Which States Allow Online Sports Betting?

As the popularity of online sports betting grows, so does the number of states allowing residents to place bets on their favorite sports teams. Here is a list of the states that currently allow online sports betting.

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Introduction

With the rise of online sports betting, many states are now considering whether to allow this activity within their borders. There are a number of factors to consider when making this decision, including the potential for revenue generation and the impact on existing brick-and-mortar businesses. Below is a list of states that have currently legalized online sports betting, as well as those that are considering it.

States that have legalized online sports betting:
-Nevada
-Delaware
-New Jersey
-Mississippi
-West Virginia
-Pennsylvania
-Rhode Island

States considering online sports betting:
-Arkansas
-Illinois
-Iowa
-Indiana
-Michigan
– Montana
-New York

Nevada

In Nevada, there is no shortage of sportsbooks. The state has had legal wagering on sports since 1949, with the regulation and oversight handled by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Although other states have since joined Nevada in offering legal sports betting, it remains the epicenter for the industry.

Bettors in Nevada can wager on a variety of sports at any of the state’s land-based sportsbooks, as well as through licensed mobile apps. There are nearly two dozen different sportsbooks operating in the state, including major brands like Caesars, MGM, and Wynn.

The only restriction on sports betting in Nevada is that bets cannot be placed on high school sporting events.

New Jersey

As of September 2019, eight states (New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Mississippi, West Virginia, New Mexico and Delaware) have legalized online sports betting in some form.

In May 2018, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling that struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the federal law that had effectively banned sports betting in most states since 1992.

This ruling cleared the way for individual states to pass their own laws legalizing sports betting if they so choose. And numerous states have taken advantage of this opportunity in the months since the ruling.

The state of New Jersey was one of the first to act after the PASPA ruling, legalizing online sports betting in June 2018. And numerous other states have followed suit in the months since then.

Here is a look at the current status of online sports betting in each state:
-Alabama: No steps have been taken to legalize online sports betting at this time.
-Alaska: No steps have been taken to legalize online sports betting at this time.
-Arizona: No steps have been taken to legalize online sports betting at this time.
-Arkansas: No steps have been taken to legalize online sports betting at this time.
-California: No steps have been taken to legalize online sports betting at this time.
-Colorado: Governor Jared Polis signed a bill into law in May 2019 that would legalize online sports betting in Colorado. The law is expected to go into effect in 2020.
-Connecticut: Lawmakers are currently considering legislation that would legalizing online sports betting in Connecticut. A vote is expected sometime later in 2019.
-Delaware: Online sports betting has been legal in Delaware since June 2018.
-Florida: No steps have been taken to legalize online sports betting at this time but there is currently a bill under consideration that would do just that. If passed, it is expected that Florida would join the list of states with legal online sports betting sometime in 2020.

Pennsylvania

Yes, sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania. The state legalized sports betting in October 2017, and the first sportsbooks opened in November 2018. Online and mobile sports betting is also legal in Pennsylvania.

Delaware

Yes, sports betting is legal in Delaware. The state lottery runs sports betting operations at three casinos in the state. The lottery also offers online and mobile betting through its website and app.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island was one of the first states to launch online sports betting, debuting its platform in late 2019. The state offers online and mobile betting through its contract with IGT.

West Virginia

West Virginia was one of the first states to launch online sports betting in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision that effectively struck down a federal ban on the activity. The state’s five casinos all offer online and mobile sports betting, with BetLucky as the exclusive provider.

Mississippi

Mississippi was one of the first states to launch legal online sports betting after the repeal of PASPA. The state’s gaming commission gave the green light to draft regulations in June 2018, and sports betting officially launched on August 1, 2018.

There are now more than a dozen online sportsbooks operating in Mississippi, including some of the biggest names in the industry like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.

New Mexico

New Mexico is one of the latest states to join the growing list of states that offer legal online sports betting. The state’s tribal casinos were the first to offer sports betting in October 2020, and retail sportsbooks quickly followed suit.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a compact with the state’s tribes in 2019 that authorized sports betting on tribal lands. The compact also allowed for the possibility of mobile sports betting, but it was not until October 2020 that the first tribal casino launched its online sportsbook.

The Santa Ana Star Casino was the first in the state to offer online and mobile sports betting, and other tribal casinos quickly followed suit. Retail sportsbooks also began operating in the state in October 2020.

There are currently no laws or regulations in place specifically for online or mobile sports betting in New Mexico, but that is likely to change in the near future. For now, bettors can safely place their bets online or via mobile apps at any of the state’s licensed casinos.

Arkansas

Arkansas is one of the states that has legalized online sports betting. This means that residents of Arkansas can place bets on sporting events online. There are a number of different sportsbooks that are available to residents of Arkansas, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs.

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. was the first jurisdiction to legalize online sports betting in the U.S., doing so in 2018. Online and retail sports betting was launched in the District in 2020.

Conclusion

In conclusion, online sports betting is legal in a handful of states, with Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia being the most recent to join the list. A number of other states are considering legislation that would legalize online sports betting, so the list is likely to grow in the coming months and years. If you live in a state where online sports betting is legal, be sure to take advantage of the many benefits that it offers.