As of 2025, sports betting is legal in 38 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Of these, approximately 30 states offer full online and mobile sports betting, while the remaining states only allow in-person betting at casinos or racetracks. Before placing your first wager, check out our comprehensive sports betting guide and learn how to read betting odds like a pro.
The map above shows the current legal status in all 50 states. States in dark blue have both online and retail sports betting, states in light gray have retail-only betting, and states in red have no legal sports betting. To compare odds across different sportsbooks, use our sportsbook odds comparison tool.
Missouri - Coming December 1, 2025
Missouri voters approved sports betting in November 2024, and it's set to launch on December 1, 2025. This will make Missouri the 39th state (plus D.C. and Puerto Rico) to offer legal sports betting.
Hawaii & Utah - Still Illegal
Hawaii and Utah maintain the strictest anti-gambling positions in the United States. Both states prohibit all forms of gambling, including lotteries, casinos, and sports betting. A 2025 bill to legalize sports betting in Hawaii failed, continuing the state's longstanding opposition to gambling expansion.
Georgia - Still Illegal
Georgia lawmakers tried again in 2025 to pass sports betting legislation, but the bills didn't make it out of the House. Georgia will likely need to wait at least one more legislative session before sports betting becomes legal.
California - Not Yet Legal
Despite being the most populous state, California does not have legal sports betting. Two ballot initiatives failed in 2022, and a possible 2026 ballot measure is being discussed.
Where Can I Bet Online?
Online sports betting is legal in approximately 30 states including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Washington D.C. If you're new to online betting, explore our complete betting tools hub for calculators and resources.
Where Are Major Sportsbooks Legal?
Understanding which sportsbooks operate in your state is crucial for maximizing value. Whether you're interested in NFL odds, NBA betting, or even tennis betting, having access to multiple sportsbooks helps you find the best lines.
Where is DraftKings Legal?
DraftKings is available in approximately 25+ states including: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. For expert strategies on DraftKings, check our NFL betting strategies and NBA betting strategies guides.
Where is FanDuel Legal?
FanDuel operates in similar states to DraftKings and is one of the top two sportsbooks in the US. Available in: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Master parlay betting with our ultimate parlay betting guide.
Where is BetMGM Legal?
BetMGM is available in: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi (retail), Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Learn how to hedge your bets to protect your bankroll.
What States is ESPN Bet In?
ESPN BET (formerly Barstool Sportsbook, now operated by PENN Entertainment) is available in: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Use our arbitrage calculator to find risk-free betting opportunities.
Where Are PrizePicks Legal?
PrizePicks (a daily fantasy sports operator, not traditional sports betting) is legal in most states except: Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, and Washington. Note that PrizePicks operates under DFS laws, not sports betting laws. For similar entertainment, explore our NFL prop finder and read our player prop betting guide.
Can Americans Bet on Bet365?
Yes, Americans can bet on bet365, but only in states where bet365 is licensed. As of 2025, bet365 is available in: Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. Bet365 is a global betting giant that has been expanding its US presence and is known for extensive betting markets and competitive odds. Calculate your potential payouts with our moneyline calculator.
Who Owns Bet365?
Bet365 is privately owned by the Coates family from the United Kingdom. Denise Coates founded the company in 2000 and serves as joint CEO alongside her brother John Coates. The company remains family-owned and is one of the world's largest online gambling companies with operations in numerous countries.
Complete State-by-State Breakdown
This comprehensive table shows sports betting availability across all 50 states. Whether you're checking NFL schedules for betting opportunities or exploring underdog betting strategies, knowing your state's legal status is the first step.
State
Status
Online Betting
Launch Date
Operators
VPN Use & International Betting
Can I Use a VPN with DraftKings?
No, you should not use a VPN with DraftKings or any other US sportsbook. Using a VPN to circumvent geolocation restrictions is illegal and violates the terms of service of all regulated US sportsbooks. Instead, focus on legal betting methods and improve your skills with our best betting strategies for 2025.
