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Gambling laws in the US can feel like a moving target. What’s perfectly legal in one state might be completely banned in the next. This is particularly true when it comes to online casinos and sports betting.
That’s why we’ve broken down where all 50 states currently stand, whether they offer fully licensed online gambling platforms or don’t allow it at all.
If you’re trying to figure out which states allow online gambling (and which don’t), this guide will give you the full picture.
States Where Gambling Is Legal
The US gambling scene is complicated. Some states welcome betting with open arms, while others barely allow a lottery ticket. Right now, the majority of states permit some form of gambling, whether it’s tribal casinos, state-run lotteries, or sportsbooks.
A few, like Utah and Hawaii, are firm holdouts, banning nearly every kind of wagering. In between, there’s a mix of legal gray areas, local-only rules, and rapidly changing laws.
To help make sense of it all, here’s a quick overview of where different types of gambling are currently legal.
| Type of Gambling | List of States |
|---|---|
| Online Casinos | New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, West Virginia, Connecticut, Rhode Island |
| Online Sports Betting | Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee (mobile-only), Vermont (mobile-only), Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming (mobile-only), Florida (Seminole Tribe only) |
| Land-Based Sports Betting | All of the above, except: Tennessee, Vermont, Wyoming, Oregon, New Hampshire, Florida. Plus: Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico (tribal-only), North Dakota (tribal-only), and South Dakota |
| Land-Based Casinos (Commercial or Tribal) | All, except Hawaii, Utah, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Vermont |
| State Lottery | All, except Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. |
States Where Online Gambling Is Legal: Deep Dive
Online casino gambling is legal in only 7 states. While sports betting exploded across the US after the 2018 repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), online slots and table games have seen slower adoption nationwide.
Regulatory red tape, lobbying pressure, and concerns around addiction and taxation have kept many states from fully jumping in. Still, the states that have legalized online casinos are seeing serious revenue, and they’re offering some of the most secure, regulated gambling experiences in the country.
New Jersey
New Jersey was the first state to legalize online casinos in 2013, and it’s still a model for how to do it right. The Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) oversees all operations and requires licensing for both operators and their software partners. Nearly all Atlantic City casinos now offer branded online sites, and the state reported over $1.9 billion in online casino revenue in 2023 alone. Players must be physically located within state lines to play.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania legalized online gambling in 2017, launching its market in 2019 under the watch of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. It’s now one of the largest iGaming markets in the country. The state allows online slots, table games, and poker. Operators must partner with land-based casinos, and geolocation tech ensures compliance with in-state play only.
Michigan
Michigan opened the doors to legal online casinos in January 2021, and the growth was immediate. The Michigan Gaming Control Board licenses operators, most of which partner with tribal or commercial casinos. The state allows all major verticals: slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, and live dealer games. Michigan is also notable for its player-friendly bonuses and strong consumer protections.
West Virginia
West Virginia legalized online casinos in 2019, though the first sites didn’t go live until July 2020. The West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act governs the market. While smaller than other states, it still supports multiple legal casino platforms tied to land-based casinos, offering a full suite of games.
Delaware
Delaware was one of the earliest adopters, launching its state-run online casino network back in 2013. All platforms are run through a single operator (currently powered by 888 Holdings), and the Delaware Lottery oversees all operations. Players can access slots, table games, and poker. However, options are more limited compared to other states.
Connecticut
Connecticut legalized online gambling in 2021 through partnerships with its two tribal nations: the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes. Each tribe operates one online casino platform (FanDuel and DraftKings, respectively). Oversight comes from the Department of Consumer Protection. The law permits online slots and table games but not online poker.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island became the most recent addition to the list, launching online casinos in March 2024. The state lottery oversees all iGaming, with Bally’s as the exclusive operator. Right now, the selection is limited, but full expansion is expected soon. Players must be 21 and physically located in the state.
What About the Rest of the States?
Most states haven’t legalized online casinos, and for many, it’s not even on the radar. States like Utah, Hawaii, and Idaho maintain near-total gambling bans. Others allow land-based casinos or sports betting but continue to exclude online casino games.
That said, momentum is building. New York is actively discussing online casino bills. Illinois, Indiana, and Maryland have introduced legislation in recent sessions, though none have passed yet.
As more states see the revenue potential from online sportsbooks, casino legalization could follow, especially in states that already have strong land-based industries.
Online Sports Betting: Where Is It Legal?
Unlike online casinos, sports betting has developed at a much faster pace across the US. Since the Supreme Court overturned the federal sports betting ban in 2018, over 30 states have launched some form of legal sports wagering. What makes this area tricky is how differently each state handles it: some only allow betting at retail sportsbooks, others permit mobile apps, and a few do both.
More states are introducing legislation every year, with a few like Missouri and Georgia hovering on the edge of legalization. Still, restrictions remain. Some states exclude college sports, limit in-play bets, or reserve mobile licenses for local operators. And in a few cases, betting is technically legal but not yet launched.
| State | Online | Retail | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Delaware | No | Yes | ❌ |
| Florida | Yes* | Yes* | ✅* |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Mississippi | No | Yes | ❌ |
| Montana | No | Yes | ❌ |
| Nebraska | No | Yes* | ❌ |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| New Hampshire | Yes | No | ❌ |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| New Mexico | No | Yes* | ❌ |
| New York | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| North Dakota | No | Yes* | ❌ |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Oregon | Yes | No | ✅ |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| South Dakota | No | Yes | ❌ |
| Tennessee | Yes | No | ✅ |
| Vermont | Yes | No | ✅ |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Washington D.C. | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes | ✅ |
| Wisconsin | No | Yes* | ❌ |
| Wyoming | Yes | No | ❌ |
The Future of Online Gambling in the US
If there’s one thing that’s obvious from looking at the current US gambling landscape, it’s that change is still underway. Online casinos are still the slowest form of gambling to catch on, but momentum is building. More states are watching the tax revenue roll in from legalized sports betting and starting to ask what a full online casino rollout could do for their own budgets.
Over the next few years, expect more states to dip their toes into online gambling, especially those that already have retail casinos or mobile sportsbooks up and running. These states have a head start when it comes to licensing, regulation, and public familiarity with gambling platforms.
Some of the top candidates for expansion include New York, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Nevada. Each of these states already has the infrastructure to support broader iGaming, but even among them, progress is uneven. Take Nevada: despite being the gambling capital of the US, it still doesn’t allow online table games for in-state residents.
Each of these has the infrastructure, player demand, and political momentum to move online casino legislation forward. On the other hand, states like Utah, Idaho, and Hawaii are still firmly opposed, and likely won’t change course anytime soon.
In short, the future of online gambling in the US will depend on revenue pressure, tech regulation, and public acceptance. We may never see a fully unified national market, but piece by piece, more states are joining the game.
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