Where is Sports Betting Legal in the US? State by State Guide & Best US Betting Sites

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States Where Sports Betting is Legal: A Comprehensive List

Sports betting in the US is not universal, as legal betting can vary wildly from state to state.

Here is a look at where each state stands.

Legal Online Sports Betting States               

Each of the following states have online sports betting in some form.

Missouri sports betting apps are launching on Dec. 1, 2025, and will be added to that list. Missouri’s legal betting age will be 21, and it can have up to 14 online sports betting operators.

Tennessee, Maine and Vermont are the only states that are online only, meaning they do not have legal retail sports betting.

States with Retail-Only Sports Betting

Here are the states that only offer retail sports betting, otherwise known as in-person sports betting:

• New Mexico
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Washington
• Wisconsin

States with Pending Sports Betting Legislation

There are no active bills to legalize sports betting currently moving through state legislatures. Each year, many get introduced and their chances of passing vary wildly, but 2025 has not been a good year for it.

States that recently came close include:

• Alabama: A 2024 Senate bill ultimately died in the House
• Georgia: A 2024 bill made it through the Senate, but never made it through the House.
• Hawaii: A surprising bill passed through the House and Senate in 2025, but could not make it through reconciliation.
• Minnesota: Late in 2024, it appeared Minnesota was on its way, but that fell through in early 2025.
• Oklahoma: A promising bill passed through the House and hit the Senate floor in May of 2025, but died there.

States Where Sports Betting is Still Illegal

While sports betting is continuing to expand throughout the US, there are still some non-legal sports betting states:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• California
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Minnesota
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah

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Understanding US Betting Sites: Legal & Regulated Options

The legalization of online sports betting has opened the door for sportsbook operators, and some have come crashing through. There are a lot of them, however, so here’s some insight.

Top Legal US Sports Betting Sites & Apps

BetMGM Sportsbook

• Eligible States: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming
• Best Feature: MGM Rewards
• Average Payout Speed: 1-2 Business Days

BetMGM Sportsbook has been at the forefront of online sports betting, launching in New Jersey as PlayMGM in 2017. It is now available in 22 states and Washington, DC. BetMGM is one of the most respected sports betting brands in the US, with its connections to MGM International, strong partnerships, massive library of betting markets and the MGM Rewards program, considered among the best in the industry.

DraftKings Sportsbook

• Eligible States: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming
• Best Feature: SGPx
• Average Payout Speed: 1-2 Business Days

One of the two most popular sportsbooks in the US, DraftKings is available in 25 states and Washington, DC. It began as a daily fantasy sports site, but when online sports betting became legal, it took the next step, making for a seamless transition for its customers. DraftKings offers competitive odds, deep betting markets and daily boosts and promos for users of its highly-rated app.

bet365 Sportsbook

• Eligible States: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia
• Best Feature: Best odds and international markets
• Average Payout Speed: 1-2 Business Days

This international brand is making its mark in the US, as it’s now available in 13 states and is becoming a staple in new state launches. Users of bet365 have found some of the most player-friendly odds in online sports betting, and a selection of betting markets that is as deep as any of its competitors. 

FanDuel Sportsbook

• Eligible States: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming
• Best Feature: Early odds for most popular sports
• Average Payout Speed: 1-2 Business Days

Like DraftKings, FanDuel was long known as a DFS app, which made its transition to online sports betting in 2018 relatively simple. That’s one the main reasons it has become the most-used online sportsbook in most of the 22 states (and Washington, DC) it is legal in. FanDuel was a pioneer when it came to same-game parlays, and its simple-to-use interface is backed by competitive odds and large betting markets in a wide array of sports.

Fanatics Sportsbook

• Eligible States: Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia
• Best Feature: FanCash
• Average Payout Speed: 1-2 Business Days

Fanatics launched its online sportsbook in August of 2023, taking over the license for PointsBet in many states, and joining new state launches after that. It’s currently available in 22 states, as well as Washington, DC. It is only available as an app, and is known for its FanCash, which you earn with every bet and can redeem for bonus bets or Fanatics merchandise.

