Where Is Sports Betting Legal? 2026 State-by-State Guide | OutKick
Where is sports betting legal? As of November 2026, sports betting is legal in 39 states and Washington, DC, and online betting is live in 31 of those states plus DC. Eight states allow only in-person betting, and 11 have not legalized sports betting at all.
This guide covers the current status of every state, including launch dates, legal betting ages, college betting rules and which major sportsbooks operate where. It also tracks the states closest to legalizing next and explains how prediction markets fit into the picture.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated. This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.
Last updated: Nov. 12, 2026.
How Many States Have Legal Sports Betting?
Sports betting falls into three categories across the US. Here is where every state stands as of November 2026.
- Online and retail, or online only: 31 states plus DC (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, plus Washington DC)
- Retail only: 8 states (Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin)
- Not legal: 11 states (Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah)
Wisconsin is the closest to adding online betting. The state legalized tribal mobile betting in April 2026, but apps are not yet live.
Legal Sports Betting States Quick Reference
| State | Status | Online Launch | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Alaska | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Arizona | Online and retail | September 2021 | 21 |
| Arkansas | Online and retail | March 2022 | 21 |
| California | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Colorado | Online and retail | May 2020 | 21 |
| Connecticut | Online and retail | October 2021 | 21 |
| Delaware | Online and retail | December 2023 | 21 |
| Florida | Online and retail (Seminole Tribe) | November 2023 | 21 |
| Georgia | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Hawaii | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Idaho | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Illinois | Online and retail | June 2020 | 21 |
| Indiana | Online and retail | October 2019 | 21 |
| Iowa | Online and retail | August 2019 | 21 |
| Kansas | Online and retail | September 2022 | 21 |
| Kentucky | Online and retail | September 2023 | 21 |
| Louisiana | Online and retail | January 2022 | 21 |
| Maine | Online and retail | November 2023 | 21 |
| Maryland | Online and retail | November 2022 | 21 |
| Massachusetts | Online and retail | March 2023 | 21 |
| Michigan | Online and retail | January 2021 | 21 |
| Minnesota | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Mississippi | Retail only | Not available | 21 |
| Missouri | Online and retail | December 2025 | 21 |
| Montana | Retail only | Not available | 18 |
| Nebraska | Retail only | Not available | 21 |
| Nevada | Online and retail | 2010 | 21 |
| New Hampshire | Online and retail | December 2019 | 18 |
| New Jersey | Online and retail | August 2018 | 21 |
| New Mexico | Retail only | Not available | 21 |
| New York | Online and retail | January 2022 | 21 |
| North Carolina | Online and retail | March 2024 | 21 |
| North Dakota | Retail only | Not available | 21 |
| Ohio | Online and retail | January 2023 | 21 |
| Oklahoma | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Oregon | Online and retail | October 2019 | 21 |
| Pennsylvania | Online and retail | May 2019 | 21 |
| Rhode Island | Online and retail | September 2019 | 18 |
| South Carolina | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| South Dakota | Retail only | Not available | 21 |
| Tennessee | Online only | November 2020 | 21 |
| Texas | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Utah | Not legal | Not available | Not applicable |
| Vermont | Online only | January 2024 | 21 |
| Virginia | Online and retail | January 2021 | 21 |
| Washington | Retail only | Not available | 18 or 21 |
| Washington DC | Online and retail | May 2020 | 18 |
| West Virginia | Online and retail | August 2019 | 21 |
| Wisconsin | Retail only (online legal, not live) | Not available | 21 |
| Wyoming | Online only | September 2021 | 18 |
How Sports Betting Became Legal in the US
For decades, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) barred most states from authorizing sports betting. Nevada was exempt. Delaware, Montana and Oregon kept limited carve-outs for older lottery-style products.
New Jersey challenged the law, and on May 14, 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled in Murphy v. NCAA that PASPA was unconstitutional. The decision left each state free to set its own rules, and Delaware took the first legal single-game bet outside Nevada weeks later.
