The US gambling scene today – A state-by-state overview
Above, you may have noticed a rather colorful version of the US map. Well, this map doesn’t simply depict the land of opportunities, it highlights the land of online gambling opportunities, too.
That’s right – we’ve had our experts review the laws and legislation surrounding the current status of online gambling from around the US, in order to present you with a complete rundown of US gambling today. Whether you are interested in the current laws across your state, or are traveling to the Big Apple and want to check out the laws surrounding
online gambling in New York, we are confident that our experts at Wetten.com have got you covered.
The Northeast
We will kick things off by looking at America’s online gambling hotspot. A bold claim, perhaps; however, when you consider the extensive collection of
online casinos
and sportsbooks available to bettors across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you can’t help but agree.
Of course, there are a few states across the Northeast that are yet to follow suit but that is the beauty of the US gambling laws – something we touch on a little later. In the meantime, why not review which online gambling options are available to those residing in the Northeast.
- Connecticut
– Only lotteries and tribal casinos are available.
- Maine
– Lotteries and racetracks are legal.
- Massachusetts
– Lotteries and racetracks are legal.
- New Hampshire
– Sports betting and online casinos are legal.
- New Jersey
– All forms of gambling are legal.
- New York
– Sports betting, racetracks, and lotteries are legal.
- Pennsylvania
– All forms of gambling are available.
- Rhode Island
– All forms of gambling are legal.
- Vermont
– The national lottery is legal.
The Midwest
We only need to mention the Wolverine State to highlight that the Midwest is packed with sporting passion, tradition, and prowess. When you consider that Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa are also in the mix, it’s quite unsurprising to see the Midwest overflowing with sports betting opportunities.
It’s not just a plethora of sportsbooks you’ll see across the Midwest, though. For those of you visiting Missouri or Ohio, you’ll be able to enjoy the traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, too.
“What about the rest of the Midwest?”, I hear you say. Well, you’ll have to read on.
- Illinois
– All forms of gambling are legal.
- Indiana
– All forms of gambling are legal.
- Iowa
– All forms of gambling are legal.
- Kansas
– National lotteries and tribal casinos are legal.
- Michigan
– All forms of gambling are legal.
- Minnesota
– Racetracks, national lotteries, and tribal casinos are legal.
- Missouri
– Land-based casinos and national lotteries are legal.
- Nebraska
– Racetracks, tribal casinos, and national lotteries are legal.
- North Dakota
– Racetracks, tribal casinos, and national lotteries are legal.
- Ohio
– National lotteries and racetracks are legal.
- South Dakota
– Land-based casinos and national lotteries are legal.
- Wisconsin
– National lotteries and tribal casinos are legal
The South
When taking a closer look at the online gambling opportunities across the South, Delaware looks to be leading the way.
The Diamond State
legalized online casino action back in 2012, becoming the first state across the whole of the South to do so. Since then, the Delaware online gambling scene has gone from strength to strength and now features some of the
best online sportsbooks
and online casinos around.
Depending on your Parish, there’s a great wealth of sportsbooks available in Louisiana, too – the latest addition to America’s legal online sports betting scene.
- Alabama
– Pari-mutuel horse racing betting and tribal casinos are legal.
- Arkansas
– National lotteries, land-based casinos, and racetracks are all legal.
- Delaware
– All forms of gambling are legal.
- Florida
– Racetracks, national lotteries, and tribal casinos are legal.
- Georgia
– National lotteries are legal.
- Kentucky
– Racetracks and national lotteries are legal.
- Louisiana
– Sports betting, land-based casinos, racetracks, and national lotteries are legal.
- Maryland
– Land-based casinos, racetracks, and national lotteries are legal.
- Mississippi
– Sports betting, land-based casinos, and national lotteries are legal.
- North Carolina
– Sports betting, tribal casinos, and national lotteries are legal.
- Oklahoma
– Racetracks, tribal casinos, and national lotteries are legal.
- South Carolina
– National lotteries are legal.
- Tennessee
– National lotteries and sports betting are legal.
- Texas
– National lotteries and tribal casinos are legal.
- Virginia
– Sports betting, racetracks, and national lotteries are legal.
- West Virginia
– All forms of gambling are legal.
The West
Gambling opportunities across each state in the West vary as dramatically as their climates. In some areas, online gambling could be considered as dry as the Mojave Desert. Although, ironically, California is not one of those states! Instead, California is home to a great selection of online casinos and racetracks.
We detail the opportunities available to bettors residing in the rest of the West, below.
- Alaska
– Charitable gaming and tribal casinos are legal.
- Arizona
– Tribal casinos and national lotteries are legal.
- California
– Online casinos, racetracks, tribal casinos, and national lotteries are legal.
- Colorado
– Sports betting, tribal casinos, and racetracks are legal.
- Hawaii
– All gambling is illegal.
- Idaho
– National lotteries and tribal casinos are legal.
