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Pennsylvania sports bettors have plenty of options to make that wager on the next Steelers or Eagles game.

• Sports Betting Age In Pakistan
• Is Sports Betting Legal In Pennsylvania
• When Did Sports Betting Become Legal In Pennsylvania

Our guide to online sports betting in Pennsylvania shares everything you need to start. From sports to available bets, from creating an account to your first deposit.

Only players aged 21 or older adhere to the rules for legal sports betting in Pennsylvania. This applies to both online sports betting and sports betting at physical locations. 21 is also the minimum gambling age at casinos. Sports betting has been legal in PA for nearly two years now. Find out which Pennsylvania sportsbook has the best reviews and promotions heading into 2020! Legal sports betting in PA began in November of 2018.

At PA sportsbooks, you’ll find plenty of generous promotions, new player bonuses, risk-free bets, and other incentives to get in the game.

Best online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

Overview of sports betting apps, bonuses, and promotions in PA

When it comes to sports betting in Pennsylvania, there are numerous options. The market is highly competitive, and that benefits players. That goes for new players looking to make some free bets or earn some extra cash with new sign-up bonus offers.

These bets are suitable for players who are testing multiple platforms. Here’s a look at some of the properties online, their live or online partners, and what bettors can expect when signing up:

FanDuel Sporstsbook app

Sports Betting Age In Pakistan

Along with being one of the most popular DFS sites, this operator has also become a popular online sportsbook. In PA, FanDuel is partnered with Valley Forge (and Live! Philadelphia) for sports betting.

Those accustomed to FanDuel’s DFS or New Jersey online experience will be pleased with its PA sports betting app, as it is the same thing. That includes some additional odds boosts and other promotions. Those new to the book earn one free $500 risk-free bet. It’s a can’t-lose proposition.

DRAFTKINGS Sportsbook app

The Meadows quickly gained approval, opened its retail casino at the beginning of October 2019, and launched its DraftKings Sportsbook app on Nov. 4 2019, making it the sixth PA mobile sportsbook.

DraftKings offers new users a 20% deposit bonus up to $1,000 (subject to some play-through requirements). You can also get a free $25 just for signing up. The site will give you five free $5 bets.

Unibet sportsbook app

A trusted brand in Europe and New Jersey is now live in Pennsylvania thanks to Mohegan Sun Pocono. Unibet Sportsbook brings PA players similar offerings to those found in the UK, with even more promotions.

At Unibet get $20 free just for signing up. When you deposit, you can get a risk-free bet of up to $250.

betmgm sportsbook app

One of the biggest brands in US gambling, BetMGM has made its way to Pennsylvania with both an online casino and online sportsbook now available. The BetMGM Sportsbook app, available for iOS and Android, has a healthy menu of betting markets as well as an Easy Parlay Builder.

BetMGM launched sports betting under the Hollywood Casino Morgantown license, which was approved by the PGCB days before the app debuted in PA. Penn National’s Morgantown mini-casino plans to open in 2021. BetMGM also has a partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, making cross-promotions between the two common.

New BetMGM PA users can get a 100% deposit match bonus up to $500 using our bonus code PLAYBONUS. The sportsbook as well as the BetMGM online casino are linked to the world-class M Life Rewards program.

BetRivers sportsbook app

BetRivers is another well-known casino brand and bettors will also enjoy the online sports betting platform. Like SugarHouse, BetRivers Casino is owned by Rush Street Gaming and powered by Kambi, so bettors will find a similar experience with this casino and sportsbook. The BetRivers app operates under the Rivers Pittsburgh sports betting license.

New players will enjoy the $250 welcome bonus. Use the code MATCH250 and earn up to a 100% deposit bonus.

CAESARS ONLINE SPORTSBOOK

Caesars just launched in March 2020, and their platform is now integrated with its online casino. Partnered with Harrah’s Philadelphia, players can earn Caesars Rewards tier credits through online play, and switch back and forth between your favorite online casino games and sports betting.

New users in PA can get a 100% deposit bonus up to $500 by signing up to the Caesars Casino & Sportsbook through our exclusive links.

Parx sportsbook app

Another popular PA casino, this online book offers new bettors plenty of options and is powered by Kambi. Check out the trending matchups and make a wager.

New bettors can earn up to $250 as part of the 100% first deposit match bonus.

