The United States Supreme Court overturned a law in May 2018 that prohibited sports betting outside of Nevada. This has led to a flurry of activity around the country as states decide whether they will legalize sports betting and, if so, how it will be regulated. Currently, 30 states have legalized gambling on sports, and a few additional ones could join them within the next year. Additionally, California, a major sports state, will decide whether to legalize sports betting next month. On the other hand, online casinos are now legal in a handful of states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with more expected to join in the future. Check the caziwoo casinos list, which includes the legal casinos for USA players in 2022.
The sports betting general landscape
Depending on the state in which you are gambling, the rules for sports betting differ, so what you can and cannot bet on changes. You should be aware of plenty of differences, from which states only allow in-person sports betting to which states don’t allow prop bets on college sports.
While the legalization of sports betting has brought about potential revenue for states, questions have been raised about its impact on the integrity of sports. The NBA and MLB have proposed legislation requiring them to receive a “royalty” from bets placed on their games, and the NCAA continues to oppose any legalization of sports betting.
Sports gambling state-by-state examination
Alabama: Not legal.
Although the state has proposed multiple bills over the years, none of them has passed. Currently, there are no commercial casinos in Alabama. Regarding online gambling, it is illegal to operate a gambling site in the state, and it is also prohibited for residents to participate in online gambling.
Alaska: Not legal.
There are no laws specifically addressing sports betting, and there are also no casinos in the state. Online gambling is also not addressed in the state’s statutes, and there are no licensed and regulated online gambling sites in Alaska. In 2020, the state put legalizing sports betting under consideration, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s support. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to abandon its consideration, and the bill expired in May 2020.
Arizona: Legal.
Legal sports betting began on April 15, 2021. The current legislation allows for 20 operators in Arizona.
Arkansas: Legal.
The first official sportsbook was launched in July 2021, with the online version following shortly thereafter in February 2022. You are allowed to bet on professional and collegiate teams from Arkansas state.
California: Not legal, with potential for legalization in the near future.
Sports betting bills have been proposed, but none have passed yet. Two propositions concerning legal online sports betting will be on the ballot in November 2022.
Colorado: Legal.
Sports betting was legalized in 2019, with the first sportsbook launching in May 2020. Both retail and online/mobile sports betting options are available. Multiple operators enable residents to open accounts online and bet on games. However, when it comes to in-state college games, there are restrictions: You can bet on game outcomes but not player prop bets. In 2020, Colorado expanded the number and types of casino games available. The state also lifted some wagering limits.
Connecticut: Legal.
As of September 30, 2021, sports betting is now legalized in Connecticut.
Delaware: Legal.
Delaware was one of the first states to legalize sports betting in June 2018. The state offers retail and online/mobile options for residents, although no in-state online sportsbooks exist. Betting is prohibited on collegiate teams from Delaware.
Florida: Not legal, with potential for legalization in the near future.
The situation with sports betting in Florida is complex. It was temporarily legal, but now it is on hold again due to legal issues.
Just three weeks after online legal sports betting launched, a judge ruled that an agreement between the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe was illegal, and the issue has been tied up in Federal court ever since. Although the Department of the Interior and Seminole Tribe submitted paperwork in August 2022 to renew a compact, discussions on the matter may not begin until summer 2023.
Georgia: Not legal.
Sports betting is not currently legal in Georgia, although a bill was proposed in 2022. There are no physical casinos or racetracks in the state, and online gambling is prohibited. There is a chance that Georgia will legalize sports betting in 2023.
Hawaii: Not legal.
A bill was proposed in January 2019 to regulate sports gambling through a newly-established corporation, but the proposal was denied.
Idaho: Not legal.
No laws specifically address sports betting, and there are also no casinos in Idaho. Online gambling is also not addressed in the state’s statutes, and there are no licensed and regulated online gambling sites in Idaho. No new laws were suggested.
Illinois: Legal.
Sports betting was legalized on March 9, 2020. The legislation, passed in June, enables sports gambling; however, under the new law, in-state collegiate games are not allowed. If the bill passes, gambling will be legal in many locations, both physically (such as at Wrigley Field) and online. You can only bet on college games in person, not online. You are allowed to bet on the outcomes of in-state college games, but player prop bets are not allowed.
