Sports betting is legal in 39 US states and the District of Columbia, but the landscape varies significantly from one jurisdiction to the next. Some states offer fully competitive mobile and retail markets with more than a dozen licensed operators; others restrict wagering to tribal casino premises or a single lottery-operated app. Eleven states have no legal framework at all.
This guide covers the legal status of sports betting in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including the legislative history that shaped each market, the availability of mobile and retail wagering, and the current state of play in jurisdictions still working toward legalization. It is updated regularly to reflect regulatory changes, new market launches, and legislative developments.
Alabama
Not Yet Legal – No Licensed Retail or Mobile Wagering
Sports betting remains illegal in Alabama as of May 2026. The state constitution prohibits lotteries and most forms of gambling, meaning any expansion requires a constitutional amendment — a process that demands a three-fifths supermajority in both the House and Senate before a ballot question can be put to voters statewide. That high bar has repeatedly proven insurmountable despite sustained legislative interest.
The most significant recent advance came in February 2024, when the House passed HB 151 and HB 152 — bills that would have authorized casinos, a state lottery, and mobile sports betting. The Senate stripped the wagering and casino provisions, leaving a lottery-only compromise that ultimately failed before the session ended in May. In 2025, Representative Jeremy Gray introduced HB 490, proposing a 10% tax rate and a new Alabama Gaming Commission, while Senator Greg Albritton worked on a broader package at a 24% rate. Neither gathered sufficient Senate support. A 2026 constitutional amendment proposal, SB 257, would put the question of sports betting, a state lottery, and casino gaming to voters, but Senate leadership has acknowledged the votes for a supermajority are not yet there.
Gaming Commission
Alaska
Not Yet Legal – No Licensed Retail or Mobile Wagering
Alaska has no legal sports betting framework and no established commercial gaming infrastructure. The state has historically maintained a conservative stance toward gambling expansion, and the absence of commercial casinos creates structural as well as political obstacles to legalization.
The most detailed proposal to date came in 2025, when Representative David Nelson introduced HB 145, envisaging up to 10 mobile-only sportsbook licenses, a 20% tax on adjusted gross revenue, and the Alaska Department of Revenue as regulator, with a minimum age of 21. The bill was referred to the House Labor and Commerce Committee and Finance but did not advance. It carried over into the 2026 session, where Representative Mike Prax joined as co-sponsor. GeoComply data presented to the legislature in 2026 showed the company blocked more than 56,000 attempts by Alaska residents to access out-of-state sportsbook apps in a six-month period, illustrating the scale of unmet demand in the absence of a regulated market.
Gaming Commission
N/A – No State Gaming Authority. Limited charitable gaming is overseen by the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
Arizona
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Arizona has one of the most competitive legal sports betting markets in the United States. The state legislature passed HB 2772 on April 15, 2021, and the market launched statewide on September 9, 2021 — timed to coincide with the opening week of the NFL season. The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) regulates the market and oversees operator licensing, compliance, and enforcement. Up to 20 licenses were authorized, split between professional sports venues, off-reservation partners, and tribal nations. Fourteen operators were licensed and active as of mid-2026.
The framework permits wagering on professional and most college sports, though player prop bets on collegiate athletes are prohibited. In June 2024 the ADG reopened its event wagering application period, welcoming additional operators. The market has consistently ranked among the top ten US states by monthly handle, driven by a large population base, a full roster of major-league franchises, and the early timing of its launch relative to peers.
Gaming Commission
Arkansas
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Arkansas was among the earlier states to move on sports betting following the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Murphy v. NCAA. Retail sports betting launched on July 1, 2019, at the state’s two casino properties, following the passage of Issue 4 — a constitutional amendment approved by Arkansas voters in November 2018. Online and mobile wagering went live on March 4, 2022, regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
The market remained limited to in-state operators for several years. That changed in March 2026 when DraftKings and FanDuel entered the market for the first time as technology vendors, partnering with Southland Casino Racing and Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort respectively — the first time national operators have been available in the state. Wagering on in-state college games and college player props is prohibited under state law.
Gaming Commission
California
Not Yet Legal – No Licensed Retail or Mobile Wagering
California is the largest unregulated sports betting market in the United States, representing an estimated potential handle in excess of $10 billion annually if legalized. Two competing ballot measures were placed before voters in November 2022: Proposition 26 sought to legalize in-person betting at tribal casinos and racetracks, while Proposition 27 proposed a statewide mobile market operated by commercial operators. Both failed decisively, each receiving less than 20% of the vote.
No new sports betting legislation was introduced in California during 2025. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831 in October 2025, banning sweepstakes casinos effective January 2026, and the state Attorney General issued a formal opinion declaring daily fantasy sports illegal under California law. Tribal gaming interests, which exercise significant political influence over gaming expansion, remain divided over the terms of any future framework. Industry analysts widely view 2028 as the earliest realistic opportunity for a renewed sports betting ballot measure.
