Legal Sports Betting Legislation Tracker — Betting Bills and Information Tracker for USA.
Is gambling illegal in my state, or is sports betting legal in my state? Where is US online sports betting legal or legal in person? If you’ve come here wondering that, we’ve got you covered. It’s a common question amongst US-based sports bettors these days. As you may be aware, the State of New Jersey challenged the 1992 federal law banning sports betting outside Nevada — and won. That law was known as PASPA, or the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.
New Jersey’s legal battle against the NCAA and the major pro sports leagues reached the United States Supreme Court in 2017 in a case known as Murphy v NCAA (formerly Christie v NCAA). On May 14, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of NJ in a 7-2 decision. Now that PASPA has been eliminated, states are free to legalize sports wagering, and some already have. By the end of 2019, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and possibly a couple other states may have legal sports betting operators up and running. Check back at Sports Handle for updates.
Our sports betting legislation tracker is updated (almost) daily with the latest sports betting legislative developments, and sports betting regulation updates. Check below the map, too, for links to relevant information in your state. For an history on federal and state gambling laws go back to the American Revolution, check out our article here.
| STATE | STATUS | BILL/LEGISLATION | DATE | FURTHER DETAILS | SPONSOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No action | ||||
| Alaska | No action | ||||
| Arizona | No action | ||||
| Arkansas | No action | ||||
| California | Pending | The proposed Assembly Constitutional Amendment 18 would authorize the state legislature to permit sports wagering. | June 2017 | The amendment would only take effect if the federal law (PASPA) is changed, i.e., repealed. | Assemblyman Adam Gray |
| Colorado | No action | ||||
| Connecticut | Pending | House Bill 6948 asks a state commission to outline a regulatory framework for sports betting in anticipation of PASPA being overturned. In February, the Public Safety & Security Committee sponsored HB 5307, which would task the Commissioner of Consumer Protection with "adopting regulations ... to regulate wagering on sporting events." | March 2018 | Connecticut legislators conducted a hearing with various stakeholders in early March to evaluate how to proceed with sports betting legislation. The session closed on May 9 with no bill in place. The main holdup is resolving the tribal-state compact with respect to iGaming and sports betting. | Representative Joe Verrengia led the hearing before the Public Safety and Security Committee. |
| Delaware | Full-fledged wagering is legal and up and running as of June 5. | No additional legislation was necessary. Delaware Governor John Carney made the first non-Nevada single-game legal wager on June 5 -- a $10 bet on the Philadelphia Phillies. | Current | Currently single-game wagering allowed at the states' three casinos/racetracks: Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway and Casino and the Casino at Delaware Park. Retail locations in DE can offer NFL and college football wagering. No mobile wagering, but that's likely to come in the next few months. William Hill handle's DE's operations and risk-management. | N/A |
| Florida | No action | ||||
| Georgia | No action | ||||
| Hawaii | Pending | Bills in both the House (HB 927 ) and Senate (SB 677) are contemplating legalization. | January 2017 | HB 927 calls for the establishment of a commission to analyze the possibility of gaming in Hawaii. SB677 would create the Hawaii Internet lottery and gaming corporation for the purpose of conducting internet gambling in the state. After their introduction, both bills were referred to committees. | Representative John Mizuno (HB 927 ) and Senator Will Espero (SB677) |
| Idaho | No action | ||||
| Illinois | Pending | There's a total of five bills on the table. SB 2478 would create the Sports Betting Consumer Protection Act, legalizing sports betting in the event that federal law does not prohibit such (i.e. PASPA gets repealed). | February 2018 | The bill shows a clear focus on creating a mobile/online component for sports betting. Another bill, SB 3432, proposed by Sen. Napoleon Harris, would give sports leagues an "integrity fee." Three senate bills missed a recent committee deadline, but there's a chance for another run at something before the session ends on May 31. | Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Steve Stadelman (previously Don Harmon) |
