Any state that wishes to legalize sports betting is now free to do so, but despite much excitement, enthusiasm and effort across the country since the repeal of PASPA in May 2018, only 12 states have active legal sportsbooks. There are lots of trustworthy Sportsbook who can take bets from American bettors not located in one of the yet legalized states. Sites such as BetOnline, Bovada and 5Dimes all offer a sportsbook that will take bets from US citizens. So far the 12 states to offer in state wagering are:
- Nevada
Nevada has had established sportsbooks since 1949. Often referred to as the “gold standard” of gaming, Nevada serves as an example of sports-betting best practices. Nevada offers online sportsbooks but, as with all states, bettors must be inside state lines to use them.
- Delaware
One of four states exempt from PASPA’s restrictions, in addition to Nevada, Oregon and Montana, Delaware was the first state to allow sports betting outside Nevada in June 2018. The state lottery regulates three retail sportsbooks at Dover Downs, Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway. Online sports wagering is not legal.
- New Jersey
The state that led to the repeal of PASPA, New Jersey’s first legal sports bet was taken at a William Hill sportsbook at Monmouth Park in June 2018. DraftKings took the first online sports wager outside of Nevada two months later. Online sportsbooks, which account for 80 percent of the state’s handle, include William Hill, FanDuel, Caesars, Fox Bet, PointsBet, SugarHouse, playMGM, 888sport, Resorts, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Bet America, theScore and bet365.
- Mississippi
Two casinos owned by MGM Resorts took the first Mississippi wagers in Aug. 2018. There are 23 retail sportsbooks in the state but online sports wagering is not legal.
- West Virginia
William Hill at Hollywood Casino took the first West Virginia sports wager in Aug. 2018. Two other WV retail sportsbooks are located at Greenbrier (FanDuel) and Mountaineer (William Hill). WV was the third state to launch online sports wagering that same month, but legal difficulties closed online operations down until FanDuel and DraftKings launched mobile apps in Aug. 2019.
- New Mexico
Tribal-owned Santa Ana Star took New Mexico’s first sports bet in Oct. 2018, on its state compact and not new sports betting legislation. Buffalo Thunder opened a second sportsbook. No online sportsbooks are operational.
- Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania accepted its first sports bet at Hollywood Casino in Nov. 2018. The fourth state to launch online, PlaySugarHouse went live in May 2019. Eleven retail sportsbooks operate in the state. Online sportsbooks already active or soon to launch include BetRivers, Fox Bet, FanDuel, William Hill, BetAmerica and DraftKings.
- Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Lottery is the regulating agency for the state’s two operators, Twin River in Lincoln and Twin River Tiverton, as well as the state’s William Hill mobile app. The Lincoln-based casino maintains a brick-and-mortar sportsbook that took the state’s first wager in Nov. 2018. The lottery launched an online app in Sept. 2019, although the constitutionality of sports betting is currently under review.
- Arkansas
Oaklawn Racing took the first legal sports wager in Arkansas on July 1. Three additional locations for retail sportsbooks have been approved but voters did not legalize online wagering. Southland and Saracen plan to open sportsbooks, and a fourth location has yet to be named.
- New York
The first legal sports wager in New York was placed at Rivers Casino, one of four upstate commercial casinos, in July. Online sports wagering has not been legalized, although mobile providers have paid hefty fees to licensed operators for potential online rights. The other three casinos have operational sportsbooks, including Resorts World Catskills (Bet365), del Lago (DraftKings) and Tioga Downs (FanDuel). Caesars Entertainment is partnered with the Oneida Nation’s three casinos. The Stars Group is partnered with the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in hopes that it will be able to unleash its Fox Bet mobile app. The Seneca Nation, despite an ongoing tax dispute, is currently seeking partners for its three casinos.
- Iowa
Multiple operators opened sportsbooks in Iowa on Aug. 15, the first day state laws were in effect for retail and online sports wagering, and a dozen more have opened or are in the works. Online sportsbooks include William Hill and Bet.Works. College sports wagers are permitted. Bettors must register for their online accounts in person until 2021.
- Oregon
The Oregon Lottery operates legal sports betting, except for tribal casinos with state compacts. Chinook Winds, a tribal casino, took the state’s first legal sports bet on Aug. 27. The lottery expects its online Scoreboard to launch Oct. 7. The lottery takes pro sports wagers only, while Chinook Winds accepts collegiate wagers.
- Indiana
Three Indiana sportsbooks opened on Sept. 1, the first day of legal wagering, and the rest soon followed. French Lick is set to debut its BetRivers mobile app on Oct. 3 and nearly every other online sportsbook in the U.S. is prepared to follow suite shortly thereafter. College and pro sports bets are permitted. Wagers on esports and high school sports are not legal.