Gaming Commission
California Gambling Control Commission (oversees non-tribal card rooms; tribal gaming governed separately via compacts)
Colorado
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Colorado legalized sports betting through a two-step process: the state legislature passed HB 19-1327 in May 2019, which referred the question to voters as Proposition DD. Voters approved the measure in November 2019, and the market launched on May 1, 2020, regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming within the Department of Revenue. Colorado operates one of the most open licensing regimes in the country — 16 licensed online sportsbooks as of 2026, more than any other state — and both retail and mobile wagering are available. Wagering on professional and college sports is permitted, though player prop bets on collegiate athletes are prohibited.
In May 2026, the Colorado State Senate passed SB 26-131 by a vote of 50-13, imposing deposit limits, a credit card ban, and advertising restrictions on licensed sportsbook operators. The bill passed to the Governor’s office for signature at the time of publication. Colorado’s sports betting revenue funds the state’s water plan, with a portion directed toward problem gambling prevention programs.
Gaming Commission
Connecticut
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Connecticut legalized sports betting through Public Act 21-23, signed by Governor Ned Lamont in May 2021. The market launched on October 19, 2021, following the resolution of amendments to tribal gaming compacts with the Mohegan Tribe and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which required federal approval. Three online operators are licensed: DraftKings (affiliated with Foxwoods), FanDuel (affiliated with Mohegan Sun), and Fanatics Sportsbook (affiliated with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation).
Connecticut operates as one of the more constrained markets in the Northeast, with only three licensed digital platforms and restrictions on betting on UConn athletics except in multi-team national tournaments such as the NCAA Championship. The tax rate on gross gaming revenue is 13.75%. Despite its compact size, the state generates consistent revenue underpinned by proximity to the New York metropolitan area and strong interest in professional sports.
Gaming Commission
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Gaming Division
Delaware
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Delaware holds the distinction of being the first state outside Nevada to offer legal sports betting following the Supreme Court’s repeal of PASPA, launching retail wagering on July 5, 2018, at its three licensed casinos. The market was enabled by Delaware’s pre-existing legal framework, which had permitted NFL parlay wagering since 1976 under an exemption in the original federal statute. Single-game wagering was added at the 2018 launch under the regulatory oversight of the Delaware Lottery and the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Online and mobile sports betting launched on December 26, 2023, through an exclusive partnership between the Delaware Lottery and DraftKings — making Delaware one of the last states with legal retail betting to add a digital option. The single-operator model reflects the state’s small population and lottery-centric regulatory approach. Betting on in-state college games and college player props is prohibited.
Gaming Commission
Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement
District of Columbia
Legal – Mobile & Retail
The District of Columbia legalized sports betting through the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018, signed on January 23, 2019, and cleared by Congress on May 3, 2019. The Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) serves as both the regulator and operator of sports wagering in the District. Mobile wagering launched on May 28, 2020, and retail wagering is available at licensed venues including sports arenas, restaurants, and bars near sporting venues.
The District permits private operators to offer sports betting alongside the OLG’s own platform, and several national brands are licensed. Washington, D.C. was among the first markets in the country to permit betting inside sporting venues. The market is relatively small by handle given the District’s limited residential population, but it benefits from proximity to Maryland and Virginia’s competitive markets and a year-round professional sports calendar.
Gaming Commission
DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG)
Florida
Legal – Mobile Only (Single Operator via Tribal Compact)
Florida’s sports betting market has been shaped by prolonged litigation. The Seminole Tribe of Florida entered a gaming compact with the state in May 2021 granting the tribe exclusive rights to offer mobile sports betting statewide through its Hard Rock Bet platform. The market launched on November 1, 2021, but was shut down three weeks later following a legal challenge from pari-mutuel operators. Years of federal court proceedings followed. The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit reversed a lower court ruling in June 2023, upholding the compact’s validity, and the market relaunched on November 7, 2023.
As of 2026, Hard Rock Bet remains the only licensed mobile sportsbook in Florida. No commercial operators such as FanDuel or DraftKings are authorized to offer wagering in the state independently. Retail sportsbooks are available at Seminole Tribe properties. The legal framework limits the market to a single operator, making Florida structurally different from every other legal US state.
Gaming Commission
Florida Gaming Control Commission
Georgia
Not Yet Legal – Legislation Pending
Georgia has been among the most active states in debating sports betting legalization without yet enacting it. A constitutional amendment is required for most forms of commercial gaming expansion, creating a higher legislative threshold. In the 2025 session, House Bills 686 and House Resolution 450 — which would have authorized online sports wagering and directed revenue toward Pre-K education and the HOPE Scholarship — advanced further than prior versions, reaching the House floor for debate, but failed to receive a full vote before the deadline.
A 2026 bill, HB 910, proposes legalizing mobile sports betting under the administration of the Georgia Lottery without requiring a constitutional amendment — a significant procedural shortcut if upheld legally. Georgia’s major professional sports franchises, including the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, and Atlanta United, have publicly supported legalization, as has the PGA Tour, which hosts The Masters in Augusta annually.
Gaming Commission
No standalone gaming commission. The Georgia Lottery Corporation administers lottery operations and would oversee sports betting under HB 910 if enacted.
