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Sports Betting Legal States 2026: Where Can You Bet?
Last Updated: March 7, 2026
Sports betting is legal in 38 US states plus the District of Columbia as of March 2026. Online mobile betting is available in 33 of those states. California, Texas, Florida, and Georgia remain the largest states without fully operational legal sports betting, though each has seen legislative activity. This guide covers every legal state, launch dates, available platforms, and the status of pending legislation.
Last Updated: March 2026
Key Takeaways
- 38 states plus DC have legalized sports betting; 33 offer online/mobile wagering.
- Sportsbooks use geolocation to verify you are physically within a legal state — residency is not required.
- The top online sportsbooks by state coverage include DraftKings (23 states), FanDuel (22 states), BetMGM (21 states), and Caesars (20 states).
- California, Texas, Florida, and Georgia are the highest-population states without legal online sports betting.
- Tax treatment of winnings varies by state — some states disallow loss deductions entirely. Use our gambling tax calculator for state-specific estimates.
Which States Have Legal Online Sports Betting?
The following 33 states plus DC have legal online/mobile sports betting, listed with launch year and major available sportsbooks.
| State | Online Launch | Major Sportsbooks |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2021 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Arkansas | 2022 | BetSaracen, Betly |
| Colorado | 2020 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet |
| Connecticut | 2021 | DraftKings, FanDuel |
| DC | 2020 | GambetDC, Caesars, BetMGM |
| Illinois | 2020 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Indiana | 2019 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Iowa | 2019 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Kansas | 2022 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Kentucky | 2023 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Louisiana | 2022 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Maine | 2023 | DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars |
| Maryland | 2022 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Massachusetts | 2023 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Michigan | 2021 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet |
| Mississippi | 2018 | Mobile on-premise only |
| Nevada | 2010 | Caesars, BetMGM, Wynn, Station |
| New Hampshire | 2019 | DraftKings |
| New Jersey | 2018 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet |
| New York | 2022 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| North Carolina | 2024 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Ohio | 2023 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Oregon | 2019 | DraftKings, BetMGM |
| Pennsylvania | 2019 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Rhode Island | 2019 | Bally Bet |
| Tennessee | 2020 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Vermont | 2024 | DraftKings, FanDuel |
| Virginia | 2021 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Washington DC | 2020 | GambetDC, Caesars |
| West Virginia | 2019 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars |
| Wyoming | 2021 | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM |
For sportsbook-specific comparisons, see our sportsbook rankings and individual reviews for DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
Which States Have Retail-Only Sports Betting?
Five states have legalized sports betting but restrict wagering to physical retail locations:
| State | Retail Launch | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | 2020 | Licensed bars and taverns via Montana Lottery |
| New Mexico | 2018 | Tribal casinos only |
| South Dakota | 2021 | Deadwood casinos and tribal casinos |
| Wisconsin | 2022 | Tribal casinos only |
| Nebraska | 2024 | Licensed racetracks and casinos |
Retail-only states may still expand to online betting through future legislation. Nebraska and South Dakota have both seen mobile betting bills introduced in their legislatures.
Which Major States Don’t Have Legal Sports Betting?
Four states with populations over 10 million have not yet legalized sports betting:
California — The nation’s largest state by population (39 million) rejected two sports betting ballot measures in November 2022. Both Proposition 26 (tribal retail-only) and Proposition 27 (statewide online) failed. No new ballot measure or legislative effort has gained significant traction since. California represents the single largest untapped sports betting market in the country. See our California sports betting tracker for the latest status.
Texas — The second-largest state (30 million) has no active sports betting legislation as of March 2026. Previous bills have failed in the Texas legislature, which meets biennially. The next legislative session is in 2027. See our Texas sports betting tracker for the latest.
Florida — A compact between the state and the Seminole Tribe enabled brief online sports betting through the Hard Rock Bet app in 2021-2023. Federal court challenges invalidated the compact, and sports betting is currently not available. The legal situation remains in flux.
Georgia — Has considered sports betting legislation in multiple sessions without passage. A 2024 effort stalled in the state Senate. The state’s proximity to legal-betting states (Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia) creates significant cross-border leakage.
How Does Geolocation Work for Sports Betting?
Every legal sportsbook app uses geolocation technology — typically GeoComply — to verify that you are physically within a state where they hold a license. The technology checks GPS, Wi-Fi triangulation, and cell tower data to pinpoint your location.
Geolocation verification happens when you open the app and periodically during active sessions. If you move outside the state boundary, active bets remain valid but you cannot place new wagers until you return. VPN usage to spoof your location violates the terms of service of every regulated sportsbook and can result in account closure and forfeiture of funds.
You do not need to be a resident of a state to bet there. A New York resident visiting New Jersey can open a NJ-licensed sportsbook app and bet legally. However, you can only access sportsbooks licensed in the state where you are currently located.
How Are Sports Betting Winnings Taxed by State?
All sports betting winnings are taxable as income at both the federal and state level. Federal tax rates range from 10-37% depending on your total income. State treatment varies:
| Tax Category | States |
|---|---|
| No state income tax | AK, FL, NV, NH, SD, TN, TX, WA, WY |
| Allows loss deductions | AZ, CO, MD, MI, NJ, NY, VA |
| No loss deductions | IL, IN, LA, OH, PA |
States that disallow loss deductions impose the heaviest effective burden, especially under the 2026 OBBBA 90% loss cap. A break-even bettor in Illinois faces both the federal phantom income from the 90% cap and full state tax on gross winnings with no offset. See our sports betting tax guide for complete details and our gambling tax calculator for state-specific calculations.
How Do DFS and Casino Legal Status Compare?
Sports betting legalization does not automatically include daily fantasy sports or online casino. Each format has its own regulatory framework:
| Format | States Legal | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Sports betting | 38 + DC | Most widely legalized; online in 33 states |
| Daily fantasy sports | 43+ states | Legal under skill-game exemptions in most states |
| Online casino (iCasino) | 7 states | NJ, PA, MI, WV, CT, DE, RI — much more restricted |
| Online poker | 7 states | NJ, PA, MI, WV, CT, DE, NV — same states as iCasino |
DFS has the broadest legal footprint because most states classify it as a game of skill rather than gambling. Online casino and poker are far more restricted — only seven states have legalized either format. For DFS legal status by state, see our DFS legal states guide. For casino legalization, see our iCasino legal states guide. For online poker, see our online poker legal states guide.
Compare odds across all major sportsbooks in real time on the Odds Reference dashboard.
FAQ
Q: How many states have legal sports betting in 2026?
A: As of March 2026, 38 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting. Of these, 33 offer online/mobile betting while the remaining states are retail-only. California and Texas are the two largest states without legal sports betting.
Q: Can I bet on sports from any state?
A: No. You must be physically located within a state that has legalized sports betting to place a legal wager. Sportsbooks use geolocation technology to verify your location. You do not need to be a resident of the state — visitors can bet while physically present. If you cross state lines, you can only bet through sportsbooks licensed in your new location.
Q: Which states allow online sports betting?
A: 33 states plus DC allow online/mobile sports betting as of March 2026. Major markets include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, Arizona, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Five states are retail-only, meaning you must physically visit a casino or sportsbook location to place bets.