List of United States Sportsbooks by State

Last Updated on June 28, 2026 by author

Sports betting in the United States looks nothing like it did a decade ago. What was once confined almost entirely to Nevada is now a coast-to-coast industry generating well over $13 billion in annual revenue. But because every state writes its own rules, the single most common question bettors ask is also the hardest to answer in one line: which sportsbooks are actually legal where I live?

How Sports Betting Became Legal Across the U.S.

For most of modern history, a federal law called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) effectively banned sports wagering outside a handful of grandfathered states. That changed in May 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down PASPA in Murphy v. NCAA. The ruling didn’t legalize betting nationwide—it simply returned the decision to individual states.

The result has been one of the fastest regulatory expansions in American commercial history. As of mid-2026, 39 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico offer some form of legal sports betting. Of those, roughly 30 states plus D.C. support statewide online or mobile wagering, while the remainder are limited to retail locations, tribal venues, or on-premise apps. The exact “online” count varies slightly between trackers depending on how they categorize restricted markets like Florida and Mississippi.

The most recent major market to go live was Missouri, which launched on December 1, 2025, after voters narrowly approved a ballot amendment the previous November—making it widely cited as the 39th legal state.

Different Types of Sportsbook Markets

Before the state list, it helps to understand that “legal” doesn’t always mean “you can bet from your couch.” U.S. markets generally fall into five buckets:

• Full statewide online/mobile – Multiple licensed apps available anywhere within state lines (e.g., New Jersey, New York, Colorado).
• Online-only – Mobile betting is legal, but there are no physical sportsbooks (e.g., Tennessee, Wyoming).
• Retail-only – You must visit a casino or licensed venue in person; no statewide apps (e.g., Delaware until recently, Nebraska).
• Tribal-only / compact-based – Betting is offered under tribal gaming compacts, often on or near tribal land (e.g., Washington, North Dakota).
• Not legal – No regulated sports betting of any kind (e.g., California, Texas, Utah).

Knowing which bucket your state falls into tells you exactly what to expect when you open an app or walk into a casino.

List of United States Sportsbooks by State

The tables below summarize where regulated betting is available and the kinds of operators you’ll find. Operator availability shifts as licenses are issued or withdrawn, so treat these as representative of each market rather than an exhaustive, permanent roster.

States With Statewide Online Sportsbooks

These are the markets where you can download multiple licensed apps and bet from anywhere inside state borders. They represent the bulk of U.S. betting handle.

New Jersey remains the most competitive market in the country, with the highest operator density and the sharpest promotional offers, while New York leads the nation in total handle despite its high tax rate.

Online-Only Sportsbook States (No Retail Locations)

In these states, mobile betting is fully legal, but there are no brick-and-mortar sportsbooks to visit.

Retail-Only, Tribal, and Limited Markets

These states have legal betting, but access is restricted—whether to physical venues, tribal compacts, or on-site mobile use only. This is the most nuanced category, so read your state’s specifics carefully.

States Without Legal Sportsbooks

As of June 2026, the following states have no regulated sports betting of any kind: California, Texas, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, and Utah.

The reasons vary. California voters rejected two competing ballot measures in 2022 and progress remains stalled behind tribal-gaming politics. Texas, Georgia, and Minnesota have active legislative discussions and are considered the most likely to launch within the next two to four years. Utah and Hawaii, which prohibit nearly all forms of gambling, face the steepest structural barriers.

The Biggest Sportsbook Operators in the U.S.

While dozens of brands hold licenses across the country, the market is heavily concentrated. Understanding the major players helps you know what to expect wherever you bet.