BetAmerica sportsbook app

BetAmerica launched in Pennsylvania in December 2019 through Presque Isle Downs, which is operated by Churchill Downs. The app is a little low-tech compared to the other options in Pennsylvania. Churchill Downs is expanding the brand into other states though, so there is potential for improvements as it grows.

New users can get a free $25 bet as well as a 100% deposit match up to $100.

PlaySugarHouse Sportsbook App

SugarHouse, now Rivers Philadelphia, is a well-known casino in PA and offers a proven brand. Bettors can download the PlaySugarHouse Casino app for Android and easily navigate to the online sportsbook while iPhone users can use a third-party app, GeoGuard, to access the browser version of the sportsbook on their devices. The online book is powered by Kambi.

Take advantage of a 100% deposit-match bonus of up to $250. Use the promo code 250MATCH.

History of online sports betting in Pennsylvania

The first legal sportsbook opened in November 2018 at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, PA.

That was just the start, as PA bettors can now enjoy numerous live sports betting at multiple locations around the state. Five months after Hollywood’s launch, the virtual betting windows also opened. SugarHouse Sportsbook subsequently went live online, making it the first sports betting app on the market.

By the start of football season, there were five different online betting sites up and running. Then, DraftKings joined the fray in November 2019 and the operator launches continued coming through 2020.

Caesars Online Sportsbook went live on March 10, 2020 and Penn National’s Barstool Sportsbook app was the tenth online sportsbook operator to launch, doing so in Sept. 2020. Wind Creek opened a new retail Betfred Sportsbook in November.

In Dec. 2020, Penn National added another partner with BetMGM Sportsbook launching under their Hollywood Casino Morgantown (mini-casino) license.

More online sportsbooks plan to launch

The popular PA sports betting market is still not done growing.

Live! Philadelphia plans to open in 2021 with a retail FanDuel Sportsbook. Wind Creek also plans to follow their retail opening with a Betfred online sportsbook.

Here is where each sportsbook’s progress stands:

Mobile apps and online betting

Using a laptop or mobile device makes betting convenient.

You can wager anytime, anywhere. After some struggles in gaining access to the Apple App Store, bettors have found more luck since those issues were resolved in PA.

Most operators now offer an app to make the experience even smoother.

For apps that have the approval to be in the Apple App Store, downloading is easy. Downloading on an Android device is also simple.

Advantages and disadvantages of mobile sports betting

Hitting the retail sportsbook makes for a fun way to enjoy an NBA or NHL playoff game. Or maybe you and some friends head to the book for a day of NFL games.

The mobile and online experience can add excitement to a game from the comfort of your home. Numerous advantages to wagering online make it so popular, including:

• • Plenty of conveniences: Bettors don’t have to venture out to a brick and mortar sportsbook and wait in line to place a bet. Those in the sportsbook may even find it easier to use a mobile app to bet while watching their bets play out on TV.
  • Safe and secure: Betting in a legalized US sports betting market offers the comfort and security that a player’s account is safe. That may not be the case with an illegal offshore site or the “guy in the neighborhood” bookie.
  • 24/7 betting: Bettors can wager on an app at any time of day. Mobile wagering is perfect for placing those Sunday NFL bets throughout the week. The opportunity to make a wager is always available.
  • Ease of use: Using an online platform is quite simple. Bettors can quickly scroll through all matchups and lines for almost any given sport or league. Contrast that with trying to find a matchup up at a live sportsbook, searching for the game you’re looking for in small font above the betting windows. In other words, betting on a mobile app is clear, simple, and as easy as tapping a team and an amount to wager.
  • No barriers to entry: Making a bet in a sportsbook can be intimidating for someone learning the system and maybe not familiar with the jargon. However, using an app or online site makes learning more about betting much easier. Using smaller bet increments also allows players to learn more before moving to higher stakes.

Signing up and depositing funds

Those ready to place an NFL parlay or Super Bowl futures bet only have to sign up and get started. You can use the links below to visit one of the online sportsbooks.

You must provide your name, address, email, and other details to get started. Also, you need to provide a username and password. Yes, it’s that easy to create your account.

Then you can make that first deposit to start earning the first-deposit bonus, welcome bonus or a risk-free bet. Most sportsbooks offer many ways to deposit.