Caesars Sportsbook

• Eligible States: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming
• Best Feature: Caesars Rewards
• Average Payout Speed: 24-48 Hours

One of the biggest names in the world of gambling and entertainment, Caesars Sportsbook launched its online sports betting site in 2018 and has been a staple in legal states ever since, as it is available in 21 states. It’s award-winning Caesars Rewards program is one of the best loyalty programs in the US.

How to Choose a Legal US Sportsbook

There are several factors you will need to consider when choosing a sports betting site.

• Licensing: First things first, is the sports betting site you’re about to join licensed by the regulator in your state? If so, that will be noted. If not, you are not using a legal online sportsbook.
• Security: Legal online sports betting sites have to follow strict rules to ensure the safety of their customers’ personal information and money. Still, it’s not a bad idea to research any past data breaches or steps taken by the operators to strengthen those safeguards.
• Responsible Gambling Tools: What tools does the sportsbook use to assist its users in gambling responsibly? Most will allow you to set time, wager and deposit limits, take a timeout or even join the self-exclusion list.
• Payment Methods: Deposit and withdrawal methods are becoming pretty uniform across sports betting sites, as nearly all of them accept online banking, debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, etc. What does differ, however, is the transaction times associated with each sportsbook, so looking into which are the fastest payout sportsbooks is wise, if that’s important to you.
• Customer Support: Regulated online sports betting sites have customer support services that are typically available 24/7. Some rely rather heavily on their social media, but most have a live chat or an email form you can fill out. It can be tougher, sometimes, to track down a phone number to talk to an actual person, if that’s what you prefer.
• Odds: Then, of course, you will want to find a site with the best odds. Our reviews of the best US sports betting apps can help with that. The top sportsbooks aren’t incredibly far off on their odds in most cases, but finding a point here or there on a spread can be massive. For that reason, it does make sense to have multiple sports betting sites, giving you a chance to line shop.

Why Avoid Offshore Sports Betting Websites?

Even with the prevalence of legal online sports betting sites, there are many non-legal or offshore sites available. We strongly recommend avoiding these.

There are, of course, legal implications for using one of these sites. They are, by definition, illegal. But beyond that, non-regulated sportsbooks do not need to provide the same consumer protections that a regulated site would.

If you feel they’ve wronged you, there’s nowhere to go for help. If your money is lost or not paid out, no regulatory agency can step in to make sure you get it back.

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Navigating Sports Betting Regulations in the US

It would take you a while to read through the sports betting rules in every state. Good news, we’ve done it so you don’t have to.

Key Regulatory Bodies & Their Role

Each state has its own regulatory body that oversees and enforces the sports betting rules in its jurisdiction. These are the bodies you would reach out to if you had an issue with a sportsbook that rose to a severe level.

Here are the regulatory bodies that oversee sports betting in each state:

• Arizona: Arizona Department of Gaming
• Arkansas: Arkansas State Racing Commission
• Colorado: Colorado Division of Gaming
• Connecticut: Dept. of Consumer Protection
• Delaware: Delaware Lottery
• Florida: Florida Gaming Control Commission
• Illinois: Illinois Gaming Board
• Indiana: Indiana Gaming Commission
• Iowa: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
• Kansas: Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
• Kentucky: Kentucky Horse Racing Commission
• Louisiana: Louisiana Gaming Control Board
• Maine: Maine Gambling Control Unit
• Maryland: Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
• Massachusetts: Massachusetts Gaming Commission
• Michigan: Michigan Gaming Control Board
• Mississippi: Mississippi Gaming Commission
• Montana: Montana Lottery
• Nebraska: Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission
• Nevada: Nevada Gaming Control Board/Nevada Gaming Commission
• New Hampshire: New Hampshire Lottery Commission
• New Jersey: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
• New Mexico: New Mexico Gaming Control Board
• New York: New York State Gaming Commission
• North Carolina: North Carolina State Lottery Commission
• North Dakota: None
• Ohio: Ohio Casino Control Commission
• Oregon: Oregon Lottery
• Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
• Rhode Island: Rhode Island Lottery
• South Dakota: South Dakota Commission on Gaming
• Tennessee: Tennessee Sports Wagering Council
• Vermont: Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery
• Virginia: Virginia Lottery
• Washington: Washington State Gambling Commission
• Washington, DC: Office of Lottery and Gaming
• West Virginia: West Virginia Lottery Commission
• Wisconsin: Office of Indian Gaming and Regulatory Compliance
• Wyoming: Wyoming Gaming Commission

Legal Age for Sports Betting in Each State

The legal age for sports betting in the vast majority of states is 21, but there are some exceptions.

