Mobile gambling is a form of gambling in which players receive their winnings via a cell phone or other mobile device. This form of gambling is legal in New York State provided that you have an account registered with an online sportsbook and that the wagering is done on publicly-traded sports events. If you’re thinking of traveling to another state to play some sports betting, keep in mind that the laws governing mobile gambling may vary from state to state. For the best chances of legal and regulated mobile gambling, you should register with an established sportsbook that is based in New York – like the one ProOnlineSports has teamed up with to bring you this special offer…
We ranked the ten states where you can play most popular forms of online gambling. Keep reading for more details.
Top 10 States For Online Gambling
To rank the top 10 states for online gambling, we used the number of Google search results for the terms “legal online gambling” and “sports betting” combined as an indicator of how popular these forms of wagering are in each state. We added in the popularity of the devices used to place bets, search traffic around gambling-related terms, and the states’ gaming revenues to get a clearer picture of which states are the best for betting online.
Here are the results:
1. New York
With a population of over 19 million people and an incredibly diverse array of casinos and racetracks, it’s not a huge surprise that New York takes the top spot on our list. Like many other states in the region, New York has had a very positive attitude toward gambling, and online gambling in particular, for some time now. In 2011, New York residents had access to over 160 different forms of online gambling, and this number continues to grow every year. It’s also one of the few states in which you can actually win money online – provided you play responsibly and obey the rules of the site you’re using.
2. Pennsylvania
The second spot on our list goes to Pennsylvania, a state which has been dubbed “the Amish state” due to its history of supporting religious freedom and protecting its residents against excessive government interference. Thanks to its status as a “Commonwealth” of America, residents of Pennsylvania enjoy similar gambling perks as citizens of the Empire State.
Though the state’s gaming revenues are now lower than they used to be, thanks in part to online gaming competition, gambling is still very popular in Pennsylvania. There are currently over 20 different forms of online gambling available to Pennsylvania residents, including online sportsbooks that offer US and Canadian Football, MLB, NBA, and NHL game titles, as well as a variety of casino games and poker variations. When it comes to mobile gambling, Pennsylvania is also one of the few states where it is legal – although the laws vary from county to county.
3. Delaware
Delaware is another state that permits online and mobile gambling, but only on privately-owned slot machines. The only difference is that residents of this state can also visit “racinos” – a type of casino that is, generally speaking, nicer than the kind you’ll find anywhere else. In 2016, Delaware’s online casinos attracted over 500,000 registered users, which contributed to the state ranking 3rd on our list of top 10 states for online gambling.
4. Oregon
Oregon is yet another state that allows residents to gamble online, but this time, it’s not on private casino sites. Instead, you can wager on sports at one of the state’s four “licensed lottery agencies,” which means you’ll be playing against the odds in a fair and regulated environment. In 2015 alone, Oregon Lottery players spent over $10 billion playing the lottery – a figure that puts the state at #4 on our list.
Like many other states in the region, gaming revenues in Oregon are now declining as more people are looking for online options. However, due to the state’s overwhelming popularity when it comes to gambling, it is likely that this trend will level off and even reverse as more people get used to playing online.
5. Michigan
Michigan is yet another state that allows online and mobile gambling, but in this case, it’s on the other side of the legal barrier. This state’s Republican legislature has passed legislation which effectively criminalizes gambling, except on privately-owned slot machines. Oddly enough, these are the exact same devices that allow residents of this state to gamble legally in neighboring Ohio – which ranks 5th on our list.
6. Massachusetts
Massachusetts is yet another state that allows online and mobile gambling, and this time, it’s on the other side of the law as well. The difference is that in Massachusetts, you have to look for the “Prohibited” signs outside of casinos to confirm that gambling is actually prohibited – although the state does have a fairly high tolerance for gambling. The fact that it is illegal to gamble in public in Massachusetts might also explain why residents of this state are among the most avid social gamblers in the country. In 2017, Massachusetts residents made over 2.25 million visits to online casinos, according to gaming analysts at Arcadian Gaming.
7. Vermont
Vermont is yet another state that allows online and mobile gambling, although this option is only available at licensed casinos. In fact, you can even wager on baseball, basketball, and hockey games at some of these casinos. In 2017 alone, Vermont’s five licensed casinos attracted over 500,000 visitors – leading to the state ranking 7th on our list of top 10 states for online gambling.
8. New Hampshire
New Hampshire is yet another state that allows online and mobile gambling, this time, on horse and dog racing. Once again, you’ll have to search for “forbidden” signs to confirm that gambling is indeed prohibited in New Hampshire. However, state lawmakers have been fighting to legalize casino gaming since 1960, and today, New Hampshire is one of the most important states in the region when it comes to gambling. In 2017 alone, New Hampshire residents made over 100 million online casino visits, according to gaming analysts at Arcadian Gaming.
9. Wisconsin
Wisconsin is yet another state that allows online and mobile gambling, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get in touch with someone at the craps table when you need help. The difference is that in Wisconsin, you have to look for the “Helpful” signs – in the form of a yellow smiley face – to confirm that someone is available to assist you. In 2015 alone, Wisconsin’s four casinos attracted over 500,000 visitors and generated almost $7 billion in revenue.
10. North Carolina
Finally, we arrive at our last state on our list, North Carolina. North Carolina’s gaming revenues have been dwindling for years now, but this state still allows residents to play many forms of gambling, including online and mobile sports betting. Interestingly, this is also one of the few states in the region where you can’t play at certain tracks because of their location near a military base – meaning you may need to search for “restricted” tracks if you want to place bets there. In 2017, North Carolina’s four casinos attracted over 500,000 visitors and generated over $5 billion in revenue.
Which state do you think is the best for online gambling? Is it a state you’ll consider traveling to for sports betting? Or do you see another state as being the clear choice? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!