Some of the more common options include:

• Bank (wire) transfers
• Credit or debit cards
• E-checks (ACH transfers)
• E-wallets
• Neteller
• PayNearMe (cash payments at numerous retail outlets, including 7-Eleven and CVS)
• PayPal
• Prepaid cards

Beyond those options, you can also deposit cash at the partner casino’s cashier cage.

One thing to remember: Bettors don’t have to physically be in Pennsylvania to create an account or make a deposit.

Those in a border state may way to create an account for a short drive over to do some sports betting. Maybe you’re headed to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh for business or a big NFL game. Plan ahead; create that account so you can bet on the game.

It’s an easy process and only takes a few minutes. Also, withdrawals are accessible with several options, even including cash withdrawal at a casino.

What bets can I make online?

Sports bettors can find just about any wager online one might find in a sportsbook in Las Vegas. Online betting platforms offer wagering on all major leagues and matchups, with no closing times.

Here are some of the types of bets you will find:

• Straight
• Totals (over/under total points)
• Futures
• Moneyline
• Parlays and teasers
• Prop
• Live, in-game

Most popular sports to bet on in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania sports fans have plenty of home teams in all the major sports as well as college teams. Online sportsbooks make for betting on the local team an easy proposition. The state’s professional and college teams include:

• NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles
• MLB: Philadelphia Phillies
• NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers
• NBA: Philadelphia 76ers
• MLS: Philadelphia Union
• College sports: Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Villanova, University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League), La Salle, Bucknell, Temple, Lehigh, and others.

Which PA team gets the most betting action?

The NFL season is the most popular season for sports betting.

That goes for most of the sports landscape, and the Steelers and Eagles should bring plenty of action. Plenty of bettors started making NFL Week 1 and futures wagers as soon as live and online sportsbook opened for business.

As America’s most popular league, the NFL remains top dog when it comes to betting revenue and handle. The league schedule allows for a week of study and analysis for bettors, then peaking with plenty of action on Sunday.

Along with NFL action, college football should also make for some popular teams for some of the state’s bettors. The Penn State Nittany Lions are regularly among the top teams in the Big Ten conference.

Basketball and baseball are also popular betting seasons, and the state has plenty of teams to follow. March Madness is also popular, and PA has several teams that are regularly a part of the action, including 2018 champion Villanova.

The future of sports betting in PA

The outlook for sports wagering in the Keystone State looks excellent.

As of March 2021, there are many sportsbook options, including online and mobile platforms. With nice revenue numbers during the first few months, football season showed significant market gains in the state.

Retail sportsbooks

Those looking for a day at the sportsbook for some games and betting action are in luck in Pennsylvania. That’s because there are currently a dozen legal sportsbooks in the state. Those are:

• Hollywood Casino
• Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia (formerly SugarHouse Casino)
• Parx Casino
• South Philadelphia Turf Club
• Harrah’s Philadelphia
• FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino
• BetAmerica Sportsbook at Presque Isle Downs
• The Meadows
• Mount Airy
• Mohegan Sun Pocono (Unibet Sportsbook)
• The Downs at Lehigh Valley (Unibet Sportsbook)

Where can you bet on sports?

What’s legal and illegal to bet on in PA

Sports betting has taken center stage in Pennsylvania since it was legalized in October 2017 and went live in 2018. However, there were a couple of forms of sports betting that were already legal.

Daily fantasy sports

Sports fans have been able to legally take part in daily fantasy sports (DFS) within the state of Pennsylvania since 2018. DFS remains a popular form of entertainment, especially during football season. The minimum age to take part is 18 years.

Overview of DFS options

PA legislators officially legalized and regulated DFS in May 2018. The state’s licensed operators are:

• Boom Fantasy
• DRAFT
• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• FantasyDraft
• Fantasy Football Players Championship
• FastPick
• Sports Hub
• Scout Fantasy Sports
• Yahoo Fantasy

Horse racing

Horse racing is the oldest legalized form of gambling in the state. First legalized in 1959, several tracks remain open to bettors. Those include:

• Harrah’s Philadelphia: Harness
• Penn National Race Course: Thoroughbred
• The Meadows Racetrack: Harness
• Mohegan Sun Pocono: Harness
• Parx Casino and Racing: Thoroughbred
• Presque Isle Downs: Thoroughbred

Off-track betting options

There are also several off-track betting (OTB) or off-track wagering (OTW) facilities within the state for making wagers away from the tracks. Bettors must be at least 21 years or older to bet on horses. OTB options include:

