Sports fans have their work cut out a good chunk of the time when looking for online sources to put their money with their mouth is and wager in favor of their favorite teams. 

The US is particularly difficult when it comes to sports betting due to the power that each state has to allow or prohibit the act of gambling. Thanks to the Supreme Court’s actions of May 2018 and the striking down of PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), the act preventing states from regulating sports betting, each state is now free to set its own rules. 

It is, however, worth noting that not all forms of legal sports betting are permitted in those states in favor of the wagering. There are a number of caveats for some states meaning that rules surrounding online and mobile wagering may differ to wagers placed inside a traditional brick-and-mortar casino. 

Downloading an app in one state and having no problems can be very different once you’ve passed the state line thanks to geolocation on mobile devices. It may be a pain, but for those in charge of the rules, it seems to be thought of with good intention. 

But for those sports fans that love to gamble online, it doesn’t do much in the way of help. So, where exactly can you gamble online legally? 

Legal sports bets – state-by-state 

Not all states are created equally and, unfortunately, the legality of an online sports bet will depend entirely on whereabouts in the country you are (for a more in-depth analysis, check out this article).

Illinois 

The state of Illinois has only just passed a bill allowing for both physical sportsbooks and online sports betting to be permitted inside the state. 

Although only fresh (Spring 2019), bettors can expect to see an online launch in 2020, but for now, they must rely on accounts in casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting facilities. 

Eventually, funds will be accessed remotely, but as of current, in-person sports betting is all that can be done legally. 

Indiana 

Indiana is next up on the list of states legalizing online sports betting in 2019 and as Illinois, we’re expecting big things in the year to follow. 

For the time being, sportsbooks must partner with a casino, but the state is on-course for plenty of options in the very near future. 

Iowa

The legalization of sports betting sites and apps alongside the very first sportsbooks went live in August 2019 and we’re patiently waiting for big things to happen. 

Casinos must be signed up for during the first year and a half – but we’re expecting a huge variety of options in the very near future. 

Mississippi 

Sports betting isn’t exactly clear-cut in Mississippi and although it is legal, it comes with some somewhat interesting small print. 

Bettors must be present in either a land-based or water-based casino when wagering. However, they may use a mobile device providing that they are in the confines of the casino. 

Nevada 

It’s no surprise that the Supreme Court’s decision barely phased Nevada and legal sports betting continued despite the numerous changes elsewhere. 

Plenty of Nevada casinos offer an online and sports betting platform meaning players are able to wager from anywhere in the state. But it’s not all as simple as downloading an app and making bets – bettors must first establish an account in-person before betting online. 

Don’t forget to bring a healthy cash deposit (minimum of $50-$100) and some photo identification to be able to sign up. As of current, the following are available for play in Nevada: 

  • William Hill
  • Wynn
  • CG Technology
  • Station Casino 
  • Boyd
  • South Point 
  • MGM 
  • Atlantis Reno 

New Jersey 

Online sportsbooks were legalized in June 2018 in New Jersey and we’re seeing a huge number of different options and places to play. 

As of current, there are a total of 17 New Jersey sports betting apps available to download and play with today: 

  • DraftKings Sportsbook 
  • FOX Bet NJ
  • FanDuel Sportsbook
  • William Hill Sportsbook 
  • PointsBet Sportsbook 
  • Caesars 
  • BetMGM
  • 888 Sportsbook  
  • SugarHouse Sportsbook 
  • Borgata Sports
  • Golden Nugget
  • Resorts 
  • theScore
  • Hard Rock 
  • BetAmerica 
  • Bet365
  • Unibet 

It’s a good time to be from New Jersey. 

Oregon

Although many of the tribes operating the casinos have sports betting sites, the state lottery is also planning to invest in the sports betting market in 2019. 

Pennsylvania 

Sports betting became legal in mid-2019 in Pennsylvania and although only new to the market, we’re already seeing action for online bettors. 

As of current, there is a total of 4 different downloadable apps/websites to choose from to make wagers:

  • SugarHouse Sportsbook PA
  • FanDuel Sportsbook PA
  • Rivers Sportsbook
  • Parx Sportsbook

There are also a wide number of retail sportsbooks available within the state. 

Rhode Island 

Sports betting in Rhode Island is expected to become mobile in the fall of 2019, thanks to Gov. Raimondo, who signed the bill into law in March of the same year. 

The current state lottery based sports betting operation runs in partnership with the incredibly popular William Hill, so it’s expected that the bookmaker is to provide the mobile technology required to get the apps off the ground. 

Tennessee 

When looking towards Tennesse, it appears particularly unique with only online sports betting legalized in the state. 

Although there’s no availability to place bets in a physical location, the law has enabled there for plenty of different sites and apps to eventually go live. As of current, the following are available: 

  • DraftKings Sportsbook
  • FanDuel Sportsbook
  • BetStars
  • William Hill
  • 888 Sportsbook 
  • Bet365
  • BetAmerica
  • Caesars
  • MGM

West Virginia 

West Virginia started with the ability to bet on sports from mobile in December 2018 but was only short-lived leaving some apps and sites suspended. 

As of current, there are only 2 available sportsbooks that can be accessed in West Virginia: 

  • DraftKings Sportsbook
  • FanDuel Sportsbook 

However, we’re expecting a resolution for the suspended sites in the very near future. 

The bottomline 

Ultimately, there’s plenty of different places to play when it comes to sports betting online, but the legality of the wagers must be the number 1 priority. 

Of course, dodgy dealings and questionable licensing from overseas sportsbooks are available, but as Adrian Sireca, of OnlineCasinoGems cautions: “Overseas sportsbooks have no real reason to pay out winnings if you’re betting from the states, if you’re doing something illegal in your state, you’ve not got a leg to stand on”. 

Keep legal when betting and only wager in a state that permits.