Here is when each state took its first legal bet:
- Before 2018: Nevada
- 2018: Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi, West Virginia, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island
- 2019: Arkansas, New York, Iowa, Indiana, Oregon, New Hampshire
- 2020: Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Colorado, Washington DC, Tennessee
- 2021: Virginia, Arizona, Wyoming, Connecticut, South Dakota, Washington, Louisiana, Florida, Wisconsin, North Carolina, North Dakota, Maryland
- 2022: Kansas
- 2023: Ohio, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska
- 2024: Vermont
- 2025: Missouri
States With Legal Online Sports Betting
These 31 states and Washington, DC, allow online sports betting. Each listing covers the launch date, the state regulator, the minimum age, college betting rules and which of our featured sportsbooks are available.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Arizona?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Online and retail September 2021
- Regulator: Arizona Department of Gaming
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: College player props not offered; in-state teams allowed
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet
Arizona launched online and retail betting on the same day in September 2021, timed to the start of the NFL season. It is one of the largest markets in the West, and all six of our featured sportsbooks operate there.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Arkansas?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail July 2019; online March 2022
- Regulator: Arkansas Racing Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No restrictions
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel
Arkansas opened casino sportsbooks in 2019 and added mobile betting in 2022, with the state's casinos running the apps. FanDuel entered in March 2026 as a partner of a casino licensee, which must keep at least 51% of the revenue.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Colorado?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Online and retail May 2020
- Regulator: Colorado Division of Gaming
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: College player props not offered; in-state teams allowed
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet
Colorado voters approved sports betting through Proposition DD in 2019, and online and retail books opened in May 2020. It has one of the deepest app markets in the country.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Connecticut?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail September 2021; online October 2021
- Regulator: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Gaming Division
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on Connecticut college teams, except tournament outcome bets; props on Connecticut college athletes not offered
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, Fanatics
Connecticut runs a three-operator market built on agreements with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes and the Connecticut Lottery. Only three operators are licensed online, including FanDuel and Fanatics.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Delaware?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail June 2018; online December 2023
- Regulator: Delaware Lottery
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on Delaware college teams, including tournament games
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: None of our featured sportsbooks
Delaware took the first legal single-game sports bet outside Nevada on June 5, 2018. Online betting runs through a single lottery-contracted platform, so none of our featured sportsbooks operate there.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Florida?
- Legal Status: Online and retail (Seminole Tribe)
- Launched: Brief launch November 2021; relaunched November 2023
- Regulator: Florida Gaming Control Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: Florida college teams allowed; no college prop bets of any kind (Seminole compact)
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: Hard Rock Bet
Florida's market is controlled by the Seminole Tribe under a 2021 gaming compact, which makes Hard Rock Bet the only legal online sportsbook in the state. After a federal court fight over the compact paused the 2021 launch, Hard Rock Bet relaunched statewide in late 2023.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Illinois?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail March 2020; online June 2020
- Regulator: Illinois Gaming Board
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on Illinois college teams, online or in person; props on out-of-state college athletes generally available
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet
Illinois is one of the largest markets in the country by handle. Since July 2025 operators have paid a per-wager tax on top of a graduated revenue tax, and Chicago began taxing sportsbook revenue in January 2026.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Indiana?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail September 2019; online October 2019
- Regulator: Indiana Gaming Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: In-state teams allowed; pregame college player props allowed, in-game college player props not offered
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet
Indiana launched mobile betting in October 2019, one of the first states in the Midwest to do so. In September 2026 the Indiana Gaming Commission declined an NCAA request to ban college player props, leaving the question to lawmakers.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Iowa?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Online and retail August 2019
- Regulator: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: In-state teams allowed; props on athletes at Iowa schools not offered
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
Iowa launched online and retail betting together in August 2019. In-person registration was required at first, but that rule ended in January 2021.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Kansas?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail September 1, 2022; online September 8, 2022
- Regulator: Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No restrictions
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
