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The overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018 paved the way for states to decide whether or not sports betting should be legal.
Fast forward three years and nearly half of U.S. states have already legalized it—with many having a variety of online sports betting options.
To help people find the best sportsbooks, we rate all legal betting sites in the U.S. on 100+ data points. As new sportsbooks enter the market and as existing books update their products, we'll continue to update our ratings and this guide so you can see the top options at any time.
You can also check out our state-specific sportsbook guides to see the top options in your state.
8 Best Sports Betting Sites
In total, we've analyzed and reviewed 25 online sports betting sites.
Our ratings are based on 8 categories including odds, intro promo, promotions & odds boosts, sports & bets offered, user interface, deposits & withdrawals, customer reviews, and education & statistics.
After analyzing each sportsbook, we narrowed our list down to the top 8 overall. Below you will see those sportsbooks ordered by overall rating. We also found which each betting site was best at so you can find one that fits your needs.
Best Sports Betting Sites:
- FanDuel: Best Overall
- PointsBet: Best Odds
- BetMGM: Best Customer Reviews
- DraftKings: Best Deposit Match
- WynnBET: Best Low Deposit Intro Promo
- BetRivers/SugarHouse: Best Odds
- Caesars: Best Rewards Program
- Betway: Best for Fast Payouts
Best Online Sportsbooks
1) FanDuel Sportsbook: Best Overall
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4.5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 5/5
Intro Promo
If your first bet loses, FanDuel will refund you in bonus bets up to $1,000. You will receive your bonus bets within 72 hours of your first bet settling and you have 14 days to use them once they hit your account. Access the promo with our exclusive link here.
FanDuel is tied as our highest-rated sportsbook thanks to the competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, variety of bet types and sports to wager on, and a great user experience on both the website and mobile app.
The $1,000 No Sweat First Bet intro promo for new customers is also one of the best currently available. If your first bet loses, FanDuel will refund you in bonus bets up to $1,000. You only have 14 days to use the bonus bets (if you receive them) but you only have to bet them once before you can withdraw any winnings.
FanDuel pioneered the “Same Game Parlay” and offers the smoothest and most complete process for betting them. With these, you can combine prop bets, totals, and sides from the same game in a single parlay. If you've ever seen screenshots of ridiculous parlays from a single game online, it was likely a Same Game Parlay from FanDuel.
Whether you are looking for a single sportsbook to use or want to add another book to your lineup of options, FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best options currently available. There's a reason FanDuel dominates market share in the U.S. and we think you'll be very satisfied if you decide to go with them.
States
- AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, WV, WY, VA
Pros
- Competitive intro bonus for new customers
- Better odds than most competitors
- Pioneered Same Game Parlays
- Regularly offer great odds boosts & promotions
- Top notch user experience in app & site
- Great customer reviews
Cons
- App sometimes crashes during peak hours
- Some customers periodically have trouble logging in
2) PointsBet: Best Odds
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 5/5
Intro Promo
PointsBet is offering 5 Second Chance Bets of $50 each for new customers. You receive one Second Chance Bet per day for 5 days after signing up. No promo code required—access here.
PointsBet comes in as tied with FanDuel and BetMGM for our #1 overall sportsbook in the nation.
The PointsBet sign up bonus of 5 Second Chance Bets of $50 each is unique in that it is split up over 5 days and is pretty valuable. Instead of just one risk-free or second chance bet, you receive 5 of them.
PointsBet also regularly offers many other generous promotions and odds boosts.
The unique PointsBetting system adds a unique twist to sports betting that is otherwise pretty much standardized across the U.S. With this, you win or lose more depending on how far off the result of your bet was from the line.
PointsBet has a nice user interface on both the app and website, and they allow you to bet on all majors sports and leagues. You can also bet same game parlays (called “Single Game Parlays”).
The only category that we don’t rate PointsBet as 5 stars is Deposits & Withdrawals. While we still rate them as 4 stars (or “Great”), they don't offer quite the same number of banking methods as some other books.
