Legal Sports Betting

In May 2018, the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA, the federal law that banned sports betting in most of the country. As a result, each state can now decide whether to allow legal sports betting.

Four states were already exempt from PASPA: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana. That is because they had sports lottery or betting systems in place before the law passed. Of these, Nevada has long been the home of US gambling.

How PASPA Was Overturned

In 2009, New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak filed a lawsuit to overturn PASPA. Later, the major professional sports leagues and the NCAA fought New Jersey in court to keep the ban in place.

In May 2018, however, the Supreme Court ruled PASPA unconstitutional. Now, every state can allow sports betting under its own rules. Many steps remain before betting is legal everywhere. Even so, more and more states keep opening the door to sports betting.

Online vs. Retail Sports Betting

Some states allow online sports betting, while others only allow it at land-based venues. In addition, state officials are studying how sports betting can benefit their budgets. In fact, many states already see a strong return.

Because of this, more states now view sports betting as a source of revenue. This has several effects. For example, it creates more competition for state lotteries. It also adds pressure on the federal government to change the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Overall, sports betting already adds to the income of several states.

Sports Betting by State

Arkansas: Arkansas became the ninth state to allow sports betting when it launched in July 2019. At launch, Oaklawn Racing Casino in Hot Springs was the only place to bet legally on sports.

Colorado: Colorado launched sports betting in May 2020, with four operators at first. The state also planned to add retail outlets. However, launching during the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge.

Delaware: Once PASPA was overturned, Delaware quickly approved sports betting. It then began offering bets at three casinos and also planned to launch mobile betting.

Illinois: Illinois was the 15th state to allow sports betting, although the launch got off to a rocky start. Rivers Casino in Chicago began taking bets in March 2020. Shortly after, however, the pandemic forced many venues to close temporarily.

Indiana: Indiana launched sports betting in September 2019. Bettors can wager on their favorite teams on mobile devices or at licensed retail locations.

Iowa: Iowa officially launched sports betting in August 2019, including mobile betting. Note, however, that at launch you had to visit a retail location to set up your account.

Michigan: Michigan became the 16th state to allow sports betting on March 11, 2020. Unfortunately, the timing clashed with the pandemic, so all retail sportsbooks closed temporarily. At the time, its mobile betting was not expected until 2021.

Mississippi: Mississippi was one of the first states to act after PASPA fell. In fact, it began taking bets in August 2018, just three months later. Bets are taken at the state’s casinos.

Montana: Montana launched sports betting in March 2020, during the pandemic. Customers can bet at any of the state’s licensed retailers.

Nevada: Nevada was already exempt from PASPA, and Las Vegas has long been the center of US sports betting. Since 2018, the state has kept improving both its online and retail sportsbook offerings.

New Hampshire: New Hampshire officially launched sports betting in July 2019, through a partnership with DraftKings. At the time, DraftKings was the only mobile operator in the state.

New Jersey: New Jersey led the fight against PASPA, so it was among the first states to launch sports betting in June 2018. It offers many retail sportsbooks and mobile betting options. In fact, many New Yorkers have traveled to New Jersey to place bets.

New Mexico: New Mexico began allowing sports betting in August 2018, making it the sixth state to do so. At the time, it had no plans for online betting.

New York: New York approved sports betting in June 2019. However, the launch was delayed while the state Gaming Commission wrote its rules. At first, you could only bet on sports at its casinos.

North Carolina: North Carolina allowed sports betting in July 2019. However, at first it was limited to two tribal casinos.

Oregon: In Oregon, Chinook Winds Casino opened a sportsbook in August 2019. Then, in October 2019, the state also launched mobile betting.

Pennsylvania: After the Supreme Court struck down PASPA, Pennsylvania launched sports betting in August 2018. It offers several retail sportsbooks and a mobile betting app.

Rhode Island: The smallest US state began offering sports betting in August 2018, soon after PASPA fell. Later, in September 2019, it added mobile betting.

Tennessee: Tennessee legalized sports betting in May 2019. At the time, the state planned to start issuing sportsbook licenses in July 2020 and launch in September 2020.

Virginia: Virginia passed its sports betting law in 2020, and betting began in January 2021. However, you cannot bet on Virginia college teams.

West Virginia: West Virginia’s legislature approved sports betting in 2018. A few months later, the state launched online betting through the BetLucky app.

Legal Sports Betting FAQs

Can I bet on sports through Venmo?

No, not legally. Most legal sportsbooks in the US do not accept bets through Venmo.

Where in the US is sports betting legal?

When this page was first written, 21 states plus Washington, D.C. had legalized sports betting. Since then, many more states have followed.

Can I bet on sports online?

Yes and no. Many states have legalized sports betting. However, not all of them allow online betting.

When was sports betting legalized?

Sports betting became legal at the state level in 2018, after the Supreme Court struck down PASPA.

When did Indiana legalize sports betting?

Indiana legalized sports betting in 2019. Betting began in the fall of 2019, and online betting launched a couple of months later.

When did Michigan legalize sports betting?

Michigan passed its sports betting law in December 2019. Then, its first retail sportsbooks opened in March 2020.

Does Virginia have legal sports betting?

Yes. Virginia’s first legal sports bets were placed through FanDuel in January 2021.

Does South Dakota have legal sports betting?

At the time of writing, sports betting wasn’t legal there yet. However, in November 2020, voters approved a ballot measure to allow it.

Does North Carolina have legal sports betting?

Yes. At first, though, you could only bet at two casinos, which opened their sportsbooks in early 2021.

Does Tennessee have legal sports betting?

Yes. Tennessee legalized sports betting in 2019, and it launched in 2020.

Does Maryland have legal sports betting?

At the time of writing, it wasn’t legal yet. However, Maryland voters approved sports betting in the 2020 election.

Does Louisiana have legal sports betting?

At the time of writing, it was not legal, despite several attempts over the years.

Does Iowa have legal sports betting?

Yes. Iowa legalized sports betting in May 2019, becoming the 11th state to do so.

Does Illinois have legal sports betting?

Yes. Illinois passed its sports betting law in June 2019. Then, in March 2020, its first retail sportsbooks opened, making it the 15th state to launch.

Does Colorado have legal sports betting?

Yes. In November 2019, Colorado voters approved both in-person and mobile sports betting, after the governor signed the bill.