Indiana: Legal.
Since September 2019, both mobile and in-person betting on pro and college sports have been legal at various locations. You can bet on which team will win or lose in a collegiate game, but you cannot bet on how players will do individually in the game.
Iowa: Legal.
In 2019, Iowa legalized sports gambling, with multiple sites beginning to take bets towards the end of that summer. You can bet on professional and college sports legally in this state. You can bet on which team will win in-state college games, but you cannot bet on specific player statistics (i.e. props) in those same games.
Kansas: Legal.
Legal online sports betting has been available in Kansas since July 1, 2022.
Kentucky: Not legal.
All efforts to get the motion passed failed in 2022. Whether a new plan to legalize Kentucky sports betting in 2023 will be proposed is still unanswered.
Louisiana: Legal.
Many parishes saw the launch of retail sports betting in October 2021, with mobile sports betting following close behind in January 2022.
Maine: A Bill has been proposed, but it is not legal yet.
Although legislation to legalize online sports betting passed in May 2022, there is no set a date for its launch.
Maryland: Legal
In the aftermath of the 2020 election, Maryland greenlit sports betting.
Sports betting in the Baltimore-area casinos began in December 2021. Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, as well as Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland had sportsbooks open on their premises.
Massachusetts: Not legal.
Although legislation to legalize online sports betting passed in August 2022, a launch date has not been determined yet. However, gambling on college sports outcomes and player props will not be allowed. You will only be able to bet on the outcome of an in-state college game if that team is playing in a tournament with four or more teams.
Michigan: Legal.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed bills in late 2019 that legalised sports betting and online gaming in Michigan. The state’s casinos began taking wagers in March 2020.
Minnesota: Not legal.
The Minnesota Legislature passed a bill to legalize sports betting in August 2022, but no launch date has been set yet.
Mississippi: Legal.
The earliest Mississippi sports bets were placed on August 1, 2018–right after the state enacted a law in 2017 permitting it.
Missouri: Not legal.
There have been several sports betting bills introduced in Missouri in recent years, but the state legislature has yet to take action on them.
Montana: Legal.
Sports betting became legal in the state in March 2020. Sportsbooks are state-regulated, which means the lottery director has the power to choose which sports can be bet on and what types of wagers can be placed.
Nebraska: Legal.
Governor Pete Ricketts legalized sports betting on May 25, 2021. Although there is only in-person betting now, it is a step in the right direction for gaming enthusiasts. You cannot bet on in-state collegiate games or events, including player prop bets.
Nevada: Legal.
Of course, Nevada has long been known as the home of Las Vegas and all things gambling. The state legalized sports betting in 1949, and it continues to thrive today.
New Hampshire: Legal.
On January 2, 2020, New Hampshire became the latest state to legalize sports betting. After agreeing, the state allowed mobile sportsbooks to be utilized throughout its territory for six years. No bets on in-state collegiate games or events, including player props, are allowed.
New Jersey: Legal.
For many years, New Jersey has advocated for the legalization of sports gambling and was responsible for taking the Supreme Court case that led to the federal reversal. The state’s legislators wasted no time in legalizing sports gambling after the Supreme Court ruling, opening the state’s first sportsbooks on June 14, 2018. Sports betting is now legal in Atlantic City and the MetLife Stadium, among other locations. However, it is illegal to bet on any in-state collegiate games or events, including player prop bets.
New Mexico: Legal with some exceptions.
Although not currently illegal, sports betting isn’t authorized under state law and, therefore, would be classified as a Class III game in the gaming compacts shared between tribes and the state. The Pueblo of Santa Ana tribe has opened its own sportsbook at an in-state casino. While the legality is not black and white, it does operate within a legal grey area. You can legally gamble on sports at the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel and four other tribal casinos.
New York: Legal.
Although New York legalized sports gambling in 2013, the state’s first official sportsbook didn’t open until six years later. Ten online sportsbooks are now live in New York after mobile betting launched on January 8, 2022. Gambling on games and events involving in-state collegiate teams, including player prop bets, is not allowed.
North Carolina: Legal.