Whether you are new to sports betting or are a seasoned veteran, PointsBet is well worthy of your consideration, especially if you want a valuable intro promo and like the unique PointsBetting system.
States
- CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV
Pros
- Regularly offer the best odds
- Generous odds boosts & promotions
- Offers same game parlays
- Unique PointsBetting system
- Offers partial cash outs
Cons
- No live streams of games available
- Some customers reported trouble verifying identity
3) BetMGM Sportsbook: Best Customer Reviews
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4.5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 5/5
Intro Promo
If your first bet loses, receive bonus bets of equal value up to $1,000. You must use the bonus bets within 7 days of them being credited to your account but there is only a 1x rollover requirement. Access it with our exclusive link here.
BetMGM Sportsbook is another one of our highest-rated online sportsbooks—scoring well in all categories we analyze.
To start, all new BetMGM customers are eligible for bonus bets up to $1,000 if your first bet loses. There is no BetMGM bonus code required to receive this—it's automatically applied to your account after you register.
BetMGM also offers a wide variety of sports and bet types, generous promotions and odds boosts, competitive odds, and a good user experience.
Another thing that sets BetMGM apart is that it offers true same game parlays (called “One Game Parlays”). Like with FanDuel's Same Game Parlays, you can combine prop bets, totals, and/or sides from the same game in one parlay.
Of all the sportsbooks we've analyzed, BetMGM has the best customer reviews. On the Apple App Store, BetMGM has an average of 4.8 stars from over 87 thousand reviews.
On the downside, BetMGM doesn't have player statistics available in the app and it can be difficult to get ahold of customer support.
Overall, BetMGM is one of best sportsbooks currently available, offering one of the best intro promos in the nation, competitive odds boosts and ongoing promotions, a great user experience, and everything else you may want in a book.
States
- AZ, CO, FL, IN, IA, LA, MA, MD, MI, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, WV, WY, VA
Pros
- Competitive intro bonus for new customers
- Offers same game parlays
- Great customer reviews
- More odds boosts & promotions than other books
- Offers all major sports & bet types
Cons
- Can be difficult to get customer support
- No player statistics
4) DraftKings Sportsbook: Best Deposit Match
Ratings
- Odds: 4/5
- Intro Promo: 4.5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 4.5/5
Intro Promo
DraftKings will match 20% of your first deposit of up to $5,000 ($1,000 max match in site credit). You must bet the bonus 25x before you are able to withdraw it and you have 90 days to do so.
DraftKings Sportsbook is another amazing option when it comes to sports betting sites.
DraftKings offers competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, a variety of sports to wager on and bet types (including Same Game Parlays), and great user experience on both the website and mobile app.
The intro promo provides good value ($1,000 if maxed out), but the 25x rollover requirement is a lot especially considering you only have 90 days to bet it. In order to take advantage of the full welcome bonus, you would need to deposit $5,000 then bet $25,000 over the first 90 days.
Like most other competitive online sportsbooks, DraftKings regularly offers odds boosts and ongoing promotions—such as parlay insurance, ways to earn bonus bets, and more. Taking advantage of these is a great way to maximize your winnings.
Though it isn't quite our highest-rated sportsbook, DraftKings in undoubtedly one of the best options currently available and we think you'll be very satisfied if you go with them. Just be sure to read the fine print on the intro promo and bet the deposit match in time.
States
- AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, LA, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, WV, WY, VA
Pros
- Have better odds than almost every other sportsbook
- More odds boosts & promotions than other books
- Offers same game parlays
- Great user experience on the site & app
- Provide player & team stats for most games
- Great customer reviews
Cons
- 25x rollover requirement on intro promo
- Relatively long withdrawal wait times
5) WynnBET: Best Low Deposit Intro Promo
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4.5/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 4/5
Intro Promo
After making your first bet of $100+ on a market with -120 odds or longer, WynnBET will give you a $100 bet credit. NJ & MI players get a $50 free sportsbook bet & $50 casino bonus. Bet credit expires 10 days after you receive it.
