Where is Online Sports Betting Legal in the United States?

Incredibly, it wasn’t so long ago when sports betting was illegal across the United States. Since the landmark decision by the Supreme Court to tear down a Federal ban on sports betting in May 2018, states have been slowly opening their doors to sportsbooks.

Sports betting is currently operational in 21 states, with another five states having legalized sports betting. These half-dozen states have either yet to implement or figure out the framework for sports betting at this moment. 

States where betting sports is currently legal

Arkansas 

What: Retail sportsbooks
When: July 1, 2019

Arkansas only has physical sportsbooks in place. At this time, online wagering is not allowed.

Given the conservative nature of the state, it is hard to know if or when online betting will become part of the Arkansas betting scene anytime soon.

Colorado 

What: Retail sportsbooks
When: May 1, 2020

2020 was the year for Colorado and is rising up the sports betting ranks with FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, William Hill and PointsBet all offering great sign up bonuses for the Dimers.com community. 

MORE: Legal sportsbooks in Colorado

Delaware 

What: Retail sportsbooks
When: June 5, 2018

Delaware was  the first state outside of Nevada to legalize sports gaming, beating out New Jersey. 

Despite this, Delaware still has a ban on online sports betting, meaning there are only three physical books where you can bet on sports. 

Illinois 

What: Online and retail sportsbooks 
When: Match 9, 2020

Early 2020 saw the start of sports betting within Illinois and with sports-loving Chicago in the state, big things are expected. 

Illinois sports bettors have been required to complete in-person registration at a retail sportsbook before they can bet online.

MORE: Legal sportsbooks in Illinois

Indiana 

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: September 1, 2018

Indiana has gone from strength to strength in the betting game, with over $200 million per month wagered during football season.

There are some great sign-up bonuses around for Indiana bettors.

MORE: Legal sportsbooks in Indiana

Iowa 

What: Online and retail sportsbooks 
When: August 15, 2019

Despite no pro sports teams, Iowa sports betting has grown nicely since its inception in August 2019.

Iowans are now offered the flexibility of betting online without registering in-person at a casino or sportsbook. 

MORE: Legal sportsbooks in Iowa

Michigan 

What: Online and retail sportsbooks 
When: March 11, 2020

MGM Grand in Detroit opened sports betting proceedings before online betting came to the fore toward the end of 2020. 

It is now legal and ready to be used. You deserve some happiness in life, Wolverine fans. 

MORE: Legal sportsbooks in Michigan

Mississippi 

What: Retail sportsbooks and in-person online
When: August 1, 2018 

Mississippi came to the party early, putting down a marker for the South. Although they’ve been unwilling to legalize widespread online sports betting. You can bet online while in a casino or sportsbook, but that’s it. 

Montana 

What: Retail sportsbooks and in-person online
When: March 2020

Montana is never going to be one of the big boys but it does offer over 180 physical sportsbooks and in-person line betting. 

The issue is major online sportsbooks are being kept in the dark with a government-run betting app having a monopoly on the Montana betting market. 

Nevada 

What: Online and retail sportsbooks  
When: 1949

Surprisingly, online betting is far from fluid in Nevada. You are required to sign-up in-person before betting online.

That’s caused some issues in the current COVID world but Vegas will figure it out soon, particularly when casinos are filled again.

New Hampshire 

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: July 2019

There are a handful of physical sportsbooks in New Hampshire, with residents able to place wagers from the age of 18. 

DraftKings Sportsbook is the only mobile sportsbook in the state.

New Jersey 

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: June 11, 2018

America has New Jersey to thank for bringing the sports gambling case to the Supreme Court. 

Atlantic City and the Meadowlands — home of the New York Giants and New York Jets — have brick-and-mortar sportsbooks but most of New Jersey’s betting is done online.

MORE: Legal sportsbooks in New Jersey

New Mexico

What: Retail sportsbooks
When: October 16, 2018

Sportsbooks are spread across the state but there are not many. New Mexico sports bettors can only bet within these retail venues or tribal casinos. Unfortunately, only sports betting is illegal within the state.

New York 

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: July 2019

Sports betting is just getting started in the Big Apple! January 6, 2021 signaled a big change in New York betting, with Gov. Cuomo embracing online sports betting. The only concern for bettors will be Cuomo’s desire to run sports betting through a state-controlled lottery, which may restrict America’s best sportsbooks. 

Oregon

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: August 2019

Oregon is also running its sports betting through the state lottery app, meaning it is the only legal betting option. Thereby making it more difficult for bettors to look for competitive odds.

Native American casinos allow in-state college betting, so count your lucky stars Ducks and Beavers fans.

Pennsylvania

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: November 17, 2018 

Pennsylvania is one of the main homes of American sports betting, containing one of the biggest markets. This comes as no surprise in a sports-mad state containing the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Phillies, Pirates and more!

There are only 14 operator licenses — a limit imposed by the state.

MORE: Legal sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: June 2018

In-person sports betting can take place in either of Rhode Island’s two commercial casinos. 

William Hill is the sole legal sportsbook — retail and online — in Rhode Island. 

Tennessee

What: Online sportsbooks
When: November 1, 2020

Tennessee is the only state in America to be completely online-only. Why, you ask? Tennessee has zero casinos! 

The online market is completely uncapped, there are no restrictions barring age limit (21+) of course.

MORE: Legal sportsbooks in Tennessee

Virginia

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: January 21, 2021

Virginia opened its state to online sportsbooks at the beginning of 2021. It means bettors will be able to place bets with a variety of sportsbooks, including going all in on the local favorites, the Washington Football Team!

Normally a conservative state, sports bettors should be thrilled with this outcome!

MORE: Legal sportsbooks in Virginia

Washington D.C.

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: May 3, 2019

While D.C. isn’t a state, the district has legalized sports betting. The online sports betting app is run by the state which has been a cause of frustration for books and bettors alike. 

West Virginia

What: Online and retail sportsbooks
When: March 2018

West Virginia was the fifth state to legalize sports betting, despite its absence of professional teams. 

There are multiple online betting options available to those in Mountaineer country, including online and three retail sportsbooks.

Pending states which have already legalized sports betting 

Louisiana

What: Awaiting further legislative action 

The good news for Louisiana is sports betting has been legalized and the hope is bettors will be able to wager on the Saints in 2021. 

Casinos will be able to have retail sportsbooks but there has been no decision regarding online sports betting.

This will be a critical call for New Orleans, Baton Rouge and other parts of the state.

Maryland

What: Awaiting further legislative action

November 2020 signaled a legalization of sports betting for the people of Maryland. There’s still no certainty about how many casinos will receive a license or how even online wagering will look.

The good news is retail and online betting seem almost a certainty and should be ready to go in 2021. 

North Carolina

What: Awaiting first bet 

No, it's not as if the people of North Carolina are taking their time and no one is ready to place a wager!

Tar Heel country is still waiting for sportsbooks to open up. There will be two tribal casinos with sports betting and North Carolina is also open to considering online betting in 2021. 

South Dakota

What: Awaiting further legislative action

Sports betting was legalized in November 2020 but with other legislation still yet to be passed, no betting can take place yet. 

Bettors are hoping online and retail sportsbooks can launch in 2021. 

Washington

What: Awaiting first bet 

There’s been some hold up with the state in trying negotiations with tribal representatives regarding betting on tribal lands.

Online betting will likely be restrained to in-person (mobile betting in a casino) which will be a real pain for bettors in The Evergreen State.