Kansas launched online betting in September 2022, with the Kansas Lottery as the operator of record. Current sportsbook contracts run through August 2027, and a 2025 budget provision barred the lottery from negotiating new ones, so the market's long-term structure is an open question.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Kentucky?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail September 7, 2023; online September 28, 2023
- Regulator: Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation
- Minimum Age: 21 (raised from 18 on July 15, 2026)
- College Restrictions: In-state teams allowed; bets on Kentucky college athletes falling short of a stat line (unders) not allowed since July 15, 2026
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
Kentucky launched in September 2023 with an 18 and older minimum age. In April 2026 lawmakers overrode Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of HB 904, which raised the betting age to 21 effective July 15, 2026, and banned under-style player props on athletes at Kentucky colleges.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Louisiana?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail October 2021; online January 2022
- Regulator: Louisiana Gaming Control Board
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: In-state teams allowed; college player props not offered
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
Louisiana legalized sports betting by parish-level vote in 2020, and online betting works only in the 55 of 64 parishes that approved it. The state raised its online tax rate to 21.5% in August 2025.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Maine?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Online November 2023; retail September 2024
- Regulator: Maine Gambling Control Unit
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on Maine college teams, wherever they play
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: None of our featured sportsbooks
Online betting in Maine is reserved for the state's Wabanaki Nations, which partner with national operators. None of our featured sportsbooks operate there.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail December 2021; online November 2022
- Regulator: Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: College player props not offered; in-state teams allowed
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
Maryland voters approved sports betting in 2020, and mobile apps launched just before Thanksgiving 2022. The state raised its online tax rate from 15% to 20% in 2025.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail January 2023; online March 2023
- Regulator: Massachusetts Gaming Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: College player props not offered; no bets on Massachusetts college teams, except in tournaments
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics, theScore Bet
Massachusetts launched mobile betting in March 2023, just ahead of March Madness. Lawmakers have debated stricter rules, including limits on props and live betting, though none had become law as of October 2026.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Michigan?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail March 2020; online January 2021
- Regulator: Michigan Gaming Control Board
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No restrictions; in-state teams and college player props allowed
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet
Michigan launched online sports betting and online casino games on the same day in January 2021. bet365 became the latest major sportsbook to enter the state in April 2026.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Missouri?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Online and retail December 1, 2025
- Regulator: Missouri Gaming Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: In-state teams allowed; no player props on any athlete in a game involving a Missouri college team
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
Missouri voters approved Amendment 2 in November 2024, and online and retail betting launched together on December 1, 2025. It is the newest legal market in the country.
For a full breakdown of the state's legal sportsbooks, see our Missouri sports betting guide.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Nevada?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail since 1949; mobile apps since 2010 (in-person registration required)
- Regulator: Nevada Gaming Control Board
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No restrictions
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: BetMGM (operated with Nevada registration rules)
Nevada was the only state with full-scale legal sports betting before 2018, thanks to an exemption in federal law. Mobile apps are run by Nevada casino companies, and national brands such as FanDuel do not operate there.
Is Sports Betting Legal in New Hampshire?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Online December 2019; retail 2020
- Regulator: New Hampshire Lottery Commission
- Minimum Age: 18
- College Restrictions: No bets on New Hampshire college teams or college games played in the state; props on New Hampshire college athletes not offered
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: None of our featured sportsbooks
New Hampshire runs a single-operator market through the state lottery, which keeps about half of the revenue, and none of our featured sportsbooks operate there. It is one of the few states where adults 18 and older can bet.
Is Sports Betting Legal in New Jersey?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail June 2018; online August 2018
- Regulator: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on New Jersey college teams, including tournament games, or on most college games played in the state; props on New Jersey college athletes not offered
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet
New Jersey brought the case that ended the federal ban, Murphy v. NCAA, and opened its first sportsbooks in June 2018. The state raised its online sports betting tax rate to 19.75% in 2025.
Is Sports Betting Legal in New York?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail July 2019; online January 2022
- Regulator: New York State Gaming Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on New York college teams, including tournament games; college player props not offered
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics, theScore Bet
New York is the largest legal betting market in the country by handle, with mobile apps live since January 2022. Operators pay a 51% tax on online revenue, one of the highest rates in the country.
