Where is Sports betting Legal in the United States?

Sports betting has exploded in popularity in the last few years. Which are the states where sports betting is legal? More states are approving sports betting each year, though some remain staunch in their opposition.

It helps to know the states where sports betting is legal, states where online sports betting is legal, and more. So, in what states is sports betting legal?

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In What States is Sports Betting Legal?

The answer to the question, “How many states is sports betting legal?” is a bit more convoluted than you might think. For starters, some only allow retail sports betting but not online sports betting. Others allow both.

Which states have legal sports betting? It would be shorter to cover the list of places that don’t allow legal sports betting:

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

How many states is sports betting legal? So far, 38 states have approved sports betting in one form or another. Now, let’s get down to which states allow only retail sports betting and which states include online sports betting as well.

States with Retail-Only Sports Betting

When asking about states where sports betting is legal, it is important to note that sports betting is not an all-encompassing thing. With the rise of online sports betting, some states still have not passed legislation in that regard.

Currently, what states have legal sports betting but not online wagering? Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin are the only retail-only states as of now.

Though it is possible that they will join the list of states that allow online sports betting, it is only possible to place wagers at retail locations. For the most part, that entails brick-and-mortar casinos above all else.

States Where Online Sports Betting is Legal

Here is the full list of states that allow online sports betting:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

In each state, a regulatory body – usually a state gaming commission – issues a license to each sportsbook or sports betting entity. Holding a license means that these businesses are subject to regulation and must uphold fair and responsible gambling practices. They also determine how many licenses are available each year.

The Future of Online Sports Betting

The future of online sports betting is always in motion. With the success that the industry has had in virtually every state it has been implemented, it may just be a matter of time before it is legal in all 50 states.

There are, of course, political implications involved, but it is hard for states to ignore the revenue that sports betting brings in. Many eyes will be on the two biggest states – California and Texas – to see whether they make the move.

I (AKA CatBurg) have a lifelong passion for sports, especially football and basketball. I enjoy the thrill and excitement of sports betting and everything in between. My teams are (Packers #GoPackGo) and who I am betting on!