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Legal Betting USA

Welcome to BettingUSA.com: A 50-state guide to legal betting sites and regulated online gambling in the United States.

BettingUSA’s expert team of industry insiders, analysts, and experienced gamblers dedicates our diverse skill set to providing a roadmap to betting online safely and legally.

The BettingUSA team recommends licensed online sportsbooks, DFS apps, and horse racing betting sites in every state. The following legal US betting sites offer exclusive online sports betting signup promotions, welcome offers, and deposit bonuses.

Best US Betting Sites

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US Betting News

Up to date legal developments, news and promotions.

State Specific Betting Sites

Online betting apps for all states A-Z

Online gambling is a complicated and politicized issue in America. Each state in the union has a different approach to dealing with the market, and what’s accessible in one state may not be the same in another.

Tribes, land-based operators, horse racing tracks, and lotteries all have their own interests, which don’t always align.

Check our state-specific guides for current information on what types of online betting sites and apps you can play for real money where you reside.

Which US States Have Legal Online Betting?

Search our individual state pages (listed below) for state-specific legal betting sites and sportsbook recommendations.

Each state page provides comprehensive information on the available forms of in-person and online betting in the USA that are legal and accessible to bettors who are residents in the state.

What About Federal Gambling Laws?

Federal betting laws are largely hands-off on matters of sports betting. The repeal of PASPA in 2018 granted states the authority to regulate sports betting.

For now, The Federal Wire Act remains in place and essentially restricts states to regulating sports betting within their borders.

Legal US Betting Sites

BettingUSA.com reviews all major US betting sites and mobile apps.

BetMGM Sportsbook$1500 Second Chance BetBetMGM Bonus Code: BUSABONUS BetMGM Sportsbook Review
DraftKings SportsbookNo Sweat Bet up to $1,000DraftKings Promo Code: Not Needed DraftKings Sportsbook Review
Caesars Sportsbook$1000 Bonus BetCaesars Sportsbook Promo Code: BUSA1000 Caesars Sportsbook Review
BetRivers SportsbookSecond Chance Bet Up To $500BetRivers Bonus Code: BUSA BetRivers Sportsbook Review
FanDuel SportsbookBet $5 Get $150FanDuel Promo Code: Not Needed FanDuel Sportsbook Review
Bet365 SportsbookBet $5 Get $150Bet365 Bonus Code: Not Required Bet365 Sportsbook Review
Hard Rock Bet$100 No Regret BetHard Rock Bet Promo Code: Not Needed Hard Rock Bet Review
ESPN Bet200% up to $500ESPN Bet Promo Code: Not Needed ESPN Bet Review

As legal online betting initiatives gain ground and new sports betting sites launch across the USA, BettingUSA.com maintains a comprehensive list of betting site reviews – including legal sportsbooks, racebooks, and daily fantasy sports apps.

One of the many advantages offered by legal sports betting sites is that they operate on US soil. Therefore, operators are subject to US state and federal laws, both criminal and civil.

This is in sharp contrast to the unregulated offshore online sports betting industry in which sports betting sites come and go and often make up the rules as they go. There are countless stories of sports bettors experiencing delayed cashouts, deposit options with excessive fees, and poor customer service.

Even worse, many sports bettors have lost their entire bankrolls to rogue offshore sportsbook operators

Licensed betting sites in the United States are required to segregate player funds for safekeeping and abide by strict regulations pertaining to payout times, betting odds, randomness, transparency, and responsible gambling.

Our experience has taught us that not all online sports betting sites are a perfect fit for all customers, and not every welcome bonus is worth taking. Our sportsbook reviews take an unbiased look at what each licensed operator has to offer in terms of betting options, payment processing, and overall quality/reputation.

Online Betting Bonuses

Current betting promotions and promo codes.

Online betting sites offer welcome bonuses as an incentive for new customers to sign up for a sports betting account, make a first deposit, and place wagers.

Deposit bonuses, free bets, bonus bets, first wager refunds, second chance bets, and no deposit bonus offers are just a few examples of the types of sports betting promotions offered to new customers at licensed online sportsbooks. Early cashouts and enhanced odds are frequently offered by the best sports betting sites to keep loyal customers engaged.

While many sports betting promotional offers offer great value, there is also no shortage of sportsbook bonuses that are best skipped or even outright predatory.

Visit our guide to find the best betting bonuses, current promo codes, and learn how specific sports betting signup offers work, including rollover requirements and important terms and conditions to watch out for.

Legal Sports Betting USA

Sports betting is legal in states that have passed legislation regulating the activity.

In May 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down a longstanding sports betting law, the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) prohibiting state legislatures from authorizing or regulating sports betting.

New Jersey challenged PASPA and framed its argument as a states’ rights issue. Ultimately, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey and declared PASPA unconstitutional as written. The decision had wide-ranging implications for US sports betting.

PASPA included exemptions for state sports betting laws that were already in place at the time it took effect. Nevada was the only state at the time with single-game sports betting and thus received an exemption.

That exemption provided Nevada with a decades-long monopoly on legal sports betting in the USA.