For a full breakdown of the state's legal sportsbooks, see our New York sports betting guide.
Is Sports Betting Legal in North Carolina?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail (tribal) 2021; online March 2024
- Regulator: North Carolina Lottery Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No restrictions
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
North Carolina launched mobile betting in March 2024, days before the ACC Tournament and March Madness. The state's July 2026 budget raised the online tax rate from 18% to 23%.
For a full breakdown of the state's legal sportsbooks, see our North Carolina sports betting guide.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Ohio?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Online and retail January 1, 2023
- Regulator: Ohio Casino Control Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: College player props not offered (since March 2024); in-state teams allowed
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet
Ohio launched online and retail betting together on January 1, 2023, during college football bowl season. A 2026 bill (HB 971) would sharply restrict online betting, but it had not advanced as of October 2026.
For a full breakdown of the state's legal sportsbooks, see our Ohio sports betting guide.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Oregon?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail August 2019; online October 2019
- Regulator: Oregon Lottery
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No college betting on the state's online app; tribal casinos set their own rules
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: None of our featured sportsbooks
The Oregon Lottery runs the state's online market through a single-operator partnership, and no college betting is offered on the app. Tribal casinos offer in-person betting.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Pennsylvania?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail November 2018; online May 2019
- Regulator: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: College player props not offered; in-state teams allowed
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in 2017, before the federal ban was struck down, and launched online in May 2019. Its 36% tax rate on sportsbook revenue is among the highest in the country.
For a full breakdown of the state's legal sportsbooks, see our Pennsylvania sports betting guide.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Rhode Island?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail November 2018; online September 2019
- Regulator: Rhode Island Lottery
- Minimum Age: 18
- College Restrictions: No bets on Rhode Island college teams or college games played in the state; props on out-of-state college athletes allowed
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: None of our featured sportsbooks
The Rhode Island Lottery runs the state's only sportsbook, available in person and through a single statewide app. None of our featured sportsbooks operate there.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Tennessee?
- Legal Status: Online only
- Launched: Online November 2020
- Regulator: Tennessee Sports Wagering Council
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: College player props not offered; in-state teams allowed
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet
Tennessee was the first state to launch online-only betting with no retail sportsbooks. It taxes operators on the total amount wagered rather than revenue, which is unique among legal states.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Vermont?
- Legal Status: Online only
- Launched: Online January 2024
- Regulator: Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on Vermont college teams, except tournament games; college player props not offered
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, Fanatics
Vermont launched online-only betting in January 2024 with three operators, including FanDuel and Fanatics.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Virginia?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Online January 2021; retail July 2022
- Regulator: Virginia Lottery
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on Virginia college teams, including tournament games; no college prop bets of any kind
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet, Hard Rock Bet
Virginia launched mobile betting in January 2021, and casino sportsbooks followed in 2022. A 2026 law (HB 515) banned credit card deposits for sports betting starting July 1, 2026.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Washington DC?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Online May 2020; retail 2020
- Regulator: DC Office of Lottery and Gaming
- Minimum Age: 18 under DC law (some sportsbooks, including BetMGM, require 21)
- College Restrictions: No bets on DC college teams (Georgetown, George Washington, American, Howard) or on college games played in DC
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
The District launched the lottery-run GambetDC app in 2020 and replaced it with FanDuel in 2024. A 2024 law change let private sportsbooks operate citywide, and bet365 became the latest to enter in September 2026.
Is Sports Betting Legal in West Virginia?
- Legal Status: Online and retail
- Launched: Retail August 2018; online August 2019
- Regulator: West Virginia Lottery
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No restrictions
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, theScore Bet
West Virginia legalized sports betting before the Supreme Court ruling and opened its first sportsbook in August 2018. bet365 launched in the state in August 2026.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Wyoming?
