Where is Online Gambling Legal in the US? Full List of States 2026

The legality of online gambling in the US varies greatly from state to state, so players and operators need to be aware of changes in regulations. While in some states, one can bet on both casino games and sports online, others strongly limit or prohibit these activities.

In this guide, I answer the burning question: where is online gambling legal in the United States? I will also clearly break down the states that allow online gambling and the gambling activities they permit.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. US states where online gambling is legal
2. US states where only sports betting is permitted
3. US states where online casinos and other online gambling activities are permitted
4. 2025 developments in online gambling
5. States most likely to legalize online gambling
6. US states where gambling is legal
7. States where gambling is illegal
8. State vs federal laws for gambling
9. Where is online gambling legal in the United States? — Conclusion
10. FAQs
11. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. US states where online gambling is legal
2. US states where only sports betting is permitted
3. US states where online casinos and other online gambling activities are permitted
Show Full Guide
4. 2025 developments in online gambling
5. States most likely to legalize online gambling
6. US states where gambling is legal
7. States where gambling is illegal
8. State vs federal laws for gambling
9. Where is online gambling legal in the United States? — Conclusion
10. FAQs
11. References

US states where online gambling is legal

Several states permit regulated activities like online sports betting, casino games, and lotteries. These states have implemented modern gambling laws to ensure consumer protection while maximizing revenue.

The table below highlights the states where online gambling is legal, detailing the specific activities permitted in each.

US states where only sports betting is permitted

Not every US state has extended legalization into full online casinos or poker. As a result, there is a handful of states where consumers can access regulated sports betting markets via both mobile and desktop, but access to online casinos is not part of the equation.

Below, we provide a detailed breakdown of states where sports betting is legal, but online casinos are not yet permitted.

US states where online casinos and other online gambling activities are permitted

The list of states that allow online casinos and other gambling activities is shorter than the ones allowing sports betting. However, this list is expected to continue expanding as lawmakers recognize the economic potential and consumer demand.

Currently, these are the states in which online casinos are permitted:

2025 developments in online gambling

Several states made moves in 2025 that could reshape the online gambling market in the near future.

Both Maryland and Virginia introduced bills aimed at legalizing online casinos. Maryland’s proposal may lead to a public vote in November 2025, while Virginia’s legislation is under review in the current session. These efforts could open new doors for legal online gambling in both states.

By contrast, Indiana and Texas have seen momentum slow. Indiana’s latest attempt to advance online casino legislation stalled again this year. In Texas, lawmakers are focused on bringing retail casino gambling to the state, pushing online casino gambling further down the priority list.

States most likely to legalize online gambling

More states are considering expanding their gambling laws to include online casinos and other digital platforms. These are:

• Maryland
• Virginia
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• New York
• California
• Indiana
• Texas

While some have introduced bills with real traction, others remain stalled or hesitant. Below are the states that could be next in line, or that were once contenders but have since cooled down.

US states where gambling is legal

With the immense variability in gambling laws from state to state throughout the country, many people ask, “where is gambling legal?”

Understanding these differences is essential to know which states allow which types of gambling and how their regulations vary. Some states allow traditional and issue online gambling licenses, whereas others have severe limits or ban these activities altogether.

One example is Missouri, which permits traditional gambling but has not yet allowed online casinos in Missouri or other digital options.

The table below outlines which states have legalized gambling and those that also include online gambling.

While the chart above highlights where gambling laws stand across the country, it’s also important to understand how some states are lagging behind in digital regulation. For instance, online casinos in Arkansas are not yet legal, despite the presence of land-based venues. Similarly, online casinos in Alaska remain unavailable, with no clear movement toward regulation.

In the western U.S., online casinos in Idaho are still prohibited, as the state has not pursued iGaming legislation. Arizona, on the other hand, does allow sports betting and daily fantasy contests, but online casinos in Arizona are not part of the state’s current regulatory framework.

States where gambling is illegal

While most states in the United States permit some forms of wagering, a couple of states totally ban gambling activities. The following states have implemented strict laws to ban all forms of wagering, including lotteries, casinos, and charitable games.

State vs federal laws for gambling

US gambling regulations are primarily laid down both on state and federal levels, resulting in a multi-tier system for operators and consumers. Most gambling activities are regulated on the state level, but due to federal laws, such as the Federal Wire Act of 1961, sports betting across state lines is prohibited.

The change of events came in 2018 when the Supreme Court’s decision in Murphy v. NCAA invalidated the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act and thus gave states the option of legalizing sports betting. This change allowed states to expand into online sports betting, casino games, and online lotteries, as seen in legal sports betting states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

However, federal laws like the Wire Act still limit interstate gambling. Operators must follow state-specific gambling laws and federal restrictions, with issues such as consumer protection, taxation, and licensing. This system is dual in nature: it regulates but also advances state autonomy in gambling legislation.

Where is online gambling legal in the United States? — Conclusion

You have already seen that the legal landscape of online gambling in the United States varies from state to state. Whereas states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania welcome online casinos, poker, and sports betting, others, such as Utah and Hawaii, ban the activity altogether.

With the repeal of PASPA in 2018, the doors finally opened for states to begin regulating online sports betting, among other forms of gambling. With the growing consumer demand and revenue potential of the sector, more states could join in legalizing online gambling — stay tuned!

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