draftkings legal states

legal sports betting in the us: states with approved regulations

The landscape of sports betting in the United States has undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly since the landmark decision by the Supreme Court in 2018 to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This decision paved the way for individual states to legalize and regulate sports betting within their borders. As of now, several states have embraced this opportunity, each with its own set of regulations and frameworks. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the states that have approved legal sports betting.

States with Legal Sports Betting

1. Nevada

• Legal Since: Pre-PASPA (1949)
• Key Points: Nevada has long been the epicenter of legal sports betting in the US. It was one of the few states exempted from PASPA, allowing it to continue offering sports betting services.
• Regulatory Body: Nevada Gaming Control Board

2. New Jersey

• Legal Since: June 2018
• Key Points: New Jersey was at the forefront of the legal battle against PASPA, leading to its eventual repeal. The state now offers both online and retail sports betting.
• Regulatory Body: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement

3. Delaware

• Legal Since: June 2018
• Key Points: Delaware was another state that had partial exemptions under PASPA, allowing it to offer parlay betting on NFL games. Following the repeal of PASPA, it expanded its offerings to include single-game betting.
• Regulatory Body: Delaware Lottery

4. Mississippi

• Legal Since: August 2018
• Key Points: Mississippi allows sports betting only at licensed casinos. Online sports betting is not permitted unless the bettor is physically present within a casino.
• Regulatory Body: Mississippi Gaming Commission

5. West Virginia

• Legal Since: August 2018
• Key Points: West Virginia offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has seen significant revenue from sports betting, particularly during major sporting events.
• Regulatory Body: West Virginia Lottery Commission

6. Pennsylvania

• Legal Since: November 2018
• Key Points: Pennsylvania has one of the most comprehensive sports betting frameworks, allowing both online and retail betting. The state also imposes a high tax rate on sports betting revenue.
• Regulatory Body: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

7. Rhode Island

• Legal Since: November 2018
• Key Points: Rhode Island offers sports betting at two casinos, with the state lottery controlling the operations. Online sports betting was legalized in 2019.
• Regulatory Body: Rhode Island Lottery

8. New Mexico

• Legal Since: October 2018
• Key Points: New Mexico does not have a formal sports betting law but allows tribal casinos to offer sports betting under compacts with the state.
• Regulatory Body: New Mexico Gaming Control Board

9. New York

• Legal Since: July 2019
• Key Points: New York initially allowed only retail sports betting at four upstate casinos. Online sports betting was legalized in January 2022.
• Regulatory Body: New York State Gaming Commission

10. Arkansas

• Legal Since: July 2019
• Key Points: Arkansas allows sports betting at its casinos, with the first sportsbook opening in July 2019. Online sports betting is not yet permitted.
• Regulatory Body: Arkansas Racing Commission

11. Iowa

• Legal Since: August 2019
• Key Points: Iowa offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has seen steady growth in sports betting revenue since its legalization.
• Regulatory Body: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission

12. Oregon

• Legal Since: August 2019
• Key Points: Oregon uses its existing lottery system to offer sports betting. The state does not allow private operators to offer sports betting.
• Regulatory Body: Oregon Lottery

13. Indiana

• Legal Since: September 2019
• Key Points: Indiana offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has quickly become one of the leading markets in the Midwest.
• Regulatory Body: Indiana Gaming Commission

14. Illinois

• Legal Since: March 2020
• Key Points: Illinois initially required in-person registration for online sports betting, but this requirement was lifted in 2021. The state has a robust sports betting market.
• Regulatory Body: Illinois Gaming Board

15. Colorado

• Legal Since: May 2020
• Key Points: Colorado allows both retail and online sports betting. The state has seen significant interest in sports betting, particularly during major events like the Super Bowl.
• Regulatory Body: Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission

16. Michigan

• Legal Since: March 2020
• Key Points: Michigan offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has a competitive market with several operators vying for market share.
• Regulatory Body: Michigan Gaming Control Board

17. Tennessee

• Legal Since: November 2020
• Key Points: Tennessee is unique in that it only allows online sports betting. The state does not permit any form of retail sports betting.
• Regulatory Body: Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation

18. Virginia

• Legal Since: January 2021
• Key Points: Virginia allows both retail and online sports betting. The state has seen rapid growth in its sports betting market since its legalization.
• Regulatory Body: Virginia Lottery

19. Washington, D.C.

• Legal Since: May 2020
• Key Points: Washington, D.C. offers sports betting through its lottery system. The state has faced some challenges with its online sports betting platform.
• Regulatory Body: D.C. Lottery

20. Montana

• Legal Since: March 2020
• Key Points: Montana offers sports betting through its lottery system, with kiosks located throughout the state. Online sports betting is not permitted.
• Regulatory Body: Montana Lottery

