United States of sports betting: An updated map of where every state stands
After New Jersey's Supreme Court victory last year, any state that wishes can legalize sports betting.
At the same time various state lawmakers are considering sports betting legislation, Congress is too. Senators Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and now-retired Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, co-introduced comprehensive sports betting legislation at the end of 2018. On Sept. 27, 2018 the House Judiciary Committee held a formal hearing on the topic.
The dual track of proposals -- state and federal -- have increased in frequency since the start of 2017.
To measure the change in the landscape, we ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of how likely it is for each jurisdiction to offer full-scale legal sports betting. A brief synopsis for the active states is included, with updates to follow.
Last updated on July 11, 2019.
Already there
1. Nevada
No longer the only state to permit a wide variety of legal sports betting, Nevada is a mature market that has existed for decades. Many states might look to Nevada for the best practices in the regulation of sports betting. Nevada could even be designated as a national hub of sorts, via agreements with other states on topics such as oversight, liquidity, line monitoring and risk management.
2. Delaware
On June 5, 2018, Delaware moved to offer single-game betting on a number of different sports at three casinos in the state. Expanded sports wagering options could take place at additional locations or online. Delaware's authorization of what Gov. John Carney described as "a full-scale sports gaming operation" happened less than a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the federal law restricting single-game betting to Nevada was unconstitutional.
3. New Jersey
On June 11, 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the sports betting bill that had passed the previous week. A William Hill sportsbook at Monmouth Park took the first bets on Thursday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Gov. Murphy was the first customer in line. The Borgata in Atlantic City booked sports bets 30 minutes later. Other sportsbooks in New Jersey opened soon thereafter. For example, FanDuel's first sportsbook at the Meadowlands opened its doors on July 14.
4. Mississippi
Two casinos owned by MGM Resorts booked their first sports bets in Mississippi on Aug. 1, 2018. Mississippi enacted a new law in 2017 that allowed for sports betting pending a favorable decision by the Supreme Court. In June 2018, the Mississippi Gaming Commission adopted implementing regulations that require all betting to take place in person, with mobile wagering to be considered later.
5. West Virginia
On Aug. 30, 2018, West Virginia became the fifth state to offer legal and regulated sports betting when the Hollywood Casino -- a sportsbook owned by Penn National -- opened its doors. The move came six months after the West Virginia legislature passed a new bill with the West Virginia Lottery Commission serving as the chief regulator. Both in-person and online sports wagering are permitted under the law.
6. New Mexico
On Oct. 16, 2018, the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel booked its first sports bet in partnership with Nevada-based USBookmaking. Although New Mexico has not passed any new sports betting legislation since the Supreme Court's decision, the move by the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel was made via a gaming compact with the state. According to Nedra Darling, spokeswoman at the Department of the Interior's Office of Indian Affairs -- the federal agency in Washington, DC that oversees tribal gaming compacts -- the New Mexico compacts permit "any or all forms of Class III Gaming," a category in the federal regulations that specifically includes "[a]ny sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering." Published reports indicate that bets will not be permitted on games involving the University of New Mexico or New Mexico State University.
7. Pennsylvania
The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course booked the first legal sports bets in Pennsylvania in mid-November 2018. The move came just over a year after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a new sports betting bill as part of a broad legislation push that included online poker and DFS. The October 2017 bill became effective after the Supreme Court's May 2018 ruling upending the federal ban on single-game betting outside of Nevada. A number of other sportsbooks have also obtained a license to operate in Pennsylvania. In a June 15, 2018 letter to Pennsylvania officials, the NFL expressed concerns about consumer protections, data and enforcement issues under the bill.
8. Rhode Island
The Twin River Casino in Lincoln opened its doors for legal sports betting on Nov. 26, 2018. The move came five months after Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the state budget, which included language allowing sports betting. Only two locations would be allowed to offer sports betting under the law, with the state's lottery providing regulatory oversight. In early 2019, the law was tweaked to provide for mobile betting.
9. Arkansas
On July 1, 2019, the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort booked the first legal sports bets in Arkansas. A small number of other retail locations are slated to open sportsbooks in the coming months. Sports betting is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission. Mobile online wagering is not permitted.