Consequences of using a VPN include:
Account Suspension - Your account will be permanently banned
Voided Bets - All pending and winning bets may be voided
Withheld Funds - Your account balance can be confiscated
Legal Issues - Violations can be reported to state gaming authorities
Yes, you can sports bet outside of the US, but it depends on the country's local gambling laws. Many countries have their own regulated sports betting markets. However, if you're a US citizen traveling abroad, you typically cannot access your US sportsbook accounts due to geolocation restrictions. If you're interested in international soccer betting, read our ultimate soccer betting guide.
International Sports Betting Tips:
Use local betting operators where you're traveling (if legal)
Check the local gambling laws before placing bets
Understand that US sportsbook apps won't work internationally
Be aware of currency conversion fees and international betting regulations
Know that winnings abroad may still be taxable in the US
Sports Betting Taxes USA
Understanding tax obligations is critical for serious bettors. Whether you're using our hedge bet calculator or building complex round robin bets, proper tax reporting is essential.
Are Sports Betting Winnings Taxable in the USA?
Yes, all sports betting winnings are taxable income in the United States. This applies to both online and retail sportsbook winnings, regardless of the amount. Learn how to calculate parlay payouts and understand implied probability to make smarter bets.
Federal Taxes:
All gambling winnings are considered taxable income
Sportsbooks will issue a W-2G form for winnings of $600 or more (if the payout is at least 300 times the wager)
You must report ALL winnings, even if you don't receive a W-2G
Gambling losses can be deducted up to the amount of your winnings (if you itemize deductions)
State Taxes:
Most states also tax gambling winnings
Tax rates vary by state
Some states (like Nevada, Florida, Texas) have no state income tax
You may owe taxes in the state where you placed the bet, even if you're not a resident
What Happens If You Win $10,000 at a Casino?
If you win $10,000 or more at a casino (or sportsbook), several things happen:
W-2G Form - The casino will issue a W-2G form reporting your winnings to the IRS
Identification Required - You must provide valid ID and Social Security number
Withholding - The casino may withhold 24% for federal taxes (28% if you don't provide a SSN)
State Withholding - Additional state tax withholding may apply
Tax Reporting - You must report the full amount on your tax return
Even if taxes are withheld, you may owe additional taxes depending on your total income and tax bracket. Use our no-vig calculator to find true odds and maximize value.
What Happens If a Tourist Wins the Lottery in the USA?
If a tourist or non-resident wins the lottery in the USA:
30% Federal Withholding - Non-residents face a flat 30% federal tax on gambling winnings (higher than the 24% for residents)
State Taxes - State taxes still apply based on where the ticket was purchased
No Deductions - Non-residents cannot deduct gambling losses
Tax Treaty - Some countries have tax treaties with the US that may reduce withholding
Claiming the Prize - Valid identification and visa documentation required
The total tax burden for non-residents can exceed 40% when combining federal and state taxes.
What If I Lost More Than I Won Gambling?
If you lost more money gambling than you won:
Report All Winnings - You must still report all gambling winnings as income
Deduct Losses - You can deduct gambling losses up to the amount of your winnings (if you itemize deductions)
Cannot Show Net Loss - You cannot use gambling losses to reduce other income or show a net gambling loss
Keep Records - Maintain detailed records of all gambling activity (wins, losses, dates, locations)
Standard Deduction - If you take the standard deduction, you cannot deduct gambling losses
Example: If you won $5,000 but lost $8,000 gambling:
Report $5,000 as income
Deduct $5,000 in losses (if itemizing)
Net effect: $0 taxable gambling income
The additional $3,000 in losses cannot be deducted
Record Keeping for Sports Betting Taxes
To properly report sports betting taxes, keep records of:
Date and type of each wager
Name and location of the sportsbook
Amount won and lost on each bet
Screenshots of betting history
W-2G forms received
Deposit and withdrawal records
Most online sportsbooks provide detailed betting history that can be downloaded for tax purposes. Advanced bettors may want to explore our Fibonacci betting calculator for progressive staking strategies.
