Can You Bet on Online Sports in Your State?
You'll be happy to know that it all depends on where you are. Most US states are legalizing online sports betting, and though you don't live there, their laws will apply to you while you pass through, visit, or vacation there.
In this blog, we'll show you which states allow sports betting. And particularly, online sports betting, where future bettors and companies will be. Since we don't want you caught unawares, we'll also tell you whether both in-person and online betting is allowed. In-person and online/mobile platforms are the two common modes of betting.
But first, let's go back to 2018 when the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. This opened the door for all states prepared to legalize sports betting. And in just one year, 13 states made it legal!
The American Gaming Commission fought to have a robust legal framework first. No doubt a measure to protect citizens from exploitation. The commission took issue with the unregulated nature of the Gambling and Betting Industry.
Since the Supreme Court decision of 2018, more states have woken up to the billion-dollar betting industry in the United States; and the capacity for states to generate millions in tax revenue for public expenditure. This reality has led to more and more states legalizing while making laws for both gamblers and authorized betting franchises.
Today, sports betting is legal in more than 30 US states. Here's a full breakdown.
US States Sports Betting Landscape
How Does the USA Sports Betting Legal Landscape Look Today?
There are 3 groups of US States based on how ready they are to allow sports betting. These groups are:
- Legal and live/operational,
- Legal but not yet operational,
- Neither legal nor operational.
Live, Legal: The operational Betting States In 2022
In-person betting, also referred to as retail, is the traditional way that bettors have always placed wagers. It is the most legally accepted, available betting mode today.
All you need to do is visit sportsbook premises in person and make your bets there. In these states, sports betting is both legal and operational.
This means that single-game sports betting is legal and available to consumers, for both in-person and/or online sportsbooks within these states.
The American Gaming Association has a fully interactive chart showing states that are ready for online sports betting. It lists 30+ states, including Washington DC. Full 2020 Chart Download link.
As we noted earlier, sports betting in the US depends on where you are. In-person sports betting is legal in these states:
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Washington
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Legal, Not Operational: the US States Actively Working to Regulate Sports Betting
These states are currently working to legalize sports betting within their boundaries. They have active legislation under consideration and will be ready soon to allow sports betting.
They are inclined to legalize online sports and are working on a sound regulatory framework that will hold it all together for their state. The common restrictions we still see among states that are just legalizing sports betting are:
- Maintaining a limited number of licensed operators,
- Allowing only single-game betting,
- Introducing minimum age restrictions.
These states are considered legal but not yet operational. They are:
- Alabama
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Minnesota
America Gaming Association Full Chart Download link.
The US States Lagging in Legalizing Online Sports Betting
While most states have legalized, or are actively considering legalizing, others have opted otherwise. Rather than go with the legalizing flow, they are happy to sit it out and wait. These are the states that are least likely to legalize sports betting.
What you should watch for in these states is how far they are in their legal process with online sports betting. In-person single-game betting naturally gets the first approval. Online sportsbooks come later.
Keep an eye on these US states as they create a safe legal environment for gambling enthusiasts.
Sports betting in these states is neither legal nor operational. They are:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
The US betting landscape inclines towards the legalization of sports betting. Simply because that is the reasonable way to handle a billion-dollar industry that's only showing signs of growing, according to the American Gaming Commission.
You can expect the slower states to change their minds sooner, not later. That's for sure. The betting industry is just too big and too lucrative to ignore. There's money to be made here!
That's why AlgaVision online sports picks are a great value for sports gamblers! It's winning made easy. You too can grab a slice of the betting industry's pie by subscribing to our winning picks service. Conveniently get them sent straight to your email!
If you are new to sports betting, we have just the package for you! Our 7-day trial will give you a taste of our winning sports picks in the NBA, MLB, and NFL.
Subscribe to our 7-day trial now!