WynnBET is the online sportsbook arm of the legendary Wynn Resorts. While it may not be as recognized as FanDuel and DraftKings, it is a great option for those in states where it operates.
To start, WynnBET offers a competitive welcome bonus of a $100 bet credit after just betting $100. After you make your first bet of $100+ on a market with -120 odds or longer (-110, +200, etc.), WynnBET will give you a $100 bet credit.* While this promo isn't as high in value as others, it requires a much lower deposit to max it out.
Aside from the welcome bonus for new customers, WynnBET also offers many ongoing promotions and odds boosts that allow you to boost your winnings, earn bet credits, or insure bets.
Though the WynnBET app and website aren't my favorite in terms of user experience, they're easy enough to navigate and place bets with.
All in all, WynnBET is a great sportsbook and is worth adding to your stable of sports betting apps—especially considering the bet $100, get $100 free intro promo.
*Players in NJ & MI will receive a $50 bet credit for the sportsbook and a $50 casino bonus.
States
- AZ, CO, IN, LA, MA, MI, NJ, NY, TN, VA
Pros
- Valuable intro promo
- Offer same game parlays
- Wide range of sports & markets
- Competitive odds
- Great customer service
Cons
- Somewhat dull interface
- Some app performance issues
6) BetRivers/SugarHouse: Best Odds
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 4/5
Intro Promo
BetRivers/SugarHouse offers a second chance bet up to $500 in all states except NY where its $100. You have 30 days to use the bonus bet if you receive it and there is only a 1x rollover requirement.
BetRivers and SugarHouse are essentially the same sportsbook, they just operate in different states with different brand names. They rank as “best” or “above average” in every category we score.
BetRivers/SugarHouse offer a second chance bonus bet up to $500. If your first bet loses, you'll get a refund in the form of a bonus bet up to the limit. You have 30 days to use the bonus bet once you receive it.
The books also regularly offers better odds than every other sportsbook—especially when it comes to the NFL. While other books have standard -110 odds, BetRivers/SugarHouse often offer -109 or -108, meaning you have to win fewer bets to be profitable.
Aside from odds, you'll find everything bettors come to expect in online sportsbooks these days with BetRivers/SugarHouse, including same game parlays, a variety of markets to choose from, a smooth user experience, and ongoing odds boosts and promotions.
On the downside, some customers have complained of bets taking a long time to settle. In addition, the sportsbooks don't offer team or player stats in the app/on the site—though you can usually find this info on other sites.
If you are looking for a longterm betting app, BetRivers and SugarHouse are great options thanks to the industry-leading odds and great betting experience.
States
- BetRivers: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA
- SugarHouse: CT, PA
Pros
- Often offer the best odds
- Easy deposit & withdrawals
- Great customer reviews
- Good ongoing promotions & odds boosts
- Just started offering same game parlays
Cons
- Less valuable intro promo than some competitors
- No team or player stats
7) Caesars Sportsbook: Best Rewards Program
Ratings
- Odds: 5/5
- Intro Promo: 4.6/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 4/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 4/5
Intro Promo
If your first bet loses, Caesars will refund it with a bet credit of equal value up to $1,250. You have 14 days to use the bet credit and there is a minimum odds requirement of -200.
Caesars Sportsbook became one of the best sportsbooks available after acquiring William Hill and integrating its technology into the Caesars platform.
Caesars Sportsbook offers one of the best intro promos for new customers—first bet insurance up to $1,250. If your first bet loses, Caesars will give you a bet credit up to $1,250.
The perks of the Caesars Sportsbook don't end after you take advantage of the intro bonus, either. They offer some of the most competitive odds in the industry and have attractive ongoing promotions and odds boosts to help you win more.
