If you are a sports fan residing in the US, it might have crossed your mind from time to time to support your favorite team or player and make some money in the meantime by wagering on them. Indeed, in one way or another, sports betting has been a popular pastime activity across the globe for many centuries already.
As the world evolves, modern technology is becoming an integral part of our lives. We are progressively getting used to paying our bills, ordering food, and purchasing all kinds of items and services with just a single tap on the screen of our device. In addition, contemporary life is becoming increasingly dynamic. In this fast-paced world, it might sometimes be hard for us to be physically present at the places of our interest. Therefore, it is no wonder that the Internet has taken sports betting to an entirely new level. Online sports gambling has become accessible to fans from many countries, including parts of the US.
However, due to the potentially addictive nature of all betting formats, states around the globe have been implementing certain precautions to limit any potentially dangerous effects. The USA is no exclusion. The country had implemented a federal ban on sports betting until 2018, when the Supreme Court lifted it, allowing the states to legalize it if they considered it appropriate. While some did so, others are still hesitant. In the following article, we will provide a full list of the states where online sports betting is legal. We will also share with you comprehensive information based on our expert research as to whether the rest of the states are expected to at least partially alleviate their current gambling restrictions.
Brief Overview of the Online Sports Betting Industry
Before we proceed further, let us take a closer look at the sports betting industry across the world and in the US. According to data published by Zion Market Research, the revenue accumulated globally by sports betting equaled $131.1 billion in 2020. It is projected to reach close to $179.3 billion in 2028. The revenue generated by online sports betting is constantly growing due to the consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the penetration of smart devices.
When it comes to the US, it is fair to project that both the offline and online sports betting segments will bloom in the following years, thanks to the above-mentioned circumstances. The Supreme Court’s overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018 is also contributing to this trend. Some reports place an estimate of $1 billion for the online betting market in the US during 2021.
States have begun to relax their legislative restrictions, and sports betting is currently allowed in the following places:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington DC
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
In North Carolina, sports betting is available at tribal casinos. Several New Mexico tribes are also offering sports wagering under the Class III gaming compact, while Mississippi only provides the opportunity to bet on-site at licensed casinos.
The Future of Online Sports Betting in the US
With nearly 80 % of the states have already legalized sports betting or taken steps to do so in the future, let us take a closer look at the online sports wagering segment.
To observe how digital sports wagering works in practice, please see the video below:
Arkansas
Arkansas introduced legal on-site sports betting in 2019. Online sports betting is still prohibited in the state. Although the local lawmakers have made a few moves to lift the digital wagering ban, this might not happen soon, as Arkansas is one of the more conservative states.
Delaware
While Delaware was quick to allow on-site sports betting, it has lagged in introducing its mobile formats. However, online sports gambling is legal in its neighboring states.
Mississippi
While Mississippi allows in-person sports betting, online wagering is nowhere near in sight as this is also a very conservative state. The interesting fact is that technically Mississippi does provide mobile sports gambling options, but you have to be physically present inside a casino to use them.
Montana
Montana also allows in-person sports betting only. There is a sports betting app available to fans who visit the respective land-based facilities.
New Mexico
There is no online sports betting in this state. In fact, even offline sports betting is taking place in New Mexico without having an act passed, as the Native American tribes have introduced it to tribal casinos at their own discretion.
New York
At present, sports betting in the state of New York is limited to land-based operators only. However, online sports wagering is expected to launch in 2022.
North Carolina
Sports betting in North Carolina is currently limited to two in-person tribal casinos. The good news is that the state is expected to legalize online wagering any time now in 2021.
North Dakota
The current situation in North Dakota resembles closely that in New Mexico, with tribal casinos offering offline sports betting without an act passed. Nonetheless, hopes are high that online sports gambling could become legal by the end of 2021 or in 2022.
South Dakota
Right now, only in-person sportsbooks are allowed in the state. However, according to some South Dakotan lawmakers, online wagering can be allowed as long as it takes place in Deadwood, thus raising hopes for legalizing mobile sports betting.
Washington
In Washington, only land-based sports betting is allowed at present. However, there are movements to allow online sports wagering if placed within a land-based casino.
States with pending approval of online sports betting
A few states are awaiting the legalization of digital sports wagering any time now, possibly even by the end of 2021. These include Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
States with possible approval of online sports betting in 2021/2022
There are also many states where online gambling laws are under construction, such as Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, and Vermont. In Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah, possible action can go beyond 2023 and can even never take place.