On-deck circle
10. New York
In 2013, New York passed a law to allow sports betting at four on-site locations. After lying dormant, the law could be revived. The New York State Gaming Commission is aiming to complete regulations "in the short term" for the four locations specified in the 2013 law. Legislation that would have allowed for full-scale sports betting in New York failed in June 2018, but have been re-introduced in 2019. New York's long-running issue with fantasy sports perked up in late 2018 too. On Oct. 26, Acting Supreme Court Justice Gerald W. Connolly ruled that the state's two-year-old DFS law violated the state's constitution. "The judge's decision was unequivocal," said Cornelius D. Murray, the lead attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case, in a statement to ESPN. "The ruling found that New York's DFS law was unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt." In the wake of the ruling -- which will likely be appealed by the state Attorney General -- both DraftKings and FanDuel confirmed that they will continue offering fantasy contests in the state.
11. Montana
On May 3, 2019, Montana Governor Steve Bullock formally signed into law a 28-page bill that brings sports wagering to Big Sky country via the state's lottery. Governor Bullock cited the Montana Lottery's "proven track record of responsibility and integrity" when signing the bill. Sports betting in Montana -- when it goes live on a yet-to-be-determined date in 2019 -- will be allowed in-person and via mobile devices within the state.
12. Washington, D.C.
Following a Congressional review period -- during which time Congress did not formally object -- the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 became effective as of May 3, 2019. The bill legalizes sports betting in the nation's capital, with the District's chief financial officer authorized to adopt rules and regulations following a public comment period. As of May 8, 2019, there was no formal announcement about the day when the first sports bets would be booked in Washington, D.C.
13. Indiana
On May 8, 2019, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed into a law a bill that would potentially allow legal sports betting in the Hoosier State as early as August. The new law allows for both mobile and in-person wagering. The Indiana Gaming Commission will oversee all sports betting regulations and can begin accepting sports betting applications on July 1. Wagering on college and pro sports is permitted under the new law, but betting on esports and high school sports is banned.
14. Iowa
On May 13, 2019, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into a law a comprehensive bill to legalize sports betting in the Hawkeye State. Operators must pay a $45,000 licensing fee and there is a 6.75 percent tax on revenue. The new law permits mobile wagering. Betting on college sports is permitted, but certain kinds of in-game prop bets involving college games are banned. The new law bestows the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission with authority to regulate sports betting.
15. Tennessee
The "Tennessee Sports Gaming Act" became law on May 25, 2019. The new law -- one that permits statewide mobile sports betting without any brick-and-mortar anchor -- has an effective date of July 1, 2019. Sports betting operators must pay a $750,000 licensing fee and there is a 20 percent tax rate. Subject to a narrow exception, Tennessee's new law requires all licensed operators to "exclusively use official league data for purposes of live betting." Under the new law, all bettors must be at least 21 years old.
16. Illinois
On June 2, 2019, the Illinois legislature passed a broad gaming bill that allows for both online and in-person sports betting. With Governor J.B. Pritzker's signature, the new law will also allow for betting on-location at venues such as Wrigley Field. Operators and certain data providers are required to obtain a license under the new law. Betting is not allowed on a "minor league sports event" or any game involving "an Illinois collegiate team."
17. New Hampshire
On June 19, 2019, New Hampshire's legislative body passed a bill to legalize sports betting. With Governor Chris Sununu's signature July 12, the new law puts the New Hampshire Lottery Commission in charge of regulatory oversight. Both retail and mobile sports betting will be permitted, although no betting on New Hampshire's in-state colleges is allowed. Bettors must be at least 18 years old.
18. Maine
On the last day of the state's legislative session -- June 19, 2019 -- Maine lawmakers passed "An Act To Ensure Proper Oversight of Sports Betting in the State." If the governor signs the bill, tax rates will range from 10 percent to 16 percent. Both retail and mobile betting is permitted under the bill. Sports betting is prohibited on high school events and college contests involving Maine-based schools. However, wagering on "electronic sports" is allowed.
Moving toward legalization
19. Connecticut
After enacting a scaled-down anticipatory law in 2017, Connecticut saw a comprehensive sports betting bill introduced during the first part of 2018. The state held hearings and received testimony from a variety of stakeholders, including representatives from the NBA and MLB. The state legislative session closed without a formal vote on the comprehensive bill. At the start of 2019, a new bill focused on "authorizing sports wagering" was introduced.
20. Kentucky
On June 25, 2017, Sen. Julian M. Carroll introduced a marked-up 27-page bill that would empower Kentucky's racing commission to "institute a system of sports wagering." The bill would allow betting on pro and college sports, but not high school or other adolescent amateur sports. It includes a hefty tax rate -- 3 percent of handle -- and an initial licensing fee of $250,000. The bill also permits sports league representatives to serve on the racing commission. Two additional bills were introduced during January 2019.