North Carolina legislators passed a bill in July 2019 that will allow sports gambling (including horse racing) to be run by the Cherokee tribe, who currently have a monopoly on gambling in the state. Although sports betting became legal on March 18, 2021, attempts to pass legislation for online betting have not been successful.
North Dakota: Not legal.
The last attempt to pass a law legalizing North Dakota sports betting was in 2019, but it didn’t make it through. However, tribal casino betting is permitted.
Ohio: Legal.
After Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law, sports betting became legal in Ohio in December 2021. Though wagering won’t be allowed until Jan. 1, 2023, at the earliest, Ohio residents are still looking forward to being able to place bets.
Oklahoma: Not legal.
The effort to get sports betting legalized in Oklahoma failed. It is unclear if a new motion will be proposed in 2023.
Oregon: Legal.
Although Oregon had already passed legislation making sports betting legal at the state level, they didn’t start taking bets until August 2019. You cannot bet on any college games or events, including player props.
Pennsylvania: Legal.
Half a year after the Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports betting, Pennsylvania took its first legal sports bet at a casino in 2018. With the influx of additional licenses and online/mobile gambling, in-state betting has become widely accepted.
Rhode Island: Legal.
Six months after the U.S Supreme Court’s decision, Rhode Island opened its first sportsbook and currently offers sports gambling exclusively at two in-state casinos before online betting launched on September 4, 2019. Betting on in-state collegiate games and events, including player prop bets, is prohibited.
South Carolina: Not legal, but legislation proposed.
Although only casino riverboats are legally allowed to operate in South Carolina, the state legislature has proposed bills for two years in a row that would make sports gambling legal. So far, no action has been taken on these bills.
South Dakota: Legal.
On September 9th, 2021, four casinos in Deadwood began accepting sports bets after legislators passed a legalization bill earlier in the year. However, gamblers can only stake money on the four casinos’ property. There is no specified date for when mobile sports betting will be available in the state. Any betting is allowed on in-state college games or events, including player props.
Tennessee: Legal.
In 2019, the Tennessee state legislature approved a sports betting bill that will allow only online and mobile-based betting. Mobile sports betting became legal in the state on Nov. 1, 2021. You can bet on the outcomes of collegiate games, but prop bets on individual players are not allowed.
Texas: Not legal.
A bill proposing the legalization of sports betting was brought forth in 2021 but has not yet been passed into law.
Utah: Not legal.
Utah has historically been against gambling and has no forms of legalized sports betting. Any attempt to pass legislation in this regard has failed.
Vermont: Not legal, but legislation proposed.
Although gambling is already restricted in Vermont, there is a proposed bill to legalize mobile sports wagering within the state. Although a similar bill was considered in 2021, it ultimately did not get legalized.
Virginia: Legal.
Sports betting became legal in 2021, and people can now bet on sports both online and in person. It is illegal to bet on games and events involving in-state colleges and player prop bets for all college games.
Washington: Legal.
Early in 2020, the state passed legislation permitting sports gambling at tribal casinos within its borders. Bettors in this state are not allowed to place mobile or online wagers on in-state collegiate games and events, including player props bets.
Washington D.C.: Legal.
Since the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 became effective in May 2019, the city has launched its sports wagering app and website. It is forbidden to bet on any collegiate games or events, including player prop bets.
West Virginia: Legal.
West Virginia joined the club of states to legalize sports gambling in August 2018. Unlike other states, West Virginia offers both online and offline options for betting on sports.
Wisconsin: Retail authorized.
Governor Tony Evers signed an agreement permitting in-person and mobile app betting at Oneida Nation’s gaming locations. However, no bets on collegiate or amateur games and events taking place within the state are allowed, including player prop bets.
Wyoming: Legal.
Sports betting officially became legal in the state on September 1, 2021.
Final thoughts:
Clearly, the legalization of sports gambling is a hot topic, and there is still much debate and discussion surrounding it. As more states consider legalizing it, they will have to determine what regulations and restrictions need to be implemented. With the rise of online betting, states will also have to consider how this will impact their revenue and overall gambling landscape.
Introduction
Introduction
Online gaming has become the new norm. There are so many benefits that are associated with playing at an online casino. There are a lot of online casinos to choose from these days. So, how do you know which one is the best for you? Here are a few tips: