Sports betting legislation in the US exploded after the nullification of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May of 2018, allowing all states to legalize locally regulated sports betting within their borders. The legal sports betting landscape looks completely different from before PASPA's repeal, and nearly every corner of the country represents a ripe potential gambling opportunity for American sports fans and sportsbook patrons.
While some regions passed sports betting laws in anticipation of the SCOTUS ruling on PASPA, since 2018, most areas have either passed laws allowing sportsbook gambling or have pending legislation on the docket, with only a handful of states completely uninterested.
States With Active Sports Betting Legislation
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AK Sports Betting Legislation
- HB 145 Would Legalize Mobile Sports Betting In Alaska
- The Next Stop Is A Hearing In The House Labor & Commerce Committee
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HI Sports Betting Legislation
- Three Senate Bills And One House Bill Have Been Introduced In 2025
- Legislation Is Aiming To Legalize Digital Sports Betting In Hawaii
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OK Sports Betting Legislation
- Five Oklahoma Sports Betting Bills Were Introduced In 2025
- State-Regulated And Native Controlled Sportsbooks Are Being Discussed
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GA Sports Betting Legislation
- Numerous Georgia Sports Betting Bills Have Been Filed In 2025
- A Constitutional Amendment And Voter Approval Is Required
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MN Sports Betting Legislation
- 7 Minnesota Sports Betting Bills Are Being Debated In 2025
- If Passed, Tribes Can Host In-Person & Mobile Sportsbooks
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SC Sports Betting Legislation
- There Are Currently Three South Carolina Sports Betting Bills In 2025
- Mobile Sports Betting In SC Would Become Legal If The South Carolina Sports Wagering Act Passes
States That Have Passed Legislation For Legal Sports Betting
The following states have passed legislation specifically making domestic sports betting legal in one or more forms. Some of these states have not yet launched their betting operations or infrastructure, as indicated with a ** notation.
The following states are offering sports wagering through existing laws or tribal compacts that allow betting and did not have to pass additional legislation in order to legally offer sportsbook gambling.
These states have expressed interest in regulating domestic sports betting but do not have any pending legislation for sportsbooks at this time. Included are states with don't currently have pending legislation by state lawmakers but will have one or more gambling measures on the ballot in 2025.
- Alabama
- California
- Texas
States With No Sports Betting Legislation In 2025
There are less than a dozen states that have not yet hopped on the sports betting bandwagon. Their disinterest or hesitation could stem from a variety of reasons, but it is possible they want to sit back and see how this plays out for other states. One of the strongest motivating factors for many of the states that have moved forward is the economic benefit.
States struggling financially see the benefit of this type of massive revenue stream. Smaller states may hesitate simply due to facing a small customer base. With interstate gambling compacts now in question due to the reinterpretation of the Wire Act, sharing bettor pools is off the table until that is sorted out, which could deter state lawmakers in smaller or less populous states.
Sports bettors in states that haven't passed any sports betting legislation or that have done so on a very limited basis still have some great options though. With the exception of Washington state, placing bets online through offshore sportsbooks that are operating legally within the industry is not prohibited. You can find our recommendations for legitimate US online sports betting in our sportsbook reviews section.
New Jersey's Contribution As The Pioneer of United States Sports Betting Legalization
Anyone who enjoys state-regulated sports betting outside of Nevada will owe a debt of gratitude to New Jersey. It is their willingness to take on the establishment that resulted in this newfound freedom American bettors now have to partake in domestic sports gambling. NJ's tenacious court battles against US professional and collegiate sports leagues brought us to where we are today. While they were being told to sit down and shut up over and over, the Garden State refused and kept pushing back against the unfair regulations imposed by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.
None of the legislation or sports betting bills mentioned on this page would exist were it not for New Jersey fighting the good fight on behalf of states' rights. NJ has undeniably brought unprecedented transformation to the US betting market, and personally, we thank them for it.