21. Michigan
In 2017, legislation was introduced to amend the state's current gaming control law. Michigan's proposed bill would allow any holder of a casino license to "accept wagers on sporting events." The state's gaming board would be required to "promulgate rules to regulate the conduct of sports betting under this act." The law was approved by Michigan's legislature, but the state's governor vetoed the measure.
22. Massachusetts
In February 2018, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission released a comprehensive 31-page white paper to provide a "roadmap for those seeking to learn about the current landscape of the sports betting discussion in the country and its possibilities in Massachusetts." In January 2018, Senate bill 2273 was floated to study sports betting. A different bill to legalize and regulate sports betting was introduced November 2018. Massachusetts was one of the first jurisdictions to address the legality of daily fantasy sports and could conceivably move quickly on the sports betting front too. In January 2019, a number of sports betting legalization bills were introduced.
23. Maryland
Maryland House Bill No. 989 was introduced on Feb. 9, 2018 and calls for the establishment of a task force to "study the implementation of sports gaming in the state." The draft legislation includes the allocation of a "sports gaming license" and the ability to accept wagers on sporting events if the bettor is at least 21 years of age. The proposed Maryland legislation did not move forward in the 2018 legislative session.
24. Minnesota
In April 2018, a draft sports betting bill was circulated in the Minnesota legislature. Rep. Pat Garofalo was reportedly the strongest supporter of the bill, which would have authorized sports wagering and created an overseeing commission. The draft bill included a clause to enable mobile betting, too. The Minnesota legislature adjourned in May without any action on the bill.
25. Missouri
In January 2018, Rep. Bart Korman introduced a new bill that would have allowed already-licensed riverboat casinos and daily fantasy companies to expand their offerings to include traditional sports betting. Legislative hearings were held in Missouri prior to the Supreme Court's ruling, but the bill did not advance beyond the committee stage. In January 2019, a number of new sports betting bills were introduced.
26. Kansas
A proposed law "relating to sports gambling" was introduced January 2018. The bill would have expanded the purview of the Kansas lottery to sports betting involving "one or more competitive games in which amateur or professional athletes participate, or are intended to participate, or on one or more performances of such athletes in such games." Kansas held sports betting hearings in the months before the Supreme Court issued its decision, but took no action afterward. Another bill was introduced January 2019.
27. Louisiana
A House bill was introduced in 2018 to authorize "additional games and sports betting at eligible live horse racing facilities." The new legislation, which was introduced in March 2018, was narrowly tailored and would only have allowed sports betting at the small number of land-based racinos already operating in the state. The Louisiana bill did not move forward during the state's legislative session.
28. Oklahoma
A bill was introduced to allow the Oklahoma governor to expand the tribal-state compact and include "sports pools." The expansion would have consisted of "wagering on the outcome of one or more competitive games in which athletes participate, or on one or more performances of such athletes in such games where all bets are placed in a common pool or pot from which all player winnings, prizes and direct costs are paid." The Oklahoma's legislative session ended with no action being taken on its bill.
29. South Carolina
Introduced in 2017, House Bill No. 3102 would have amended South Carolina's Constitution to allow "sports betting on professional sports." Any betting would have been "strictly" regulated and limited to "specified" areas. According to a court document from the now-resolved New York daily fantasy litigation involving DraftKings and FanDuel, South Carolina's current definition of gambling "includes betting money on the outcome of any 'game,' regardless of the skill involved in the game." The bill was not enacted prior to the close of the legislative session, but a new bill was introduced at the start of 2019.
30. California
In July 2017, Assembly member Adam Gray introduced a constitutional amendment that would allow the state "to permit sports wagering only if a change in federal law occurs." The proposed amendment specifically referred to PASPA. "All other gaming activities in California are subject to regulations that ensure the safety of consumers," Gray said in a press release. "Sports wagering should be treated no differently." Within hours of the Supreme Court ruling, Gray reiterated his desire to further a pro-sports betting constitutional amendment. California also has a pending voter referendum that could legalize sports betting.
31. Oregon
Oregon already has a law on the books permitting some forms of sports betting, and the law could be expanded in the future if lawmakers are so inclined. For years, Oregon was one of the small number of states exempted under PASPA because it offered sports betting before Congress intervened. For example, the Oregon Lottery offered a football-themed pick 'em-style game for years before mothballing it about a decade ago. In January 2019, a broader sports betting bill was formally introduced in the Oregon legislature.
32. Ohio
On July 12, 2018, a group of five Ohio state senators formally introduced a bill to "express the intent of the General Assembly to develop and enact legislation legalizing sports wagering." The one-page bill lacks specifics, but is a placeholder of sorts for Ohio to consider full-scale legislation at a later date.
