Legal sports betting is now available across the United States. However, not all states are created equal. Here are the legal boundaries of sports betting in each state:
New York
A new recreational sports betting law took effect in New York on July 1, 2019. The new law allows residents to place bets on any sporting event that is legally able to be bet on. This includes but is not limited to sports like football and hockey. The law allows for limited licensing for casinos and racetracks which operate within the state. Operators of commercial bookmakers and online sportsbooks may also apply for a license.
California
California has been a pioneer when it comes to legal sports betting. In 2018, the California Supreme Court even went so far as to rule that public universities have the right to accept sports bets. The new 2019 California recreational sports betting law allows residents to place bets on any sporting event that is legally able to be bet on. The law also provides for online gaming and fantasy sports.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of the four original states in the country. It was one of the first state governments to give its okay to sports betting. The Pennsylvania legislature passed a law in 2016 that made it legal for any business to accept bets on sporting events. The law also provides for online gaming and fantasy sports.
Oregon
Oregon is another state that legalized sports betting, but it did so on a limited basis. The Oregon Duck football team is one of the top programs in the country. For years, the team went undefeated, winning every single game. Since 2014, the team has been a fixture in the national media due to its perfect record. The athletic department even gets its own Duck Duck anthem!
The legal status of sports betting in Oregon is sort of like California’s. The state government has authorized certain commercial bookmakers and online sportsbooks to operate. However, the laws in Oregon only allow for certain games to be bet on and only on certain tracks and casinos.
Florida
It’s also worth mentioning that there are some areas of Florida that are actually more restrictive than others when it comes to sports betting. For example, the city of Orlando does not allow for online gaming or fantasy sports. However, other parts of the state do allow for all of those features, which is why it is a bit of a muddy situation.
Mississippi
The last state on our list is Mississippi. This southwestern state passed a law in 2018 that gives its casinos the authority to accept wagers on sporting events. However, the laws in Mississippi only pertain to professional sports leagues, like the NFL. College and high school athletics are still banned in Mississippi. Online gaming and fantasy sports are also banned in the state.
Legal sports betting is now available in every state. However, not all states are treated equal when it comes to sports betting. The laws in each state vary, so it is essential to do some research before placing a bet or entering into any type of wager with a company or individual in another state.