In the United States, where sports betting is currently legal, you will find a vast majority of the population backing their favourite teams through wagers placed at sportsbooks. Whether you’re a fan of the New York Yankees or the Dallas Cowboys, you can place a wager on the games that interest you.
But the legality of sports betting in the US varies from state to state. For example, while Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas allow for legal sports betting, Virginia, Louisiana, and Florida have banned it. In other cases, like Indiana and West Virginia, the laws are unclear or changing, leaving the legality of sports betting uncertain. This article will examine the legal status of sports betting in 10 states, listing the different forms of sports gambling that are accepted and detailing the various laws that apply.
Alaska
In Alaska, all bets are legal, as long as they are placed at the state-owned Alaska Sports Book. The laws regarding gaming and wagering were established in 1959 and have not been updated.
While the precise legality of sports betting in Alaska is unknown, it is known that the state accepts and actively promotes wagering on sports. For example, the Alaska lottery operates a sports ticketing division, which sold 1.8 million tickets in 2015. This year, that number is expected to rise to 2.2 million.
Sports wagering options in Alaska include:
- Locked in the Lieu
- Totem Park
- Merritt Supermarkets
- The Red Light
- Bethel High School
- Bering Strait Conference
- Northstar New York
Arizona
The law regarding sports betting in Arizona is unclear. The state legislature considered a proposal in 2014 to legalise sports betting, but it failed. However, the proposed bill included a provision that would have required sportsbooks to be licensed in the state.
It is not known whether or not the state legislature will consider the issue again. In the meantime, sports betting is legal under a special exemption that allows for group wagering on collegiate sports teams.
Arizona is home to a vibrant gaming community, which offers state-sponsored lotteries and casinos. But while these offer sports betting, the practice is technically illegal. However, group leaders can organize a fantasy sports league, which operates outside of the state’s legal sports betting framework. The information of players in the league is completely confidential. This structure allows for discreet betting, and it continues to be used today by some Arizona residents.
California
According to the California Gaming Control Board, all legal sports betting is regulated by the State of California. But while the practice of gaming is officially legal, the legality of sports betting remains uncertain. The board has considered various proposals to regulate and legalize sports betting, but it has yet to take effect.
In 2015, California voters passed Referendum 57, which amended the state constitution to allow for the recreational use and regulation of marijuana. Because marijuana is still classified as a drug, under California law it is illegal for sportsbooks to accept bets on games involving marijuana use. This restriction does not apply to Colorado, which has similar prohibitions against sports betting on events involving marijuana.
However, the implementation of the California Adult Sports Program (PASPA) in 2018 has changed the face of legal sports betting in the state. PASPA allows for legal wagering on a variety of sports, including pro and college football, basketball, and hockey, as well as baseball and mixed martial arts. Additionally, it permits for-profit enterprises to establish gaming establishments, which offer sports betting, in the state. That change alone has made legal sports betting a reality in California.
As with other states, the legality of sports betting in California varies from one area to another. There are 15 different forms of legalized sports gambling in the state. For example, San Francisco and Los Angeles offer popular sportsbooks and casinos, while Sacramento and San Bernardino are home to the California State Warriors and Los Angeles Rams, respectively. The Oakland Athletics call Sac-town ‘The City by the Bay’ because of its convenient location between San Francisco and Berkeley.
Nevada
In Nevada, all bets are legal, as long as they are placed at the state’s 17 sportsbooks. But the practice of sports betting in the state is technically illegal. The laws regarding gaming and wagering were established in 1959 and have not been updated.
The 17 sportsbooks in Nevada operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They offer a variety of betting options, including:
- Traditional sports betting
- Proposition bets
- Accented bets
- Collectibles
- Poker
- Casino games
- Race and sports betting
- And the list goes on
The 17 sportsbooks in Nevada are:
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Los Angeles Valiant
- San Francisco 49ers
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Las Vegas Lights
- Las Vegas Golden Knights
- New England Patriots
- Chicago White Sox
- Los Angeles Angels
- Boston Red Sox
- Houston Astros
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- San Diego Padres
- St Louis Cardinals
- Cincinnati Reds
- San Francisco Giants
New Mexico
In New Mexico, all bets are legal, as long as they are placed at the state’s four bookmakers. However, the practice of sports betting in the state is technically illegal. The laws regarding gaming and wagering were established in 1959 and have not been updated.
The four bookmakers in New Mexico offer a variety of betting options, including:
- Traditional sports betting
- Proposition bets
- Accented bets
- And the list goes on
The four bookmakers in New Mexico are:
- Los Angeles Rams
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Atlanta Falcons
- New England Patriots
Oregon
Oregon became the first state in the country to legalize sports betting in 2014, when it passed Measure 67. But the practice remains technically illegal. Due to a clause in the law, the practice of sports betting is only legal at the federal level, where it is prohibited. The state accepts and actively promotes wagering on sports, but it cannot regulate or enforce federal laws. The implementation of the Oregonian Sports Wagering Program (OSPW) has made legal sports betting a reality in the state.
The law regarding sports betting in Oregon remains in flux. Even after its passage, the state government has yet to issue regulations for the program or define the practice of sports betting. Additionally, the state only permits multi-leg wagering and does not permit horse racing, which is what most people think of when they think of sports betting. So while it is legal for individuals to place bets at sportsbooks and proposition-style gaming establishments, it remains unclear as to whether or not the practice of sports betting is legal. It is also worth noting that while the United States sports betting landscape is predominantly comprised of individuals placing bets at brick and mortar locations, there are also growing numbers of people participating in legal sports betting via online portals or social media.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is another state where sports betting is legal. But the practice is technically illegal. The law regarding gaming was passed in 1972 and does not provide for the legalization of sports betting. Also, the law does not specify where or how bets should be placed.
That being said, Pennsylvanians can engage in legal sports betting at casinos or through online gaming portals. Additionally, the law permits for-profit sportsbooks and casinos to operate in the state. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that the federal prohibition against gambling does not apply in the state, provided that sports betting is legal. The court based that decision on the ground that “participating in horse-race gambling is not the same as being a bookmaker, taking wagers, or conducting a lottery.”
The four major sportsbooks in Pennsylvania are: