Legal Online Gambling in the United States 2020

Players in Alabama can bet on greyhound racing and horse racing at several tracks around the state, as well as enjoy land-based gambling activities. A recent bill introduced to the state legislature could mean that Daily Fantasy Sports are on the way to Alabama.

Gambling laws are very restrictive in the state of Alaska. Apart from charity betting on dog mushing contests, bingo halls, and pull-tab games, there is not much for residents to gamble on. Alaska also doesn’t even have a state lottery.

Land-based casinos on tribal reservations are legal where one can find slots, table games, and poker, however, online casinos are not.  Residents can also bet on greyhound racing and horse racing on track or other licensed locations. There is also a state lottery that residents can participate in. However, the only form of online gambling that is legal in Arizona is pari-mutuel greyhound and horseracing.

The forms of gambling that are currently legal in Arkansas include live poker, greyhound, and horse racing on a track, as well as a scholarship state lottery.

California residents can enjoy a large choice of casinos games but not online. Betting on horses is allowed, both on-track and recently online as well. Lottery betting is big business in CA with a number of regular draws and scratch-cards. Sports betting is not legal just yet, with an amendment to the constitution is due to be discussed and voted on at some point in 2020.

Colorado passed a referendum allowing the state to offer online sports betting in, with residents expected to be able to enjoy online sports betting by May 2020. On the casino front, there are more than 40 casinos where residents can enjoy a large range of slots, blackjack, roulette, craps and poker games but only land-based. Again, the state allows betting on greyhound and horse racing. Colorado shares nationwide lotteries, like Powerball.

Casino games are only legal and available at two tribal casinos – Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun resorts. There two casinos host some of the most prestigious live poker tournaments. Residents are restricted to betting on track on greyhound and horse races. There is also a state lottery as well as access to national games, like the Powerball.

Although strict rules and licensing requirements are in place, Delaware offers its residents all forms of gambling – casino games, online casino gambling, live poker, online poker, sports betting, and lottery – are all regulated through Delaware Lottery.

Florida has some world-class casinos based on Seminole tribal lands, such as the Hard Rock Casino. However, there is no recent legislation to legalize online casinos or sports betting. Residents can bet on horse or dog racing. Florida also has a state lottery as well as participates in nation-wide games, like Powerball.

Georgia does have a state lottery which is very popular amongst residents. Otherwise, there is not much to gamble on – Georgia doesn’t even allow horse, greyhound, or sports betting. However, recently there has been a push from the state’s professional sports leagues to pass legislation that would legalize online sports betting, aiming to expand gambling through the state lottery system without requiring a constitutional amendment.

Hawaii has opted for a sports betting solution that will put the Hawaiian Lottery at the center. However, this is not yet live and more regulatory framework is necessary.

Casino gambling is limited to tribal casinos and the State explicitly bans online gambling. Not even social poker games are allowed in Idaho. Residents can engage in a few sports betting activities by betting with pari-mutuel machines at licensed horse tracks, as well as pool and billiards. Idaho does have a state lottery and also participates in nation-wide games, like Powerball.

Thanks to the 2019 Illinois Gambling Act, sports betting has been legalized, online and retail. However, the Act does not legalize other types of online casino games or online poker.

Live casino gambling, including live poker, is allowed on 10 riverboat casinos, and residents can on-track pari-mutuel bet at horse tracks as well as play the state lottery online. Daily fantasy sports are also allowed in IL.

Indiana sports betting has been approved on Sept 1, 2019, and operates both online and retail locations. Online Casinos are still not permissible, however.

Sports betting is up and running in IA, however in-person registration is required until 2021. Residents can enjoy casino games at riverboat casinos and venues on tribal lands, as well as licensed racetracks. Online casinos and poker seem to be on the way. There is also a popular lottery in the state of Iowa.

In early 2020, Kansas’ Senate passed sports betting retail and mobile bills. Details of the bill included that there could be up to eight online sports betting operators in Kansas based on two licenses for each casino. Kansas currently has 11 casinos.

Horse racing is big business in the state that is famous for the Kentucky Derby, and residents can enjoy betting on events year-round at the Kentucky Derby and Churchhill Downs racetrack in addition to a few online racebooks. There is also the Kentucky Lottery.

