US Sports Betting Guide

Amelia Walker By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: October 25, 2024
Amelia Walker Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer at Betting.us

Amelia Walker, a J.D. holder and senior content writer at Betting.US, is a legal expert in responsible gambling. Initially skeptical, she now has over six years in professional gambling. She’s studied gambling law and currently educates gamblers on our site in legal and safe play.

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Welcome to our detailed guide to sports betting in the USA! Our team of experts has prepared an in-depth overview of legal betting options in every state, including a rundown of each location and available operators. Discover all the details below.

Legal Status Top 10 Sportsbooks List of Legal States

Top 10 Retail Sportsbooks in the US

These are establishments where you can dive into world-class gaming and entertainment experiences. With a dazzling array of wagering options and state-of-the-art technology, these are the places that provide an experience unparalleled, so be sure to visit them all.

Sportsbook Name State Sportsbook Type Highlights Online Sportsbook Partner Secure Link Terms
4.95/5.00
Nevada
Casino Resort
Betting Kiosks Skyboxes
4.95/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new NV players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
4.90/5.00
Pennsylvania
Casino Resort
Private Booths Live Betting
4.90/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new PA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.
4.90/5.00
West Virginia
Casino Resort/Racetrack
Live Racing Membership Program
4.90/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new WV players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.
4.85/5.00
Pennsylvania
Casino Resort/Racetrack
Betting Kiosks Full-Service Restaurant
4.85/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new PA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.
4.85/5.00
Pennsylvania
Casino Resort
In-Play Betting Sports Lounge
4.85/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new PA players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.
4.80/5.00
New Jersey
Casino Resort
Sportsbook Bar Horseracing Betting
4.80/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
4.75/5.00
New Jersey
Casino Resort
Live Shows The Sportsbook Bar
4.75/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
4.75/5.00
New Jersey
Casino Resort
Daily Live Entertainment Sportsbook Bar
4.75/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new NJ players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
4.70/5.00
Colorado
Casino Resort
24/7 Access Fan Club Rewards
4.70/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new CO players over 21 years of age. Opt-in required. Full T&Cs apply.
4.70/5.00
Michigan
Casino Resort
Premium Lounge MGM Rewards
4.70/5.00 Play Online! Valid only for new MI players over 21 years of age. Full T&Cs apply.

List of Retail Sportsbooks by State

In this section you'll find a full list of all available legal sportsbooks in the USA that we've currently visited and reviewed in detail. You can expect to find updates to the list as time goes on, courtesy of our team of gambling experts.

Alabama
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Cities and Brands in Alabama
Arizona
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Cities and Brands in Arizona
Arkansas
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Cities and Brands in Arkansas
California
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Cities and Brands in California
Colorado
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Cities and Brands in Colorado
Connecticut
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Cities and Brands in Connecticut
Delaware
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Cities and Brands in Delaware
Florida
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Cities and Brands in Florida
Georgia
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Cities and Brands in Georgia
Idaho
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Cities and Brands in Idaho
Illinois
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Cities and Brands in Illinois
Indiana
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Cities and Brands in Indiana
Iowa
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Cities and Brands in Iowa
Kansas
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Cities and Brands in Kansas
Kentucky
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Cities and Brands in Kentucky
Louisiana
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Cities and Brands in Louisiana
Maryland
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Cities and Brands in Maryland
Massachusetts
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Cities and Brands in Massachusetts
Michigan
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Cities and Brands in Michigan
Minnesota
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Cities and Brands in Minnesota
Mississippi
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Cities and Brands in Mississippi
Montana
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Cities and Brands in Montana
Nebraska
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Cities and Brands in Nebraska
Nevada
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Cities and Brands in Nevada
New Hampshire
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Cities and Brands in New Hampshire
New Jersey
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Cities and Brands in New Jersey
New Mexico
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Cities and Brands in New Mexico
New York
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Cities and Brands in New York
North Carolina
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Cities and Brands in North Carolina
North Dakota
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Cities and Brands in North Dakota
Ohio
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Cities and Brands in Ohio
Oklahoma
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Cities and Brands in Oklahoma
Oregon
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Cities and Brands in Oregon
Pennsylvania
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Cities and Brands in Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
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Cities and Brands in Rhode Island
South Dakota
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Cities and Brands in South Dakota
Texas
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Cities and Brands in Texas
Virginia
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Cities and Brands in Virginia
Washington
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Cities and Brands in Washington
West Virginia
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Cities and Brands in West Virginia
Wisconsin
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Cities and Brands in Wisconsin
Wyoming
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Cities and Brands in Wyoming

