Where Is Sports Betting Legal? A State-by-State Guide for 2026

Sports betting has expanded rapidly across the United States since the Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018. As of 2026, more than 38 states plus Washington D.C. have legalized some form of sports betting. Here's where things stand.

States With Legal Online Sports Betting

The following states allow online and mobile sports betting through licensed sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM:

Major markets:

• -New York — largest online market by handle
• -New Jersey — one of the first states to legalize post-PASPA
• -Pennsylvania — large market with multiple operators
• -Illinois — remote registration allowed
• -Michigan — online and retail since 2021
• -Ohio — launched January 2023
• -Massachusetts — launched March 2023
• -Colorado — bettor-friendly with competitive odds
• -Arizona — tribal and commercial operators
• -Virginia — online only (no retail casinos)
• -Maryland — online launched November 2023
• -Kentucky — launched September 2023
• -North Carolina — online launched March 2024
• -Vermont — launched January 2024

Other legal online states include: Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wyoming, Connecticut, Louisiana, Kansas, Maine, and more.

States With Retail Only

Some states allow in-person betting at casinos and racetracks but don't permit online/mobile wagering:

• -Montana — lottery-operated kiosks
• -New Mexico — tribal casinos only
• -Wisconsin — select tribal casinos
• -South Dakota — Deadwood casinos only

States Where Sports Betting Is Not Yet Legal

A handful of states have not yet legalized sports betting:

• -California — multiple ballot initiatives have failed
• -Texas — legislative efforts ongoing but no passage yet
• -Georgia — bills introduced but not passed
• -Florida — legal status in flux due to tribal compact disputes
• -Idaho, Utah — constitutional barriers to gambling

What You Can Bet On

In most legal states, you can bet on:

• -Professional sports — NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, golf, tennis, and more
• -College sports — available in most states, though some restrict in-state college betting
• -Player props — the fastest-growing category and BetBlum's specialty
• -Same game parlays — available on all major sportsbooks
• -Live/in-game betting — bet during the game as odds change

Age and Location Requirements

• -You must be 21 or older in most states (18 in some states like Montana and Wyoming)
• -You must be physically located within a legal state's borders to place a bet — verified via geolocation
• -You can create accounts from anywhere, but can only wager while in a legal state

Which Sportsbooks Are Available?

Availability varies by state, but the major operators include:

• -DraftKings — available in 25+ states
• -FanDuel — available in 25+ states
• -Caesars Sportsbook — wide availability
• -BetMGM — growing presence
• -ESPN BET — launched in partnership with Penn Entertainment
• -Fanatics Sportsbook — expanding rapidly

How BetBlum Works With Legal Sportsbooks

BetBlum is a sports analytics tool, not a sportsbook. We analyze odds from DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and other licensed operators to help you find the best value. You place your bets directly on the licensed sportsbook of your choice.

BetBlum is available nationwide — you can research and analyze props from anywhere. When you're ready to place a bet, you'll do so on a licensed sportsbook in your legal state.

Start your free 48-hour trial and see which props have the best value today.