Hawaii
Not Yet Legal – No Licensed Retail or Mobile Wagering
Hawaii is one of only two states — alongside Utah — that prohibits virtually all forms of gambling. The state has no commercial casinos, no state lottery, and no legal framework for any form of wagering. Daily fantasy sports are also prohibited. This stance reflects a long-standing cultural and political consensus against gambling expansion.
Multiple bills were introduced in the 2025 legislative session without advancing. A proposal received a committee hearing in February 2026 — a procedural milestone not previously reached — but no legislation has been enacted. Given the absence of existing gambling infrastructure and the sustained cultural opposition within the legislature, no near-term legalization timeline has been established.
Gaming Commission
N/A – All gambling prohibited. No state gaming authority exists.
Idaho
Not Yet Legal – No Licensed Retail or Mobile Wagering
Idaho’s state constitution prohibits most forms of gambling, with limited exceptions for the state lottery, tribal casinos, pari-mutuel horse racing, and charitable gaming. Sports betting falls outside all permitted categories, and no regulatory pathway exists without a constitutional amendment or specific enabling legislation.
No sports betting bill was introduced during Idaho’s 2025 legislative session, and there has been no meaningful political momentum toward legalization. The state’s tribal casinos operate under federal compacts but have not moved to introduce sports wagering. Idaho is widely regarded as one of the least likely states to pursue sports betting legalization in the near term.
Gaming Commission
No standalone gaming commission. Horse racing is overseen by the Idaho State Racing Commission.
Illinois
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Illinois legalized sports betting through the Sports Wagering Act (Public Act 101-0031), signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker in June 2019. Retail sports betting launched on March 9, 2020, and online wagering on June 18, 2020, initially requiring in-person registration. A subsequent law passed in October 2021 eliminated the in-person registration requirement. The Illinois Gaming Board regulates the market. Ten online sportsbooks were licensed as of mid-2026, and Illinois consistently ranks as the second-largest US sports betting market by handle, trailing only New York.
Governor Pritzker’s fiscal year 2025 budget included a substantial tax rate increase, raising the levy on the highest-revenue operators to as much as 40% on a tiered basis — one of the most significant regulatory changes to a live US market since legalization. Wagering on in-state college games and college player props is prohibited.
Gaming Commission
Indiana
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Indiana was among the faster-moving post-PASPA states, legalizing sports betting through Senate Enrolled Act 552 in May 2019 and launching both retail and online wagering on September 1, 2019. The Indiana Gaming Commission regulates the market, which encompasses retail sportsbooks at licensed casinos and racinos and 11 active online operators as of mid-2026.
Indiana permits wagering on professional sports and collegiate events, with a prohibition on player prop bets involving collegiate athletes. The state taxes sports betting revenue at 9.5% on adjusted gross receipts. Since launch, the market has attracted all major national operators and developed a competitive promotional environment.
Gaming Commission
Iowa
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Iowa enacted sports betting legislation through Senate File 617 in May 2019 and launched retail and online wagering on August 15, 2019 — one of the first Midwestern states to go live with a regulated market. Iowa initially required in-person registration to activate a mobile account, a requirement lifted in 2021, resulting in a measurable uptick in mobile handle. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission oversees the market. Eleven online sportsbooks were active as of mid-2026.
Iowa applies a 6.75% tax on adjusted gross sports wagering revenue, one of the lowest rates among legal states. Wagering on player props for collegiate athletes is prohibited. Iowa’s border position adjacent to several non-legal jurisdictions — including Nebraska and Minnesota — has benefited the market through crossover patronage.
Gaming Commission
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
Kansas
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Kansas legalized sports betting through Senate Bill 84, signed in May 2022, and launched both retail and online wagering on September 1, 2022 — in time for the NFL season. The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission administers the market through four state-owned casino anchors. Six online sportsbooks were licensed as of mid-2026. College games are available to bet on, but player prop bets on collegiate athletes are prohibited.
Kansas attracted national attention as a market that licensed the Kansas City Chiefs as an official sports betting partner. The state’s prompt post-legislation launch demonstrated an efficient regulatory process and positioned Kansas to capture bettor interest ahead of the then-not-yet-legal neighboring state of Missouri.
Gaming Commission
Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
Kentucky
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Kentucky legalized sports betting through House Bill 551, signed on March 31, 2023, making it the 34th state to do so. Retail sportsbooks opened on September 7, 2023, followed by online and mobile platforms on September 28, 2023. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) was designated as the regulatory authority, leveraging its existing licensing infrastructure.
Eight online sportsbooks were licensed in Kentucky as of mid-2026. Kentucky is notable for having among the fewest college wagering restrictions of any US state — betting on both in-state and out-of-state college games is permitted with no ban on college player props. Revenue from sports betting is allocated to the Kentucky General Fund and pension fund support.
Gaming Commission
Kentucky Horse Racing Commission
Louisiana
Legal – Mobile & Retail (Permitted Parishes Only)
Louisiana’s path to legal sports betting was determined in part by voters. In November 2020, a majority of the state’s 64 parishes approved sports betting as part of a statewide referendum held on a parish-by-parish basis. The enabling legislation was Senate Bill 130 (2020). In-person wagering commenced in October 2021, and six online sportsbooks launched on January 28, 2022. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates the market.