In recent years, bettors would have noticed the momentum in the sports betting industry across the United States. Nevada has lost its monopoly of the market, with more states taking positive steps towards legalization. While there are a few states which appear unlikely to make legal wagering a reality, the situation has generally been positive across the board. There are now many US online sportsbooks that are legal to use in many states.

Let's jump into the table below, where you'll find info on the best states for legal sports betting and which others you can expect to see legalizing it in the coming years.

State Legal Offline Betting Legal Online Betting Notes
Alabama No No Only off-tracking betting.
Arizona Yes Yes Prohibited prop bets on collegiate events.
Arkansas Yes Yes Retail sports betting legal since 2018.
California No No Only off-track betting allowed.
Colorado Yes Yes Restricted betting on all collegiate events that are not sanctioned by the relevant sports league.
Connecticut Yes Yes Betting on in-state collegiate teams and events are restricted.
Delaware Yes Yes Limited to in-person betting, online wagering is legal but there are no betting sites.
District of Columbia Yes Yes Online betting available within a 2-block radius of Nationals Park and Capital One Arena.
Florida No Yes Online wagering is legal. Only one option is currently live in the state.
Idaho No No Only off-track betting.
Illinois Yes Yes Wagering on in-state college teams is legal only for pregame wagers made in person.
Indiana Yes Yes Prohibited prop bets on collegiate events.
Iowa Yes Yes Prop bets on individual college athletes prohibited.
Kansas Yes Yes Soft launch of sports betting in 2022.
Kentucky Yes Yes Sports betting launched in 2023 at retail locations and sports betting apps.
Louisiana Yes Yes Retail sportsbooks can operate at riverboat casinos, racetracks, and casinos, no restricted bet types.
Maine Yes Yes Sports betting is legal but not available yet. Expected to come soon.
Maryland Yes Yes Since legalization in November 2020 retail sportsbooks are allowed in the state.
Massachusetts Yes Yes Sports betting bill passed in 2022, both retail and online sports wagers are now legal.
Michigan Yes Yes All kinds of betting options and no restrictions.
Minnesota No No Only off-track betting.
Mississippi Yes Yes Mobile betting is legal but only while inside the casino.
Montana Yes Yes Mobile wagering is available only in-person at some of the legal retail sports betting locations.
Nebraska Yes No Betting on in-state college games, including player prop bets, is prohibited.
Nevada Yes Yes Bettors are obligated to register in person for a mobile sportsbook account.
New Hampshire Yes Yes Only one mobile operator to choose from, and betting on in-state collegiate teams and events is forbidden.
New Jersey Yes Yes Betting on in-state college teams or events taking place in NJ is not legal.
New Mexico Yes No No legislation, but under tribal gaming, it's deemed legal.
New York Yes Yes In-person sportsbooks opened in 2019. Sports betting has been live since January 2022.
North Carolina Yes No Only at authorized tribal casinos. Mobile wagering expected to come in 2024.
North Dakota Yes No Only at Tribal casino operators.
Ohio Yes Yes Sports betting live since Jan 2023 and at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
Oklahoma No No Only off-track betting.
Oregon Yes Yes All collegiate teams and events are forbidden to wager on.
Pennsylvania Yes Yes All kinds of betting options and no restrictions.
Rhode Island Yes Yes Only one mobile operator and betting on in-state collegiate teams and events are forbidden.
South Dakota Yes No Only at Deadwood and tribal lands In-state collegiate teams and events are restricted to bet.
Tennessee No Yes Only online sports betting available, no physical locations Betting on all collegiate events is prohibited.
U.S. Virgin Islands No No There are no official sportsbooks in the U.S. Virgin Islands, however, sports bettors can wager online using international betting websites.
Vermont No Yes Mobile betting legalized this year and expected to launch in 2024. In-person betting remains illegal.
Virginia Yes Yes The first physical sportsbook opened in July 2022.
Washington Yes Yes Only at certain tribal casinos. No statewide mobile betting and in-state collegiate teams and events restricted.
West Virginia Yes Yes No restrictions.
Wisconsin Yes No In-state collegiate teams and amateur sports bets are restricted.
Wyoming Yes Yes No restricted bet types.
State Legal Offline Betting Is Online Betting Legal? Notes
Alaska No No Under consideration in 2020 but no action since.
Georgia No No Multiple sports betting bills have failed. Must wait until 2024 for new action to be taken.
Hawaii No No No plans to discuss sports wagering legalization for now.
Missouri No No Possible action in 2024.
South Carolina No No No consideration any time soon.
Texas No No No consideration likely.
Utah No No No consideration any time soon.

