Where is Sports Betting Legal in the US?

History of Sports Betting in the United States

Sports betting has been around in the United States since the late 1700s and was primarily conducted by individuals. Over the years, it has evolved from being a pastime for individuals to something that is much more widely accepted in society. It began to spread throughout the states during the 20th century, becoming legal in some states and remaining illegal in others.

In 2018, Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on sports betting, thus allowing states to decide if they wanted legal sports betting in their state.

Since then, numerous states have legalized sports betting and have established regulations and taxes on businesses operating within their borders.

2018 Supreme Court Ruling on Sports Betting

The Supreme Court had struck down a 1992 federal law in May 2018 which effectively banned commercial sports betting in most states, creating an opportunity for states to legalize the estimated $150 billion that Americans wagered on sports each year.

This decision had a profound impact on sports wagering in the U.S., as bettors no longer needed to rely on the black market or illicit bookies and could place bets via mobile devices with official endorsement from those who opposed it previously.

The sports betting bill overturned, known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, was initially sponsored by Senator Bill Bradley, Democrat of New Jersey and former college/professional basketball star. He did not want to legalize sports betting with the purpose of protecting professional and amateur sports' integrity. However, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr declared it unconstitutional, claiming it was a direct affront to state sovereignty.

Since then, sports betting has been legal in countless states and continues to grow, with more sports betting legislation being introduced every year.

Will Your State Legalize Sports Betting?

Over the past few years, many states have taken steps to legalize sports betting in the United States. Several states have already passed legislation to allow for the legalization of sports betting, while other states are still in the process of working on bills that would facilitate its regulation and taxation.

Below, we've put together some updates on states that we feel will be offering legal sports betting shortly. Their legislatures are looking at the potential tax revenue, the impact mobile app betting will have, and what they must do to get regulated sports betting in their state.

Latest California Sports Betting Updates

California has yet to legalize sports betting due to the wide margin in which Props 26 and 27 was voted down in November 2022. Although this does not indicate that it is impossible for sports betting to become legal, it appears that it may take more time than anticipated for the legalization of sports betting to occur. According to numerous sources, the earliest we could expect legal sports betting in California is sometime in 2024.

Latest Missouri Sports Betting Updates

Missouri lawmakers returned to work in January with a key focus on legalizing sports betting in the state. State Representative Phil Christo-Fanelli has filed House Bill 581, which would provide a legal avenue for Missourians to bet on sports online and in casinos. Unfortunately, the bill passed the House with ease, but the Senate shot it down. Missouri will now have to start with a fresh sports betting proposal sometime in 2024.

Latest Oklahoma Sports Betting Updates

Sports betting is becoming increasingly popular across the US, but not yet in Oklahoma, where there is currently no law. Gov. Kevin Stitt has indicated his openness to legalize online sports betting as long as it is fair for Oklahomans, and legislators are discussing how best to do so. Efforts to legalize sports betting have thus far been unsuccessful. However, Rep. Ken Luttrell has recently written another bill which he thinks may be more successful due to increased public support.

Latest Texas Sports Betting Updates

Texas sports betting is not currently legal, but lawmakers are considering passing bills to change that. Professional sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Mavericks, and Rangers have partnered with various online sportsbooks, whilst there is a strong public interest in legalizing it (43% for) and introducing casinos (50+%).

Other nearby states, such as New Mexico and Louisiana, already offer legalized sports betting, which could add pressure on Texas legislators. Unfortunately, House Bill 1942 passed the House, but the Senate refused to give it any further consideration. Since the Texas Legislature only meets every other year, Texans will have to wait until at least 2025 for legal sports betting in the Lone Star State.

Legal Sports Betting FAQs

You probably have many questions about legalized sports wagering in the US - we get it. It's a confusing time but an exciting time as well. With so many states open to legalized sports gambling, there's no shortage of online sportsbooks and no shortage of questions as well.

Here are answers to the frequently asked questions we get here at EatWatchBet:

Which states are allowing online sports betting in the United States?

