US Sports Betting by State 2026 — Legal Markets Guide

Written by Joseph Ryan | Last updated: February 2026

Online sports betting is now legal in more than 35 US states. The rules, operators, tax rates, and available products vary significantly by state — what’s possible in New Jersey (full online casino) is very different from what’s legal in New York (sportsbook only). This guide covers every legal market we’ve reviewed in depth. Find your state, understand your options.

States With Legal Online Casino + Sports Betting

These states allow both online casino games (slots, table games, live dealer) and sports betting on licensed mobile platforms:

• New Jersey — Legal since 2013 (casino) and 2018 (sports). Most mature market in the US. 10+ operators.
• Pennsylvania — Legal since 2019. Highest slots tax (54%) but huge population and operator field.
• Michigan — Legal since January 2021. 15+ operators, tribal gaming history, shared poker pool.
• West Virginia — Legal since 2018 (sports) and 2020 (casino). Small market, early mover, full product stack.
• Connecticut — Legal since October 2021. Tribal-licensed casino, competitive sportsbook field.

States With Legal Sports Betting Only

• New York — Largest US market by handle. 51% tax rate. Sports betting only.
• Illinois — Chicago market. Full remote sign-up since 2022. 15% tax. Sports betting only.
• Ohio — Launched January 2023. 20% tax. Bengals, Browns, Buckeyes. Sports betting only.
• Massachusetts — Launched March 2023. Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins. Sports betting only.
• Colorado — Best tax rate in the US (10%). 20+ operators. Sports betting only.
• Virginia — Northern Virginia/DC market. 15% tax. Sports betting only.
• Arizona — Franchise-tied licensing. Cardinals, Suns, D-Backs. Sports betting only.

How to Choose a Sportsbook

The platform matters. Here’s what separates the good from the mediocre:

• Odds quality: -107 or -108 on sides beats -110 by more than you think over a full season
• App performance: Does it work during NFL Sunday peaks, or crash when you need it most?
• Payout speed: Same-day PayPal vs. a 5-day ACH wait is a real difference
• Welcome bonus value: First bet offers beat deposit matches for most recreational bettors
• Live betting depth: In-play markets vary wildly between operators

BetMGM is our top pick across most markets — consistent odds, strong live betting, fast PayPal payouts, and the only operator with both casino and sportsbook across four states.

About These Reviews

All content is written by Joseph Ryan. Every platform listed is legally licensed in its state. See our Affiliate Disclosure.