Louisiana’s structural feature is its parish-level opt-in requirement: mobile wagering and retail access are geofenced to those parishes that voted in favor. Eight licensed operators were available in permitted areas as of mid-2026. College player prop bets are prohibited. Louisiana is one of the few southeastern states with a functioning regulated sports betting market, alongside Tennessee.
Gaming Commission
Louisiana Gaming Control Board
Maine
Legal – Mobile Only
Maine Governor Janet Mills signed LD 585 in May 2022, with the law taking effect in August of that year. The market launched on November 3, 2023. Maine is an online-only market — no retail sportsbook locations operate in the state. The Maine Gambling Control Unit regulates the market, and under the law, Maine’s four federally recognized Native American tribes hold exclusive rights to partner with online operators. Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings were the two active platforms as of mid-2026.
Maine prohibits wagering on in-state college teams and college player props. The state’s small population means it will remain one of the smaller markets nationally by volume, though it benefits from a base of engaged bettors in a state bordered by New Hampshire. Maine was also reported in 2026 to be preparing for a legal online casino (iGaming) launch, with DraftKings and Caesars among expected participants.
Gaming Commission
Maryland
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing sports betting in the November 2020 election. Retail betting at licensed casinos launched in December 2021, and online and mobile wagering launched on November 23, 2022, following a protracted licensing process — among the longest gaps between referendum approval and market launch of any US state. The enabling legislation was Senate Bill 867 (2020). The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency oversees the market. Eleven online sportsbooks were active as of mid-2026.
College games are available to wager on, but single-player college props are prohibited. Maryland raised its online sports betting tax rate in May 2025. The state benefits from its concentration of major professional franchises and its position between the large New Jersey and Virginia markets.
Gaming Commission
Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
Massachusetts
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Massachusetts legalized sports betting through Chapter 194 of the Acts of 2022, signed in August 2022. Retail sportsbooks launched on January 31, 2023, and online platforms went live on March 10, 2023. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission regulates the market. Betting on in-state college teams is permitted only when the school is participating in a tournament of four or more teams, such as the NCAA Championship; player props on collegiate athletes are prohibited in any game. Seven online sportsbooks were licensed as of mid-2026.
Massachusetts launched with significant public attention, given Boston’s status as one of the most sports-engaged cities in the country. Revenue is distributed across the General Fund, Local Aid Fund, Workforce Investment Trust Fund, and Public Health Trust Fund, which supports problem gambling treatment programs. The state has drawn national attention for its strict approach to consumer protection and responsible gambling enforcement.
Gaming Commission
Massachusetts Gaming Commission
Michigan
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Michigan legalized sports betting through the Lawful Sports Betting Act (PA 149 of 2019), signed in December 2019. Retail betting launched at Detroit’s three commercial casinos on March 11, 2020. Online and mobile wagering went live on January 22, 2021, making Michigan one of the first states to operate an integrated online sports betting and iGaming market simultaneously. The Michigan Gaming Control Board regulates both commercial and tribal sports wagering. Fifteen online sportsbooks were licensed as of mid-2026.
Michigan is a major US betting market, regularly cited as a model for states considering the simultaneous launch of sports betting and online casino products. Wagering on professional sports and collegiate events is permitted, with a prohibition on player prop bets for collegiate athletes. The state’s well-established regulatory framework and large population have made it one of the top-ten US markets by handle since launch.
Gaming Commission
Minnesota
Not Yet Legal – Legislation Stalled
Minnesota has debated sports betting legalization repeatedly since 2019 without passing a bill. The core obstacle has been a persistent disagreement between the state’s 11 federally recognized tribal nations — which operate 19 casinos and have sought exclusive control over online wagering — and the state’s horse racing tracks, which have sought their own right to offer betting. This conflict has derailed multiple proposals that otherwise achieved bipartisan legislative support.
In 2025, the most advanced proposal to date died in committee after failing to clear its first Senate hearing. In March 2026, a new bipartisan bill, S.F. 4139, was introduced, proposing an exclusively tribal-run mobile market at a 22% tax rate, with a portion of revenue directed to offset taxes for charitable gaming and pari-mutuel operators. The bill’s narrow committee pathway and the legislature’s crowded 2026 session agenda — which adjourns May 18 — have left its prospects uncertain.
Gaming Commission
Minnesota Gambling Control Board (oversees charitable gaming; sports betting not yet regulated)
Mississippi
Legal – Retail Only (On-Property Mobile)
Mississippi was among the first post-PASPA states to launch retail sports betting, with the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi and Gold Strike Casino in Tunica accepting the state’s first legal wagers on August 1, 2018, under the Mississippi Gaming Control Act. The Mississippi Gaming Commission regulates the market. Mississippi permits the use of mobile betting apps but only while the bettor is physically located on casino property — a significant restriction that limits the market’s scale.