Off Track Betting Venues

In mid-2018 the Supreme Court ruled that the PASPA act of 1992, that banned sports betting was illegal and thus has since been overruled. From there on out, many states rode the wave and decided to cash in on the potential, as federal taxes are due on every winning bet. Not only would it fund state budgets, but it would also increase the tourism potential of each location on the map. Even so, the adoption rate hasn't been that good, but strides are being made towards integrating sports betting into each state's respective gambling industry .

History of Betting Legislation in the USA

The US has a complex relationship with games of chance. From colonial-era bans to the rise of state lotteries, the Underground Railroad's ties to gambling, and the seismic shift brought by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).

Sports betting has often been under scrutiny and in 1992, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was passed and with it – sports betting was outlawed. This resulted in Nevada being the only state with legal betting. Until 2018, when The Supreme Court ruled that PASPA was unlawful and unconstitutional.

Take a look at our timeline to see a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape that has shaped betting in America.

Year Title Description
1860s The Birth of Modern Gambling During the 1860s, the United States was undergoing the Gold Rush era. President Lincoln enforced a nationwide ban on gambling, including sports betting. The law was rigorously enforced with severe penalties for those involved in gambling activities. In 1869, partial gambling legalization occurred, only to be reversed in 1909. Subsequent years saw legislative back-and-forth.
1931 Some Gambling Expansion The turning point came during the Great Depression when, on March 19, 1931, Governor Fred Balzar signed Bill 98. This groundbreaking legislation marked the legalization of gambling, including sports betting, in the state of Nevada. This laid the foundation for the rise of the gambling industry as it exists today, with Nevada becoming a major gambling hub.
1949/50 Off-track Betting Legalized In 1949 Nevada legalizes off-track betting, allowing bettors to place wagers on horse races without being physically present at the racetrack. This leads to legal horse race betting becomeing more widespread in various states in the 1950s, with pari-mutuel wagering systems being established.
1974 First Legal Sportsbook Opens The first legal sportsbook in the U.S. opens in Las Vegas. The legal sportsbook provided a regulated and safe environment for individuals to place bets on various sporting events. This marked the beginning of a legal and structured approach to sports betting within the United States, primarily concentrated in Nevada.
1992 PASPA Passed The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is passed, restricting sports betting in most states, with exceptions for Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana, which had some form of sports betting already in place. PASPA effectively restricted the ability of states to introduce new sports betting legislation and regulated markets, limiting sports betting largely to those states with existing frameworks.
2018 PASPA Overturned In a landmark decision on May 14, 2018, the United States Supreme Court overturned PASPA, effectively ending the federal ban on sports betting. The case, known as Murphy v. NCAA, opened the door for individual states to decide whether to legalize and regulate sports betting within their jurisdictions.
2019 Legalization of Sports Betting Begins Many states introduced and passed sports betting legislation, and some even launched their operations during this year. The expansion was significant, with numerous states considering or enacting laws to regulate sports betting, both online and at physical sportsbooks.
2020s Sports Betting Continues Growing The 2020s have continued to witness the growth and evolution of the sports betting industry in the United States. An increasing number of states continue to pass sports betting legislation, contributing to the industry's growth nationwide. More states are likely to consider sports betting legislation as they seek to benefit from the potential revenue streams.

