Where Is Online Gambling Legal in the United States? ( State-by-State Guide)

Online gambling in the United States has expanded rapidly over the last decade. With more states legalizing online casinos, sports betting, and poker, players today have more opportunities than ever before—but the laws still vary widely from state to state. This guide breaks down where online gambling is legal, the types of gambling allowed, and what players need to know before betting online.

What Counts as Online Gambling?

Before diving into the list, it’s important to understand that “online gambling” covers several categories:

Online casinos (iGaming): slots, table games, live dealer games
Online sports betting: mobile sportsbooks
Online poker: real-money poker platforms
Daily fantasy sports (DFS): DraftKings, FanDuel, etc. (legal in most states)

Each category is regulated separately, so a state may allow online sports betting but not online casinos.

States Where Online Casinos Are Legal (iGaming States)

As of 2025, only 7 states fully allow real-money online casino gaming:

Connecticut
Delaware
Michigan
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
West Virginia

These states offer licensed online slots, blackjack, roulette, live dealer tables, and more.

Special Case: Nevada

Nevada allows online poker only, not full online casinos.

States With Legal Online Sports Betting

Online sports betting has seen the fastest expansion. As of 2025, around 30 states plus Washington, D.C. allow mobile/online sports wagering.

Major states with legal online sports betting include:

Arizona
Colorado
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
Virginia
West Virginia
Wyoming

These states allow licensed sportsbook apps such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and ESPN BET.

States Where Online Poker Is Legal

Real-money online poker is legal in these states:

Delaware
Michigan
Nevada
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
West Virginia (approved but not fully launched everywhere)

Some states also participate in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), allowing shared poker player pools.

States With No or Very Limited Online Gambling

Only two states fully prohibit nearly all forms of gambling:

Utah
Hawaii

Neither state allows casinos, sports betting, or online poker.

What’s Next for Online Gambling Legalization?

More states are considering online gambling legislation, especially for iGaming, which generates high tax revenue. States most likely to legalize online casinos in the coming years include:

New York
Maryland
Indiana
Illinois

Sports betting expansion is still active, but most major states have already legalized it.

The U.S. online gambling landscape continues to evolve. While many states now allow online sports wagering, online casino gaming remains legal in only a handful of states. Players should always choose licensed, state-regulated platforms to ensure safety, fair gaming, and secure payouts.

Why Do Online Gambling Laws Differ Between States?

Online gambling laws vary widely across the United States due to the country’s federalist legal system, where each state controls its own gambling regulations. Several key factors influence these differences:

1. State Revenue Priorities

Some states embrace online gambling as a way to generate tax revenue, fund public programs, and support local economies. States like New Jersey and Michigan have demonstrated that online casinos can bring in hundreds of millions in annual tax dollars.
Conversely, others fear that gambling expansion could lead to social issues or threaten existing tribal or land-based casino revenue.

2. Tribal Compact Negotiations

Many states have legal agreements with Native American tribes. Expanding online gambling often requires renegotiating tribal compacts, which can delay or block online casino or sportsbook legalization.

3. Cultural and Political Attitudes

States such as Utah and Hawaii maintain strong cultural or religious stances against gambling. Others, like Nevada and New Jersey, have long histories of gambling acceptance and regulation.

4. Consumer Protection and Regulatory Concerns

Some lawmakers prefer a cautious approach. They want to ensure strong frameworks for responsible gambling, anti-fraud systems, and underage gambling prevention before approving full iGaming.

How Can Players in Restricted States Gamble Legally?

If you live in a state where online gambling or online casinos are not yet legal, it’s important to know what is legal — and what isn’t.

1. Use Only State-Approved Gambling Options

Even in restrictive states, you may still legally participate in certain activities such as:

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) with companies like DraftKings or FanDuel
Online horse racing betting through licensed operators
Sweepstakes casinos and social casinos (no real-money wagering)
Traveling to a legal gambling state to wager on licensed platforms
Land-based casinos or tribal casinos, if available locally

These options comply with federal and state regulations and are safe for players.