• The Downs at East Stroudsburg
• The Downs at Lehigh Valley
• South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook
• The Meadows Racetrack Harmar
• Oaks Race & Sportsbook – PERMANENTLY CLOSED
• Penn National OTW Lancaster – PERMANENTLY CLOSED
• Penn National OTW York – PERMANENTLY CLOSED

PABets (TVG) and FanDuel Racing offer legal mobile and online horse betting. Both sites subsequently provide excellent first-deposit bonuses for those looking to make some bets on the Triple Crown or other races. That includes:

• PABets: Earn a 50% deposit match of up to $250 with our exclusive code LSRTVG.
• FanDuel Racing: Using the same code above, new FanDuel Racing users in PA can get a $10 bonus just for signing up, and a risk-free bet up to $200.

FAQ about PA sports betting

Eleven of Pennsylvania’s 12 casinos and racinos applied for sports betting operator licenses. All retail and most online sportsbooks planned for PA are now up and running, with loads of betting options including pre-game and in-game for all major sports and many lesser-known sports.

PGCB regulations dictate that online sports betting is only allowed from inside the state. Bettors’ locations are verified through IP address confirmation and geolocation before bets are accepted.

Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, it is. Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in October 2017 when the federal law against sports betting changed.

That change came when the Supreme Court ruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional in May of 2018.

Do I have to live in PA to bet online?

No. Players need to be in the state when placing bets online, but they do not need to reside in PA in order to have an account on a betting app.

The apps can figure out whether or not you are in the state by using geolocation technology that will pinpoint your location before you are allowed to bet.

Who oversees sports gambling?

PGCB has regulatory jurisdiction over sports betting in PA. It is responsible for setting up regulations to govern sports gambling, issuing licenses to sports betting operators, and overseeing all sports betting operations and activity.

Who can apply for a Sports Wagering Certificate?

The new sports betting law in the state only allows slot machine license holders to apply for Sports Wagering Certificates. These Sports Wagering Certificate allow holders to open up a sportsbook and take bets.

There are currently 11 casinos that applied for a sports betting license. However, the application process is an open one, which means there is no deadline for casinos to apply for the license.

How much money will sports gambling generate?

It’s impossible to say how large the market will eventually be for legal sports betting in PA. There will certainly be significant competition from neighboring states.

Additionally, the 36% tax in PA could limit the size of the market. Competitors paying fewer taxes could offer more value to PA gamblers, drawing them outside the state and hurting the local market substantially.

In May 2018, the US Supreme Courtstruck down the law that made sports betting illegal pretty much everywhere outside of Nevada. It also upheld a 2014 New Jersey law aimed at allowing sports betting in casinos and racetracks by a vote of 6-3, opening the door to legal and regulated sports betting all across the country.

Pennsylvania lawmakers passed sports betting legislation as part of a comprehensive gambling expansion plan approved in October 2017.

History of sports betting law in PA

In 2015. Rep. Rick Kotik introduced legislation aimed at legalizing sports betting at PA casinos. Kotik saw the popularity of illegal sports betting in PA and touted the need to regulate and tax it.

Rep. Rob Matzie co-sponsored the bill and put together a resolution in December 2015 asking Congress to repeal the federal ban on sports betting. A move that would ultimately allow states to make their own decisions on sports betting.

The PA House passed the resolution in January 2016, but the bill really went no further.

In January 2017 Matzie introduced new sports betting legislation to the House. It was a follow-up to Kotik‘s original 2015 bill, but it went even further.

This bill changed the constitutional language involved and directed the PGCB to create regulations including rules and procedures for sports betting in PA.

The bill asked for a $5 million licensing fee from PA casinos and racinos interested in building sportsbooks. It also called for an 18% tax on sports betting revenue.

The bill got approval from the House Gaming Oversight Committee in April but never went to vote in either branch of the PA legislature.

PA gambling expansion

Soon, PA began considering several different gambling expansion initiatives. This included PA online gambling, video gaming terminals, and PA online lotterysales.

Lawmakers started putting together comprehensive gambling expansion legislation for PA adding in all these measures.

It went back and forth between the House and Senate several times, with a reworking of Matzie’s sports betting legislation added to the sixth version of the bill.

The legislature ultimately passed the seventh version and Gov. Tom Wolf signed it into law on Oct. 30, 2017. It still included sports betting legislation pending a change in federal law.

