It’s amazing how important American sports betting has become across the country recently. It wasn’t that long ago that Nevada was the only state that offered legal sports in the United States.
That all changed in May 2018, when the Supreme Court ruled that states have individual authority to legalize sports betting if they so desire. Fast forward to March 2023, and over 30 states have launched some form of legal sports betting, with many agonizing over whether or not to legalize it this time around.
Because each state can create its own rules for a US legal sports census, they can vary. Some countries require you to bet in person and do not allow online betting, while others have strict rules about what sports you can bet money on.
There are also many states, such as Montana, that have their own rules that differ from others. It can be difficult to keep track of which rules apply to which states.
States with active or non-active gambling and betting legislation:
- Alabama- Not Legal
The state has proposed multiple bills, including one in 2021, but all have been shot down. Alabama currently doesn’t have any commercial casinos.
- Alaska- No Legislation
- Arizona- Legal
Sports betting became legal on April 15, 2021. The legislation in place permits 20 operators in Arizona. 10 Tribal casino operators and 10 professional sports venues or teams. 10 limited event wagering licenses may be issued to racetracks and OTBs.
Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person.
- Arkansas: Legal and Active
The first official sportsbook launched in July 2021 and the first online sportsbook launched in February 2022. Betting on in-state professional and collegiate teams is permitted.
It is possible to ban betting on in-state professional teams and events. Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person.
The majority of the gaming tax revenue goes to the state’s general fund, with race purses, county and city governments the other beneficiaries.
- California- No legislation
- Colorado- Live and Legal
Colorado became the 19th state to legalize betting and as of May 1, 2020, multiple operators allowed residents to open accounts online and place wagers. There are restrictions involving in-state college games. Betting on game outcomes is allowed, but player prop bets in collegiate games are prohibited.
In the 2020 election, Colorado expanded both the number and type of casino games it can offer. The state also eliminated some wagering limits.
Administration and enforcement of sports wagering, implementation of the state water plan, and other public purposes. The initial Master License Fee is $2,000 and the renewal fee of $250 is due biennially.
Retail operator and mobile operator fees are $1,200 each and renewals of the same amount are due biennially. Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person.
- Connecticut- Legal
Sports betting is officially allowed in Connecticut as of September 30, 2021. Tribal casinos and online operators and CT Lottery through retailers & online.
Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person. Operational expenses with remaining directed to General Fund, with an exception for payments to instead be directed to the Connecticut Teachers’ Retirement Fund Bonds Special Capital Reserve Fund in certain circumstances.
There are no license fees for tribal operators or the CT Lottery. They will, however, be obligated to pay the Department of Consumer Protection an annual regulatory oversight fee based on reasonable and necessary costs.
The initial and annual license fee for all online operators is $250,000 and $100,000 respectively. The initial and annual license fee for Lottery retailers is $20,000.
- Delaware- Legal
Delaware launched legal sports betting in 2018 less than a month after the Supreme Court’s decision. Online sports betting is legal, although there are no in-state online sportsbooks.
All betting on in-state collegiate teams is prohibited. DE Lottery through racinos
Pro football parlay through retail lottery outlets.
Account registration is not required for in-person sports betting. Lottery revenue goes to the state’s general fund and race purses.
- District of Columbia- Legal and Live
It was legalized on May 3, 2019. It is authorized by DC Lottery online, stadium & online operators; other brick and mortar facilities outside a 2-block radius of stadiums.
In-district collegiate teams and events are prohibited. Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person. Early childhood development and violence prevention programs.
Up to $500,000 initial license fee
Up to $250,000 every 5 years renewal fee
- Florida- Legal but not operation yet
Sports betting was temporarily approved and legal, but now it is awaiting another launch due to legal issues. Just three weeks after legal online sports betting launched, a judge ruled that an agreement between the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe was illegal and the issue has been tied up in Federal court ever since.
Even though the Department of the Interior and the Seminole Tribe filed briefs in August 2022 to reinstate a new compact, discussions on the matter may not start until the summer of 2023.
13.75% of tribal-generated sports betting revenue (will increase to 15.75% if the tribe does not reach a marketing deal with at least three pari-mutuel operators by the time the tribe commences sports betting operations).
10% of sports betting revenue generated by the tribe from qualified pari-mutuel operator marketing services agreements.
- Georgia- Dead Legislation
A group of Georgia lawmakers filed bills in January 2023 that would have legalized Georgia sports betting in the Peach State and wouldn’t have needed to be voted on by Georgia residents.
But on March 6, 2023, the Georgia Senate voted down multiple bills that would legalize sports betting in Georgia and the House failed to get legislation of their vote on before the deadline for new bills passed.
- Hawaii- Active Legislation or Ballot Initiative
- Idaho- No Legislation
- Illinois- Legal and Active
The legislation was passed in June to allow sports gambling, though in-state collegiate games will be off-limits under the new law. It will make gambling lawful in a variety of locations both in-person (including at Wrigley Field) and online.