• FanDuel – The national market leader, capturing roughly 44% of online gross gaming revenue and operating in around 25 states. Known for a polished app and strong same-game parlay product.
• DraftKings – The closest competitor at roughly 34% of revenue and the widest state coverage of any operator—live in 26 states plus Washington, D.C. Together, FanDuel and DraftKings control nearly 80% of the market.
• BetMGM – Consistently the third-largest operator, typically holding 11–16% share in its active states, with deep casino-loyalty integration.
• Caesars Sportsbook – A major national brand backed by the Caesars Rewards program and broad multi-state availability.
• bet365 – A global operator that has expanded aggressively across U.S. states, well-regarded for live in-game betting.
• Fanatics Sportsbook – Built on the U.S. assets of the former PointsBet, leveraging the Fanatics retail ecosystem and rewards.
• BetRivers – A strong regional operator, including its role as Delaware’s online sportsbook.
• Hard Rock Bet – The exclusive statewide app in Florida and a growing presence elsewhere.

One notable shift: the ESPN BET partnership between PENN Entertainment and ESPN concluded on December 1, 2025, after the brand fell short of its market-share targets. ESPN has since moved toward a content-focused arrangement with DraftKings, a reminder of how quickly the operator landscape can change.

How to Choose a Sportsbook in Your State

With multiple licensed options in most markets, the right sportsbook comes down to a few practical factors:

1. Regulation and licensing – Always choose an operator licensed by your state’s gaming commission. A regulated book means a defined complaint process and consumer protections.
2. Odds and market depth – Compare lines across two or three apps; small differences in pricing add up over time.
3. Promotions—read the fine print – Welcome offers can be valuable, but pay attention to wagering requirements and playthrough terms rather than the headline number.
4. Payment methods and speed – Check supported deposit and withdrawal options and typical payout times.
5. App reliability and support – A stable app and responsive customer service matter most when you need them during live betting.

Key Rules Every U.S. Bettor Should Know

A few rules apply almost universally, regardless of state:

• Geolocation is mandatory. You must be physically located inside a legal state to place a bet. Where your account was registered is irrelevant—if you cross into a non-legal state, the app will block your wager.
• Age limits vary. Most states require bettors to be 21, though a few—including Wyoming, New Hampshire, and Montana—allow 18 and up.
• Winnings are taxable. Federal reporting (a W-2G form) is triggered on certain large payouts, and state tax treatment differs. Keep records of your activity.
• Avoid offshore sites. Unregulated international platforms operate outside U.S. oversight, meaning weaker consumer protections and no guaranteed dispute resolution. Sticking to state-licensed operators is the safer path.

What’s Next for U.S. Sports Betting

Expansion shows little sign of slowing. Wisconsin’s tribal-exclusive online law, signed in April 2026, is awaiting launch, and Nebraska advocates have explored a mobile ballot initiative. The largest pending prizes—California, Texas, Georgia, and Minnesota—would dramatically reshape the national map if they pass, though each faces its own political hurdles.

The industry is also watching the rise of prediction-market platforms offering sports-related contracts outside traditional state regulation, a development the American Gaming Association and several regulators have flagged as a consumer-protection and tax concern. Expect this to be a defining policy debate through the rest of 2026.

Responsible Gambling Comes First

No guide to sportsbooks is complete without this. Betting should be a form of entertainment, not a way to make money or escape financial pressure. Every licensed U.S. sportsbook is required to offer responsible-gambling tools, including deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion programs.

If gambling stops being fun—or if you’re worried about yourself or someone else—free, confidential help is available 24/7. Call or text the national problem gambling helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling. Reaching out is a sign of strength, and support is always available.

FAQs

How many states have legal sports betting in 2026? As of mid-2026, 39 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico offer legal sports betting in some form. Around 30 states plus D.C. support statewide online or mobile wagering.

Which sportsbook is available in the most states? DraftKings currently has the widest footprint, operating in 26 states plus Washington, D.C., narrowly ahead of FanDuel.

What is the most popular sportsbook in the U.S.? By revenue and market share, FanDuel leads the market with roughly 44% of online gross gaming revenue, followed closely by DraftKings.

Can I use my sportsbook app in another state? Only if that state is also legal. Apps use geolocation to confirm you’re physically inside a state where betting is permitted; otherwise your account works but you cannot place bets there.

Is online sports betting legal in California or Texas? No. Neither California nor Texas currently allows legal sports betting, though Texas has shown some legislative momentum for future sessions.