| Indiana | Moving forward, potentially groundbreaking | Senate Bill No. 405 would authorize sports wagering on riverboats, racinos, and satellite facilities after the Indiana gaming commission determines that current federal prohibitions on sports wagering are no longer applicable; House Bill 1325 would do the same, also if federal law changes. | January 2018 | Ford and Morrison (at right) authored and sponsored Indiana's daily fantasy sports bill (SB 339) in 2016, signed by then-governor Mike Pence. The House version of the sports betting bill includes an "integrity fee" provision that would give sports leagues 1% of all wagers on their league's games. After hearing backlash on the 1% fee, lawmakers may be pumping brakes. | Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) introduced SB 405 and by Indiana Rep. Alan Morrison (R-District 42) authored HB 1325. |
| Iowa | Pending | House File 2448, which would legalize sports betting, is making its way through committees. | March 2018 | In its current form, the state's state Racing and Gaming Commission would handle regulatory matters and a tiered 7.66% tax rate would apply to gaming revenue. The session ended and the bill was not passed. | Representative Ken Rizer (R-Marion) with Local Government subcommittee chairman Jake Highfill (R-Johnston) doing some work |
| Kansas | Pending | The bare-bones House Bill 2533 ("Kansas expanded lottery act") would allow wagering on professional and collegiate sports. Another bill, HB 2572 ("Kansas sports wagering act"), is basically a league-sponsored bill that would pay them the "integrity fee"/royalty plus provide data rights and restrictions to the league. | March 2018 | The bill would limit sports betting to Kansas racetracks, which HB 2545 looks to revive. The state has held some hearings that at times saw contentious exchanges between MLB and NBA officials, casinos representatives and state lawmakers. The sessions ended on May 4 and no bill was passed. | Kansas’s Committee on Federal and State Affairs |
| Kentucky | Pending | SB 22 would require the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to institute a sports wagering system. | January 2018 | The law would task the horse racing commission with regulatory, licensure and compliance regulations for sports wagering at horse tracks. The bill was introduced to the Appropriations & Revenue committee and so far has not advanced. | Senator Julian M. Carroll (D-Frankfort) |
| Louisiana | Pending | There's a couple bills in the legislature addressing sports wagering. They include HB 245, which would "Authorize additional games and sports betting at eligible live horse racing facilities." (more here.) | April 2018 | Other bills include SB 266 and SB 398, which call for a statewide referendum on sports betting, however that bill failed in committee in April. | Rep. Major Thibaut (HB 245). |
| Maine | No action | ||||
| Maryland | Pending | HB 1014, which passed in the House of Delegates, calls for the issue of sports betting in Maryland to be put on the November ballot (if PASPA gets repealed) as a referendum for voters to decide. | March 2018 | The bill would give the State Lottery and Gaming Commission the ability to issue “certain sports wagering licenses." The bill reached the relevant Senate committee but was not passed before the session ended on April 9. | Delegates Frank Turner, Jason Buckel and others |
| Massachusetts | Percolating | Former state senator (now the Lowell, Massachusetts city manager) Eileen Donoghue has a proposed bill (SD 2480), which would would create a committee to study, regulate and examine taxation of legal sports betting in Massachusetts (if PASPA gets struck). | March 2018 | In early March, the state's Gaming Commission issued a report with respect to sports wagering outlining various considerations, regulatory models, potential revenue and more. That's as far as the state has gotten so far. | Eileen Donoghue (D-First Middlesex District) (Now the Lowell, Massachusetts City Manager) |
| Michigan | Pending | House Bills 4060, 4261 and 4338 all pertain to sports betting. HR 4060 would amend the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act to allow the holder of a casino license to accept wagers on sporting events; HR 4338 would allow parlay wagering; HR 4261 would allow simulcast wagers on horse racing in licensed casinos. There's also HB 4926, which would get the job done within a greater bill creating the lawful internet gaming act. | May 2018 | Tribal concerns reportedly are slowing the legislation. However there is some new momentum behind Rep. Iden's bill and a session that doesn't end until December 31 (recess on June 21) so a chance something could get done after SCOTUS rules (if it's favorable). | Representative Robert Kosowski (D-District 16) and Brandt Iden (R-District 61) are at the helm. |
| Minnesota | Percolating | Previous bills failed but in April a draft bill by Rep. Pat Garofolo (R-Farmington) surfaced that would legalize sports betting in Minnesota, create a sports wagering regulatory body, and establish a novel taxation model (1 percent off the top for the state). | April 2018 | The hurdle? “I won’t submit a sports gambling bill the tribal casinos are opposed to,” Garofalo said. “Non-negotiable.” There are nearly 20 casinos and racetracks operating in Minnesota, nearly all of them on Native American lands and they wield a whole lot of power. | Rep. Pat Garofalo |
