Online gambling laws across the United States differ significantly from one state to another. Each state determines its stance on online gambling based on cultural values, historical perspectives, and revenue potential. This article outlines the legal landscape of online gambling in all 50 states to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic.
Understanding Online Gambling Laws in the United States
Online gambling laws in the U.S. are not governed at a federal level but rather regulated by individual states. These laws often address online casino gaming, sports betting, poker, and lotteries. Some states embrace online gambling fully, while others impose strict bans or permit limited forms of it.
Below is a detailed breakdown of each state’s legal position.
Alabama
Online gambling remains prohibited in Alabama, with the state holding tight restrictions on all forms of gambling except for charitable bingo and a state lottery.
Alaska
Alaska’s online gambling laws are restrictive, with most forms of gambling banned. Social gambling, such as home poker games, is permitted as long as no profit is made.
Arizona
Arizona legalized online sports betting in 2021. However, online casino gaming and online poker remain illegal.
Arkansas
Arkansas permits online sports betting but has not legalized online casino games or poker. Players can only gamble via licensed operators.
California
Online gambling laws in California are complex. While online poker remains in limbo, online sports betting is illegal, and online casinos are banned. However, daily fantasy sports are widely accepted.
Colorado
Colorado legalized online sports betting in 2020, but online casino gaming and poker remain illegal.
Connecticut
Connecticut has embraced online gambling, allowing online casino gaming, poker, and sports betting. The state partnered with two tribal operators to expand gambling opportunities.
Delaware
Delaware was one of the first states to legalize online gambling. It permits online casino games, poker, and sports betting under strict regulation.
Florida
Online gambling laws in Florida are restrictive, though the state allows limited online sports betting through tribal agreements. Online casino games and poker are still prohibited.
Georgia
Georgia has a strict stance on online gambling, with no legalized forms available apart from online lottery ticket sales.
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the most restrictive states, banning all forms of gambling, including online activities.
Idaho
Idaho maintains a conservative approach, prohibiting online gambling entirely. The state does not appear to be moving toward legalization.
Illinois
Illinois legalized online sports betting in 2020 and permits online lottery ticket sales, but online casino gaming and poker remain illegal.
Indiana
Indiana allows online sports betting but has yet to legalize online casinos or poker.
Iowa
Iowa legalized online sports betting in 2019 but does not permit online casino gaming or poker.
Kansas
Online sports betting is legal in Kansas, but online casino gaming and poker remain prohibited.
Kentucky
Kentucky has legalized online sports betting, but online casino gaming and poker are not allowed.
Louisiana
Louisiana allows online sports betting in most parishes. However, online casino gaming and poker are still banned.
Maine
Maine has legalized online sports betting but has yet to allow online casino gaming or poker.
Maryland
Maryland permits online sports betting and recently approved plans to legalize online casino gaming.
Massachusetts
Online sports betting became legal in Massachusetts in 2023, but online casino gaming and poker remain illegal.
Michigan
Michigan has a robust online gambling market, permitting online sports betting, casino gaming, and poker.
Minnesota
Online gambling is not legal in Minnesota, though there have been discussions about potential sports betting legalization.
Mississippi
Mississippi permits online sports betting but only within the physical premises of licensed casinos. Online casinos and poker are not allowed.
Missouri
Missouri has not legalized online gambling, though there have been ongoing efforts to regulate online sports betting.
Montana
Montana’s online gambling laws are limited to online sports betting through licensed kiosks. Online casino gaming and poker are illegal.
Nebraska
Nebraska allows online sports betting but has not legalized online casino gaming or poker.
Nevada
Nevada, the gambling capital of the U.S., permits online poker and sports betting but has yet to legalize online casino gaming fully.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire allows online sports betting and lottery games. Online casino gaming and poker are not permitted.
New Jersey
New Jersey has one of the most extensive online gambling markets in the U.S., permitting online sports betting, casino gaming, and poker.
New Mexico
Online gambling is limited in New Mexico, with no laws explicitly permitting online sports betting, poker, or casino gaming.
New York
New York legalized online sports betting in 2022 but has not allowed online casino gaming or poker yet.
North Carolina
Online sports betting became legal in North Carolina in 2023. Online casinos and poker remain illegal.
North Dakota
North Dakota has no legalized forms of online gambling, though online sports betting is under consideration.
Ohio
Ohio permits online sports betting as of 2023. Online casino gaming and poker remain illegal.
Oklahoma
Online gambling laws in Oklahoma remain restrictive, with no legal options available for online sports betting, poker, or casino gaming.
Oregon
Oregon allows online sports betting through the state lottery but does not permit online casino gaming or poker.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a thriving online gambling industry, allowing online sports betting, casino gaming, and poker.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island permits online sports betting but does not allow online casino gaming or poker.
South Carolina
South Carolina bans all forms of online gambling and has not introduced legislation to change this.
South Dakota
South Dakota allows online sports betting but does not permit online casino gaming or poker.
Tennessee
Tennessee legalized online sports betting but does not permit online casino gaming or poker.
Texas
Texas has a strict stance against online gambling, with no forms currently permitted.
Utah
Utah’s gambling laws are among the strictest in the U.S., banning all forms of gambling, including online activities.
Vermont
Vermont has not legalized online gambling, though legislation for online sports betting is under discussion.
Virginia
Virginia allows online sports betting but has not legalized online casino gaming or poker.
Washington
Online gambling laws in Washington are restrictive, though online sports betting is permitted through tribal casinos.
West Virginia
West Virginia has a well-developed online gambling market, permitting online sports betting, casino gaming, and poker.
Wisconsin
Online gambling is not legalized in Wisconsin, apart from online lottery ticket sales.
Wyoming
Wyoming allows online sports betting but does not permit online casino gaming or poker.
References:
- American Gaming Association. (2025). “State of Play: U.S. Online Gambling Laws.”
- National Council on Problem Gambling. (2025). “Overview of Gambling Legislation in the U.S.”
- Individual State Legislative Websites (2025).