The Different Types of Betting Venues

US sports betting is a vibrant and diverse landscape, offering a multitude of venues where individuals can try their luck. From the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas resorts to the convenience of sports bars, these betting venues cater to a wide spectrum of preferences and experiences. We will explore the various types of betting venues below:

  • Off Tracks

    These venues, often equipped with numerous screens, wagering counters, and comfortable seating, allow bettors to engage with races from across the nation, creating a vibrant and communal atmosphere where they can indulge in the excitement of thoroughbred and harness racing, even when they're miles away from the actual tracks.

  • Racetracks

    Racetracks in the US are rich in history, catering to horse racing and, in some cases, greyhound racing. They serve as the primary venues for wagering and enjoying the thrill of these sports. Notable tracks include Churchill Downs in Kentucky, home to the prestigious Kentucky Derby, and Santa Anita Park in California, renowned for its picturesque setting and top-class thoroughbred racing.

  • Sports Bars

    While sports bars have long been gathering spots for fans to watch games, the legalization of sports betting in various states has brought a new dimension to the scene. Many bars now offer on-site sportsbooks, kiosks, or partnerships with nearby retail sportsbooks, allowing patrons to place bets on games and events while enjoying their favorite matches on big screens.

  • Casino Resorts

    US casino resorts are sprawling entertainment complexes that combine luxurious accommodations, world-class dining, and thrilling gaming experiences. Found in destinations like Las Vegas, these resorts offer a wide array of casino games, sports betting, shows, and recreational activities, making them popular destinations for both gamblers and tourists alike.

  • River Boats

    Gambling on riverboats, often referred to as riverboat casinos, is a unique aspect of the American gambling landscape. In many states, particularly along the Mississippi River, riverboat casinos have been a popular way to provide legal gambling options. These boats often house a variety of casino games and even sports betting and they sail on rivers or lakes.

  • Casinos

    US casinos have embraced the trend of sports betting, transforming their establishments into multifaceted entertainment hubs. Casinos have also introduced dedicated sports betting lounges, equipped with numerous screens and comfortable seating, to enhance the sports betting experience for patrons.

FAQ

Where is retail sports betting legal in the United States?
Currently, there are 44 states that have legal sports betting in some form. Some of the states provide both online and offline sports betting, while some provide only off-track betting as an option. Our list of legal states provides further details regrading the status of betting in each jurisdiction.

Which states have off-track betting?

Not all states have legal off-track betting locations. There are a total of 26 states that you can find OTB venues – Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Our guide has details covering off-track locations in each state.

Do casinos also offer in-person sports betting facilities?

It's possible to bet on sports in casinos where there's a sportsbook or an off-track betting facilities. Even some of the top offline betting locations are located in casinos as you can see in our top 10 brick and mortar betting locations list.

Conclusion

Land-based sports betting in the United States has rapidly expanded, offering sports enthusiasts and gamblers many fun opportunities. From Las Vegas casino resorts to race tracks and sports bars, betting options abound. This growth not only fuels excitement among patrons but also generates substantial revenue for states and local economies through taxes and increased tourism.

Sports betting on-site allows for live game-watching, fostering a vibrant and social atmosphere and has reinvigorated the gaming industry. Numerous states have already passed legislation to permit sports betting, both in-person and online, the trend is expected to continue, with more states considering legalization to tap into the potential revenue, so watch this space for updates!

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