During the 2026 legislative session, the House passed two online betting bills, including HB 4074 by a 100-11 margin, but both died after the Senate Gaming Committee declined to hold hearings. Committee Chairman David Blount, in office until 2028, has consistently blocked online expansion. Online sports betting is therefore unlikely to advance before the 2027 session at the earliest.
Gaming Commission
Missouri
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Missouri voters approved Amendment 2 on the November 2024 ballot, legalizing sports betting after years of failed legislative attempts in the state assembly. The Missouri Gaming Commission was designated as the regulatory authority, and the market launched on December 1, 2025 — the constitutional deadline written into the amendment. Eight online sportsbooks went live on launch day, including BetMGM, bet365, Caesars Sportsbook, Circa Sports, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, and theScore Bet. Thirteen retail licenses were tied to existing casinos and six to professional sports teams including the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Blues.
The Missouri Gaming Commission reported more than 250,000 active accounts created within the first 24 hours. Mobile wagering dominated from the outset, accounting for the substantial majority of handle in the market’s first monthly reporting period. Sports betting is taxed at 10% of gross gaming revenue. Missouri is the 39th US jurisdiction to offer legal sports betting.
Gaming Commission
Montana
Legal – Retail Only (Lottery-Operated, Authorized Locations)
Montana legalized sports betting through House Bill 725, signed in May 2019, with wagering going live in March 2020 through a model administered by the state lottery. The Sports Bet Montana app and lottery terminals are available only at authorized retail locations — licensed bars, restaurants, and other venues — and the app operates via geofencing to restrict use to those premises. No major national operators are available; wagering is exclusively through the lottery’s in-house Intralot-powered system.
The Montana market is small relative to most legal states, reflecting both its limited population and unusually restrictive operational model. Montana applies an 8.5% tax on sports betting revenue, and the Montana Department of Justice Gambling Control Division oversees the broader gaming landscape.
Gaming Commission
Montana Department of Justice – Gambling Control Division
Nebraska
Legal – Retail Only
Nebraska voters approved three constitutional amendments in November 2020 authorizing casino gaming at licensed horse racing facilities. Governor Pete Ricketts signed the implementing legislation, LB 561, on May 25, 2021. Retail casino and sports betting operations commenced in June 2023 at WarHorse Casino in Lincoln, followed by Grand Island Casino Resort in August 2023. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission regulates the market. No statewide online or mobile platform is currently available.
Efforts to expand to online wagering have not succeeded. During a 2024 special session, Senator Eliot Bostar introduced LB13 alongside a proposed constitutional amendment to enable online betting, but the session ended without traction. In early 2025, proposed constitutional amendment LR20CA passed an initial legislative vote but stalled before reaching a public ballot. A coalition including the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and national operators is exploring a 2026 ballot initiative. Nebraska does not permit wagering on in-state college teams.
Gaming Commission
Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission
Nevada
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Nevada has offered legal sports betting longer than any other US state, having authorized it in 1949 — decades before federal legislation prevented other states from doing so under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The state remained the only jurisdiction with full legal sports betting for nearly 70 years until the Supreme Court’s 2018 PASPA ruling. Nevada’s market is regulated by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission. Online sports betting was available in Nevada as early as 2010, though operators require in-person registration at an affiliated casino property to activate a digital account.
Nevada remains the physical sportsbook capital of the United States, with nearly 200 retail locations concentrated in Las Vegas. Major operators including MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, and William Hill (now Caesars) operate large-scale sportsbook facilities. Nevada taxes operators at 6.75% of gross gaming revenue — among the lowest rates in the country.
Gaming Commission
Nevada Gaming Control Board / Nevada Gaming Commission
New Hampshire
Legal – Mobile Only
New Hampshire legalized sports betting through House Bill 480, signed in July 2019, and launched online wagering on December 30, 2019 — the state’s first legal bet taken on New Year’s Eve. New Hampshire signed an exclusive six-year contract with DraftKings, making it the only licensed online operator in the market. The New Hampshire Lottery Commission oversees the arrangement. No retail sportsbook locations exist, and college betting on in-state teams and college player props are both prohibited.
The single-operator model has been a source of debate, with some legislators arguing the lack of competition limits market depth. New Hampshire operates at an effective 51% tax rate on sports betting revenue, reflecting the revenue-sharing structure of its exclusive operator agreement. The arrival of Massachusetts online sports betting in 2023 presented a competitive challenge, given that many Boston-area residents had previously used the New Hampshire platform.
Gaming Commission
New Hampshire Lottery Commission
New Jersey
Legal – Mobile & Retail
New Jersey occupies a central place in the history of US sports betting. The state was the plaintiff in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, the case that resulted in the Supreme Court’s May 2018 ruling striking down PASPA. Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 4111 within days of the ruling, and New Jersey launched its first legal sportsbooks on June 14, 2018. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement regulates the market, which has evolved into one of the most competitive and operator-friendly in the world, with multiple digital operators and a broad range of retail venues.
New Jersey has consistently ranked among the top two or three US states by annual handle and is regarded as the gold standard for online sports betting regulation. Betting on in-state college games and college player props is prohibited. New Jersey’s monthly handle regularly exceeds $1 billion, and the state has served as the primary US registration jurisdiction for several major international operators, including bet365.