That meant sports betting was officially legal in Pennsylvania, pending a change in federal law that came on May 14, 2018, when the Supreme Court ruled PASPA unconstitutional.

After New Jersey's Supreme Court victory in May 2018, any state that wishes can legalize sports betting.

At the same time various state lawmakers are considering sports betting legislation, Congress is too. Senators Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and now-retired Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, co-introduced comprehensive sports betting legislation at the end of 2018. On Sept. 27, 2018 the House Judiciary Committee held a formal hearing on the topic.

The dual track of proposals -- state and federal -- have increased in frequency since the start of 2017.

To measure the change in the landscape, we ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of how likely it is for each jurisdiction to offer full-scale legal sports betting. A brief synopsis for the active states is included, with updates to follow.

Last updated on November 3, 2020.

Already there

1. Nevada

No longer the only state to permit a wide variety of legal sports betting, Nevada is a mature market that has existed for decades. Given its long history in successfully offering regulated sports wagering, many states might look to Nevada for best practices.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Pennsylvania

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 223
Population: 3,034,392 (2,246,259 21+)

2. Delaware

On June 5, 2018, Delaware moved to offer single-game betting on a number of different sports at three casinos in the state. Expanded sports wagering options could take place at additional locations or online. Delaware's authorization of what Gov. John Carney described as 'a full-scale sports gaming operation' happened less than a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the federal law restricting single-game betting to Nevada was unconstitutional.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 967,171 (726,161 21+)

3. New Jersey

On June 11, 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the sports betting bill that had passed the previous week. A William Hill sportsbook at Monmouth Park took the first bets on Thursday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Gov. Murphy was the first customer in line. The Borgata in Atlantic City booked sports bets 30 minutes later. Other sportsbooks in New Jersey opened soon thereafter. For example, FanDuel's first sportsbook at the Meadowlands opened its doors on July 14.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams and collegiate events held within the state
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 9
Population: 8,908,520 (6,634,683 21+)

4. Mississippi

Two casinos owned by MGM Resorts booked their first sports bets in Mississippi on Aug. 1, 2018. Mississippi enacted a new law in 2017 that allowed for sports betting pending a favorable decision by the Supreme Court. In June 2018, the Mississippi Gaming Commission adopted implementing regulations that require all betting to take place in person, with mobile wagering to be considered later.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 29
Population: 2,986,530 (2,153,795 21+)

5. West Virginia

On Aug. 30, 2018, West Virginia became the fifth state to offer legal and regulated sports betting when the Hollywood Casino -- a sportsbook owned by Penn National -- opened its doors. The move came six months after the West Virginia legislature passed a new bill with the West Virginia Lottery Commission serving as the chief regulator.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 5
Population: 1,805,832 (1,375,788 21+)

6. New Mexico

On Oct. 16, 2018, the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel booked its first sports bet in partnership with Nevada-based USBookmaking. Although New Mexico has not passed any new sports betting legislation since the Supreme Court's decision, the move by the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel was made via a gaming compact with the state. According to Nedra Darling, spokeswoman at the Department of the Interior's Office of Indian Affairs -- the federal agency in Washington, DC that oversees tribal gaming compacts -- the New Mexico compacts permit 'any or all forms of Class III Gaming,' a category in the federal regulations that specifically includes '[a]ny sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering.'

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 32
Population: 2,095,428 (1,529,540 21+)

7. Pennsylvania

The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course booked the first legal sports bets in Pennsylvania in mid-November 2018. The move came just over a year after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a new sports betting bill as part of a broad legislation push that included online poker and DFS. The October 2017 bill became effective after the Supreme Court's May 2018 ruling upending the federal ban on single-game betting outside of Nevada.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 12
Population: 12,807,060 (9,645,705 21+)

8. Rhode Island

The Twin River Casino in Lincoln opened its doors for legal sports betting on Nov. 26, 2018. The move came five months after Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the state budget, which included language allowing sports betting. Only two locations would be allowed to offer sports betting under the law, with the state's lottery providing regulatory oversight. In early 2019, the law was tweaked to provide for mobile betting.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 2
Population: 1,057,315 (800,838 21+)

9. Arkansas

On July 1, 2019, the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort booked the first legal sports bets in Arkansas. Two other retail locations opened sportsbooks in the subsequent months. Sports betting is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 3,013,825 (2,191,256 21+)