Bets were allowed in the state as of March 9, 2020. Bets on collegiate games can only be placed in person, not online. Betting on in-state collegiate game outcomes is allowed, but player prop bets are prohibited.
Sports betting tax revenue will go towards infrastructure projects, including schools and recreational facilities.
Land-based: $10 million initial license fee
Online: $20 million initial license fee
$1 million every 4 years renewal fee
- Indiana- Legal and Live
Wagering on pro and college sports became legal in September 2019 with both mobile and in-person betting permitted at multiple locations. Betting on collegiate game outcomes is allowed, but player prop bets in collegiate games are prohibited.
Betting on collegiate game outcomes is allowed, but player prop bets in collegiate games are prohibited. Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person.
- Iowa: Legal and Live
Iowa legalized sports gambling in 2019, with multiple sites beginning to take bets at the end of that summer. State law allows for betting on both pro and college sports.
Betting on in-state collegiate game outcomes is allowed, but player prop bets in collegiate games are prohibited.
Starting in January 2021, customers of online sportsbooks are no longer required to register or fund their accounts in person. The majority of sports betting tax revenue goes to the state general fund.
- Kansas- Legal and Active
Commercial casinos, online operators, and up to 50 partner businesses and entities per casino operator, with one-fifth of the total reserved for non-profit organizations.
Also allows for tribal sportsbooks following new compact agreements. Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person.
There are no license fees for retail or online operators. Operators are obligated to pay the costs of background and suitability investigations.
- Kentucky- Active Legislation or Ballot Initiative
- Louisiana- Active and Legal
Retail sports betting launched in October 2021 in many parishes. Mobile sports betting launched in January 2022. Commercial casino, tribal casino, racetrack & online operators.
LA Lottery through online and kiosks in local bars and restaurants. Licenses could also be issued to video poker establishments, OTBs, and fantasy sports operators if not all commercial casinos and racetracks apply for a license.
Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person.
- Maine- Legal but not operational yet
- Maryland- Legal and Live
Maryland approved sports betting following the 2020 election, with in-person sportsbooks launching in the Baltimore area in December 2021.
A1 and A2 licenses: Commercial casinos, racetracks, sports arenas
B1 and B2 licenses: State Fairgrounds, OTBs, and commercial bingo facilities are permitted to operate at least 200 electronic bingo machines or electronic tip jar machines
30 other local businesses selected by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission
Mobile Sports Wagering license: Class A1 and A2 operators are eligible to receive a mobile license as well as other online operators. A maximum of 60 licenses are available.
- Massachusetts- Live and Legal
Massachusetts sports betting is set to launch on January 31 at three in-person locations. There is no set date for when Massachusetts mobile sports betting will go live, but legislators are aiming for March 2023 to launch online sportsbooks.
In-state collegiate teams, unless participating in a tournament comprised of four or more teams, and prop betting on collegiate athletes.
In-play betting if a league notifies MGC that they want official league data to be used to settle “tier 2 wagers.” Feed must be provided on commercially reasonable terms.
- Michigan- Live and Legal
Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person. The majority of sports betting tax revenue supports the School Aid Fund and $2 million annually goes to helping firefighters undergoing cancer treatments.
Data mandate for in-play betting unless operators can convince Michigan Gaming Control Board that data is being offered at commercially unreasonable terms.
- Minnesota- Active Legislation or Ballot Initiative
- Mississippi- Live and Legal
The Mississippi Department of Revenue decides where state gaming tax revenue is directed, with road repairs, sewer systems, and other infrastructure projects being key recipients. Commercial & tribal casino operators.
- Missouri- Active Legislation or Ballot Initiative
- Montana- Live and Legal
Legal sports betting arrived in the state in March 2020. Sportsbooks are regulated through the state lottery. The lottery director can decide which sports can be bet on and what kinds of wagers can be placed.
The authorized authorities are the – MT Lottery through bars and restaurants that hold a liquor license and through a mobile phone at licensed locations.
There is a one-time $50 application fee to become a licensed retail location.
- Nebraska- Legal but not yet operational
- Nevada- Live and Legal
Gaming tax revenue goes to the state’s general fund, with education and health services key recipients. Consumers have to register in person for a mobile sportsbook account.
- New Hampshire- Live and Legal
New Hampshire joined the list of states with legalized sports betting on the second day of 2020. The state agreed to a six-year contract with DraftKings, so mobile sportsbooks can be utilized throughout the state.
All betting on in-state collegiate games and events, including player prop bets, is prohibited. NH Lottery revenue supports education programming in the state.
- New Jersey- Live and Legal
New Jersey long advocated for legalized sports gambling and was responsible for the case that led to the federal reversal from the Supreme Court. As such, they wasted no time in legalizing sports gambling after the decision, opening the state’s first sportsbooks on June 14, 2018.
Atlantic City and the MetLife Stadium, among other locations, now offer legalized sports wagering. All betting on in-state collegiate games and events, including player prop bets, is prohibited.
Tax revenue from casino retail and online operations is applied to the Casino Revenue Fund and Casino Reinvesting Development Authority for marketing and promotion of the City of Atlantic City.