The following states allow 18-year olds to legally bet on sports: Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wyoming.

The full list of legal ages for online sports betting are listed in the table near the top of this page.

Types of Sports Betting Legal in the US

• Moneylines: Picking the winner of a match.
• Spread Betting: Picking a team to win or lose by a certain amount.
• Totals: These are over/under bets, picking a match to finish with more or less total points than the given number.
• Props: Betting on certain events to happen within a game or match. These can be for the game itself, the teams or the players.
• Parlays: Combining multiple bets to create longer odds and higher potential payouts. These can be multiple events or within a single event, which are known as same-game parlays (SGPs).
• Futures: Betting on a future result, such as a team winning a championship, conference, etc.

Comparison of State-Level Sports Betting Laws

As you would imagine, each state has its own regulatory body, which means they each have their own set of sports betting laws. Rules in Nevada are not the same as rules in New York, or Michigan, or Pennsylvania, or … you get it.

Nevada, for example, requires in-person registration for sports betting. So, you cannot use an app unless you visit that operator’s retail location and register first.

College sports betting are the source of plenty of differences between states. In some, like New Jersey, you cannot bet on New Jersey collegiate teams or collegiate sporting events taking place in New Jersey.

Banning player props for college athletes is another rule that is being instituted by states of late, with some in the NCAA pushing for a national ban. As it stands, nine states have banned them.

Advertising in US Sports Betting

If you live in a legal sports betting state, chances are you’ve seen your fair share of sports betting ads. Although, probably fewer of late, and if you’re in certain states, maybe none at all anymore.

Most states require any sports betting advertising be accompanied by responsible gambling messaging, and the targeting of minors is outlawed.

While rules can vary by state, the American Gaming Association does have a Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering, which is generally followed by all legal operators. It includes the following tenets:

1. Respecting the Legal Age for Sports Wagering: Do not target minors, nor use anyone under the age of 21 in advertisements.
2. Limiting College and University Advertising
3. Supporting Responsible Gambling
4. Controlling Digital Media & Websites: Operator messaging must conform with these policies even on third-party sites.
5. Maintaining the Code: The code is reviewed annually to ensure guidelines evolve.
6. Monitoring Code Compliance: Training will be offered to follow the code and make sure it is upheld.

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The Impact of Legalized Sports Betting in the US

The expansion of legal sports betting in the US has had a huge impact on the economy and sports in general, specifically on how games are consumed by fans.

Economic Impact & State Revenue Contributions

Sports betting is big business, and it has led to billions in tax dollars and economic impact.

Through May, the AGA reported that nationwide sports betting revenue through was $6.5 billion, which is well ahead of last year’s record pace.

Tax rates vary by state from as low as 6.75% in Nevada to 51% in Washington, DC, but in 2023 states collected more than $1.8 billion in tax revenue from sports betting.

Beyond that, the AGA estimates the industry employs more than 700,000 people across the US.

Social Implications & Responsible Gambling Initiatives

There are certainly concerns about the rise in legalized sports betting, and its impact on society. More people betting, and having easier access to betting apps, naturally leads to more problem gambling.

The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that 2.5 million US adults, or 1% of the population, meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, and that another 5-8 million “would be considered to have mild or moderate gambling problems.”

NCPG estimates put the social cost of problem gambling around $14 billion.

The legalization of sports betting, however, has forced states to step up their responsible gambling initiatives. Many states use tax revenue from sports betting to help fund those initiatives. Missouri, for example, has pledged $5 million annually for such efforts.