Gaming Commission
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
New Mexico
Legal – Retail Only (Tribal Casinos)
New Mexico was one of the first states to offer legal sports betting post-PASPA, with tribal casinos beginning to accept wagers in October 2018. The legal basis was an interpretation by tribal gaming operators that their existing Class III gaming compacts with the state permitted sports wagering without requiring specific legislative authorization. No new legislation was passed. The New Mexico Gaming Control Board oversees non-tribal commercial gaming, but tribal sports betting operates under the compacts rather than directly under the NMGCB’s jurisdiction.
Sports betting in New Mexico remains exclusively in-person at tribal casinos. No statewide online or mobile platform is available, and no legislation to create one has advanced through the state legislature.
Gaming Commission
New Mexico Gaming Control Board
New York
Legal – Mobile & Retail
New York is the largest sports betting market in the United States by handle. The state legalized retail sports betting in 2013 and launched its first upstate retail sportsbook in June 2019. Mobile sports betting required a separate legislative process: Governor Hochul included mobile wagering authorization in the fiscal year 2022 budget (S8009), and the New York State Gaming Commission launched the online market on January 8, 2022. Nine mobile operators were licensed as of mid-2026, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and bet365.
New York operates at the highest online sports betting tax rate in the country at 51% on gross gaming revenue. New York collected approximately $1.30 billion in sports betting tax revenue in 2025 alone — more than the next four largest states combined. Betting on in-state college games and college player props is prohibited. The state has 11 major professional sports franchises across the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS.
Gaming Commission
New York State Gaming Commission
North Carolina
Legal – Mobile & Retail
North Carolina legalized online sports betting through House Bill 347, signed in June 2023, designating the North Carolina State Lottery Commission as the licensing and regulatory authority. The online market launched on March 11, 2024. Eight operators launched simultaneously, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics, bet365, ESPN BET, Underdog Sports, and a license held by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Retail sports betting at tribal casinos, including Harrah’s Cherokee, had been available since 2021.
North Carolina quickly broke into the top-ten US markets by monthly handle. The state taxes sports betting revenue at 18% of gross gaming revenue. The legislature considered proposals in 2025 to double the tax rate to 36%, but the measure did not pass. Wagering on in-state college teams is permitted, with no restrictions on college player props.
Gaming Commission
North Carolina State Lottery Commission (serves as sports wagering regulator)
North Dakota
Legal – Retail Only (Tribal Casinos)
North Dakota permits sports betting at tribal casinos under existing Class III gaming compacts. No specific sports betting legislation was required — tribal operators began offering wagering under their existing compact authority. No statewide online or mobile platform is available, and no major national operators are independently licensed in the state’s broader digital market.
A 2025 constitutional amendment proposal that would have allowed voters to decide on statewide online sports betting was defeated in the House, halting efforts to expand the market beyond tribal retail premises. North Dakota’s small population and the dominance of tribal interests in its gaming landscape make a broader commercial expansion politically and structurally challenging.
Gaming Commission
North Dakota Office of the Attorney General – Gaming Division
Ohio
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Ohio legalized sports betting through House Bill 29, signed by Governor Mike DeWine in December 2021. The Ohio Casino Control Commission chose a January 1, 2023 launch date — resulting in one of the most successful single-day market openings in US history, with multiple operators reporting record first-day handle figures. Ohio has five major professional sports franchises, and the market quickly established itself as one of the fastest-growing in the Midwest.
Numerous operators launched simultaneously, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, BetRivers, and bet365. Ohio consistently ranks in the US top ten by annual handle. Wagering on collegiate events is available, with college player props on individual athletes prohibited. The Ohio Casino Control Commission has taken an active approach to enforcement, issuing fines for responsible gambling and advertising compliance failures since launch.
Gaming Commission
Ohio Casino Control Commission
Oklahoma
Not Yet Legal – Legislation Stalled
Oklahoma has a substantial tribal gaming sector — one of the largest in the United States by revenue — but sports betting has not been legalized despite multiple legislative attempts. The core obstacle has been a disagreement between the state government and tribal nations over the terms of any wagering compact. Governor Kevin Stitt has publicly supported sports betting legalization, but his administration’s approach to tribal compact negotiations has been a source of repeated conflict with tribal leadership.
During the 2025 session, the Oklahoma House passed two bills — HB 1047 and HB 1101 — aimed at legalizing sports betting, but both stalled in the Senate without a vote. No tribal-state compact for sports wagering has been agreed, and no enabling legislation has passed as of May 2026.
Gaming Commission
Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (oversees pari-mutuel racing; tribal gaming governed separately via NIGC compacts)
Oregon
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Oregon did not require new legislation to launch sports betting, as existing state law permitted the Oregon Lottery to offer limited sports wagering under a pre-existing statutory exemption. The lottery began accepting bets on August 27, 2019, through the Scoreboard app. Tribal casinos in Oregon have operated retail sportsbooks under their gaming compacts independently of the lottery framework. The Oregon Lottery falls under the oversight of the Oregon Department of Justice and the Oregon Lottery Commission.