- Montana
– Sports betting, tribal casinos, and national lotteries are legal.
- New Mexico
– Tribal casinos, sports betting, racetracks, and national lotteries are all legal.
- Nevada
– Sports betting, tribal casinos, and racetracks are legal.
- Oregon
– National lotteries, tribal casinos, and sports betting are legal.
- Utah
– All gambling is illegal.
- Washington
– Sports betting, tribal casinos, and national lotteries are legal.
- Wyoming
– Racetracks, tribal casinos, and national lotteries are legal.
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The history of US Gambling – The good, the bad, and everything in between
It has been proven that forms of gambling have been around since 2000BC. But don’t worry – we won’t be heading that that far back on our journey today!
The Birth of US Gambling – A turbulent time
Instead, we head back to the 1600s, where Native American’s played games of chance at tribal ceremonies. One of the most common games involved dice and a bowl. Players would place their wagers before five individually-marked stones or bones were placed into the bowl. The outcome was based on a combination of the markings that appeared after the throw. During this time, there were also reports of horse racing, cock fighting, and so on. By 1612 the first lottery was created to provide funds to Virginia.
As we fast-forward to the 1800s, Louisiana became a state filled with games based on chance and skill. However, after much back and forth, most forms of gambling were prohibited across Louisiana and the majority of US states.
Beyond the Black Sox Scandal – The
Strip
is born
By the early 1930s things had changed once more as Nevada legalized casino gambling. This was a positive move that followed an otherwise depressing era across the US, that included many forms of illicit bookmaking and the notable
Black Sox Scandal. Around this time we would also see the introduction of horse racing, greyhound racing, and charitable gambling, too.
The US federal government was overlooking all of the laws relating to gambling up until 1976. After this time it was decided that individual state governments would be presented with the power to determine whether gambling would be deemed legal across the state, or not! As we reached the end of the 1900s, most states had legalized the lottery while only a select few had given casinos the green light. We must also note that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was introduced, effectively making it illegal to wager on sports across the US.
The Online Era – The future of online gambling
The introduction of online wagering marked a significant era for US Gambling. New Jersey was amongst the first states to offer bettors the chance to make use of a true online casino experience.
Soon after, New Jersey suggested that sports betting should fall under state law, as opposed to federal law. In May 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of lifting the ban on sports betting after suggesting it violated their rights. Later that year, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, and other states would offer online sports betting to their residents.
As we reach the present day, laws and legislations are forever being amended and created across the US. Thankfully, our experts work around the clock in the hopes of delivering our readers the latest state news. New York and Louisiana have already made amendments this year, presenting bettors with the chance to wager across their favorite sports. The big question on our researchers’ lips is “Which state is next?”
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US Online gambling explained – Your top questions answered
🤝 How are gambling laws passed?
Up until 1976, online gambling laws were determined by federal law. Nowadays, individual
state governments
will determine whether they will prohibit or legalize the different forms of gambling. In turn, this has led to the rather complex nature of US gambling laws today!
✅ What is the legal age to gamble online in the US?
The legal age to gamble online will vary depending on the state you are wagering from and the method of gambling you have chosen. Generally, online casinos and
sportsbooks will accept players over the age of 21. In comparison, those opting to wager on DFS, lottery, and bingo will need to be 18 and above. Of course, if you have any queries, please refer back to our guide above.
🌎 Can I place wagers online when visiting a US state where gambling is legal?
Yes. Generally speaking, bettors will be able to place online wagers when visiting a US state where gambling is legal. However, due to the
differing laws, legislation,
and taxes, we would strongly advise taking advantage of our state-specific pages to find out more about gambling before your next visit.
🃏 What is the importance of an online casino license?
There are many important reasons why bettors should select an online casino or sportsbook that holds a
legitimate license. The main reason is for their own
security. By choosing an online operator that hosts a respected license, you can guarantee that your personal information and funds will be kept safe, as well as ensure the overall experience, odds, and bonus terms are kept fair at all times.
🏀 Which state was the most recent to legalize sports betting?
As we’ve already noted, the laws and legislation are forever changing across the US. In fact, with the latest
surge in online and mobile wagering, it has become a very exciting time indeed. At the beginning of 2025, New York’s legal sports betting market went live across the Empire State, followed closely by the launch of
sports betting in Louisiana. Who’s next on the list? We will have to wait and see.
Conclusion – Stay ahead of the pack and keep coming back
We are sure you’ll leave today with a solid understanding of the gambling laws across your state and feel confident about the types of betting options available to you. However, due to the ever-changing laws and legislation across the US, we recommend making sure you pop back regularly to help stay ahead of the pack.
A quick look back through US gambling history showcases just how accessible gambling has become. Thankfully, the security and safety of our deposits and wagers have improved drastically, too!
Alongside our states guide, there are plenty of other useful resources to make use of across our dedicated online gambling platform. Whether you are looking for a new bonus to use across the legal
New Jersey online gambling
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