Is betting on sports legal?
Yes. After the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was repealed in 2018, sports betting was legalized on a state-by-state basis.
Passed in 1992, PASPA banned sports betting for all but four states. Delaware, Montana and Oregon and ongoing sports lotteries, while Nevada had licensed sports pools. The lone state to take advantage of legalized sports betting was Nevada, which has grew into a powerhouse and destination for sports bettors around the country.
Since PASPA was overturned, numerous states have legalized sports betting and many more have legislation in the works.
As of spring 2020, there are 21 states (and Washington D.C.) that have legalized sports betting, and more are set to pass bills in the coming years.
Arkansas
Sports betting in Arkansas was legalized in 2018 and officially launched 2019, though it can only be done at physical sportsbooks.
Colorado
Colorado legalized sports betting late 2019 and officially launched May 2020 amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
Delaware
Delaware was the first state to legalize sports betting following the repeal of PASPA in 2018. Of note, wagering is only allowed at physical sportsbooks, though the hope for residents is that online betting is eventually allowed late 2020 or early 2021.
Illinois
Legislation passed 2019 to legalize sports betting in Illinois and retail sportsbooks opened March 2020. While online betting wasn't possible at launch time, that should change in the near future.
Indiana
Indiana legalized sports betting in 2019 and launched shortly after in October of that year. With sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel leading the way, online betting was immediately available at launch.
Iowa
Iowa began taking sports bets August 2019 in all capacities. However, until Jan. 1, 2021, bettors have to register in person at retail sportsbooks in order to bet online.
Michigan
A sports betting law was passed late 2019 and physical sportsbooks officially opened March 2020 in Michigan. Mobile sports betting was not an option at launch and residents may have to wait until 2021 before it's legal.
Mississippi
Sports betting in Mississippi officially launched August 2018, though online wagering can only be done on the premises of casinos.
Montana
Montana legalized sports betting in 2019 and it officially launched March 2020 through the state lottery. Betting can be done at licensed bars and restaurants, but mobile betting doesn't work outside of those locations.
Nevada
Nevada was the lone state that operated sportsbooks throughout PASPA and while that's the case, the process isn't as easy as one would think to bet online. In order to bet using an app, you have to set up an account in person, filling out a players club card in the process.
New Hampshire
Sports betting was legalized in New Hampshire in 2019 and launched online through DraftKings Sportsbook. While physical sports betting has yet to happen, that should change late 2020 or at some point in 2021.
New Jersey
New Jersey was one of the first states to legalize sports betting after helping repeal PASPA in 2018. Since launch, the state has allowed mobile and in-person betting.
New Mexico
There is no bill that passed sports betting in New Mexico, but due to a 2015 gaming compact, wagering can be done at four tribal casinos and not online.
New York
Sports betting officially launched in New York in July 2019 and and while online betting is not yet legal, legislation is in the works and could be ready by 2021.
North Carolina
While North Carolina legalized wagering in 2019, betting had not launched as of spring 2020. That said, two sportsbooks are expected to open by the fall and online betting could be an option by 2021 if bills get passed.
Oregon
Oregon hasn't passed a sports betting bill, but it was grandfathered in after being exempted from PASPA. Sports betting has been offered by the state lottery since 2018 and regulations are in the works to add more physical sportsbooks. As of 2020, in-person betting was only possible at one casino.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania officially launched full-fledged sports betting in 2019 with mobile wagering included.
Rhode Island
Sports betting opened in Rhode Island in 2018 and has since passed a couple more bills to grow the business, including online methods. As of 2020, betting was allowed at two casinos and online wagering was offered through the state lottery.
Tennessee
Tennessee legalized sports betting in 2019 and hoped to release mobile wagering ahead of the 2020 football season. Unfortunately for residents, no bills are in place to license physical sportsbooks.
Washington
Washington became the 21st state to legalize sports betting March 25, 2020. That being the case, a launch date has yet to be announced amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
Washington D.C.
D.C. passed a bill in 2019, but as of spring 2020, had not yet launched. As a positive, a mobile lottery app is expected to launch ahead of the fall football season.
West Virginia
West Virginia launched sports betting in the fall of 2019 and while the process was long, it's growing by the day. Betting is possible at five physical sportsbooks and numerous online outlets.