Caesars also offers all major sports and bet types—including same game parlays that allow you to combine sides, totals, and prop bets from the same game in one parlay.
There isn't much not to like when it comes to the new Caesars Sportsbook. While it isn't my favorite user interface of all the sportsbook apps, it's easy to navigate and place bets.
Overall, Caesars Sportsbook is a phenomenal option when it comes to betting. They have one of the best intro promos, great odds, regular odds boosts, and a decent user experience.
States
- AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, WV, VA
Pros
- One of the best intro promos available
- Better odds than most competitors
- Offer same game parlays
- Regularly offer great odds boosts & promotions
- One of the best rewards programs available
- Great customer reviews
Cons
- User interface is good but not great
- New app has less feedback than competitors
8) Betway Sportsbook: Best for Fast Payouts
Ratings
- Odds: 4/5
- Intro Promo: 4/5
- Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
- Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
- User Interface: 3/5
Intro Promo
If your first bet loses, receive a free bet up to $250. You have 7 days to use it and there is only a 1x rollover requirement. Access it with our exclusive link here. Access it with our exclusive link here.
Betway Sportsbook is another smaller sportsbook, but is still competitive with all of the market leaders.
Our favorite thing about Betway Sportsbook is the fast payouts. All withdrawal requests are typically processed within 48 hours (and often much faster), meaning you don't have to wait long to get your money.
Betway also offers a wide variety of sports and markets, including the coveted same game parlay.
New customers can take advantage of the Betway intro promo which refunds your first bet with a free bet if it loses up to $250. Just make sure you use it within 7 days of hitting your account if you do lose your first bet.
On the downside, Betway only has mediocre customer reviews and a rather dull interface. While it is easy enough to navigate, it isn't as visually appealing as other books like FanDuel or PointsBet.
If you're looking for a new sports betting app to add to your lineup, Betway is a great option to consider.
States
- AZ, CO, IN, IA, NJ, OH, PA, VA
Pros
- Very fast payouts
- Offer same game parlays
- Wide range of sports & markets
- Live betting & cash outs available
Cons
- Mediocre customer reviews
- Dull interface
- Some app performance issues
Best Sign Up Bonuses from Online Betting Sites
Sportsbook | States | Intro Promo* |
|---|---|---|
AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, WY, WV, VA | No Sweat First Bet Up to $1,000 | |
AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, WV, WY, VA | Up to $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets | |
AZ, CO, IN, MA, MI, NJ, NY, TN, VA | Bet $100, Get $100 Bet Credit | |
AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA | Second Chance Bet Up to $500 | |
CT, PA | Second Chance Bet Up to $500 | |
AZ, CO, IN, IA, NJ, OH, PA, VA | First Bet Insurance Up to $250 | |
CO, MI, VA | Bet $20, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | |
AZ, IN, NJ, PA, VA | Risk-Free Bet Up to $500 | |
CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV | 5 Second Chance Bets of $50 Each | |
AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, WV, WY, VA | 20% Deposit Match Up to $1,000 | |
AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NV, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, WV, VA | First Bet Insurance Up to $1,250 | |
AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA | First Bet Insurance Up to $1,000 | |
NJ, OH | Bet $1, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | |
| CO, MI, NJ, PA | Risk-Free Bet Up to $50 | |
NJ | First Bet Match Up to $100 |
Best Online Sportsbooks State Guides
Want to see our highest-rated online sportsbooks in your state?
Check out our state-specific guides below:
- Arizona Online Sportsbooks
- Colorado Online Sportsbooks
- Connecticut Online Sportsbooks
- Florida Online Sportsbooks
- Illinois Online Sportsbooks
- Indiana Online Sportsbooks
- Iowa Online Sportsbooks
- Michigan Online Sportsbooks
- Nevada Online Sportsbooks
- New Hampshire Online Sportsbooks
- New Jersey Online Sportsbooks
- New York Online Sportsbooks
- Oregon Online Sportsbooks
- Pennsylvania Online Sportsbooks
- Rhode Island Online Sportsbooks
- Tennessee Online sportsbooks
- Virginia Online Sportsbooks
- West Virginia Online Sportsbooks
- Wyoming Online Sportsbooks
How We Rate Online Sportsbooks
Here at Odds Assist, we are committed to creating objective, transparent ratings to help you make the best decisions when it comes to which sportsbooks to use. We will continually update our Editorial Ratings over time as sportsbooks introduce new features, change promotions, etc.
Each sportsbook we review goes through our extensive rating process that evaluates thousands of data points in eight categories, including the following:
| Category | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Odds |
25% |
How competitive the odds offered are across all major sports |
|
Intro Promo |
15% |
How competitive the intro promo for new customers is |
|
Promos & Odds Boosts |
15% |
How many & how generous ongoing odds boosts & promotions are |
|
Sports & Bets Offered |
10% |
Which sports & types of wagers are offered by the sportsbook |
|
User Interface |
10% |
How user friendly the website & mobile app(s) are |
|
Deposits & Withdrawals |
10% |
Which deposit & withdrawal methods are available as well as payout speed |
|
Customer Reviews |
10% |
How positive customer reviews across other platforms are |
|
Education & Statistics |
5% |
The availability of educational & responsible gaming resources as well as team & player statistics |
We rate each sportsbook relative to other sportsbooks in each category. Each is scored from 1 to 5 with each representing the following:
- 5 Stars: Best in category
- 4 Stars: Above-average
- 3 Stars: Average
- 2 Stars: Below-average
- 1 Star: Worst in category
Data for all sportsbooks were collected simultaneously to ensure fairness. For example, we only compared odds for the same games at the same times across all sportsbooks reviewed.
To learn more, check out our full Ratings Methodology page.
What to Look for When Choosing a Sports Betting Site
As experienced bettors can testify, choosing among the many reliable online sportsbooks available in the U.S. is not an easy task. Many are aggressively trying to acquire new customers through valuable intro promos, odds boosts, and competitive odds.
Here are some things you should consider when choosing the best online sportsbook for you:
State availability
The first thing to take into account when choosing an online sportsbook is whether it is available in the state or states where you plan to place your bets.
Most online sportsbooks in the U.S. allow players to sign up from any part of the country. Unfortunately, they won’t allow you to place bets until you’re physically located in the jurisdiction the sportsbook is legalized in.
Start off by narrowing your list of potential options down by which are available in your state.
Intro promo for new customers
Many online sportsbooks offer generous welcome bonuses to attract new customers. Most often, these will come in one of two forms:
Risk-free bets that refund your first bet with a free bet or site credit if it loses
Deposit bonuses that give you site credit equal to a certain percentage of your deposit
When comparing intro promos, don’t just look at the total value of the promo.
Also, check whether the bonus is issued as site credit that you can use on multiple bets (preferred) or a single free bet that you have to put all on one event.
In addition, check how long you have to use the bonus money. Some books only give you 7 days while others will give you up to a year. This is especially important to consider if the bonus is issued as site credit that you can use on multiple bets.
Finally, check the playthrough requirements for the bonus money. Most U.S. sportsbooks only have a 1x playthrough requirement, but there are some that make you bet the money 2, 5, 10, or even as much as 20 times before you can withdraw it.
Competitiveness of odds
The better the odds a sportsbook offers, the higher the chance that you will make money sports betting over time with it.
As a rule of thumb, most sportsbook’s standard odds on spread bets and totals (at least for most sports) will be -110. Add up the odds on both sides of the bet (such as the Over and the Under) and see if it equals -220 (-110 x 2) or if it is lower or higher.
If the combined odds are higher than -220 on average (-218, -216, etc.) then that book has very good odds. If the combined odds are lower than -220 on average (-222, -230, etc.) then that book’s odds aren’t that great.