Is Using VPNs or Off-Shore Gambling Sites Legal?

No. Using a VPN to bypass state restrictions or gambling on offshore, unlicensed casinos is not considered legal and can be risky.
Offshore sites offer no player protection, no guaranteed payouts, and no responsible gambling safeguards. They also violate U.S. federal regulations and state laws.

The safest and only legal solution is to use regulated, licensed U.S. platforms when you are physically located in a legal state.

Legal Solutions for Gamblers in Restricted States

If your state does not allow online gambling, here are legal alternatives:

1. Travel to a Legal Gambling State

Most legal platforms—such as BetMGM, FanDuel Casino, Caesars, DraftKings—use geolocation technology.
You must be physically inside a legal state to place a bet.
You can still keep your account and withdraw funds at home; you just can’t wager from a restricted state.

2. Use Sweepstakes & Social Casino Platforms

These sites are legal nationwide and offer casino-style games using virtual currency or sweep coins. They provide entertainment without violating gambling laws.

3. Engage in State-Legal Non-Casino Gambling

Depending on your state, this may include:

Horse racing
Sports betting (retail only)
Lottery games
Fantasy sports contests

How to Gamble Responsibly Online

Regardless of your state’s laws, responsible gambling is essential. Licensed operators provide tools to help you stay in control. Online gamblers should:

Set deposit and time limits
Use self-exclusion tools if needed
Monitor spending and gambling habits
Avoid chasing losses
Take regular breaks
Only gamble for entertainment, not income

Each legal online gambling state requires platforms to offer responsible gambling resources, such as 24/7 support and voluntary exclusion programs.

What to Do If You or Someone Else Needs Help

If gambling becomes addictive, help is available. U.S. players can contact:

National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
State-specific responsible gaming hotlines and support groups

Most licensed platforms also offer cool-off periods, self-ban programs, and links to professional help resources.

Good idea. Here’s a list of top legal online gambling sites & apps (sportsbooks and iGaming) by U.S. state (where applicable) based on regulated operators in 2025. Use this as a guide — always check your state’s current licensed operators before signing up.

Top Legal Online Gambling Sites & Apps by State

Below are popular and well-regulated gambling platforms (sports betting & casino) in U.S. states where online gambling is legal.

State	Top Legal Sports Betting Apps / Sites	Top Legal Online Casino / iGaming Apps (if allowed)
Arizona	DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, Fanatics	– (iGaming not legalized)
Arkansas	bet365, Caesars, others via retail-skinned apps	–
Colorado	BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesars, FanDuel, Fanatics, bet365	–
Connecticut	DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics	Mohegan / FanDuel Online Casino (Mohegan Digital)
Delaware	BetRivers	– (very limited iGaming historically)
Florida	Hard Rock Bet	–
Illinois	BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, ESPN BET	–
Indiana	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Fanatics, ESPN BET	–
Iowa	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Fanatics, ESPN BET	–
Kansas	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, bet365	–
Kentucky	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Fanatics	–
Louisiana	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365	–
Maine	DraftKings, Caesars	–
Maryland	BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, bet365	–
Massachusetts	BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, Fanatics	–
Michigan	BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, DraftKings, bet365, Fanatics	iGaming: BetMGM Casino, FanDuel Casino, Golden Nugget Online, DraftKings Casino, others (many licensed in MI)
Nevada	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel	iPoker: Online poker sites; but full casino not available (iGaming limited)
New Hampshire	DraftKings (exclusive)	–
New Jersey	BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Caesars, Fanatics	iGaming: BetMGM Casino, DraftKings Casino, FanDuel Casino, Golden Nugget Online, Borgata, etc.
New York	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, ESPN BET	– (iGaming not fully legalized as of some sources)
North Carolina	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, ESPN BET, bet365	–
Ohio	BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, ESPN BET	–
Oregon	DraftKings (exclusive)	–
Pennsylvania	BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, ESPN BET	iGaming: BetMGM Casino, FanDuel Casino, DraftKings Casino, bet365 Casino, PokerStars, PointsBet, etc.
Rhode Island	– (fewer major apps — local sportsbook options)	– (very limited iGaming)
Tennessee	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics	–
Vermont	DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel	–
Virginia	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, bet365	–
Washington, D.C.	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics	–
West Virginia	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, ESPN BET	iGaming: BetMGM Casino, FanDuel Casino, Golden Nugget Online, others
Wyoming	BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel	–

