Legal States for Sports Betting in the United States

As of 2025, sports betting in the United States has undergone a massive transformation since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018. This landmark decision allowed individual states to legalize and regulate sports betting on their own terms. As a result, a growing number of states have embraced this opportunity, creating a dynamic and evolving legal landscape for sports wagering across the country.

Fully Legal States

These states have legalized both retail (in-person) and online sports betting, offering residents and visitors a wide range of betting options:

• New Jersey – A pioneer in legal sports betting, with both online and retail options widely available.
• Pennsylvania – Robust online market supported by physical sportsbooks in casinos.
• Michigan – Legalized both online and retail betting, with strong market growth.
• Illinois – Online and retail betting legal, with some in-person registration requirements.
• Colorado – Fully legal with a large number of online operators.
• Indiana – Online and retail sportsbooks operate under state regulation.
• Virginia – Online betting only, with multiple licensed operators.
• Tennessee – Online-only betting with no retail sportsbooks allowed.
• Arizona – Legalized both formats with major sportsbook partnerships with sports franchises.
• Louisiana – Online and retail betting available in select parishes.
• New York – Initially retail-only, now includes online betting since 2022 with strong revenue growth.
• Ohio – Legalized online and retail betting as of 2023.
• Massachusetts – Online and in-person betting legalized in 2023.
• Maryland – Launched mobile betting in 2022 following retail launch.
• Connecticut – Allows both online and in-person betting through tribal and commercial partnerships.
• Rhode Island – Offers statewide mobile and retail betting.
• West Virginia – Fully legalized online and retail markets.
• Iowa – Legal market for online and retail betting.
• Nevada – Longstanding sports betting state, primarily through retail sportsbooks, with online limited to in-state registration.
• New Hampshire – Online betting through a state lottery partnership.
• Wyoming – Online-only market, with no retail sportsbooks.
• Montana – Retail-only betting via the state lottery’s Sports Bet Montana platform.
• Oregon – Online betting regulated through the state lottery.
• Washington – Retail-only betting at tribal casinos; limited mobile betting geofenced to tribal lands.
• North Carolina – Retail sports betting legalized at tribal casinos; online betting launched in 2024.
• Delaware – Retail-only betting offered at three casinos.

States with Legislation Passed but Not Yet Launched

Some states have passed laws to legalize sports betting but have not yet implemented active markets:

• Vermont – Passed legislation and launched in early 2024.
• Maine – Passed a bill and began operations in 2023 with tribal partnership control.

States with Limited or Restricted Sports Betting

These states offer highly restricted forms of betting, often limited to tribal casinos or retail-only environments:

• South Dakota – Limited retail-only betting at Deadwood casinos.
• Nebraska – Retail betting only; online remains illegal.
• Florida – Legal status is complex due to ongoing legal challenges with tribal exclusivity deals.

States Where Sports Betting Remains Illegal

As of 2025, the following states have not legalized sports betting in any form:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• California – Despite multiple ballot attempts, legalization efforts failed.
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Minnesota
• Mississippi – Only retail betting at casinos allowed; online betting remains prohibited.
• Missouri
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah
• Wisconsin – Some tribal casinos offer betting, but no statewide regulation exists.

Conclusion

The sports betting map of the United States continues to expand as more states explore the financial benefits and regulatory possibilities of legal wagering. Each state has its own unique framework, including licensing, tax rates, mobile access, and partnership structures. Bettors must stay informed of the laws in their own state to ensure they are gambling legally and responsibly. As public sentiment and legislative momentum grow, more states are likely to join the movement in the coming years.