PASPA provided a trio of states (Delaware, Montana, and Oregon) with partial exemptions. These exemptions allowed for limited forms of parlay-style sports wagers on specific leagues offered by the state lottery.

With PASPA now struck down, any state in the USA is free to legalize and regulate sports betting, including legal online sports betting sites within it’s borders.

Many states have since taken advantage of the opportunity to regulate retail sportsbooks and sports betting sites within their borders.

Dozens of states have taken advantage of the opportunity to regulate sports betting.

Some states have gone full steam ahead, passing legislation authorizing retail sportsbooks and statewide mobile sports betting apps under a free-market model.

Other states have enacted laws that authorize a single sports betting operator to run a limited number of retail sportsbooks, while other states are in the exploratory process or early stages of passing legislation to legalize sports betting.

Horse Racing Betting USA

Horse racing betting sites and ADW’s are legal in most states.

AmWager$150 Deposit BonusAmWager Promo Code: BUSA150 AmWager Review
TwinSpires$200 Deposit BonusTwinSpires Offer Code: BET200 TwinSpires Review
DRF Bets$200 Deposit BonusDRFBets Promo Code: STAKES DRF Bets Review

Online horse racing betting is legal in most US states. Due to exemptions written into federal law, states have the authority to regulate the industry within their borders.

Legal horse racing betting sites and ADW’s partner with hundreds of tracks to deliver live video simulcasting, wagering and data to fans across the country.

All wagers placed with licensed betting websites are pooled with bets taken at the track, thereby supporting the local racing industry and ensuring customers are paid at full track odds.

The best horse racing betting sites are run by operators with decades’ worth of live horse racing industry experience, many of whom operate race tracks and off-track betting facilities.

All licensed racebooks and horse racing betting apps are subject to federal and state laws that ensure security, quick payouts to winners, delivering a safe wagering experience to fans who wish to bet on horse races online.

BettingUSA.com has long covered the regulated US horse racing industry. Here, readers will find honest horse racing reviews, how-to guides for placing wagers, coverage of major horse racing events, and important thoroughbred industry updates.

Daily Fantasy Sports USA

Daily fantasy sports is legal in all but a handful of states.

PrizePicks$100 Deposit BonusPrizePicks Promo Code: BUSA PrizePicks Review
Boom Fantasy$100 First Entry RefundBoom Fantasy Promo Code: BUSA Boom Fantasy Review
Underdog Fantasy$100 Deposit BonusUnderdog Fantasy Promo Code: BETUSA Underdog Fantasy Review
ParlayPlayFree Entry + $100 Deposit BonusParlayPlay Promo Code: BUSA ParlayPlay Review

Many states have passed legislation to formally legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports sites. In those states, dfs operators must register with the state and adhere to certain consumer protection measures.

DFS sites serve as a legally accessible alternative to online sports betting sites in markets that have yet to formally legalize sports betting.

Some states do not regulate daily fantasy sports but also do not prohibit the activity.

In those states, major DFS sites and real money fantasy sports apps provide their services and conduct themselves according to general business regulations.

Today, there are just a few holdout states with laws on the books that clearly prohibit fantasy sports.

Online Gambling USA

Only a few states have legalized online casinos and poker sites.

BetMGM Casino$25 On Signup + $1000 Deposit BonusBetMGM Casino Bonus Code: BUSABONUS BetMGM Casino Review
DraftKings Casino$100 Deposit BonusDraftKings Casino Promo Code: Not Needed DraftKings Casino Review
Caesars Palace Online Casino$10 + $1000 Deposit BonusCaesars Palace Online Casino Promo Code: BUSA10 Caesars Palace Online Casino Review
BetRivers Casino$500 Deposit BonusBetRivers Casino Bonus Code: BUSA BetRivers Casino Review

Individual states gained the authority to legalize online casinos and poker in 2011 after the Department of Justice issued a memo that opined online gambling does not violate the Wire Act if conducted exclusively within state borders.

The 2011 opinion paved the way for states to legalize online gambling sites for the first time in American history. Since then, eight US states have passed laws to authorize online casinos and poker sites.

  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Michigan
  • Nevada (online poker only)
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • West Virginia

More states are likely to legalize online gambling sites and mobile betting apps. However, passing legislation takes time and is often a complex issue that involves navigating the competing interests of industry stakeholders, lawmakers, and the public at large.

For readers in states where it is not yet legal to bet online, remain patient and avoid unregulated offshore gambling sites.

Not only is it illegal to gamble online in some states, but there is a real financial risk in doing business with unregulated US sports betting sites.

Sweepstakes casino sites offer a much safer option for real money players in unregulated states.

The odds are good that online gambling, sports betting, or both will eventually come to most states.

Additionally, most readers already have access to legal sports betting alternatives such as online horse racing betting, sweepstakes sites, and daily fantasy sports apps.

As we wait for additional states to pass sports betting legislation, we can look at those that have already legalized online wagering as an indication of what’s to come.

In all such states, online gambling has proven profitable and able to be effectively regulated.

