What was the first U.S. state outside of Nevada to offer legal sports betting?

Delaware nipped New Jersey to the line and was the first state outside of Nevada to accept legal single-game sports bets after the Supreme Court nixed the federal wagering ban in May 2018.

Is online gambling legal in the U.S.?

Yes, and any state that wants can legalize sports betting. New Jersey's Supreme Court victory in May 2018 paved the way for legalized online sports gambling.

Can you bet online in the USA?

Yes, but your physical location determines your eligibility. We identified jurisdictions where legal online sports betting is available. While residency is not a requirement, you must be physically located within the state to place a legal online sports bet.

Is BetMGM sportsbook legal in the USA?

Yes and BetMGM Sportsbook is expanding its legal online sports betting app. The online sportsbook is now live in Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Iowa, West Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, Colorado, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Is Caesars Sportsbook legal in the USA?

Yes, adults 21 and older can access the Caesars Sportsbook in these states: TN, IL, IN, IA, WV, MI, CO, VA, NJ, Washington, DC and NV.

Is DraftKings legal in the USA?

Yes, DraftKings is legal and licensed in several U.S. states.

Is FanDuel legal in USA?

Yes, indeed. FanDuel is legal and available if you are visiting an eligible state, then you can register and place a bet with FanDuel sportsbook even if you don't reside there.

Is PointsBet legal in the USA?

Yes, the PointsBet sportsbook is available in the following states to registered players 21-years of age and older: New Jersey, Iowa, Illinois, and Colorado.

Where can I place a bet in the USA?

More than 20 U.S. states have legalized sports betting, either via retail, online or a combination of the two. Restrictions apply, including ensuring that users are located within state lines to wager.

How do I place a sports bet on my phone?

Mobile wagering capabilities vary by the sportsbook, but the process is similar. Log in to your account, select the sport or event you want to bet on, access the bet slip, enter the stake and confirm your bet.

Do I have to report sports betting on taxes?

Yes. Sports gambling winnings are subject to income tax, and you must report them on your tax return. Upon filing your annual tax return, record any winnings and your tax payments. Depending on your tax rate, you may have to pay more or get some of your money back. You can deduct gambling losses only up to the amount you've won and reported.

When do I need to report gambling activity?

Sportsbooks and other gambling operators send tax forms when winnings hit the $600 threshold or 300 times your stake. Retail operators will issue W-2G forms with your winnings. Whether you wager a few dollars on the game or through a side bet with a friend, the IRS treats it as income. Gambling withholding is equal to the cost of backup withholding: a flat 24%.

U.S. States with Legal Online Sports Betting in 2022

Last Updated May 13, 2022, 10:21 AM ET

Legalized online sports betting became a reality in May 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled in a 6-3 decision that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was unconstitutional. Fast forward to today, and 30 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, have implemented legalized online sports betting in some capacity.

Legal Super Bowl betting reached record-setting heights this year too. More than 80.1 million geolocation transactions (GeoComply) were recorded over the weekend — double the figures from 2021.

Legal dominoes continue to fall, including in California, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Maine, where new legislative pushes seek to install legal online sports betting.

Despite the prevalence of offshore entities, we are focused on reporting about legal government-regulated markets. Keep an eye on this space for in-depth coverage and consult our interactive U.S. legalization tracker map for regular updates.

U.S. legal situation: How we got here

PASPA effectively limited U.S. sports betting to Nevada, although Delaware, Montana, and Oregon carried a legacy clause. PASPA forbade states – outside of those exemptions above – from regulating and taxing sports betting.

New Jersey led the charge to legalize sports betting. SCOTUS recognized its decade-long crusade against the major professional sports leagues and ruled to overturn the longstanding act. The ruling by SCOTUS put an end to PASPA and gave each state the ability to enforce and implement its own legal sports betting standards and regulations.

Table of contents: state-by-state overview

Click the quick reference links to find out where sports betting is legal, states moving toward legalization, and those unlikely to act.

States with legal sports betting in 2022:

AR | AZ | CO | CT | DE | DC | IL | IN | IA | LA | ME | MI | MS | MT | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | OR | PA | RI | SD | TN | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY

States moving towards legalizing sports betting in 2022:

AL | CA | FL | GA | OH | OK | KS | KY | MD | MA | MO | MN

States unlikely to legalize sports betting in 2022:

AK | HI | ID | NE | ND | SC | TX | UT | VT

U.S. States with Legal Online Sports Betting in 2022

U.S. legal situation: How we got here

Table of contents: state-by-state overview

Latest U.S. betting news

States where sports betting is legal in 2022