However, online casino games or sports betting is strictly not allowed. The seizure of more than 140 gambling domains and lawsuits against gambling sites reinforce this.

Lousiana has 4 major land-based casinos, tribal casino, and riverboats where residents can enjoy live casino games. On the other hand, the state is one of the few to explicitly criminalize online gambling and poker. The only betting allowed in LA is betting on horse racing and billiards games.

Sports betting regulations in Maine are beginning to take shape; betting apps are allowed to operate in the state, although it’s still unclear as to what capacity. Overall, Maine is quiet when it comes to gambling. There are only 2 locations where residents can play slots, table games, and poker. And while betting on horse racing is allowed, betting on greyhound racing is prohibited.

In 2013, Maryland approved and opened the first casino. There are now 5 locations where residents can play both slots and table games. Online casinos and poker are both in a gray area and officially not allowed. Maryland has a state lottery and participates in the games between states.

In March 2020, Maryland’s Senate unanimously passed a Maryland sports betting bill, now leaving the House with the opportunity to provide final legislative approval to regulate sports betting.

The legal forms of gambling in Massachusetts include land-based casinos, horse and greyhound betting and the state lottery. Sports betting has been considered although nothing actionable has happened on this front.

Michigan has a great choice of casino games, and many of these locations have poker rooms. All casino gambling and poker are strictly land-based. Like many states, horse racing betting is allowed and has been legal since 1993. The state has recently legalized sports betting as well, and residents can enjoy retail now, and online & mobile in 2021.

Minnesota has many tribal casinos that offer slots, blackjack and video lottery-type games. Although there is no discussion at the moment, the state’s general progressive attitude towards gambling makes some believe that MN is a candidate for future regulated poker games online. Unfortunately for now, Minnesotans still have to go across the border to Iowa to place sports bets.

There are many casinos in Mississippi where residents can enjoy fully functional sportsbooks and betting apps. However, MS requires you to be physically present at a retail casino location to be able to use the app. Whether or not fully mobile sportsbooks will be available in MS is unclear.

Missouri has a wide choice of riverboat casinos which offer a wide range of slots and table games. However, there are no indications that online casino games or betting regulation is being considered. Horse racing is only allowed at county fairs. Legalizing sports betting is being currently being considered.

Montana has 141 licensed casinos. In 2005, Montana passed legislation which bans gambling via the Internet. Sports betting was made officially legal on May 2019, with a bill that authorizes the state lottery to conduct the activity. Mobile sports betting was also enabled.

While there are 3 tribal casinos where one can play slots or video bingo-type games in Nebraska, many residents cross over into Iowa to enjoy a wider range of casino games. Nebraskans can enjoy in-State and multi-State games but unfortunately, sports betting remains illegal here too.

Nevada, famous for Las Vegas, has more casinos than any state. However, the poker internet legislation of 2013, does not include any provision for online casino games or betting. Betting on sports has been legal here since 1949, and recently you are allowed to use mobile apps for on-premise betting. However, you’re limited to stay inside casinos for now.

Sports betting was legalized in on July 2019 and will be widely accessible in brick-and-mortar shops and statewide via mobile. Some more regulations are needed, however, and you cannot bet on college sports in NH. Although legal to pari-mutuel to bet on live horse and greyhound races, both are gone from the state. New Hampshire was the first state to introduce a modern lottery.

Casinos in Atlantic City are a destination for casino fans from all over the world. Online casino games and poker are also available, but players must be physically located within the State’s borders. New Jersey launched sports betting in 2018 and quickly became one of the most robust markets in the U.S. Legal sportsbooks exists at racetracks, casinos and online via mobile apps throughout the state.

New Mexico has 9 tribal casinos which offer players a full range of table games and slots. There is currently no discussion on whether to legalize online sports betting or casino games. Betting on horse racing is popular here. Residents can partake in sports betting in person at the Santa Ana Star Casino just outside Albuquerque.

New York residents can enjoy casino games at several tribal casinos, but nothing is online yet. New York sports betting is limited to in-person wagers at the upstate facilities although the online market place has a tendency to start and stall. Daily Fantasy Sports were also recently found unconstitutional as well.

