Our team prepared a detailed map of states where gambling is legal to help players quickly understand the current U.S. gambling landscape. Find out what type of online gambling is legal in your state.
What States Allow Online Gambling in the US?
- Legal
- Not legal
Legal Online Casinos
7 States
Legal Sports Betting
38 States
Legal Sweepstakes Casinos
40+ States
States Where Online Casinos are Legal and Regulated
The following seven states that allow online gambling regulate online casinos under distinct authorities. For example, New Jersey licenses more than 30 operators through the Division of Gaming Enforcement, and Pennsylvania follows with over 20 sites run by the Gaming Control Board. Michigan has 15 platforms, while West Virginia and Delaware offer smaller markets.
| State | Licensing Authority | Year of Legislation | Number of Online Casinos | Advantage | Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCP | 2021 | 2 | Recently launched market with strong state oversight and growth potential | Market access is limited since only a few licenses were issued | |
| Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board | 2017 | 21 | Large user base and strong participation drive high revenue potential | High fees and taxes make operating here costly | |
| Michigan Gaming Control Board | 2019 | 15 | Broad legal coverage of casino, poker, and sports betting under strict regulation | Operators face high compliance costs due to tough oversight | |
| Delaware Lottery | 2012 | 3 | One of the first states to regulate online gambling, offering all major game types | A smaller population base reduces the overall market size | |
| New Jersey Casino Control Commission | 2013 | 30 | Established hub for iGaming with high player demand | The competition is problematic for new platforms trying to get traction | |
| West Virginia Lottery | 2019 | 11 | Supports a full range of online gambling activities with a favorable framework | Market growth is capped by its relatively low population | |
| Department of Business Regulation | 2024 | 1 | Recently expanded into online casinos, showing openness to new gambling formats | A small population keeps revenue opportunities limited |
Virtual gambling in Connecticut was legalized in 2021 through Public Act 21-23. In addition to virtual gambling, the act involved online casinos, sports betting, fantasy contests, and digital lottery sales.
Connecticut’s regulatory framework is based on long-standing agreements with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes. Through these tribal agreements, Foxwoods partners with DraftKings to offer online gambling USA, while Mohegan Sun collaborates with FanDuel.
Legal online gambling in Connecticut currently includes slots and table games. While online poker is allowed, it still hasn’t been launched in the state. The Connecticut Lottery Corporation also runs online sports betting and offers digital lottery products.
Connecticut Online Casinos
While the first gambling platforms emerged in 2019, Pennsylvania has allowed legal online sports betting, poker, and fantasy competitions since 2017. The industry is governed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Also, the PGCB licenses operators and enforces consumer protection rules.
Currently, Pennsylvania has 11 regulated sportsbooks and 22 licensed virtual casinos. The top operators for people looking for an online casino legal in the USA are DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and BetRivers.
Licensing fees in Pennsylvania are steep, and taxes are high. Namely, sportsbook operators pay a one-time $10 million fee, and the state charges 36% on sports betting revenue. This makes Pennsylvania one of the most expensive places for gambling operators to enter. Players also get fewer promotional offers than in lower-tax states because operators often pass part of those costs on to them.
Pennsylvania Online Casinos
The Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2019 legalized casinos, poker, and sports betting in Michigan. In addition to issuing operator licenses and monitoring the market, the Michigan Gaming Control Board enforces laws pertaining to responsible gaming. Online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms started to open in January 2021.
BetMGM is one of the best legal online casino sites in Michigan right now. Operators must use geolocation technology to confirm players are inside state borders. Overall, Michigan’s mix of tribal (like Four Winds) and commercial operators (such as MGM Grand Detroit through BetMGM) created one of the strongest iGaming markets in the US.
Michigan Online Casinos
Delaware became the first US state to legalize online casinos, thanks to the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act in 2012. Real-money casino gaming started launching in November 2013.
The Delaware Lottery oversees all internet gambling. It regulates the market and manages contracts with platform providers. The Delaware Lottery selected Rush Street Interactive in 2014 to operate all of the state’s online gambling platforms under the BetRivers brand. Players can enjoy slots, table games, and poker through these sites.