Oregon’s market is constrained by the state lottery’s monopoly on online platforms — no independent commercial operators are licensed for a competing digital product. College betting is available through the Scoreboard app, but player props on college athletes are prohibited. The market has operated continuously since 2019 without major regulatory disputes.
Gaming Commission
Oregon Lottery (administers online sports betting)
Pennsylvania
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Pennsylvania was part of the initial wave of post-PASPA states. The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 42 of 2017) included sports betting provisions, and the first legal retail sportsbook opened in November 2018. Online and mobile wagering launched in 2019. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regulates sports wagering alongside casinos, iGaming, and other gaming verticals. A dozen online operators are licensed and active.
Pennsylvania regularly ranks in the US top five by annual sports betting handle. The state imposes one of the higher state tax rates on sports betting gross gaming revenue at 36%. College player props on individual athletes in any game are prohibited. Pennsylvania is one of five US states with a legal online casino market alongside sports betting, making it one of the most valuable single-state gaming markets outside of New York and New Jersey.
Gaming Commission
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Rhode Island
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Rhode Island was among the early post-PASPA states. Governor Gina Raimondo signed the state’s sports betting legislation in June 2018, with retail wagering commencing at Twin River Casino (now Bally’s Twin River) on November 26, 2018. Rhode Island adopted a state-managed single-operator model from the outset. The Rhode Island Lottery partnered with a single operator to run sportsbook operations, and two online platforms — Bally Bet and DraftKings — were active as of mid-2026. The relevant enabling legislation was included in the FY 2019 state budget (H7983).
Rhode Island operates at an effective 51% tax rate on sports betting revenue. Betting on in-state college teams and college player props is prohibited. Despite its size, the state has maintained a consistently regulated market since 2018 and served as a case study in how a state-managed model functions over time.
Gaming Commission
Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation – Gaming and Athletics Division
South Carolina
Not Yet Legal – Legislation Pending
South Carolina has no legal sports betting framework. Commercial casino gaming is prohibited in the state, and the political climate has historically been conservative on gambling expansion. The state does not have a commercial gaming commission in the conventional sense.
In February 2026, a South Carolina Senate committee held a hearing for S.444, a bill that would establish a Sports Wagering Commission to oversee a licensed online sports betting market. The fact that S.444 received a formal committee hearing was described as a more significant legislative step forward than any prior effort. Near-term legalization remains unlikely, but South Carolina is identified by the industry as a medium-term candidate alongside Georgia and Texas.
Gaming Commission
N/A – No standalone gaming commission exists in South Carolina.
South Dakota
Legal – Retail Only (Deadwood and Tribal Lands)
South Dakota voters approved sports betting through a ballot initiative in November 2020. The state legislature subsequently passed retail-only authorization in 2021, and the first retail sportsbooks opened in Deadwood on September 9, 2021. The South Dakota Commission on Gaming oversees the market. Under the state constitution, wagering is permitted only within Deadwood and at tribal gaming facilities, limiting geographic scope to specific physical locations.
Online and mobile sports betting is not currently legal in South Dakota. In early 2025, Senate Joint Resolution 507 was introduced, proposing a constitutional amendment to allow statewide online wagering. If approved by the legislature, the measure would have appeared on the 2026 general election ballot. Betting on in-state college games and college player props is prohibited.
Gaming Commission
South Dakota Commission on Gaming
Tennessee
Legal – Mobile Only
Tennessee holds a distinctive place in US sports betting history as the first state to legalize sports betting exclusively through an online and mobile platform — significant given that the state has no commercial casinos. The Tennessee General Assembly approved Senate Bill 16 in the spring of 2019, and the market launched on November 1, 2020. The market is regulated by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC).
In April 2023, Tennessee became the first state in the country to replace a minimum hold requirement with a 1.85% tax rate on total handle volume — a structural change analyzed closely by other states considering handle-based taxation. Several major operators are licensed in Tennessee, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, and Fanatics.
Gaming Commission
Tennessee Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC)
Texas
Not Yet Legal – Legislation Stalled
Texas is the second-largest unregulated sports betting market in the United States by population and estimated potential revenue. The state legislature meets in regular session only in odd-numbered years, limiting opportunities for legislative action. In 2023, the House of Representatives passed a sports betting bill for the first time in state history, but it stalled in the Senate. No major sports betting legislation passed during the 2025 session. The Texas legislature will not convene in regular session again until 2027.
A constitutional amendment is required to authorize sports betting in Texas, meaning any legislation must pass both chambers with a two-thirds majority and then be approved by voters in a statewide referendum. Texas’s major professional sports franchises — including the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Rangers — have publicly backed legalization. The 2027 legislative session is the next realistic opportunity for another legalization attempt.
Gaming Commission
No commercial gaming commission. The Texas Lottery Commission administers lottery operations only.
Utah
Not Legal – Constitutional Prohibition
Utah is one of only two US states where all forms of gambling are constitutionally prohibited, alongside Hawaii. The Utah state constitution bars all forms of gambling including state lotteries, and the state’s predominantly LDS population base has sustained a consistent political consensus against gaming expansion across multiple decades. Utah has no casinos, no lottery, no pari-mutuel wagering, and no legal framework of any kind for gaming activity.