Sports betting was legalized in July 2019, allowing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to operate retail sportsbooks at two casinos in the Appalachian Mountains. However, mobile betting has yet to be considered.

There are many tribes that have built multiple casinos on reservations which offer retail table games, poker, and slots. As in many other states, the existing gambling statues are considered to ban any online gambling activity. North Dakota has not passed any legislation to permit sports betting.

Ohio has 4 commerical casinos. The State also allows pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, which includes remote betting and prior-deposit options. In June, sports betting took a backseat in the Ohio legislature and will continue to be discussed once they return from recess in September.

Oklahoma is home to the largest number of tribal casinos in the U.S. and is currently in the process of legalizing sports betting after several bills were introduced over the past couple of years to allow tribal casinos to open sportsbooks. However, no real action has been taken yet.

The Oregon Lottery has launched a fully mobile sports betting app shortly after the US Supreme Court ruled to repeal the PASPA Act. Although you can bet on all sports, you cannot bet on collegiate games.

There several fully licensed casinos in the state of Pennsylvania. As of May 2019, online sports betting was legal in PA as well. PA was also the fourth state to legalize online gambling and residents can reap the benefits of leading casino sites that offer real money gambling.

As of September 2019, residents of the small state of Rhode Island can engage in exciting online betting options. Players can make a sports wager via desktop or mobile anywhere in the state, as long as they physically register at the Twin Rivers Casino beforehand. There is hope that online casinos will become a reality soon as well. The state also offers online horse racing, fantasy, and bingo games.

There are no casinos in South Carolina, but residents can join a ‘Casino Cruise’ and sail 3 miles into international waters. Live poker is not allowed at all – even home-games are illegal. South Carolina doesn’t even partake in horse race betting. Sports betting is not regulated in the state, and as a result, there are no legal online sportsbooks for South Carolinians to use.

South Dakota passed laws specifically banning gambling on the internet, íncluding betting on sports. However, there are plenty of land-based casinos operating in the historical city of Deadwood. These venues offer slots, blackjack and poker games only.

Casinos, either state or tribal, are not in the state of Tennessee.

After the signing od the HIBI1 bill, sports betting is now available – and only available – via online platforms and sports betting apps. Although legal, nothing is operational yet.

A bill had been filed to authorize sports betting operations, including mobile and online wagering in the state of Texas. But for now, you cannot participate in any online gambling in Texas.

The short answer is none. Utah, as a general, has a strict stance against gambling in all forms.

Very little gambling is allowed in Vermont. Only charity poker games are permitted and home games are tolerated. The main form of gambling in Vermont is the lottery, which includes scratch cards and inter-states games like PowerBall and Mega Millions.

A bill was introduced proposing the legalization of mobile sports betting in February 2019,  but still no action.

There are more than 100 casinos in the state of Washington. The majority of these venues are on tribal land and offer slots, blackjack and video poker. Washington does allow pari-mutuel betting on 4 racetracks and off-track locations on horse races.

In March 2020, the State’s governor signed the sports betting bill into law allowing sports betting at Class III tribal casinos, but mobile betting throughout is not allowed. Playing Daily Fantasy Sports is also a legal activity.

All five casinos in West Virginia are offering legal sports betting. There are also two online live sportsbooks where players can bet on sports online. If using a sports betting app, one only has to be located within the state to place a bet. The West Virginia Lottery offers is own games, as well as PowerBall and Mega Millions.

There are 11 tribal casinos in the state of Wisconsin where residents can enjoy the full range of casino games. Online betting exists in the form of horse racing, fantasy sports, and skill games. Wisconsin also has a state lottery. Sports betting is prohibited and seems unlikely to be legalized anytime soon.

Wyoming has two tribal casinos offering casino games and poker. Sports betting is not legal in Wyoming, however betting on horse racing is allowed.

While there are no licensed casinos within the District of Colombia, residents can travel to nearby Maryland or West Virginia to access casino games.

The Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 became effective as of May 3, 2019, legalizing sports betting in the capital.  DC sports betting will follow a similar lottery-operated framework like its neighboring Delaware.