Legal Sports Betting States 2024

Where is Online Betting Legal?

Currently, 24 states and Washington D.C., have legalized sports betting. You’ve probably already searched “sportsbook near me” and noticed that the results only refer to brick-and-mortar establishments.

Our goal is to ensure you have all the info you need about online legal sports betting states so you can wager on everything from the US Open to the NBA Finals to the Super Bowl to those random MLB games that feature mascot races.

Can I Bet Legally in My State?

Following Nevada, the first state to legalize sports betting, many states have moved to legalize retail betting before allowing online wagering. The explosion of choices in the market has led to increased revenues for the host states and has influenced the rest of the country to let sports betting step into the spotlight.

One thing you should be aware of, though, is that sports betting age requirements can vary by state.

New Jersey

New Jersey was one of the first states to make online sports betting legal and, as a result, has a well-established gaming culture.

Overseen by the Division of Gaming Enforcement, New Jersey allows for both in-person and online wagering, giving you lots of freedom. You can place a player prop wager on Joel Embiid, take the New Jersey Devils puck line, and play live Blackjack all in one place.

The age requirement to legally bet in New Jersey is 21. Once you hit the big 2-1, you get access to online gambling, racetrack wagering, and casinos.

Pennsylvania

Sports betting in general started in 2017, when the state legalized retail betting, but legal online sports betting didn’t become a reality until later in 2019. Since then, the market has expanded greatly, showcasing many of the nation’s top sportsbooks and even many top foreign bookmakers.

Keeping your wagering experience safe is the Pennsylvania Gaming and Control Board, a body that looks over the state’s sportsbooks and gambling operations. Gambling sites must conform to their strict rules, making sure bettors are given a fair chance. Much like in other states, you also must be 21 in Pennsylvania to bet.

Colorado

Colorado first legalized sports betting in 2019 after a voter approval referendum. However, it still took about six months for sports betting to become fully legal in the Centennial State. All operations are licensed by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission.

One unique part of Colorado legalization is the fact that all online sportsbooks require an in-person casino within Colorado. This ensures the sportsbook keeps the Colorado market in mind before making decisions and will give them a stake within the state.

You also have to be 21 to bet within Colorado, so why not try your luck with the Denver Nuggets? Maybe they can win back-to-back finals?

Michigan

Michigan, like many other states in the USA, legalized online sports betting in 2019, with the first online sportsbook launching in March 2020. All sportsbook and casino operations are looked over by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), so you can gamble safely knowing you’re in good hands.

The Great Lake State does have in-person sportsbooks and casinos, so if you’re interested in taking your gambling experience offline, search for “bookie near me”, and you won’t be disappointed.

Just like the state’s legal drinking age, you need to be at least 21 to gamble whether online or at one of the 26 land-based establishments.

Indiana

Indiana legalized sports betting in September 2019, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s gambling landscape. The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) serves as the governing body responsible for overseeing all gambling activities within the state, including sports betting.

You can now find plenty of online and in-person bookies near you, and you know every one is safe, as the regulatory environment ensures the integrity of all sports betting platforms. Also, the legal gambling age for sports betting in Indiana is 21 years old. Starting to see a pattern?

So, if you’re over the legal gambling age, you can even bet on the ripped-apart Indiana Pacers, because who knows, maybe Tyrese Haliburton will really turn out to be someone?

Illinois

Illinois legalized sports betting in March 2020 as the state embraced the growing trend of regulated gambling. The body responsible for ensuring your safety when you bet is the Illinois Gaming Board, which sets the rules for sportsbooks and casinos.

The Land of Lincoln offers a ton of betting options once you get started, and you can even wager on the hometown heroes, the Chicago White Sox. As with almost every other state, Illinois also requires you to be 21 to wager. They don’t want kids getting caught up in gambling or to have another Black Sox scandal – ask your great-grandparents about that one.

Arizona

In a move towards regulated gambling, Arizona embraced the legalization of sports betting in 2021. To ensure the utmost safety within the state, the Arizona Department of Gaming was left in charge of supervising all gambling activities.

You can rest assured knowing that the sportsbooks and casinos in Arizona must hold themselves to a level of integrity, security, and ethical practices.

If you’re in Arizona and googling “sports betting near me”, to find an in-person place to throw a wager on the Phoenix Suns – they should be decent again this year – you’ll find over 25 land-based sportsbooks and casinos. You must also be 21 to wager within the state. But, you probably figured that if you’ve gotten this far into our article.

Virginia

Online gambling has been legal in Virginia since July 2020, and we suspect the state will only continue to grow to allow more sportsbooks and casinos to operate.

The Virginia Lottery is the designated governing body responsible for overseeing all gambling activities, including sports betting. This regulatory body ensures fair play, security, and responsible gambling practices.

Even though Virginia is the most populous state without a professional sports league franchise, you can still bet. Though, you’ll need to make sure you’re over the age of 21 to wager.

New York

New York first allowed sports betting in July 2019, making it an early entry into the world of betting. The entity keeping you safe in the state is the New York State Gaming Commission, which oversees all gambling activities like sports betting.

The state boasts a number of sportsbooks, but that really is no surprise, as New York has such an ingrained sporting culture. As you would expect, the Empire State’s gambling laws dictate that you need to be at least 21 to wager at casinos or sportsbooks.

Iowa

In August 2019, Iowa entered the sports betting market, embracing a regulated gambling landscape that now includes convenient access to sportsbooks. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission regulates all gambling activities in the Hawkeye State.

With no professional teams to cheer for, you can wager on your college favorites as well, like the Iowa State Cyclones. That is as long as you are over 21. Even though you can go to college games at any age, you can’t wager on them until you’re a couple of years into your higher education.

Tennessee

Tennessee legalized sports betting in November 2020, trying to get in on the lucrative tax base that is gamblers. The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation is the governing body tasked with overseeing all gambling activities to keep you safe.

The legal gambling age for sports betting in Tennessee is set at 21 years old, aligning with the age requirement in many other states.

Are There Other States Where Online Betting is Permitted?

Gambling is still illegal in several states across the nation, as some regions just don’t like the act of betting – we’re looking at you, California.

Here’s a list of states that allow legal sports betting:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming
• Washington D.C. (We know it’s technically not a state. Don’t come after us.)

A Quick History Lesson on Legalized Sports Betting

Remember 2018? That was a historical year for sports betting, as the landscape of US betting completely shifted following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). This pivotal move liberated states to shape their own betting rules, ultimately leading to the emergence of a map of legalized states across the nation.

While online gambling became legalized federally, many states still had their reservations about PASPA’s demise. However, once states began to see how other markets succeeded, they began setting up their very own betting rules.

Although brick-and-mortar casinos are no new site to any of us, the emergence of online betting has really shifted the playing field. The age of the in-person gambling monopoly is over and the age of betting from your phone is just beginning.

How Safe are Legal USA Sportsbooks?

Sportsbooks in the US are completely safe, but each state has its own governing body, so there is no true national standard. This means sports betting tax rates are set by states, and they have the final say in terms of the rules around wagering.

Although there are many different rule sets in place, they all work in the exact same way to ensure you don’t get scammed by a sportsbook or casino. Even if the laws, like the sports betting age, seem restrictive, they’ve been put in place to keep you safe.

These sportsbooks also have extremely strict rules set on them when it comes to holding and transferring funds. They have to keep your information and money tightly guarded when in their hands.

Finding the Right Legal Sportsbook for You

Now that you know which states have legalized gambling, you can choose the best fit for you from our list of top sportsbooks. We wish you luck in placing your bets, and we hope you find a ton of success capitalizing on your sports knowledge.