| Mississippi | Legal | House Bill 967 legalized sports fantasy betting (Fantasy Contest Act) in the state and also included language that would legalize sports betting in Mississippi casinos if PASPA is overturned. Regulations were introduced by the state gaming commission on June 20. | June 2018 | The goal is to have properties ready by football season. Online sports betting may come later as mobile/online wagering is permitted now on-premises only. Wagering on games by colleges located in the state is allowed. "Tell me that people are not already betting on these games all over the place, anyways," quipped Allen Godfrey, Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, in an interview with Sports Handle. | Representatives Bennett, Ladner, Barnett, Dixon, Sykes, and Eure |
| Missouri | Pending | House Bill 2320 is pretty skinny but a start for implementing legal sports betting. It tasks the Missouri Gaming Commission with creating rules and regulations. There's also the 'Missouri Video Lottery Control Act' (SB 767), which could serve as the sports betting vehicle. A more recent pair of sister House-Senate bills dubbed the 'Comprehensive Missouri Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act' gives MLB and the NBA everything they're asking for in terms of money and control. | April 2018 | The state appears to be backing away from the Comprehensive Missouri 'Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act.' At this stage it seems Hoskins' bill is the more likely vehicle but it's extremely doubtful something gets done this year with the session ending on May 18. | Rep. Bart Korman (R-High Hill) for HB 2320; Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-District 21) has sponsored Senate Bill 1013 and Rep. Dean Plocher (R-St. Louis) House Bill 2535. |
| Montana | Legal on a very limited basis | Montana was one of four states (along with Nevada, Delaware and Oregon) to have their grandfathered under PASPA because they all allowed some form of sports betting at the time of its enactment. | Current | In 2008, Montana began its "Montana Sports Action" which is basically a form of fantasy sports, offering through the state lottery. | |
| Nebraska | No action | ||||
| Nevada | Legal, very legal | Current | |||
| New Hampshire | No action | ||||
| New Jersey | Passed | The Assembly and Senate unanimously passed bills on June 7 to legalize sports betting in New Jersey. | June 2018 | Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill (A4111) into law on June 11. The bills completely spurns the sports leagues -- no fees, no data rights. Bill imposes 8.5 percent tax on in-person wagers and 13 percent on internet/mobile wagers. Division of Gaming Enforcement and New Jersey Racing Commission will set forth complete regulations, but first temporary ones so operations can begin sooner. Monmouth Park is set to to take first legal wager on June 14. | Assembly members Eric Houghtaling (D-11), Joann Downey, (D-11) as well as John Burzichelli (D-3); Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney (D-03) on the senate side; former Senator Raymond Lesniak a champion throughout. |
| New Mexico | No action | ||||
| New York | Pending | The legislative session on June 20 and efforts to legalize through sister bills in the senate S7900(C) and Assembly (A11144) fell short. The senate bill was introduced by Chairman of the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, John Bonacic (R-42nd District). Opposition from tribes in the state is what ultimately doomed the effort. | June 2018 | There is language in the Upstate New York Gaming Development Act of 2013 that would permit sports betting at commercial casinos. The state is working on regulations in accordance with that, but it remains to be seen if the casinos and gaming commission will move forward. It seems likely that something will get done in 2019. The bill would have also given the leagues a big win with a 0.20 percent "royalty" on all wagers. | Sen. John Bonacic and Assembly Member Pretlow are the main players. |
| North Carolina | No action | ||||
| North Dakota | No action | ||||
| Ohio | Pending | Senate Bill 316, introduced in June 2018, is basically a placeholder to get the ball rolling. It reads as follows: "To express the intent of the General Assembly to develop and enact legislation legalizing sports wagering." | June 2018 | Ohio doesn't want to left behind (a common theme elsewhere in the U.S.). It is surrounded on all sides by states that have or intend to legalize sports wagering in the coming months (or year). O’Brien said he wanted a bill introduced so it will have a bill number and constituents can offer opinions. He said he hopes to have more specifics in the bill by August or September. OH's legislature is in session until the end of the year. | Sens. John Eklund, a Munson Township Republican, and Sean O’Brien, a Bazetta Democrat. |
| Oklahoma | Pending | House Bill 3375, which would have expanded the state-tribe compact to allow for sports wagering, had sports betting language removed by amendment before it ultimately passed. | April 2018 | There won't be sports betting in Oklahoma until the tribal-state compact is worked out to mutual satisfaction. The state's 60 tribal casinos have generated more than $100 million annually for the state every year since 2009. | Representative Kevin Wallace (R-Wellston). |
