THE LEGAL STATUS OF SPORTS BETTING IN THE USA

In May 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled that the ban under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was unconstitutional. PASPA was a law that attempted to define the legal status of sports betting in the USA and effectively outlawed sports betting across the country with the exception of a few states.

Where is sports betting legal right now?

When SCOTUS overturned PASPA, the legal status of sports betting in the USA changed dramatically. While not every state has legalized sports betting since this legal ruling, many have, and many more look like they will soon follow suit. To date, there are a total of 33 states, including Washington D.C., where sports betting, in some form, is legal. 

25 LEGALIZED

  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • West Virginia
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Arkansas
  • New York
  • Iowa
  • Oregon
  • Indiana
  • New Hampshire
  • Illinois
  • Michigan
  • Colorado
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • Ohio
  • Arizona
  • Connecticut
  • Maryland
  • Kansas
  • Massachusetts
  • Washington DC
  • Wyoming
  • Louisiana

14 ON THE WAY TO LEGALIZATION

  • Maine
  • Kentucky
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • South Carolina
  • California
  • Hawaii
  • Texas
  • Georgia
  • Vermont
  • Alabama
  • Florida
  • Nebraska
  • Oklahoma

9 LEGALIZED, BUT NOT ONLINE YET

  • Washington State
  • North Carolina
  • Delaware
  • Mississippi
  • Montana
  • New Mexico
  • South Dakota
  • North Dakota
  • Wisconsin

3 NO MOVEMENT TOWARDS LEGAL SPORTS BETTING

  • Idaho
  • Utah
  • Alaska

USA Sports Betting Legal Map | Sidelines
USA Sports Betting Legal Map | Sidelines

The Next 3 States to Have Operational Legal Sports Betting

How would LEGAL sports betting benefit you?

The biggest benefit of sports betting legally as opposed to illegally is regulation. You don’t have to place bets with a sketchy bookie who could stiff you without any repercussions. You don’t run the risk of an illegal website disappearing without a word but with your money. It’s ultimately a much safer, risk-free experience.

When legalized and regulated, sports betting is made more transparent, which eliminates the demand for the black market.