Contents
- Introduction
- Sports Betting in America
- The Federal ban on sports betting
- The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act
- The Supreme Court overturns the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act
- Sports Betting in the United States
- State by State Sports Betting Legislation
- Future of Sports Betting in America
- FAQ’s
- Conclusion
Check out this map to see which states in the US have legalized sports betting.
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Introduction
As of May 2019, sports betting is legal in the states of Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia. State laws vary greatly when it comes to sports betting regulation and there is no uniformity as to when betting will become legal in each state. The following map shows the states where sports betting is currently legal.
Sports Betting in America
While sports betting has been legal in Nevada for decades, it wasn’t until recently that other states began to get in on the action. Today, sports betting is legal in several states across the country, with more expected to join in the near future. Here’s a look at the current landscape of sports betting in America.
Alabama – No formal legislation
Alaska – No formal legislation
Arizona – No formal legislation
Arkansas – No formal legislation
California – No formal legislation
Colorado – Limited sports betting is currently taking place through a pilot program
Connecticut – No formal legislation
Delaware – Sports betting is legal
Florida – No formal legislation
Georgia – No formal legislation
Hawaii – No formal legislation
Idaho – No formal legislation
Illinois – Sports betting is legal
Indiana – Sports betting is legal
Iowa – Sports betting is legal
Kansas – No formal legislation
Kentucky – Sports betting is legal
Louisiana- No formal legislation
Maine- No formal legislation
Maryland-No formal legislation
Massachusetts-No formal legislation
Michigan-No Room has been left for sports gambling Michigan’s gambling laws. However, this may change in the future as the state looks to generate revenue from casinos and online gaming. Mississippi-Sports gambling is currently taking place at land-based casinos only. However, a bill has been introduced that would allow for mobile sports betting as well. Missouri-No Formal Legislation Montana-Sports Betting Is Currently Legal Nebraska-No Formal Legislation Nevada-Sports Betting Is Legal New Hampshire-Sports Betting Is Legal New Jersey-Sports Betting Is Legal New Mexico-No Formal Legislation New York-No Formal Legislation North Carolina-No Formal Legislation North Dakota-No Formal Legislation Ohio-No Formal Legislation Oklahoma- Native American casinos are offering sports gambling, but no other type of gambling is currently allowed in the state. Oregon-The state has a limited sports lottery that is only open to certain professional and collegiate games. Pennsylvania--Sports Betting Is Legal Rhode Island--Sports Betting Is Legal South Carolina--No Formal Legislation South Dakota--The state has a limited sports lottery that is only open to certain professional and collegiate games Tennessee--Limited Sports Gambling Is Currently Taking Place Through A Pilot Program Texas--No Formal Legislation Utah--Gambling Of Any Kind Is Illegal In The State Vermont--no Formal Legislation Virginia--no Formal Legislation Washington--Gambling Of Any Kind Is Illegal In The State West Virginia--Sports Betting Is Legal Wisconsin--no Formal Legislation Wyoming--no Formal Legislation
The Federal ban on sports betting
The federal ban on sports betting is set to expire in 2018, and many states are considering legalizing it. Here’s a map of where sports betting is currently legal.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act
In 1992, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was passed, which made it illegal for states to offer sports betting. The law had a grandfather clause exempting Nevada, where sports betting has been legal since 1949, as well as three other states that had already legalized sports betting before PASPA was passed: Montana, Delaware, and Oregon.
A 2014 case brought by the state of New Jersey challenged the legality of PASPA, and in 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional. This paved the way for individual states to decide whether to legalize sports betting or not. As of 2021, there are 23 states plus Washington D.C. where sports betting is legal.
The Supreme Court overturns the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act
On May 14, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a 1992 federal law that had prohibited sports betting in all but four states: Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. The Court’s 6-3 decision in Murphy v. NCAA means that states are now free to legalize and regulate sports betting if they so choose.
At least 15 states have already passed laws or introduced legislation that would allow sports betting, and many more are expected to do so in the coming months and years. This map will be updated as new developments arise.
Sports Betting in the United States
In the United States, sports betting is currently only legal in Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon.
The professional and amateur sports protection act of 1992 (PASPA) made it illegal for states to sponsor, operate, advertise, promote, license, or authorize by law or compact betting on sporting events. However, the law grandfathered in Nevada’s sports gambling operations.
A case challenging the constitutionality of PASPA was brought to the Supreme Court in 2018. The court ruled in favor of the state of New Jersey, opening the door for other states to legalize sports betting.
Since then, several states have passed laws legalizing and regulating sports betting. More states are expected to do so in the coming years.
State by State Sports Betting Legislation
In May of 2018, the US Supreme Court made a landmark ruling that struck down the federal ban on sports betting. This ruling paved the way for individual states to pass their own legislation regulating sports betting. To date, 22 states have legalized sports betting and more are expected to follow suit in the near future.
This map shows the current status of sports betting legislation in each US state. Green states have legalized sports betting, yellow states are considering legislation, and red states have not taken any action.
Click on a state to learn more about its specific laws and regulations.
Future of Sports Betting in America
With the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of New Jersey, the future of sports betting in America is looking bright. More and more states are likely to legalize sports betting in the near future, and this map shows where sports betting is currently legal.
FAQ’s
Q. Is sports betting legal in the United States?
A. Yes, sports betting is legal in the United States. However, there are some restrictions in place. For example, only certain states allow sports betting, and even then, there are usually only certain types of bets that are allowed. For more information on sports betting laws in your state, check out our state-by-state guide.
Q: How do I place a bet?
A: If you’re interested in placing a bet, you’ll first need to find a legal sportsbook where you can do so. Once you’ve found a reputable bookie, you’ll need to create an account and deposit money into it. Once your account is funded, you’ll be able to place bets on your chosen sport.
Q: What types of bets can I make?
A: The types of bets you can make will vary depending on the sport you’re betting on and the bookmaker you’re using. However, some common types of bets include moneyline bets, point spread bets, and parlay bets. For more information on each type of bet, check out our beginner’s guide to sports betting.
Q: What are the odds?
A: The odds are the chances that something will happen in a given event. For example, if the odds of an event are 2/1, this means that there is a 2 in 1 chance that the event will happen. Knowing the odds can be helpful when placing a bet because it gives you an idea of how likely an event is to occur.
Conclusion
At the end of 2019, sports betting was legal in 14 states and Washington D.C. Since then, three more states have legalized sports betting, and another is expected to do so soon. This map shows the current status of sports betting legality in the United States.