33. Virginia
In the Commonwealth of Virginia, a comprehensive sports betting bill was introduced in November 2018. The bill -- called the Virginia Lottery Law -- will be considered during the 2019 legislative session. With oversight delegated to the Virginia Lottery, the bill would permit sports betting on a wide variety of events, but not any involving Virginia-based colleges or certain youth sports. The proposed legislation calls for a $250,000 permit fee and a tax rate equal to 15 percent of revenue.
34. North Dakota
Introduced in January 2019, House Bill 1254 would authorize "sports betting as a game of chance" in the state. Oversight of sports betting would be the responsibility of the North Dakota Attorney General.
35. Arizona
On Jan. 23, 2019, a trio of Arizona lawmakers introduced a new bill -- SB 1158 -- that would authorize federally recognized tribes with a gaming compact to "operate sports betting" in the state. The proposed law would prohibit others from offering sports betting. Under the bill, the definition of sports betting "does not include wagering on sporting events that is prohibited by the National Collegiate Athletic Association."
36. Hawaii
House Bill No. 1107 was introduced in the Hawaii legislature in January 2019. According to the 21-page bill, "it is in the best interest of the State and its citizens to regulate this existing activity by authorizing and implementing a secure, responsible, and legal system for sports wagering." The proposed bill would create a "Hawaii sports wagering corporation" for regulatory purposes.
37. South Dakota
On Jan. 25, 2019, over two dozen South Dakota lawmakers filed a joint resolution "[p]roposing and submitting to the voters an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, providing for wagering on sporting events." If enacted, the potential constitutional amendment permitting sports betting could be on the ballot in 2020.
38. Texas
On February 1, 2019, Representative Eddie Lucio III introduced a 15-page bill "relating to the regulation of sports betting." Sports betting operators in Texas would be required to obtain a permit and pay a $250,000 fee. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation would oversee sports betting under the proposed law. The bill would also mandate that a 6.25 percent tax be "imposed on each bet placed by a sports bettor."
39. Washington state
Two sports betting bills were introduced in Washington during the first part of February 2019. House bill 1975 would authorize sports wagering "on a very limited basis by restricting it to tribal casinos in the state of Washington." The other proposed law -- House bill 1992 -- would permit sports betting only on-site at licensed horse racing tracks. Neither bill would permit mobile sports wagering throughout the state.
40. Georgia
In early 2019, a 12-page bill was introduced in Georgia "to provide for sports betting in this state." The bill would also establish a Georgia sports betting director position and "provide for the comprehensive regulation of sports betting and related activities." Under the bill, betting is allowed on professional and college sports, but not youth sports. No more than 10 "sports betting permits" are allowed under the draft legislation.
41. Vermont
Vermont legislator Thomas Burditt introduced an 18-page bill in February 2019 that "proposes to legalize sports wagering in Vermont." Mobile betting is permitted, but licensed operators must employ technological measures to ensure that all bettors are physically located within the state at the time any wager is made. Certain types of betting would be banned under the bill, including wagering on high school sports and esports. Betting on college games in Vermont or involving Vermont-based universities would also be prohibited.
42. North Carolina
On March 7, 2019, four North Carolina lawmakers formally introduced House Bill 302 "to enable wagering on sporting events on tribal lands." Any sports betting would have to be in accordance with the underlying tribal-state gaming compact. Under the bill, wagers would be permitted on both professional and college sports.
43. Colorado
A group of seven lawmakers in Colorado introduced a new bill on April 18, 2019 that could bring sports betting to the state as early as 2020. The proposed law -- House Bill 19-1327 -- would create "a ballot measure authorizing the collection of a tax on the net proceeds of sports betting" and help fund the Colorado's water plan. The bill would decriminalize sports betting in the state and allow for the issuance of a "limited number" of licenses to offer sports wagering.
44. Alabama
In early April 2019, a 44-page bill was introduced in Alabama that would "permit wagering on certain professional or collegiate sports or athletic events and other events." Under the bill, a newly created Alabama Sports Wagering Commission would oversee regulation of sports wagering in the state. The proposed law would levy a 10 percent tax on sports wagering receipts of licensed operators.
No legalization activity ... yet
45-50. Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Wyoming
All states in this category have laws that prohibit full-blown sports betting. Such laws would need to be repealed or amended before full-scale sports wagering would be permitted. These states do not have any publicly announced bills devoted to sports betting legalization.
Unlikely
51. Utah
Utah's anti-gambling stance is written into the state's constitution. Any change to existing state policy toward gambling would be a massive departure from decades of opposition to any form of gambling, including lottery tickets, table games and sports betting.