Sports betting has expanded rapidly across the United States, with 38 states, along with Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico, permitting wagering in some form as of late 2025. Of those jurisdictions, 30 states have authorized online sports betting through mobile apps or websites.
The expansion follows the Supreme Court’s landmark 2018 ruling that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the longstanding federal prohibition on sports betting. That decision handed authority back to individual states to regulate sports gambling within their own borders. Ever since that occurrence, different states have had the freedom to choose their own path of regulating betting online.
What Changed After 2018
After 2018, sports betting legislation has become a fixture in state capitols nationwide. Nearly every state has considered at least one bill to legalize the practice, and many states returned to the issue in 2024 with revised or new proposals.
A vast majority of legal sports betting in the United States happens online. Despite the availability of the retail option, most bettors prefer the convenience of betting online via mobile apps. Before 2018, only sportsbooks in Nevada offered sports betting legally. In the other states, offshore access to international sports betting sites and apps was the norm.
This shift in betting is overseen by regulatory bodies like the MGCB, which ensure that licensed operators follow strict rules for fairness, security, and responsible gambling. With this oversight, countless fans feel safe placing real money on their favorite teams or games and win big — a major factor fueling growth in the industry.
At the same time, many informational websites offer in-depth resources that demystify betting. Good examples of these would be:
- guides,
- odds explanations,
- platform reviews, and
- responsible‑play advice, such as bankroll management & GamStop etc.
This increased transparency and education have helped change public perception, making betting platforms feel more like legitimate entertainment services than risky & shady schemes.
In early 2024, North Carolina launched online sports betting, being the 30th state to do so. As recent as November 2025, Missouri became the 39th state to legalize sports betting in whatever form. The following is the full list of States (including Washington DC and Puerto Rico) with legalized and regulated sports betting industries.
| States | Online | Retail |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | Yes | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes |
| Maine | Yes | No |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | No | Yes |
| Missouri | No | Yes |
| Montana | No | Yes |
| Nebraska | No | Yes |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | No |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | No | Yes |
| Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Vermont | Yes | No |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Washington DC | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes |
| Wyoming | Yes | No |
In states such as New Mexico, North Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin, there are no commercial sports betting companies. Instead, tribes offer sports betting on existing Class III gaming compact. These states are yet to enact laws to regulate sports betting.
Mississippi permits online sports betting but bettors have to visit licensed casinos. In Montana, retail sports betting takes place at lottery terminals. Bettors who prefer betting online must use an app restricted to locations by Sports Bet Montana.
Alabama, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah do not allow any form of sports betting. Bettors in these states might decide to use offshore alternatives on websites and mobile apps registered and licensed elsewhere.
Active 2025 online sports betting bills
Given that the year is nearly coming to an end, many state legislatures have concluded their sessions. Only one state had an active betting legislation towards the end of November.
Missouri held a successful referendum in November 2024, leading to the approval of sports betting. After working on regulations for the entire 2025, the government of Missouri launched sports betting on December 1, 2026. Thus, it became the 39th state to make sports betting legal.
States with pending sports betting bills going into 2026
Recent bill trackers and reports from the states indicate that the following states either have active ongoing or recently flopped bills. For some of them, sports betting remains on the table for possible legislation in 2026.
Alaska
The state introduced bill HB 145 on March 21, 2025 in a bid to legalize online sports betting. Currently, the bill is still undergoing scrutiny in committees. The state will likely relaunch it in January 2026.
Georgia
In 2025, the state legislature in Georgia failed to pass two bills seeking to legalize online sports betting. But this did not indicate an end to efforts to legalize sports betting. Who knows? The bills could be reintroduced in 2026.
Hawaii
The state legislature in Hawaii considered a sports betting bill in 2025 but the final version of the proposed law did not pass. So, as 2026 beckons, there is likely to be a renewed push for a similar law.
Minnesota
When a bill on sports betting was brought to the state legislature in early 2025, a Senate committee voting on it tied 6-6 and the bill could not proceed. There will likely be further efforts in 2026.
Nebraska
Nebraska is one of the states where retail sports betting is legal. So, there have been efforts to legalize online sports betting in the state, which could possibly happen in 2026.
Oklahoma
Bills seeking to legalize sports betting were introduced in the legislature in 2025 but they passed only in one chamber. So, there could be efforts to reintroduce the bills in 2026.
Texas
Discussions on sports betting legislation in Texas have been ongoing for the longest time without a concrete bill coming before the legislature. Thus, it is uncertain if there will ever be such a bill. But again, 2026 could just be the year when that happens.