Successful regulation includes ensuring fair games, preventing underage gambling, and limiting access exclusively to customers located within state lines.

Online Lotteries USA

States are starting to embrace the idea of online lottery sites.

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A growing number of states offer online lotteries to bolster sales and better cater to changing customer demographics.

In some states, players may now buy lottery tickets and play instant win games online or through mobile apps developed or endorsed by the official state lottery.

Additional states are likely to embrace online lottery sales as competition for entertainment dollars increases and consumers become increasingly accustomed to convenience.

Furthermore, giving players the ability to buy lottery tickets online has now proven to be a sure-fire way to increase lottery revenue – and states that have not yet authorized online lotteries are now in the planning stages.

Opposition to legal online lotteries is fierce among anti-gambling groups and some convenience store associations.

Anti-gambling groups contend the lottery preys upon the poor and taking it online only exacerbates the problem. Meanwhile, convenience store owners fear the loss of walk-in traffic generated by lottery ticket sales.

Even so, momentum is clearly on the side of online lottery proponents as the legalization trend advances across the nation. The number of states that offer online lottery sales or that are considering it grows every year.

Changing consumer preferences and budget shortfalls at the state level are likely to accelerate the expansion of online lotteries in the United States.

BettingUSA tracks developments in the lottery industry, including updates on legalization efforts and online lottery reviews.

Is Regulated Online Gambling In The USA a Positive Thing?

We believe so, yes. Our opinion is that people are going to gamble online because the technology exists and sports betting sites are readily accessible. Players should have access to the best online betting sites and a secure, fair environment and governments should have the opportunity to benefit from the resulting tax revenue.

Besides, shouldn’t you have the right to spend your money how you choose in the privacy of your own home? We definitely think so. The government doesn’t need to legislate the morality of betting on sports.

Americans are more than capable of deciding for themselves what is right.

In any case, we look forward to watching the continued growth and maturity of the developing US online betting industry through 2021 and beyond.

What About The Negatives?

The obvious downside is the fact that bettors with addictive personalities now have unprecedented access to real money gambling, and that could lead to more negatives within society.

Problem gambling is a concern BettingUSA.com takes seriously, while also recognizing that people are already betting on sports online.

Our company recommends using a sports betting site that takes responsible gambling policies seriously, and BettingUSA.com donates a portion of our revenue to the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Successful sports betting legalization makes it easier for problem gamblers to get help and diverts funds to gambling addiction treatment.

For example, New Jersey has a statewide gambling exclusion list that anyone can join online to be banned from all online betting sites.

Why Trust Betting USA

BettingUSA.com was founded in 2013 as the first 50 state guide to legal online betting in the United States, long before the expansion of legal online sports betting started taking shape in America.

Our team of betting experts, each with over a decade of industry experience, supports regulated and responsible gambling in this country.

BettingUSA.com and its editors are committed to listing accurate information and sharing our honest opinions as a core belief within our company.

Our sportsbook listings contain recommendations only to licensed sports betting websites and reputable operators that are legal in the US.

As a licensed sports betting affiliate in several key states, Betting USA receives compensation for player referrals to online sportsbooks, but we do not let that affect the integrity of our reporting and we only promote the best betting sites to our readers.

Learn more about our team, follow us (@bettingusa_com), or connect with us over email – we enjoy the conversation, but we do not offer any sports betting picks or predictions.

BettingUSA welcomes constructive criticism, feedback, and opinions from our visitors. Our team considers ourselves a “small business” in the sports betting affiliate industry – competing against much larger teams and marketing budgets.

Other media companies’ interests are often more aligned with shareholders’ results than the quality of experience players are getting at US sports betting sites.

Sometimes we get things wrong, occasionally we have a bad take. We will always try to do better.

We thank you for trusting our sportsbook reviews and for taking advantage of the special sports betting promotions and signup bonus offers we have negotiated for our visitors.

As more states embark on legislative efforts to legalize online gambling, more sportsbooks and racebooks are sure to enter the market, and BettingUSA.com will always strive to be your accurate source of unbiased online sportsbook information, and the latest news and updates.

Online Betting FAQ

Almost all forms of online betting websites are legal in at least one US state, including sports betting, horse racing, casino games, poker, and lotteries.

Yes, but only with licensed US betting sites. State regulators hold licensed operators to high standards regarding fairness, privacy, and safety of customer funds. Unlicensed, offshore betting sites provide no such safeguards.

Yes. Offshore betting sites that are not licensed in the US states they accept customers from are breaking state and federal online gambling laws. Only wager with licensed gambling operators.

Most states establish a minimum age of 21 to bet on sports or participate in online gambling. The exceptions are Montana, Rhode Island, Kentucky, and Washington, where the minimum age to bet on sports is 18.

Additionally, most states set a minimum age of 18 to bet on horse races. The exceptions are Alabama (19+) and Texas (21+).

Yes. The IRS considers all gambling and sports betting winnings taxable income. Bettors should speak to a qualified tax professional for personalized advice and state-specific information.