Ongoing promotions and odds boosts
Online sportsbooks offer ongoing promotions and odds boosts to new customers to keep them engaged. With these, you typically have the chance to earn higher payouts or bonus cash that can make a big difference in your long-term profitability.
Check out the odds boosts—sometimes called boosted odds, super boosts, or something similar—section of the site to get an idea of how many are offered and how much they are boosted.
Also, look for promotions such as free bets if you do XYZ, other ways to earn bonus money, and insurance (parlay insurance, single bet insurance, etc.).
Sports offered
Another thing to factor in when choosing an online sportsbook is the number of sports it offers. If you mostly bet on major leagues—such as the NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB—almost any website can satisfy your needs.
But if you’re into niche sports, be sure to check if the sportsbooks you are considering offer them before signing up.
Types of bets offered
Most books offer all of the common types of sports bets—such as moneyline bets, totals, and spreads—but if you are into prop bets and other more-obscure wagers, be sure to check a few games in each sportsbook to see what’s offered.
This is especially true if you like betting same game parlays. Popularized by the FanDuel Sportsbook, same game parlays allow you to combine sides (spread, moneyline), totals, and prop bets in a single parlay.
As of now, there are only a few U.S. sportsbooks that offer true same game parlays as described above.
User interface of app
An important factor to consider when choosing an online book is the quality of the user interface.
Most importantly, it should be easy to navigate to different parts of the app/site, find the bets you are interested in, and place your wagers.
Also consider how fast screens load, if the app/site glitches or crashes, and how well the location verification works.
Deposits and withdrawals
A good online sports betting platform enables a wide range of banking options for deposits and withdrawals. These often include online bank transfer, debit/credit card, PayPal and other virtual wallets, ACH/eCheck, and physical check.
Before registering for a sportsbook, make sure they offer a deposit/withdrawal method that you have access to.
Also, check to see how fast the sportsbook will pay out your money if you choose to withdraw it. With most banking methods and sportsbooks, you can get your money in a few business days. If a sportsbook says it takes weeks to deliver your money, you may want to look elsewhere.
How to Register for an Online Sportsbook
Once you’ve found a suitable sports betting website, you have to register. The registration requirements differ from state to state and sportsbook to sportsbook.
For instance, Illinois and Nevada require that players sign up in person at one of the land-based casinos associated with the website they want to wager on. However, other states allow online registration, making the process fast and easy.
Here are the general steps you’ll likely have to follow to register for an online sportsbook:
- Open the sports betting website; locate the button that reads Sign Up, Join, or Register; and click on it.
- Fill out the registration form with the required information such as your name, date of birth, address, email address, phone number, and the last four digits of your SSN).
- Once you’ve successfully filled in the form, click on Register, Finish, or Confirm to create the account.
- You may be asked to upload a photo of your identification (such as your driver’s license) to verify your identity.
- Deposit money and start betting!
Note that if you are betting on your computer that you'll likely have to download and use a geolocation app to verify your location. Also, using VPN software is forbidden and won’t work.
United States Sports Betting Timeline
Sports betting was illegal in the United States until 2018 when the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which prohibited wagering on sports in states outside of Nevada.
This revolutionary legal move sparked the transformation of the sports betting landscape in the country by allowing the states to decide whether or not to legalize this form of gambling.
Here is an overview of the key dates in United States sports betting:
- November 2011: New Jersey plants the seed for the repeal of PASPA by voting to allow sports betting in a 2011 referendum. It allowed wagering in Atlantic City casinos and racetracks throughout the area. However, the victory was short-lived…
- August 2012: Five pro leagues (NBA, NFL, NHL, NCAA, and MLB) sue the Garden State, arguing that the state’s sports betting activities violated federal law. The dispute was resolved in favor of the leagues.
- September 2013: New Jersey appeals the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals, but the oral arguments end in another disappointment for the state.