| Oregon | Legal but limited under federal law | Oregon's “Sports Action Lottery," which allowed parlay wagering on NFL and NBA games at times from 1989-2007, was grandfathered in under PASPA. | April 2018 | The state lottery commission believes that if PASPA falls, it will have broad authority to introduce and remove sports wagering games as it sees fit. In other words, additional legislation may not be necessary at the get-go, but likely would follow. | |
| Pennsylvania | Passed | The Pennsylvania Assembly passed HB271 -- a robust gambling bill that would allow online gambling and permit licensed sports betting — if or when federal law allows it. Regulations are currently in progress. | October 2017 | Governor Tom Wolf signed Pennsylvania's sports betting bill but questions remain about the prohibitive tax rate (35%) and humongous fees the law imposes on would-be operators. | Representative Jason Ortitay(R) was primary sponsor with bipartisan co-sponsors |
| Rhode Island | Legal | On June 22, Governor Gina Raimondo signed an appropriations bill into law, which legalized sports betting at the state's two casinos, Twin River in Lincoln and the Tiverton, scheduled to open later this year. | June 2018 | The state is taking a whopping 51% cut of revenue, with 32% to the operator (IGT) and 17% to the casinos. At the outset, wagering will be limited to on-premises only. | H7200 was introduced by Representative Marvin L. Abney. |
| South Carolina | Pending | House Bill 3102 would amend the state constitution to allow South Carolina to regulate sports betting. | January 2017 | The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. | Representative J. Todd Rutherford |
| South Dakota | No action | ||||
| Tennessee | No action | ||||
| Texas | No action | ||||
| Utah | No action | ||||
| Vermont | No action | ||||
| Virginia | No action | ||||
| Washington | No action | ||||
| West Virginia | Legal | Senate Bill 415, the "West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act" has passed in March, legalizing sports betting. The State Lottery introduced regulations in June 2018. | June 2018 | The bill legalizes sports betting at the states five existing casino/racetracks only, and allow approved online betting/mobile applications. Applicable tax rate on operators is 10%. The West Virginia State Lottery is in charge of regulations and licensure. They're preparing to begin operating by football season, or September 1 at the latest. | Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns with co-sponsors. |
| Wisconsin | No action | ||||
| Wyoming | No action |
| STATE | STATUS | BILL/LEGISLATION | DATE | FURTHER DETAILS | SPONSOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No action | ||||
| Alaska | No action | ||||
| Arizona | No action | ||||
| Arkansas | No action | ||||
| California | Pending | The proposed Assembly Constitutional Amendment 18 would authorize the state legislature to permit sports wagering. | June 2017 | The amendment would only take effect if the federal law (PASPA) is changed, i.e., repealed. | Assemblyman Adam Gray |
| Colorado | No action | ||||
| Connecticut | Pending | House Bill 6948 asks a state commission to outline a regulatory framework for sports betting in anticipation of PASPA being overturned. In February, the Public Safety & Security Committee sponsored HB 5307, which would task the Commissioner of Consumer Protection with "adopting regulations ... to regulate wagering on sporting events." | March 2018 | Connecticut legislators conducted a hearing with various stakeholders in early March to evaluate how to proceed with sports betting legislation. The session closed on May 9 with no bill in place. The main holdup is resolving the tribal-state compact with respect to iGaming and sports betting. | Representative Joe Verrengia led the hearing before the Public Safety and Security Committee. |
| Delaware | Full-fledged wagering is legal and up and running as of June 5. | No additional legislation was necessary. Delaware Governor John Carney made the first non-Nevada single-game legal wager on June 5 -- a $10 bet on the Philadelphia Phillies. | Current | Currently single-game wagering allowed at the states' three casinos/racetracks: Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway and Casino and the Casino at Delaware Park. Retail locations in DE can offer NFL and college football wagering. No mobile wagering, but that's likely to come in the next few months. William Hill handle's DE's operations and risk-management. | N/A |
| Florida | No action | ||||
| Georgia | No action | ||||
| Hawaii | Pending | Bills in both the House (HB 927 ) and Senate (SB 677) are contemplating legalization. | January 2017 | HB 927 calls for the establishment of a commission to analyze the possibility of gaming in Hawaii. SB677 would create the Hawaii Internet lottery and gaming corporation for the purpose of conducting internet gambling in the state. After their introduction, both bills were referred to committees. | Representative John Mizuno (HB 927 ) and Senator Will Espero (SB677) |