Here are some resources available nationally to assist with problem gambling:

• 1-800-GAMBLER
• National Council on Problem Gambling
• NCPG State-by-State Resources

The Role of Tribal Casinos in US Sports Betting

Perhaps the biggest player in sports betting legalization in the US is tribal casinos, or the tribes themselves.

Since the introduction of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988, tribes had control over gambling in many states around the country, and how they’ve reacted to expansion since has either helped or thwarted efforts.

Take Michigan, for example, where the tribal casinos have all partnered with a sports betting and online casino brand to grow online gambling in the state. Tribal land was the only place gambling was legal, outside of the three commercial casinos in Detroit, but by working together, they have created something incredibly successful.

In states like California, Oklahoma and Florida, however, things haven’t gone as well. Agreeing to deals has been difficult in those states, as tribal control over gaming and how to manage it in a legal sports betting world has proven difficult.

Florida’s issues were sent all the way to the Supreme Court, which declined to hear a challenge to the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive rights to online sports betting.

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Future of Sports Betting Legislation in the US

The legal sports betting landscape is always changing, even when new states aren’t coming on board. Look for more legislation regarding college player props to pop up, and for states with tight online restrictions to have expansion bills introduced, like the one that recently failed in Nebraska.  

States to Watch for Future Legalization

The Big 2 in the world of sports betting are California and Texas, as they are the biggest states in the US. Neither seems close, however.

California is moving to get rid of DFS after Attorney General Rob Bonta declared it illegal. There’s some question over whether that will help or hurt future sports betting efforts, but there is no current legislation to move it forward.

Texas is a part-time legislature, meeting only every two years. While there was momentum for sports betting in 2023, it died out, and it’s not looking better in 2025. Things can change quickly, though.

Georgia is another big one, with a large population and massive interest in professional and collegiate sports. But the failure of 2025 legislation means any bill would have to wait until 2026, and even then it would require voter approval.

Potential Federal Oversight and Challenges

While sports betting is state run, there’s always the possibility of federal oversight, and the SAFE Bet Act could be that. Originally introduced in 2024 by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), and reintroduced in March 2025 by Tonko and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the SAFE Bet Act would add minimum federal standards to current state law.

That includes:

• No sportsbook marketing during live sporting events, and no programming designed to induce gambling with “bonus”, “no sweat”, “bonus bets” or odds boosts.
• Prohibits operators from accepting more than five deposits from a customer in a 24-hour period.
• Requires operators to conduct affordability checks on customers before accepting wagers above $1,000 in a 24-hour period or $10,000 in a 30-day period.
• Prohibits deposits via credit car.
• Prohibits the use of AI to track players gambling habits, offer individualized promos or create gambling products, such as microbets.
• Bans prop bets on all college and amateur athletes.

This bill is still in committee.

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US Betting Sites FAQs

Still need a little more info about US betting sites? We’ve got you covered below.

What is the best US betting site in 2025?

DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, and Caesars Sportsbook are all some of the best US betting sites in 2025.

What is the safest online sportsbook for US players?

DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, Hard Rock Bet, and Caesars Sportsbook are all safe and secure sports betting options for US players.

Do all US betting sites have apps?

Yes. All major US betting sites also have an app version of their online sportsbook.

What US states offer legal online sports betting?

There are a number of US states that offer legal online sports betting. It's best to check in with an individual US betting site to find out if it is available in your state. We have listed eligible states on this page as well.

Are US betting sites legal?

There are many legal US betting sites available across the country, but they are legal and regulated on a state-by-state basis.

What types of games can I bet on at US betting sites?

You can bet on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, MMA, boxing, golf, and much more using a US betting site.

What payment methods are accepted by US betting sites?

There are a number of different payment methods accepted by US betting sites depending on the sportsbook you use including credit card, debit card, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and more.

How do I know if a US betting site is safe and secure?

All the US betting sites included on this page are safe and secure for you to use.

What kind of bonuses and promotions are available at US betting sites?

Bonuses and promotions vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, but some popular ones include offering deposit matches or bet credits.

Can I bet on US betting sites using my mobile device?

Absolutely. Most US betting sites are also available as apps on mobile devices including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and more.