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to rule a 1992 federal law unconstitutional, many states have now legalized sports betting. Currently, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, and Wyoming allow some form of online sports wagering. Several other states have pending legislation that would legalize sports betting in 2024.

How can I place a bet on a sporting event?

The method you use to place your bet will depend on which state you are visiting or where you reside. Many states allow online/mobile sports betting apps where users can sign up directly from their devices and make deposits to place bets. Other states require that users go through an authorized retail location, such as a casino/racetrack, to make bets.

Are there any age restrictions for placing bets?

Yes, most states require that all persons be at least 21 years of age or older to legally participate in sports betting activities both online or at an authorized retail location (casinos and racetracks).

Is there an upper limit on how much I can bet on a game?

The exact limits may vary depending on which state you reside in and other factors such as the type of wager made (i.e parlay vs single bet), but most casinos/sportsbooks offer betting limits ranging from $2,500-$5,000 per individual wager on any given game or event.

Does my state have any special regulations or taxes related to sports betting?

Each state has its own set of regulations and taxes when it comes to sports wagering so it is important to research local laws before engaging in any activities related to it. Generally speaking though, most states impose taxes ranging between 10-20%, with the rate depending primarily on total winnings earned by the individual during any given year period rather than specific bets placed within that timeframe.

Is online betting legal in the United States?

Online gambling is legal in certain US jurisdictions where licensed operators are allowed to provide services via mobile apps or websites using secure infrastructure and advanced encryption technologies which ensure data protection and user privacy under relevant laws and regulations stipulated by Federal and State governments respectively. Keep in mind that just because sports betting is legal in your state doesn't mean all sportsbooks operate in that jurisdiction; they still need to get licensed for that state.

What forms of payment are accepted for placing bets?

Most sportsbooks accept payments via debit/credit card for deposits & withdrawals with various digital wallets also being supported by some sites. There are simply countless ways you can deposit money for mobile betting. For example, DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino allow online banking, PayPal, credit/debit cards, cash cages at their retail sports betting locations, Venmo, wire transfer, or even gift cards.

What types of bets can I place in the United States?

Depending upon the local or regional laws governing sports betting, bettors can place a wide variety of bet types. Popular bets include moneylines, point spreads, over/under totals, parlays props, futures wagers, and much more. Some commercial casinos will have different bet types for online and in-person sports bets.

What safety measures have been introduced for sports betting in the US?

Numerous initiatives have been put into place aimed at protecting consumers who choose to engage in regulated & ethical gaming practices while ensuring they remain in safe secure environments free from fraudulent activity and abusive behavior. On top of that, many operators have implemented 'responsible gambling tools' designed to help players limit their gambling habits.

What responsible gaming tools do sportsbooks offer to help their players?

The best online sportsbooks want to help limit gambling problems for their clients. To do this, online sports betting apps are offering players the ability to limit their deposits and their overall time online. Folks can also choose to add themselves to a self-exclusion list for a certain amount of time. To further prevent gambling addiction, a lot of states have chosen NOT to accept credit card deposits. For more info, check out our Responsible Gaming section.

Do some states limit mobile sports betting?

Of course. Some states, such as Oregon, have only a single online sportsbook which is DraftKings. No other mobile sportsbooks can open up shop in Oregon until they change the way they regulate sports betting. Other states barely limit the licensing of sportsbooks and have countless sports betting operators.

Be Ready when Your State Legalizes Sports Gambling.

Now is the time to get ready for when sports gambling becomes legalized in your state. There are a variety of different bonuses, games, and casinos available to those who want to take advantage of the coming wave of legalized sports betting. Casinos are offering sign-up bonuses that can provide you with extra money when signing up.

There are also a variety of different games you can place wagers on, such as sports betting, betting on horse racing and college sports, in-game prop bets, and so much more. With so many options out there, it's important to do some research and be ready to start gambling when it is fully legalized in your area.

Until then, most states have state lottery, daily fantasy, and social casino options which are great alternatives to legal sports betting.