You’re sitting on the couch, the game is about to start, and you wonder if you can finally put ten bucks on your home team without breaking some arcane law. It’s a fair question. Honestly, the landscape of American gambling has shifted so fast since 2018 that keeping up feels like a full-time job. One day a state is "maybe," the next it's "live," and sometimes it's stuck in a legal loop for three years.
As of early 2026, the answer to what states is sports betting legal has basically become "most of them." We are currently at 39 states plus D.C. where you can legally place a wager in some form. Missouri is the newest member of the club, having finally flipped the switch on its digital sportsbooks in December 2025.
But "legal" doesn't always mean "on your phone." Some states require you to walk into a smoky casino to place a bet, while others let you do it while waiting for your Starbucks order.
The Big Three Holdouts: California, Texas, and Georgia
If you live in one of these three, I have some bad news. It’s still a "no."
California is the white whale of the betting industry. Everyone wants it, but nobody can catch it. After the absolute bloodbath of the 2022 ballot initiatives—where voters resoundingly rejected both tribal and commercial options—the momentum hit a brick wall. In 2025, the state even moved to ban "gray market" sweepstakes and social sportsbooks under Assembly Bill 831. Basically, if you’re in Cali, don't expect a legal DraftKings or FanDuel app until at least 2028.
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Texas is similar but for different reasons. It’s a political stalemate. The House usually seems game, but the Senate, led by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, has been a fortress of "not on my watch." Since the Texas Legislature only meets every two years, and the 2025 session didn't yield a breakthrough, Texans are looking at 2027 as the next realistic window.
Georgia is the most frustrating of the bunch. Every year, a bill gets close. Every year, it dies because of some internal disagreement over where the tax money should go or whether it needs a constitutional amendment. As of right now, Georgia sports betting remains on the "coming eventually" list.
Where Can You Bet Right Now?
If you aren't in those three, there's a good chance you're in the clear. Here is the breakdown of the 39 states where sports betting is active.
States with Full Mobile and Retail Access
These are the gold standard. You can download an app or walk into a sportsbook. This group includes heavy hitters like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. It also includes:
Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida (via the Seminole Tribe's Hard Rock Bet), Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri (the newest addition), Nevada, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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The "Mobile Only" or Specialized Markets
Some states have unique setups. For example, Tennessee is mobile-only; there are no physical casinos to visit. On the flip side, Delaware and Rhode Island have legal mobile betting, but it’s a monopoly system—you only have one app choice (like BetRivers in Delaware or IGT in Rhode Island).
The "Retail Only" States (No Apps)
This is where it gets annoying. In states like Mississippi, Nebraska, and Washington, you generally have to be physically present at a licensed casino or tribal property to place a bet. You can't just sit in your backyard in Seattle and bet on the Seahawks; you’ve got to drive to a tribal casino.
The Missouri Surprise of 2025
Missouri was the big story of the last year. For ages, Missourians watched their neighbors in Illinois and Kansas rake in millions in tax revenue while they stayed on the sidelines.
Voters finally took matters into their own hands in November 2025 by passing Amendment 2. It was a nail-biter, winning by fewer than 3,000 votes. Because of that win, mobile operators like DraftKings and FanDuel finally launched in the "Show-Me State" in December 2025. If you're looking for the most recent change to the map of what states is sports betting legal, Missouri is it.
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The "Hard Rock" Florida Situation
Florida is a bit of a weird one. For a long time, it was "legal but not really" due to massive lawsuits. Eventually, the Seminole Tribe won out. Now, Hard Rock Bet is the only game in town. It’s a monopoly. If you want to bet on the Dolphins or the Heat while sitting in Miami, you’re using that one app. Period.
The Remaining "No" States
It’s a shrinking list, but a few states seem like they will never legalize it.
- Utah: Forget about it. Their constitution is anti-gambling, and the culture is even more so.
- Hawaii: They don’t even have a lottery. Sports betting is a long shot.
- Idaho: No active movement to change their strict anti-gambling laws.
- Oklahoma: This is purely a dispute between the Governor and the Tribes. Until they make peace, it's stuck.
Does 18+ vs 21+ Matter?
Most states require you to be 21. That’s the industry standard. However, if you are 18 and looking for what states is sports betting legal for your age group, you have a few options:
- Kentucky
- New Hampshire
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.
Everywhere else, you’ll need that 21st birthday to pass before the apps will verify your ID.
Actionable Next Steps for You
If you’re in a legal state and ready to jump in, don't just download the first app you see.
- Check for "New User" Promos: In states like Missouri or North Carolina, operators are still in "acquisition mode." They’ll often give you $150 or $200 in bonus bets just for wagering $5.
- Verify Your Location: Remember that these apps use geofencing. If you’re standing on the border of California and Arizona, your phone needs to be firmly on the Arizona side, or the app will lock you out.
- Set a Limit Immediately: Every legal app is required to have "Responsible Gaming" tools. Use them to set a weekly deposit limit before you even place your first bet. It keeps the game fun and prevents a bad Sunday from becoming a bad month.