not all permit online wagering.
Online sports betting was originally registered at retail sportsbook, but that state law was officially changed March 5 of 2022. In Jan of 2021, Virginia launched legal online sports betting in its border. Early in 2023, seven legal online sportsbooks in Maryland launched legal betting on sports. There are a number of sportsbook operators, including BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings and FanDuel as the four largest sports betting sites. These New York online sportsbooks pay 51% of their revenue to the state, which is the largest sports betting tax in the US.
Vermont launched its online sports betting in January 2024, following the legalization process that began earlier in 2023. With the signing of House Bill 347 by Governor Roy Cooper in June 2023, North Carolina officially entered the sports betting arena, paving the way for both retail and online sports betting. Nebraska officially launched its sports betting operations on June 22, 2023, but only for in-person wagering, as online sports betting remains prohibited. Michigan managed to push through legislation for online sports betting, casino and DFS in December 2019. Massachusetts entered the sports betting arena with the launch of retail sportsbooks on January 31, 2023, following legislative approval.
The sportsbook may ask for proof of your identity and age such as a government-issued photo ID to make sure you are who you say you are and that you are old enough to play. The registration form you will need to complete is always found in the upper right-hand corner of the sportsbook’s home page. Then, after you are assigned an account, whether you make your initial deposit online or via the mobile app is again entirely up to you, depending on what you find most convenient.
The decision had wide-ranging implications for US sports betting. For now, The Federal Wire Act remains in place and essentially restricts states to regulating sports betting within their borders. The repeal of PASPA in 2018 granted states the authority to regulate sports betting. Each state page provides comprehensive information on the available forms of in-person and online betting in the USA that are legal and accessible to bettors who are residents in the state. BettingUSA’s expert team of industry insiders, analysts, and experienced gamblers dedicates our diverse skill set to providing a roadmap to betting online safely and legally.
The Tar Heel State legalized sports betting last summer, but the launch was delayed until March as they carefully prepared www.pokernewsdaily.com/sportsbooks/ to ensure a smooth debut. Understanding differences in regulated sports betting laws is one of the first steps on the road to becoming a successful sports bettor. For example, several states require first-time customers to visit a brick-and-mortar establishment before registering with any legal betting sites. However, sports betting laws can vary drastically from state to state, which is why it is important to know what your state’s sports betting laws look like. Nearly three-quarters of states have legalized sports betting at the time of writing, and that number is quickly rising.
Avoid chasing losses and remember that gambling should be considered entertainment as opposed to a source of income. For example, residents in NY, NJ, Maryland, Nevada and Delaware will not have access to Bovada. However, sites like Bovada and BetOnline have some state restrictions.
If you live in a legal sports betting state, chances are you’ve seen your fair share of sports betting ads. Like DraftKings, FanDuel was long known as a DFS app, which made its transition to online sports betting in 2018 relatively simple. BetMGM Sportsbook has been at the forefront of online sports betting, launching in New Jersey as PlayMGM in 2017. Each of the following states have online sports betting in some form. Daily fantasy sports (DFS) is the next best thing to sports betting online, and DFS is legal in nearly every state.
However, after a couple of unimpactful years, they decided to pull out of the US market. They still host one of the best DFS 2.0 apps on the market in most states if you’re interested in that as an alternative. However, due to laws on interstate trading, the operator was only able to go live in New Jersey where it struggled with low-liquidity on its lines. Unfortunately, due to a combination of licensing hold-ups and the rise of prediction markets in the US, there wasn’t enough of a demand for Sporttrade to take off. However, its market depth isn’t as extensive as larger national competitors, and the company has undergone several brand transitions in recent years, which may confuse users.
Tribal gaming exists all across the U.S. by the federal law of 1987, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), and tribal-state compacts, which govern the terms and conditions of gaming in the state. Should the state’s casinos be able to obtain the licenses? Likewise, the NHL is exploring the use of advanced stats for licensure and betting. Even the NFL now permits team-sportsbook partnerships, and the first came in June 2020 when the Broncos teamed up with FanDuel and Betfred. A bill that places local tribes in charge of betting in Oklahoma passed the house on March 23, 2023, giving life to OK betting hopes. His experience allows him to provide tips and information to help other bettors improve their game.