⚠️ Notes & Tips

This list focuses on licensed and regulated U.S. operators.
“Top” here means popular and legally recognized platforms in those states as of 2025 — not a gambling recommendation.
Availability may change — platforms can enter or exit state markets, so always check with the official state gambling commission or the sportsbook/casino’s website.
Use only apps licensed in your state to ensure legal protections, fair play, and responsible gambling frameworks.

The Growing Popularity of Online Gambling in the U.S.

Online gambling continues to grow rapidly across the United States as more players turn to digital platforms for entertainment, convenience, and competitive gaming experiences. From mobile sportsbooks to virtual casino tables, online gambling sites now offer thousands of betting markets and online gambling games that bring casino-style action directly to a user’s device. As states modernize their laws, the appeal of real online gambling keeps expanding due to improved security, faster payouts, and regulated environments.

Best Online Gambling Options for Real Money Players

Players searching for the best online gambling experience often evaluate platforms on factors such as payout speed, game variety, mobile performance, and state licensing. Legitimate, regulated casinos allow users to participate in online gambling for real money, offering access to slots, blackjack, roulette, live dealer games, and more. These real money online gambling platforms also feature loyalty programs, welcome bonuses, and player protection tools to ensure fair and responsible gameplay.

Online Gambling Real Money No Deposit: Is It Worth It?

Many players look for online gambling real money no deposit bonuses, which allow new users to try games without risking their own funds. These promotions typically come as free credits, bonus spins, or small cash rewards. While appealing, they often include wagering requirements. Players should understand the rules, but they remain a popular way to explore online gambling for real money safely and with minimal commitment.

Free Online Gambling vs. Real Money Gambling

There is a major difference between free online gambling and real-money options. Free-play platforms let users enjoy casino-style games with no financial risk, offering entertainment-only gameplay. In contrast, online gambling real money platforms give players the chance to win actual cash — but also carry the responsibility to gamble wisely. Many users enjoy starting with free versions to learn game mechanics before moving on to real online gambling.

The Latest Online Gambling Regulation News Today

State-level legislation is constantly evolving, making online gambling regulation news today a crucial resource for players and industry analysts. Lawmakers across the country continue to debate online casinos, sports betting expansion, and consumer protection measures. Staying updated with online gambling regulation news helps users understand where new markets are launching, which states are considering iGaming bills, and how enforcement impacts legal operators.

Is Online Gambling Legal in California?

A common question among residents is: is online gambling legal in California?
As of today, California has not legalized full-scale online casinos or mobile sports betting. Limited forms of gaming are allowed, such as horse racing and sweepstakes-based platforms. Voters have faced multiple ballot measures on online gambling California legislation, but none have passed so far. This remains one of the largest potential future markets in the U.S.

Understanding Online Gambling in Florida

Many players also ask about online gambling Florida rules. Florida offers a mix of tribal gaming and regulated sports betting under the state’s current compact structure. While land-based casinos and mobile sports wagering exist under specific agreements, Florida has not yet fully approved legal online casino gaming. Ongoing court decisions and legislative revisions continue to shape the future of digital gambling in the Sunshine State.

Niche Trends: Online Gambling Communities and Tech Tools

New online communities and digital platforms are emerging to help players navigate the industry. Sites like online gambling emberslasvegas and tech-focused resources such as online gambling programgeeks share updates, reviews, and tutorials designed for both beginners and experienced gamblers. These tools give players deeper insights into game strategy, platform comparisons, and responsible gaming tips.