Delaware also participates in a multi-state online poker agreement with Nevada, New Jersey, and Michigan. This allows players in these states to compete against each other. While Delaware’s population is just over 1 million, joining this shared network helps sustain revenue in its small but steady regulated market.
Delaware Online Casinos
New Jersey was among the first casino legal states to allow these sites after the Casino Control Act was changed in 2013. The Division of Gaming Enforcement enforces stringent security and integrity standards to safeguard players and conducts fairness audits of games.
Although each licensee may collaborate with outside operators to introduce branded online platforms, only Atlantic City casinos are permitted to possess iGaming permits. This framework has produced the largest and most competitive online casino market in the United States, with 30 licensed websites. Players can choose from slots, table games, poker, and live dealer titles.
After doing some research, I found that the tax rate for online casino revenue in NJ is 15%, and 8.5% and 13% for sports betting, depending on whether wagers are placed in person or online. That’s good news because the rates are lower than in states like Pennsylvania. The benefit of it is that the moderate rates have encouraged more operators to enter the market.
New Jersey Online Casinos
The state of West Virginia entered the list of online casino legal states that have enabled virtual gambling following the entry of the Lottery Interactive Wagering Act in 2019. It is now supervised by the West Virginia Lottery Commission, and the first platforms in the state were launched in July 2020. The WVLC manages licensing, fair play rules, and security standards, which means that players can have a safe gaming experience.
The law allows the state’s five land-based casinos to operate online platforms, with each permitted up to three partnerships. Your options include BetMGM, Caesars Palace, and BetRivers.
West Virginia gamblers can have fun with slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, bingo, and live dealer games. Interestingly, operators pay a 15% tax on adjusted gross revenue, which supports state programs such as tourism, natural resources, and park maintenance. The legal framework of the state includes resources for responsible gaming, such as the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia. These resources help protect players and help troublesome gamblers.
West Virginia Online Casinos
Online casinos became legal in Rhode Island in March 2024. The program was introduced after decades of oversight by the Rhode Island Lottery, which has been in charge of managing all state gambling since the 1970s.
With over 200 slots and a variety of live dealer games, Bally Casino is the only licensed platform in the state. Ages 21 and up are the legal gambling age.
Bally's Twin River Lincoln and Bally's Tiverton are the only two land-based casinos in Rhode Island. It has a smaller market than states with legal gambling, like New Jersey or Pennsylvania. However, its regulated system directs gambling taxes into the state’s general fund and public programs. That means every wager contributes to education or health services.
Rhode Island Online CasinosIs Social Gambling Legal in All States?
In the majority of US states, social casinos are permitted. These platforms offer a variety of slot machines, poker, and table games, and you can use virtual currency in place of real money. Social casinos are well-liked primarily because they provide entertainment without putting players at risk. Even in areas where traditional gambling is prohibited, they provide players with the opportunity to safely enjoy legal casino online games. There are several states where gambling is illegal in social casinos. The list includes Idaho, New York, and Washington.
Is Sweepstakes Gambling Legal in All States?
No, sweepstakes casinos are not legal in all US states. These platforms operate under promotional contest laws instead of gambling laws. Players use gold coins for entertainment and sweeps coins for a chance to redeem prizes. Because a free entry option must always exist, the model is legal across many states.
However, some states apply strict rules. For example, sweepstakes in Washington and Idaho are considered online casino illegal play. Montana passed Senate Bill 555 in 2025, which prohibits the model beginning in October.
Restrictions also appear in other ways. Many operators choose not to serve certain states even if local laws do not create a direct ban. Authorities have been concerned with sweepstakes casinos in such states as Nevada, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, and Alabama. The fact that they tend to take longer to issue approvals and warnings, or need further licensing, makes it hard for these platforms to keep on providing services in these states.
