legal betting states

legal sports betting in the u.s.: state-by-state guide

The landscape of legal sports betting in the United States has evolved significantly since the landmark decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2018, which struck down the federal ban on sports betting. Today, sports betting is legal in various forms across numerous states. Here’s a state-by-state guide to help you navigate the legal sports betting landscape in the U.S.

States with Legalized Sports Betting

1. Nevada

• Legal Since: 1949
• Key Points: Nevada was the only state with legal sports betting for decades. It offers both retail and online sports betting through licensed casinos.

2. New Jersey

• Legal Since: 2018
• Key Points: New Jersey was at the forefront of the legal battle that led to the overturning of the federal ban. It offers both retail and online sports betting.

3. Delaware

• Legal Since: 2018
• Key Points: Delaware was one of the first states to legalize sports betting post-PASPA. It offers full-scale sports betting at its three casinos.

4. Mississippi

• Legal Since: 2018
• Key Points: Mississippi allows sports betting only at licensed casinos. Mobile betting is restricted to within casino premises.

5. West Virginia

• Legal Since: 2018
• Key Points: West Virginia offers both retail and online sports betting through licensed operators.

6. Pennsylvania

• Legal Since: 2019
• Key Points: Pennsylvania offers a comprehensive sports betting market, including retail, online, and mobile betting.

7. Rhode Island

• Legal Since: 2019
• Key Points: Rhode Island offers sports betting through two casinos. Mobile betting is available but controlled by the state lottery.

8. Indiana

• Legal Since: 2019
• Key Points: Indiana offers both retail and online sports betting. The market is regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission.

9. Iowa

• Legal Since: 2019
• Key Points: Iowa offers a robust sports betting market with both retail and online options. Mobile betting requires in-person registration initially.

10. New Hampshire

• Legal Since: 2019
• Key Points: New Hampshire offers online sports betting through a single operator, DraftKings. Retail sports betting is not available.

11. Illinois

• Legal Since: 2020
• Key Points: Illinois offers a mix of retail and online sports betting. Mobile betting initially required in-person registration, but this has since been lifted.

12. Colorado

• Legal Since: 2020
• Key Points: Colorado offers both retail and online sports betting. The market is regulated by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission.

13. Tennessee

• Legal Since: 2020
• Key Points: Tennessee is unique in that it only offers online sports betting. Retail sports betting is not permitted.

14. Virginia

• Legal Since: 2021
• Key Points: Virginia offers online sports betting through multiple operators. Retail sports betting is expected to be introduced in the future.

15. Michigan

• Legal Since: 2021
• Key Points: Michigan offers a comprehensive sports betting market, including retail, online, and mobile betting.

16. Washington, D.C.

• Legal Since: 2020
• Key Points: Washington, D.C. offers online sports betting through the DC Lottery’s GambetDC platform. Retail sports betting is available at licensed venues.

States with Pending Legislation

1. California

• Status: Multiple bills are being considered, but no concrete action has been taken yet.

2. Florida

• Status: Legalization efforts are currently halted due to ongoing legal challenges.

3. Texas

• Status: There is significant interest in legalizing sports betting, but no legislation has been passed yet.

4. New York

• Status: Online sports betting was recently legalized, with the first operators expected to launch in early 2022.

States with No Current Plans for Legalization

1. Utah

• Status: Utah has a strong anti-gambling stance, and there are no current plans to legalize sports betting.

2. Hawaii

• Status: Hawaii does not have any form of legal gambling, including sports betting.

3. Alabama

• Status: Alabama has shown little interest in legalizing sports betting, despite neighboring states doing so.

The legalization of sports betting in the U.S. is a dynamic and evolving landscape. As more states recognize the potential revenue and consumer interest, the list of states with legal sports betting is likely to grow. Stay tuned for updates as new states legalize and existing markets expand.

draftkings legal states: a comprehensive guide to sports betting regulations

Introduction

DraftKings, one of the leading sports betting platforms in the United States, has seen significant growth since the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape for DraftKings in various states, detailing the regulations and requirements for sports betting.

Key States Where DraftKings is Legal

1. New Jersey

• Legalization Date: June 11, 2018
• Key Regulations:
  • Online and mobile sports betting allowed.
  • Bettors must be 21 years or older.
  • Physical presence in New Jersey required for online betting.

2. Pennsylvania

• Legalization Date: November 16, 2018
• Key Regulations:
  • Both online and retail sports betting permitted.
  • Age requirement of 21 years.
  • High tax rate on sports betting revenue.

3. Indiana

• Legalization Date: September 1, 2019
• Key Regulations:
  • Online and mobile betting available.
  • Bettors must be 21 years or older.
  • No physical presence requirement for online betting.

4. Illinois

• Legalization Date: June 28, 2019
• Key Regulations:
  • Online and retail sports betting allowed.
  • Age requirement of 21 years.
  • Temporary in-person registration required for online accounts.

5. Colorado

• Legalization Date: May 1, 2020
• Key Regulations:
  • Online and mobile sports betting permitted.
  • Bettors must be 21 years or older.
  • No physical presence requirement for online betting.

6. Michigan

• Legalization Date: January 22, 2021
• Key Regulations:
  • Both online and retail sports betting allowed.
  • Age requirement of 21 years.
  • High tax rate on sports betting revenue.

States with Pending Legislation

1. California

• Status: Ongoing debate and potential ballot initiatives.
• Key Issues:
  • Tribal casinos’ opposition.
  • Concerns over addiction and problem gambling.

2. Texas

• Status: Legislative efforts ongoing.
• Key Issues:
  • Strong opposition from conservative groups.
  • Debate over the economic benefits versus social costs.

States with No Current Plans for Legalization

1. Utah

• Status: No plans for legalization.
• Key Issues:
  • Strong religious opposition.
  • Strict gambling laws.

2. Hawaii

• Status: No plans for legalization.
• Key Issues:
  • Concerns over tourism impact.
  • Lack of interest from lawmakers.

Regulatory Challenges and Considerations

1. Age Verification

• Requirement: All states mandate that bettors must be at least 21 years old.
• Implementation: DraftKings uses advanced identity verification systems to ensure compliance.

2. Geolocation

• Requirement: Many states require bettors to be physically present within state borders for online betting.
• Implementation: DraftKings employs geolocation technology to enforce this rule.

3. Taxation

• Requirement: States impose varying tax rates on sports betting revenue.
• Impact: Higher tax rates can affect the profitability of operators like DraftKings.

4. Responsible Gambling

• Requirement: All states mandate measures to prevent problem gambling.
• Implementation: DraftKings offers tools such as deposit limits, timeouts, and self-exclusion options.

Understanding the legal landscape of sports betting in the United States is crucial for both operators like DraftKings and bettors. As the industry continues to evolve, staying informed about the regulations in each state will be key to navigating this dynamic market.