- Legal Status: Online only
- Launched: Online September 2021
- Regulator: Wyoming Gaming Commission
- Minimum Age: 18
- College Restrictions: No restrictions
- Featured Online Sportsbooks: FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics
Wyoming offers online-only betting with no retail sportsbooks, and adults 18 and older can bet. The state places no cap on the number of sportsbook licenses.
States With Retail-Only Sports Betting
These eight states allow sports betting only in person, usually at commercial or tribal casinos. Some offer apps, but they work only on casino property.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Mississippi?
- Legal Status: Retail only
- Launched: Retail August 2018
- Regulator: Mississippi Gaming Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: In-state teams allowed; college player props not offered
- Online Betting: Not available statewide
Mississippi opened casino sportsbooks in August 2018, and apps such as BetMGM work only on casino property. A bill to allow statewide mobile betting passed the House for a third straight year in 2026 but died in the Senate.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Montana?
- Legal Status: Retail only
- Launched: Retail March 2020
- Regulator: Montana Lottery
- Minimum Age: 18
- College Restrictions: No restrictions
- Online Betting: Not available statewide
Montana's betting runs through the state lottery's Sports Bet Montana, available at licensed bars and taverns. The lottery app works only on those premises, so there is no statewide mobile betting.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Nebraska?
- Legal Status: Retail only
- Launched: Retail June 2023
- Regulator: Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on college games played in Nebraska; no props or live bets on any game involving a Nebraska college team; props on out-of-state college athletes allowed
- Online Betting: Not available statewide
Nebraska allows sports betting at its licensed racetrack casinos. Voters decide don November 3, 2026, whether to legalize online sports betting through a constitutional amendment (Initiative Measure 440) and a companion statute. At the time of writing, it looks as if the vote will reject online sports betting.
Is Sports Betting Legal in New Mexico?
- Legal Status: Retail only
- Launched: Retail (tribal) October 2018
- Regulator: New Mexico Gaming Control Board (tribal compacts)
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: Varies by casino; some ban bets on New Mexico college teams
- Online Betting: Not available statewide
New Mexico's tribal casinos began taking bets in October 2018 under existing gaming compacts, without new state legislation. Online betting is not available.
Is Sports Betting Legal in North Dakota?
- Legal Status: Retail only
- Launched: Retail (tribal) December 2021
- Regulator: Tribal gaming commissions (North Dakota Attorney General, Gaming Section)
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: Varies by casino
- Online Betting: Not available statewide
Sports betting in North Dakota is limited to a few tribal casinos. A 2025 proposal to put the question to voters failed, and the legislature does not meet again until 2027.
Is Sports Betting Legal in South Dakota?
- Legal Status: Retail only
- Launched: Retail September 2021
- Regulator: South Dakota Commission on Gaming
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on South Dakota college teams; no college prop bets of any kind
- Online Betting: Not available statewide
South Dakota voters approved betting in Deadwood casinos in 2020, and bets can be placed only in person or on casino property. A 2026 plan to put statewide mobile betting on the ballot died in a House committee.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Washington?
- Legal Status: Retail only
- Launched: Retail (tribal) September 2021
- Regulator: Washington State Gambling Commission
- Minimum Age: 18 or 21, depending on the casino
- College Restrictions: Bets on in-state college games allowed since June 2026; props on athletes at Washington schools not offered
- Online Betting: Not available statewide
Washington's tribal casinos offer sportsbooks and apps that work only on casino grounds. A 2026 law (SB 6137) began allowing bets on in-state college games while banning props on athletes at Washington schools.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Wisconsin?
- Legal Status: Retail only (online legal, not yet live)
- Launched: Retail (tribal) November 2021; online legalized April 2026, not yet live
- Regulator: Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Gaming
- Minimum Age: 21
- College Restrictions: No bets on Wisconsin college teams; props on Wisconsin college athletes not offered
- Online Betting: Not available statewide
Wisconsin legalized online betting through its tribes in April 2026, but apps have not launched because each tribal compact needs federal approval. A lawsuit filed in August 2026 challenges the law under the state constitution.