No sports betting legislation has been introduced in Utah, and no meaningful political movement toward legalization exists. Sports betting legalization in Utah is considered by the industry to be among the least likely prospects of any US jurisdiction in any foreseeable timeframe.
Gaming Commission
N/A – All gambling constitutionally prohibited. No state gaming authority exists.
Vermont
Legal – Mobile Only
Vermont legalized sports betting when Governor Phil Scott signed H.127 in June 2023. The online-only market launched on January 11, 2024. The Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery regulates the market, which authorizes a minimum of two and a maximum of six online operators. Three sportsbooks were active as of mid-2026: DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics. Vermont does not permit betting on in-state college teams or college player props.
Vermont’s small population means the market will remain limited in absolute handle volume, but the online-only structure allows for a well-regulated, low-overhead framework. Vermont’s launch followed Massachusetts by approximately ten months and was in part driven by the desire to capture residents who had been wagering across state lines using New Hampshire or other platforms.
Gaming Commission
Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery
Virginia
Legal – Mobile & Retail
Virginia legalized sports betting through House Bill 896, signed in April 2020, and launched the first online sportsbooks on January 21, 2021. The Virginia Lottery was designated as the regulatory authority. Retail sports betting is available at licensed casino properties in the state. More than a dozen online sportsbooks are licensed in Virginia, making it one of the more competitive markets in the mid-Atlantic region. The state applies a 15% tax on adjusted gross revenue.
In 2026, Virginia’s legislature advanced two iGaming bills during the legislative session, but the House and Senate were unable to agree on a single bill before the session ended. Both bills include reenactment clauses requiring passage in both 2026 and 2027, meaning any online casino launch would be at the earliest in 2028.
Gaming Commission
Virginia Lottery (serves as sports wagering regulator)
Washington State
Legal – Retail Only (Tribal Casinos)
Washington State legalized sports betting through Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2042 in March 2020, but exclusively at tribal casinos under amended gaming compacts. The Washington State Gambling Commission oversees the broader gaming landscape. Mobile wagering is permitted within tribal casino premises, but there is no statewide online or mobile platform accessible from outside a tribal property. Commercial operators including FanDuel and DraftKings are not independently licensed in the state’s broader digital market.
The tribal-only model reflects the state’s long history of strong tribal gaming protections and a legislative disposition toward preserving tribal exclusivity. Washington State’s large population and the presence of the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Kraken, and Seattle Sounders FC represent significant latent demand that a statewide mobile market would unlock, but no legislative vehicle for that expansion is currently active.
Gaming Commission
Washington State Gambling Commission
West Virginia
Legal – Mobile & Retail
West Virginia was the fifth state to legalize sports gambling post-PASPA. The West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act (SB 415, 2018) was signed in March 2018, and the first legal wager was placed at The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on August 30, 2018. Mobile sports betting launched in August 2019. The West Virginia Lottery Commission regulates the market, which includes both retail sportsbooks and a full suite of online operators. West Virginia was also among the earliest states to legalize online casino gaming alongside sports betting.
Multiple major operators are licensed, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics. Wagering on in-state college teams is prohibited under state law, a restriction that applies to West Virginia University and Marshall University. The state has maintained a stable regulatory environment since launch.
Gaming Commission
West Virginia Lottery Commission
Wisconsin
Legal – Mobile Authorized, Launch Pending; Retail at Tribal Casinos
Wisconsin tribal casinos have offered in-person sports betting under gaming compacts since a deal between the state and The Oneida Nation was approved by Governor Tony Evers in July 2021. Governor Evers signed a bill authorizing statewide online sports betting on April 9, 2026, making Wisconsin the 33rd state to pass such legislation. The bill grants Wisconsin’s federally recognized tribes exclusive rights to operate mobile sportsbooks, meaning commercial operators including DraftKings and FanDuel will not be able to offer independent digital platforms in the state.
The online market had not yet launched as of May 2026, with a multi-month operational runway anticipated before tribal mobile operators go live. Wisconsin’s tribal-exclusive model follows a pattern seen in Connecticut and Washington. The state’s major professional sports anchors — the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Milwaukee Brewers — are expected to drive significant wagering interest once mobile access is live statewide.
Gaming Commission
Wisconsin Department of Administration – Division of Gaming
Wyoming
Legal – Mobile Only
Wyoming legalized sports betting through Senate File 106, signed in April 2021, and launched statewide mobile wagering on September 1, 2021. Wyoming was one of the first states to authorize statewide mobile wagering without a physical retail sportsbook component. The Wyoming Gaming Commission regulates the market. Five operators were licensed as of mid-2026, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics.
Wyoming’s market is among the smallest in the country by absolute handle, constrained by a population of approximately 580,000 — the least populous state in the contiguous US. Despite its scale, Wyoming’s launch demonstrated that smaller states could successfully operate a competitive multi-operator mobile market, providing a model referenced in debates over sports betting structure in similar low-population states.
Gaming Commission