- September 2014: Governor Chris Christie changes the New Jersey sports betting law, allowing gambling venues such as racetracks and casinos to offer sports betting.
- November 2014: The NCAA and the four major sports leagues in the U.S. win another case against New Jersey, effectively stopping it from implementing the recent changes.
- November 2015: The Garden State’s second appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals is denied.
- August 2016: History repeats itself, as New Jersey suffers another defeat in front of the Third Circuit.
- June 2017: New Jersey convinces the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to take up the case.
- May 2018: SCOTUS votes in favor of New Jersey and repeals PASPA, deeming it unconstitutional. The new decision paves the way for the legalization of sports betting not only in the Garden State but also in all other states outside of Nevada if they choose to do so.
- June 5, 2018: Delaware beats New Jersey in a race to become the first jurisdiction outside of Nevada to legalize sports betting. A month after the federal ban on sports betting was overruled, Delaware launches single-game wagering at its three casinos.
It didn’t take long for other states to join in on the sports betting frenzy. Over the last three years, sports betting has been legalized in almost half of the U.S. states, with online wagering fully operational in many of the states.
Here is when sports betting became legal in each state:
- June 14, 2018: New Jersey
- August 1, 2018: Mississippi
- August 30, 2018: West Virginia
- October 16, 2018: New Mexico
- November 2018: Arkansas
- November 16, 2018: Pennsylvania
- November 26, 2018: Rhode Island
- April 30, 2019: Tennessee
- May 2019: Iowa
- May 2019: Indiana
- May 3, 2019: Montana
- June 2, 2019: Illinois
- July 2019: New Hampshire
- July 17, 2019: New York
- July 26, 2019: North Carolina
- August 27, 2019: Oregon
- November 5, 2019: Colorado
- December 2019: Michigan
- May 2020: Washington D.C.
- July 1, 2020: Virginia
- November 3, 2020: South Dakota
- March 2021: North Carolina
- April 15, 2021: Arizona
- May 2021: Maryland
- May 2021: Connecticut
- June 2021: Ohio
- September 2021: Washington
- September 2021: Wyoming
- November 2021: Florida
- January 2022: Louisiana
- January 2023: Massachusetts
Note that many of the above states only allow for in-person betting at casinos and sportsbooks—not online betting. In addition, some of the states have passed legislation to allow sports betting but don’t yet have any betting options available.
You can learn more about how sports betting works in each of the above states in our Guide to Where Sports Betting is Legal.
U.S. Sports Betting FAQs
Is sports betting legal in the U.S.?
Sports betting is currently legal in select U.S. states and many more have introduced legislation to legalize it.
When did U.S. states get the power to decide on legalizing sports betting?
States got the power to decide on legalizing sports betting when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the PASPA in May 2018.
What is the minimum legal age to join a sportsbook in the U.S.?
The minimum legal age required to join a sportsbook in the U.S. depends on the state, but it is usually 18 or 21.
Can you bet on sports online?
Yes, you can bet on sports online in select states.
Is there in-person betting?
Yes, in select states. Many U.S. states that have legalized sports betting offer in-person betting at land-based casinos and sportsbooks.
Do I have to be a resident of a state to join a sportsbook?
You don’t have to be a resident of a state to create an account with a sportsbook in that state. However, you do have to be physically located within the state to place wagers.
Are there any off-limit bets?
Yes, there are. Some states don’t allow live and prop bets on college football. No states allow betting on high school events.
How does paying taxes work on sports betting winnings?
According to the IRS, winnings obtained from betting on sports, whether online or offline, are considered income. Therefore, players are obligated to report their winnings on their tax returns.
Are Bovada and other offshore sportsbooks legal in the U.S.?
Offshore sportsbooks like Bovada are technically illegal in the United States, as they aren’t licensed and regulated by states’ gaming commissions. Although U.S. citizens are usually able to join these sites, we don’t recommend doing so because if something goes wrong, you may have a hard time getting your money back.