Tax revenue for racetrack retail and online operations is applied to the General Fund and local municipalities.
- New Mexico- Legal and Live
It got legalised in May 2018.
- New York- Live and Legal
New York passed a bill in 2013 that made sports gambling legal at the state level, but the state didn’t open its first official sportsbook until July 2019.
Mobile sports betting launched on January 8, 2022, and there are now nine live online sportsbooks in the Empire State. However, all betting on in-state collegiate games and events, including player prop bets, is prohibited.
Gaming tax revenue is allocated to state-wide education programs, and local municipal and county governments, and provides property tax relief to New York citizens.
- North Carolina- Live and Legal
Gambling in North Carolina is run exclusively by the Cherokee tribe, and the state passed a bill in July 2019 that will permit sports gambling (including horse racing) to be part of that monopoly.
Sports betting launched on March 18, 2021, but efforts to legalize online betting have not yet been successful.
- North Dakota- Legal and Live
Tribal casino betting only. The last effort to legalize North Dakota sports betting was in 2019 and was unsuccessful.
- Ohio- Live and Legal
Sports betting was legalized in Ohio in December 2021 and officially launched on January 1, 2023. In-person and Ohio mobile sports betting are allowed.
First applied to operator sports wagering tax overpayment claims and state taxation department expenses incurred in administering the sports wagering tax levy.
Authorized Operators include- Type A Proprietor – Professional Sports Team (contracting with one mobile management services provider): $1.150 million initial fee and 5-year renewal fee. Includes an application fee of $150,000.
Type A Proprietor – Professional Sports Team (contracting with two mobile management services providers): $3.480 million initial fee and $1.150 million 5-year renewal fee.
Includes an application fee of $150,000.
- Oklahoma- Active Legislation or Ballot Initiative
- Oregon- Live and Legal
Oregon didn’t need to pass new legislation because they already had limited sports betting legality established at the state level, but they didn’t officially start taking bets until August 2019.
All betting on collegiate games and events, including player prop bets, is prohibited. Revenue from the Lottery’s sportsbook app is specifically dedicated to helping pay down the state’s public pension liability.
- Pennsylvania- Live and Legal
Six months after the Supreme Court reversal, Pennsylvania took its first legal sports bet at a casino sportsbook in 2018. Additional licenses have since been handed out and mobile or online wagering is also accepted in-state.
Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person.
The state’s share of sports betting tax revenue goes to Pennsylvania’s general fund.
- Rhode Island- Live and Legal
Rhode Island also opened its first sportsbook six months after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision and currently offers sports gambling exclusively at two in-state casinos before online betting launched on September 4, 2019.
All betting on in-state collegiate games and events, including player prop bets, is prohibited. Lottery revenue goes to the state’s general fund.
- South Carolina- Active Legislation or Ballot Initiative
- South Dakota- Active and Legal
Four casinos in Deadwood began accepting sports bets on Sept. 9, 2021. In 2021, legislators passed legislation that legalized sports betting in Deadwood. However, bettors must bet on the property of those four casinos.
There’s no word when mobile sports betting will be available in the state. All betting on in-state collegiate games and events, including player prop bets, is prohibited.
- Tennessee- Live and Legal
The Tennessee state legislature approved a sports betting bill in the spring of 2019 that will only allow betting online and on mobile apps. The state began allowing mobile sports betting on Nov. 1, 2021.
Betting on collegiate game outcomes is allowed, but player prop bets in collegiate games are prohibited. Tax revenue allocation comes from Education, local government, and problem gambling treatment programs.
- Texas- Active Legislation or Ballot Initiative
- Utah- No Legislation
- Vermont- Active Legislation or Ballot Initiative
- Virginia- Active and Legal
Sports betting launched in 2021, both in person and online. Betting on in-state collegiate games and events, and player prop bets on all collegiate games are prohibited.
Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person.
- Washington- Active and Legal
The state passed legislation in early 2020 to permit sports gambling at tribal casinos in the state. The state does not allow for mobile or online wagering. All betting on in-state collegiate games and events, including player prop bets, is prohibited.
The tribes are required to pay certain amounts to the state as compensation for regulatory oversight.
- West Virginia- Active and Legal
In August 2018, West Virginia became the fifth state to legalize sports gambling. The state offers both in-person and online sports wagering. Sports betting tax revenue is deposited in the Public Employees Insurance Agency Financial Stability Fund and appropriated to lower retiree premiums, helping reduce benefit cuts, and to help reduce premium increases.
Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person.
- Wisconsin- Active and Legal
New Compact Execution: July 1, 2021
Federal Register Publication: August 20, 2021.
In-state collegiate and amateur teams and events are restricted types of bets.
- Wyoming- Active and Legal
On September 1, 2021, legal sports betting went live in the state. Customers of online sportsbooks are not required to register or fund their accounts in person. Betting account registration is required by online operators that operate in at least three U.S.-regulated jurisdictions.
$300,000 each year is earmarked for problem gambling treatment. The remaining tax revenue is allocated to General Fund.