10. New York

On July 16, 2019, the first legal sports bets were placed in New York. J. Gary Pretlow -- a New York lawmaker and chair of the state's racing and wagering committee -- was among the first to place a wager at the Rivers Casino in Schenectady. The opening of a legal sportsbook came six years after New York passed a law to allow sports betting at four on-site locations, all in upstate New York. After lying dormant for years, the law was revived after the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 and the issuance of regulations earlier this year. The current law does not allow for mobile wagering.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 28
Population: 19,542,209 (14,724,807 21+)

11. Iowa

Legal sports betting arrived in Iowa on Aug. 15, with multiple operators all opening their doors to customers on the first day. The move came three months after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into a law a comprehensive bill to legalize sports betting in the Hawkeye State. Operators must pay a $45,000 licensing fee and there is a 6.75 percent tax on revenue. The new law permits mobile wagering. Betting on college sports is permitted, but certain kinds of in-game prop bets involving college games are banned. The new law bestows the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission with authority to regulate sports betting.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 23
Population: 3,156,145 (2,286,374 21+)

12. Oregon

Legal sports betting returned to Oregon on Aug. 27 after a long hiatus, with the first bets booked on-site at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. Oregon is one of a small number of states that already had a law on the books permitting some forms of sports betting, so the resumption of wagering did not require the legislature to pass any new law or have the governor amend an existing tribal-state compact. In mid-October, mobile sports betting arrived in Oregon too, with the state-run lottery overseeing the launch of a new website and app.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort, but sportsbook operated by the Oregon Lottery does not permit betting on games involving in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 4,190,713 (3,167,912 21+)

13. Indiana

Legal sports betting opened up at a number of locations in Indiana on Sept. 1. The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees all sports betting regulations and has issued licenses to operators across the state. Wagering on both college and pro sports is permitted, but betting on esports and high school sports is banned. Indiana's new law allows for both mobile and in-person wagering. Regulations permit sports leagues or colleges to request 'to utilize a geofence to prohibit wagers at the location of a particular sporting event.'

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 14
Population: 6,691,878 (4,842,337 21+)

14. New Hampshire

Governor Chris Sununo placed the ceremonial first legal sports wager -- on the New England Patriots -- in New Hampshire on Dec. 30, 2019. The state's lottery is in charge of regulatory of regulatory oversight. Both retail and mobile sports betting will be permitted on a wide variety of sports, although no betting on New Hampshire's in-state colleges is allowed.

Type of wagering permitted: Mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 0
Population: 1,356,458 (1,042,882 21+)

15. Illinois

Legal sports betting arrived in Illinois on March 9, 2020. The move came less than a year after the Illinois legislature passed a broad gaming bill that allowed for both online and in-person sports betting. With Governor J.B. Pritzker's signature, the new law also provided for betting on-location at venues such as Wrigley Field. Operators and certain data providers are required to obtain a license under the new law.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No wagering on minor leagues or Illinois college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 12,741,080 (9,391,158 21+)

16. Michigan

Legal sports betting in Michigan commenced on March 11, 2020, with two Detroit-area casinos launching on the same day. The move came less than three months after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the 'Lawful Sports Betting Act' into law. The new law provides for wagering on a wide variety of sports, including college contests.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 27
Population: 9.995,915 (7,428,72721+)

17. Montana

Legal sports betting arrived in Montana in March 2020. The move came after Governor Steve Bullock formally signed into law a 28-page bill that brought sports wagering to Big Sky country via the state's lottery. Governor Bullock cited the Montana Lottery's 'proven track record of responsibility and integrity' when signing the bill.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 13
Population: 1,062,305 (793,151 21+)

18. Colorado

May 1, 2020 marked the launch of legal sports betting in Colorado, with multiple operators allowing residents to open accounts online and place wagers. The move came less than six months after Colorado voters -- by a narrow margin -- approved a ballot measure that would provide 'for the regulation of sports betting through licensed casinos.' Both mobile and retail sports betting are permitted. Tax revenue from sports betting will help fund various state water projects.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 35
Population: 5,695,564 (4,210,663.00 21+)

19. Washington, D.C.

In June 2020, the D.C. Lottery launched its 'GameBetDC' platform allowing consumers 'to wager while in the District on major sports worldwide' via computer or mobile device. Sports betting in nation's capital followed the passage of the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 and a Congressional review period during which time Congress did not formally object. The Office of Lottery and Gaming provides regulatory oversight of all sports wagering in D.C.

Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions:No betting on games involving colleges located in D.C.
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 705,749

20. Tennessee

Regulated sports wagering -- all online -- launched on November 1, 2020 in Tennessee with four licensed operators offering a wide variety of options. The 'Tennessee Sports Gaming Act' permits statewide mobile sports betting without any brick-and-mortar anchor. As such, there are no in-person retail sports betting locations in the state. Subject to an exception, Tennessee's new law requires all licensed operators to 'exclusively use official league data for purposes of live betting.'

Type of wagering permitted: Mobile only
Notable prohibitions:None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 6,829,174

On-deck circle

21. North Carolina

On July 26, 2019, Governor Roy Cooper signed into a law a bill to 'allow sports and horse race wagering on tribal lands,' with such betting designated as a 'Class III' gaming activity under the state compact. The new law permits betting on both college and professional sports, but all bettors must place their wagers in-person at one of two retail locations.

22. Washington

Governor Jay Inslee signed Washington's sports betting bill into law on March 25, 2020. The new law permits sports wagering at Class III tribal casinos in the state. Mobile sports wagering is not allowed statewide, but is permitted when on-site at a licensed tribal casino. Betting on an 'esports competition or event' is allowed, but the new law bans wagering on games involving in-state colleges or minor league professional events. The new bill delegates regulatory oversight to the Washington State Gambling Commission.

23. Virginia

After some back-and-forth between Governor Ralph Northam and the legislature, legalized sports wagering was approved in the Commonwealth of Virginia in April 2020. Online betting is allowed, but wagering is not permitted on Virginia-based college sports or certain youth sports.

24. Maryland

In November 2020, Maryland voters approved 'sports and events betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education' by about a 2-1 margin. A regulatory framework must be created by Maryland lawmakers before any sports wagering takes place. The Maryland referendum would potentially allow for both in-person and mobile sports betting throughout the state.

25. South Dakota

On November 3, 2020, voters in South Dakota approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering in Deadwood.' Other tribal locations in South Dakota could see the arrival of regulated sports betting too. State lawmakers must now establish a regulatory apparatus and tax rate for legalized sports wagering.

26. Louisiana

In November 2020, voters in the vast majority of Louisiana's 64 parishes approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering activities and operations.' As a result, regulated sports wagering could come to New Orleans and certain other cities as early as 2021. Lawmakers will be tasked with setting up a regulatory scheme during an upcoming state legislative session.

Moving toward legalization

All of these states have seen some degree of legislative activity towards the legalization of sports betting the past few years.

27. Oklahoma

In April 2020, two federally-recognized tribes reached agreement with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on new gaming compacts that include sports betting. On June 8, 2020, Governor Stitt announced that the Department of the Interior had approved the compacts, paving the way for sports betting to start in Oklahoma as soon as the 'compacts are published in the Federal Register.' A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, along with Oklahoma's attorney general, have expressed opposition to the expansion of sports betting in Oklahoma and the prospect of legalized sports wagering remains uncertain.

When Did Sports Betting Become Legal In Pennsylvania

28. Maine

On the last day of the state's 2019 legislative session -- June 19 -- Maine lawmakers passed 'An Act to Ensure Proper Oversight of Sports Betting in the State.' Shortly thereafter, the governor vetoed the bill. The legislature could re-introduce the bill later.

29. Nebraska

On November 3, 2020, Nebraska voters approved certain amendments to its state constitution legalizing 'all games of chance.' If the new constitutional amendments are construed to include wagering on sporting events, legalized sports betting could arrive in Nebraska upon the establishment of certain regulations.

30. Connecticut

31. Kentucky

32. Massachusetts

33. Minnesota

34. Missouri

35. Kansas

36. South Carolina

37. California

39. Ohio

40. Arizona

41. Hawaii

42. Texas

43. Georgia

44. Vermont

45. Alabama

46. Florida

47. Alaska

48. Wyoming

No legalization activity ... yet

49-50. Idaho and Wisconsin

These states have not had any publicly-announced bills devoted to sports betting legalization.

Unlikely

51. Utah

Utah's anti-gambling stance is written into the state's constitution. Any change to existing state policy toward gambling would be a massive departure from decades of opposition to any form of gambling, including lottery tickets, table games and sports betting.