States Where Sports Betting Is Not Legal
Sports betting is not legal in 11 states. Here is where each one stands.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Alabama?
- Legal Status: Not legal
Alabama has no lottery or commercial casinos. A 2026 constitutional amendment covering a lottery, casinos and mobile betting died in committee, the third straight year a gambling bill failed.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Alaska?
- Legal Status: Not legal
Alaska has no legal sports betting. A mobile betting bill (HB 145) remains in committee and has never received a vote.
Is Sports Betting Legal in California?
- Legal Status: Not legal
California voters rejected two sports betting measures in 2022, and no measure is on the 2026 ballot. Most observers point to 2028 as the next realistic attempt, which would likely need the support of the state's tribes.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Georgia?
- Legal Status: Not legal
A constitutional amendment fell short of the two-thirds House vote it needed in March 2026, and the companion framework bill never reached a floor vote. Georgia's next chance comes in the 2027 session.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Hawaii?
- Legal Status: Not legal
Hawaii and Utah are the only states that ban all forms of gambling. Several 2026 bills stalled, and a state tourism and gaming working group is expected to report in late 2026 or early 2027.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Idaho?
- Legal Status: Not legal
Idaho's constitution limits gambling, and lawmakers have not seriously considered sports betting.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Minnesota?
- Legal Status: Not legal
Minnesota has debated sports betting for years. A tribal-run mobile betting bill failed again in 2026 amid a long-running dispute between tribes and racetracks.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Oklahoma?
- Legal Status: Not legal
A bill to allow tribal retail and mobile betting failed in the state Senate in April 2026. Supporters plan to try again in 2027, when a new governor takes office.
Is Sports Betting Legal in South Carolina?
- Legal Status: Not legal
A bill to create a state sports wagering commission received a hearing in February 2026 but did not advance.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Texas?
- Legal Status: Not legal
Legalization requires a constitutional amendment approved by two-thirds of both chambers and then by voters. The legislature next meets in January 2027, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains opposed.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Utah?
- Legal Status: Not legal
Utah's constitution bans all forms of gambling, and there is no effort to change it.
Which States Could Legalize Sports Betting Next?
Several states have active legalization efforts heading into 2027. These are the ones to watch.
- Nebraska: Voters decided on online sports betting on November 3, 2026. If approved, regulators must adopt rules by June 1, 2027.
- Wisconsin: Online tribal betting is legal, but launch depends on federal approval of amended compacts and the outcome of an August 2026 lawsuit.
- Texas: The legislature returns in January 2027. Any change requires a constitutional amendment and a public vote.
- Georgia: A 2026 amendment fell short in the House. Supporters are expected to return in 2027.
- Oklahoma: A tribal betting bill failed in the Senate in April 2026. A new governor takes office in 2027.
- Mississippi: Statewide mobile betting has passed the House three years in a row but keeps dying in the Senate.
- Minnesota: Tribes and racetracks remain divided, which has stalled every bill so far.
- Alabama: A lottery, casino and sports betting amendment has failed three straight years.
- California: No 2026 ballot measure. 2028 is the most likely next attempt.
Legal Sportsbooks by State
Not every sportsbook operates in every legal state. Here is where each of our featured sportsbooks is live online as of November 2026.
- FanDuel (24 states plus DC): Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Washington DC
- BetMGM (21 states plus DC): Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Washington DC. BetMGM also operates in Nevada under that state's casino-based rules and offers on-property mobile betting in Mississippi
- bet365 (18 states plus DC): Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC
- Fanatics (23 states plus DC): Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Washington DC
- theScore Bet (20 states plus DC): Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC
- Hard Rock Bet (10 states): Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia
Florida is the only state where Hard Rock Bet is the sole legal online option. Delaware, Rhode Island and Nevada run their own state or casino-based platforms.
Prediction Markets vs Legal Sports Betting
Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket let users trade contracts on the outcome of sporting events. They operate under federal oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rather than state gaming licenses, which is why they are available in some states where sportsbooks are not legal, including California and Texas.