The situation is still positive for most US players. There are more than 40 legal online casino states for sweepstakes play. Nevertheless, legislators of such states as New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Louisiana, and California are reviewing how sweepstakes casinos’ status can be adjusted to the current gambling legislation. The regulations in these jurisdictions may be tightened or adjusted further in the future.
The trend points in two directions: increasing acceptance across the country and stricter regulation in certain areas. Sweepstakes casinos continue to be a fun and legal way for players outside of states with restrictions.
Jeremy Olson, Technical Content Lead
States That Allow Online Sports Betting
Sports betting has grown at the fastest rate among legal online gambling, ever since PASPA was repealed in 2018. Right now, 38 states permit some form of legal sports betting. The number of states that offer online betting through licensed websites or apps is 30. New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are the states that offer competitive online sports betting markets with multiple operators. Others, including Oregon and New Hampshire, only let you bet through the state lottery.
Nevertheless, there is an increase in the number of sports gambling legal states. For example, Missouri followed the example of North Carolina and permitted mobile betting in March 2024. But, despite numerous efforts to legalize it, states such as Texas and California still do not permit sports betting.
A common example of a regulated sports betting system is New Jersey. The state demonstrates how competition can help players by offering better odds and regular promotions through a number of large operators, such as Caesars. Because of its success, other states are now considering legalization as a means of boosting tax income and bolstering consumer protections. Consequently, there are no indications that the growth of online sports betting states will slow down.
States Most Likely to Legalize Online Gambling
There’s a chance that the following four states could reshape the market for USA online gambling by 2030. However, active debates will show where progress may come next.
- Georgia: In the middle of 2025, a House Study Committee was set up to look into legalizing casinos, horse racing, and sports betting. The group will continue to work through the amendment of the constitution in the 2026 ballot initiative may not be passed. Businesses and professional sports teams are likely to encourage the vote on the issue, which may take place as early as 2026.
- Minnesota: Is online gambling legal in Minnesota? Not at the moment. In 2025, there have been numerous legalization projects, but no gambling law has been passed during the year. For example, the Senate Bill 757 attempted to permit mobile sports betting and open federally recognized tribes to participate in the gambling industry. House File 3337 states that tribes and horse racing tracks should be able to offer betting. On the other hand, we have Bill 3414, under which only tribes with an existing Class III gambling license can receive a permit. This would mean that there would be fewer betting opportunities, since the number of operators would be limited.
- South Carolina: In 2025, bill H3625, which would legitimize sports betting, was discussed by the House Ways and Means Revenue Policy Subcommittee. Another effort to implement the changes in the Constitution is the Bill H3353, which would enable sports betting and gambling platforms to operate in the state.
- California: In November 2022, California rejected two propositions, which would have legalized people to gamble: the first was about in-person betting in tribal casinos and racetracks (Proposition 26), and the second one was about online sports betting (Proposition 27). Major betting platforms and tribal groups have since initiated the discussions about new ballots.
Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina, and California can be turned into legal online casino states in the near future. Once the changes are passed by any of these states, the national market would grow in terms of size and sales quickly.
FAQ
Where are online casinos legal in the US?
Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
Which states allow online poker?
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware.
Where is sports betting legal?
Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In what states is sports betting illegal?
Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.
Where social casinos are legal in the US?
All states except Idaho, New York, and Washington
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in the US?
All states except for Arizona, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.
In what states is online gambling illegal?
Utah and Hawaii.
Jeremy Olson runs team of writers and creates the overall content strategy. With years of experience in the gambling industry, Jeremy has honed his skills not only as a writer but also as a strategic thinker, making long-term content plans that align with the website’s goals.
Sources
- https://www.americangaming.org
- https://www.ctlottery.org/sportsbooklocations
- https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov
- https://www.michigan.gov
- https://www.delawaregambling.info/
- https://www.nj.gov/casinos/law/act
- https://www.legalsportsreport.com/sports-betting-states/rhode-island/
- https://www.igamingnews.com/united-states/west-virginia
- https://www.westvirginiagambling.info/
- https://legis.delaware.gov/
- https://www.legalsportsreport.com/231417/subcommittee-sc-sports-betting-discussion-2025