STATES WITH LEGALIZED ONLINE SPORTS BETTING LAUNCHING SOON
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 .
The Mid-Atlantic states include Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia as well as the District of Columbia. Some bettors will always want a local option, while others will prefer the advantages provided by international brands. Rules can differ substantially depending on where the bettor is located and where the operator is based.
These exemptions allowed for limited forms of parlay-style sports wagers on specific leagues offered by the state lottery. There are countless stories of sports bettors experiencing delayed cashouts, deposit options with excessive fees, and poor customer service. DraftKings has consistently been the fastest US betting site for payouts in all our tests. You can bet on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, MMA, boxing, golf, and much more using a US betting site. It’s best to check in with an individual US betting site to find out if it is available in your state.
The company leverages its strong brand in sports merchandise to attract sports bettors. A massive iGaming state due to its population, PA bettors can now choose from a host of top online operators including BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings, and FOX Bet. In an unusual move, the licensed establishments are geo-fenced, so you can’t bet online outside of the licensed bars and restaurants. With some states accepting more than 80% of wagers online, full fledged state-wide mobile is a big miss in the Magnolia state.
Online sportsbooks started to flourish and became a viable form of legalized sports betting. Point spread wagering is standard when you’re using an online sports betting platform. Most of theses states are still in the first stages of considering legal online sports betting. Several states have already legalized online sports betting, while many others have begun discussions on how such bills would benefit their state by taxing revenue on betting. While gambling is regulated on the state level, prediction markets have been able to launch across all 50 states, even where sports betting is illegal. In a few short months many states including New Jersey, Mississippi, West Virginia and New Mexico began accepting legal sports bets in land-based casinos and online.
While it didn’t specifically prohibit online betting, the UIGEA targeted the financial transactions linked to sports betting. Online sports betting hit a snag in 2006 when the federal government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). It was a sign that lawmakers recognized the potential in regulated sports betting.
Which US states have already legalized sports betting? Governor Henry McMaster opposes sports betting, so even if a bill did pass through legislation it would be unlikely to ever get legalized. A sports betting bill was filed by State Rep. Ken Luttrell in 2023, but sports betting actually becoming legalized in Oklahoma is a longshot, according to Action Network. Minnesota has been close to legalizing sports betting in 2022 and 2023, but legislation did not pass either time.
West Virginia was among the first states to regulate sports betting following the overturning of PASPA. To bet online, you have to use the GambetDC app—the only online sportsbook in the state. Sports betting is legal in Washington D.C., both online and in person. Governor Jay Inslee signed House Bill 2638 on March 25, 2020, to authorize tribal casinos to run sports wagering on their premises. The Virginia Lottery regulates betting and wagering on Virginia college sports is prohibited.
After a compact in 2019 between North Carolina Governor Ray Cooper and the in-state gaming tribes, retail sportsbooks in land-based tribal casinos were legal. Delaware did not legalize online sports betting for the web and mobile betting apps. As soon as the US Supreme Court handed down its ruling, Delaware lawmakers legalized retail sports betting in its three land-based casinos. Pennsylvania legalized online sports betting, horse race betting and casino gambling as part of its plan to expand its reach of adult 21 and older in the state. Currently, the state offers retail and online sports betting to legal adults as well as daily sports fantasy leagues (DFS). Golf enthusiasts can legally wager on golf matches with online sports betting sites.
Typically, two-factor authentication involves receiving a fix or six-digit number by text and inputting that number every time you log in to your online betting account. As mentioned, the minimum age to be permitted to gamble at any legal sportsbook in the US is 21. Signing up for an online sportsbook account begins with completing a registration form. Meanwhile, a great sportsbook will offer regular promotions on a weekly basis, whether or not a major sporting event is imminent. A good sportsbook will offer promos based around major events like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals. Most states have opted for open market regulatory frameworks that allow multiple sportsbook brands to apply for licenses and compete for customers.