Many states argue these contracts are sports betting and should require a state license. Federal appeals courts have split. The Third Circuit sided with Kalshi against New Jersey in April 2026, while the Ninth Circuit (Nevada, August 2026) and the Sixth Circuit (Ohio and Tennessee, September 2026) ruled that states can regulate sports event contracts. New Jersey has asked the US Supreme Court to take up the issue.
Prediction markets are not the same as a licensed sportsbook. They are not overseen by state gaming regulators, and state responsible gambling protections may not apply. FanDuel also runs a separate product, FanDuel Predicts, which offers sports contracts only in states where FanDuel Sportsbook is not available.
Is Offshore Sports Betting Legal?
Offshore sportsbooks are not licensed or regulated by any US state. They often advertise to bettors in states without legal betting, but they offer no protection if a site refuses to pay, freezes an account or shuts down.
Licensed sportsbooks must verify your identity and location, keep player funds separate, follow state advertising rules and offer responsible gambling tools. If a sportsbook is not listed by your state regulator, it is not legal where you live.
Sports Betting Rules Every Bettor Should Know
What Is the Legal Age to Bet on Sports?
The minimum age is 21 in most states. Adults 18 and older can bet in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wyoming, Montana and Washington DC, though some sportsbooks in DC, including BetMGM, set their own minimum of 21. In Washington, the age depends on the tribal casino. Kentucky raised its minimum age from 18 to 21 on July 15, 2026.
Do You Have to Live in a State to Bet There?
No. You only need to be physically located inside a legal state when you place a bet. Sportsbook apps use geolocation to confirm your location, so visitors can sign up and bet while they are in the state.
Can You Bet From a State Where Sports Betting Is Not Legal?
No. If you travel into a state without legal betting, your app will block wagers until you return to a legal state. You can usually still log in, view your account and withdraw funds.
What Are College Betting Restrictions?
Many states limit college betting. The most common rules ban bets on in-state college teams, ban player props on college athletes, or both. Restrictions are listed in each state's section above.
How to Start Betting Legally
- Confirm sports betting is legal online in your state using the list above.
- Choose a sportsbook licensed by your state regulator.
- Create an account with your name, date of birth, address and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Enable location services so the app can confirm you are inside a legal state.
- Make a deposit using a supported payment method, such as a debit card, online banking or PayPal.
- Claim any welcome offer you qualify for and place your first bet.
Responsible Gambling
Sports betting should always be entertainment. If gambling stops being fun, these free and confidential resources can help.
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738)
- National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org
- 1-800-GAMBLER: 800gambler.org
- Gamblers Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org
Every legal sportsbook also offers deposit limits, time limits and self-exclusion tools, and most state regulators run their own self-exclusion programs.
Where Is Sports Betting Legal FAQs
How many states have legal sports betting?
Sports betting is legal in 39 states and Washington, DC, as of November 2026. Online betting is live in 31 of those states plus DC, while eight states allow only in-person betting.
Is online sports betting legal in my state?
Online betting is live in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming and Washington DC.
Which states do not allow sports betting?
Sports betting is not legal in Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
When did sports betting become legal in the US?
The Supreme Court struck down the federal ban (PASPA) on May 14, 2018. Delaware took the first legal bet outside Nevada on June 5, 2018, and New Jersey followed days later.
What is the legal age to bet on sports?
The minimum age is 21 in most states. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wyoming, Montana and Washington DC allow betting at 18, though some sportsbooks set a higher minimum.
Can I bet on sports if I am visiting a legal state?
Yes. You do not need to be a resident. You only need to be physically located in a legal state when you place your bet.
Which state will legalize sports betting next?
Nebraska voters decided on online betting on November 3, 2026, and Wisconsin has legalized online betting but not yet launched. Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma are the largest states expected to revisit legalization in 2027.
Are prediction markets like Kalshi legal sports betting?
Prediction markets operate under federal CFTC oversight rather than state gaming licenses, so they are not licensed sportsbooks. Several states are challenging them in court, and their legal status in some states remains unsettled.
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