21. North Carolina

• Legal Since: March 2021
• Key Points: North Carolina currently allows sports betting only at two tribal casinos. Online sports betting is not yet permitted.
• Regulatory Body: North Carolina Lottery

22. South Dakota

• Legal Since: November 2021
• Key Points: South Dakota allows sports betting only at the Deadwood casinos. Online sports betting is not yet permitted.
• Regulatory Body: South Dakota Commission on Gaming

23. Wyoming

• Legal Since: September 2021
• Key Points: Wyoming is another state that only allows online sports betting. The state has a small but growing market.
• Regulatory Body: Wyoming Gaming Commission

The legalization of sports betting in the United States has created a diverse and dynamic market, with each state implementing its own unique regulations. As more states continue to explore the possibility of legalizing sports betting, the landscape is likely to evolve further, offering new opportunities and challenges for both operators and consumers.

legal sports betting states

Sports betting has seen a significant shift in the United States over the past few years, with more states legalizing and regulating the activity. This article provides an overview of the states where sports betting is currently legal, highlighting the key developments and nuances in each jurisdiction.

Overview of Legal Sports Betting in the U.S.

The legalization of sports betting in the U.S. began with the Supreme Court’s decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2018, which struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This landmark ruling allowed states to legalize and regulate sports betting within their borders. Since then, numerous states have taken advantage of this opportunity.

States with Legal Sports Betting

1. Nevada

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Nevada has long been the epicenter of sports betting in the U.S., with Las Vegas being a global hub for sports wagering. The state offers both retail and online sports betting.

2. New Jersey

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: New Jersey was at the forefront of the legal battle against PASPA. The state offers extensive retail and online sports betting options, including mobile apps.

3. Delaware

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Delaware was one of the first states to legalize sports betting post-PASPA. The state offers both retail and online sports betting.

4. Mississippi

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: Mississippi allows retail sports betting at casinos but does not permit online or mobile betting outside of casino premises.

5. West Virginia

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: West Virginia offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has several licensed operators providing sports betting services.

6. Pennsylvania

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Pennsylvania offers a comprehensive sports betting market, including retail, online, and mobile options. The state has seen significant revenue from sports betting.

7. Rhode Island

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: Rhode Island allows retail sports betting at two casinos and has recently introduced online sports betting. However, mobile betting is restricted to within casino premises.

8. New Mexico

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: New Mexico allows sports betting at tribal casinos but does not have a statewide regulatory framework. The legality of online sports betting is unclear.

9. New York

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: New York allows retail sports betting at four upstate casinos. Online and mobile sports betting is currently not permitted, but legislation is being considered.

10. Arkansas

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: Arkansas allows retail sports betting at casinos but does not permit online or mobile betting.

11. Iowa

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Iowa offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has a robust regulatory framework and several licensed operators.

12. Oregon

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: Oregon allows sports betting through the state lottery’s Scoreboard app. Retail sports betting is not currently available.

13. Montana

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: Montana allows sports betting through the state lottery’s Sports Bet Montana app. Retail sports betting is available at select locations.

14. Indiana

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Indiana offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has a growing market with several licensed operators.

15. Illinois

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Illinois offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has a comprehensive regulatory framework and several licensed operators.

16. Colorado

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Colorado offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has a competitive market with several licensed operators.

17. Michigan

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Michigan offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has a robust regulatory framework and several licensed operators.

18. Tennessee

• Status: Fully Legal (Online Only)
• Key Points: Tennessee is unique in that it only allows online sports betting. Retail sports betting is not permitted.

19. Virginia

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Virginia offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has a growing market with several licensed operators.

20. Washington, D.C.

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: Washington, D.C. allows sports betting through the GambetDC app. Retail sports betting is available at select locations.

21. North Carolina

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: North Carolina allows retail sports betting at two tribal casinos. Online and mobile sports betting is not currently permitted.

22. Washington

• Status: Legal with Restrictions
• Key Points: Washington allows retail sports betting at tribal casinos. Online and mobile sports betting is not currently permitted.

23. Arizona

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Arizona offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has a comprehensive regulatory framework and several licensed operators.

24. Connecticut

• Status: Fully Legal
• Key Points: Connecticut offers both retail and online sports betting. The state has a growing market with several licensed operators.

25. Wyoming

• Status: Fully Legal (Online Only)
• Key Points: Wyoming is unique in that it only allows online sports betting. Retail sports betting is not permitted.

The landscape of legal sports betting in the U.S. is rapidly evolving, with more states considering legislation to legalize and regulate the activity. As of now, a significant number of states offer various forms of sports betting, ranging from fully legal and regulated markets to more restrictive environments. For bettors and industry stakeholders, staying informed about the legal status and nuances of sports betting in each state is crucial.