Sports betting is legal in 38 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico as of 2025. Approximately 30 states offer full online and mobile sports betting, while the remaining states only allow in-person betting at casinos or racetracks. Missouri is set to launch on December 1, 2025. For betting tips and tools, explore our ultimate USA sports betting guide.
How many states is sports betting legal?
Sports betting is legal in 38 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Of these, approximately 30 states have legal online sports betting, while 8 states only allow retail (in-person) betting. This means sports betting is legal in some form in about 76% of US states. Check our parlay betting guide to start winning.
Is sports betting legal in Hawaii?
No, sports betting is not legal in Hawaii. Hawaii maintains one of the strictest anti-gambling stances in the United States, prohibiting all forms of gambling including lotteries, casinos, and sports betting. A 2025 bill to legalize sports betting failed, and strong opposition from community and religious groups continues to block progress.
Is sports betting legal in Georgia?
No, sports betting is not currently legal in Georgia. Lawmakers tried again in 2025 to pass sports betting legislation, but the bills didn't make it out of the House. Georgia will likely need to wait at least one more legislative session before sports betting becomes legal.
Where is online sports betting legal?
Online sports betting is legal in approximately 30 states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming, and Florida (Hard Rock Bet only). Missouri will join this list on December 1, 2025. Use our EV parlay builder to find positive expected value bets.
Where is sports betting illegal?
Sports betting is completely illegal in 12 states: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin (retail only at tribal casinos), Alabama, and Georgia. These states have either not introduced legislation or have actively opposed legalization efforts.
Can I use a VPN with DraftKings?
No, you should not use a VPN with DraftKings. Using a VPN to circumvent geolocation restrictions violates DraftKings' terms of service and is illegal. If detected, DraftKings can suspend your account, void your bets, withhold your balance, and report the violation to authorities. All regulated US sportsbooks prohibit VPN usage.
Can you sports bet outside of the US?
Yes, you can sports bet outside of the US, but it depends on the country's local gambling laws. Many countries have their own regulated sports betting markets. However, if you're a US citizen traveling abroad, you typically cannot access your US sportsbook accounts due to geolocation restrictions. You would need to use local betting operators where available and legal.
Who owns bet365?
Bet365 is privately owned by the Coates family from the United Kingdom. Denise Coates founded the company in 2000 and serves as joint CEO alongside her brother John Coates. The company remains family-owned and is one of the world's largest online gambling companies. Bet365 is available in Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia in the US.
Are sports betting winnings taxable in the USA?
Yes, all sports betting winnings are taxable income in the United States. You must report all gambling winnings on your federal tax return, regardless of the amount. Sportsbooks will issue a W-2G form for winnings of $600 or more (if the payout is at least 300 times the wager). You can deduct gambling losses up to the amount of your winnings if you itemize deductions.
What happens if you win $10,000 at a casino?
If you win $10,000 or more, the casino will issue a W-2G form reporting your winnings to the IRS. You must provide valid ID and Social Security number. The casino may withhold 24% for federal taxes (28% without SSN), plus additional state tax withholding. You must report the full amount on your tax return and may owe additional taxes depending on your income bracket.
Can Americans bet on bet365?
Yes, Americans can bet on bet365, but only in states where bet365 is licensed. As of 2025, bet365 is available in Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. Bet365 is a global betting giant that has been expanding its US presence and is known for extensive betting markets and competitive odds.
Explore More Content
While you're here learning about sports betting legality, check out these other popular topics from LuxuryFootballElite:
Stay informed with the latest betting news, strategies, and insights from our expert team. Visit our blog homepage for all articles, or check out our about page to learn more about LuxuryFootballElite. Interested in contributing? See our write for us page or explore advertising opportunities.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. When you click on these links and make a purchase or sign up for services, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we believe will add value to our users. Please gamble responsibly. Visit LuxuryFootballElite.com for more betting resources.