| Idaho | No action | ||||
| Illinois | Pending | There's a total of five bills on the table. SB 2478 would create the Sports Betting Consumer Protection Act, legalizing sports betting in the event that federal law does not prohibit such (i.e. PASPA gets repealed). | February 2018 | The bill shows a clear focus on creating a mobile/online component for sports betting. Another bill, SB 3432, proposed by Sen. Napoleon Harris, would give sports leagues an "integrity fee." Three senate bills missed a recent committee deadline, but there's a chance for another run at something before the session ends on May 31. | Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Steve Stadelman (previously Don Harmon) |
| Indiana | Moving forward, potentially groundbreaking | Senate Bill No. 405 would authorize sports wagering on riverboats, racinos, and satellite facilities after the Indiana gaming commission determines that current federal prohibitions on sports wagering are no longer applicable; House Bill 1325 would do the same, also if federal law changes. | January 2018 | Ford and Morrison (at right) authored and sponsored Indiana's daily fantasy sports bill (SB 339) in 2016, signed by then-governor Mike Pence. The House version of the sports betting bill includes an "integrity fee" provision that would give sports leagues 1% of all wagers on their league's games. After hearing backlash on the 1% fee, lawmakers may be pumping brakes. | Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) introduced SB 405 and by Indiana Rep. Alan Morrison (R-District 42) authored HB 1325. |
| Iowa | Pending | House File 2448, which would legalize sports betting, is making its way through committees. | March 2018 | In its current form, the state's state Racing and Gaming Commission would handle regulatory matters and a tiered 7.66% tax rate would apply to gaming revenue. The session ended and the bill was not passed. | Representative Ken Rizer (R-Marion) with Local Government subcommittee chairman Jake Highfill (R-Johnston) doing some work |
| Kansas | Pending | The bare-bones House Bill 2533 ("Kansas expanded lottery act") would allow wagering on professional and collegiate sports. Another bill, HB 2572 ("Kansas sports wagering act"), is basically a league-sponsored bill that would pay them the "integrity fee"/royalty plus provide data rights and restrictions to the league. | March 2018 | The bill would limit sports betting to Kansas racetracks, which HB 2545 looks to revive. The state has held some hearings that at times saw contentious exchanges between MLB and NBA officials, casinos representatives and state lawmakers. The sessions ended on May 4 and no bill was passed. | Kansas’s Committee on Federal and State Affairs |
| Kentucky | Pending | SB 22 would require the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to institute a sports wagering system. | January 2018 | The law would task the horse racing commission with regulatory, licensure and compliance regulations for sports wagering at horse tracks. The bill was introduced to the Appropriations & Revenue committee and so far has not advanced. | Senator Julian M. Carroll (D-Frankfort) |
| Louisiana | Pending | There's a couple bills in the legislature addressing sports wagering. They include HB 245, which would "Authorize additional games and sports betting at eligible live horse racing facilities." (more here.) | April 2018 | Other bills include SB 266 and SB 398, which call for a statewide referendum on sports betting, however that bill failed in committee in April. | Rep. Major Thibaut (HB 245). |
| Maine | No action | ||||
| Maryland | Pending | HB 1014, which passed in the House of Delegates, calls for the issue of sports betting in Maryland to be put on the November ballot (if PASPA gets repealed) as a referendum for voters to decide. | March 2018 | The bill would give the State Lottery and Gaming Commission the ability to issue “certain sports wagering licenses." The bill reached the relevant Senate committee but was not passed before the session ended on April 9. | Delegates Frank Turner, Jason Buckel and others |
| Massachusetts | Percolating | Former state senator (now the Lowell, Massachusetts city manager) Eileen Donoghue has a proposed bill (SD 2480), which would would create a committee to study, regulate and examine taxation of legal sports betting in Massachusetts (if PASPA gets struck). | March 2018 | In early March, the state's Gaming Commission issued a report with respect to sports wagering outlining various considerations, regulatory models, potential revenue and more. That's as far as the state has gotten so far. | Eileen Donoghue (D-First Middlesex District) (Now the Lowell, Massachusetts City Manager) |
| Michigan | Pending | House Bills 4060, 4261 and 4338 all pertain to sports betting. HR 4060 would amend the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act to allow the holder of a casino license to accept wagers on sporting events; HR 4338 would allow parlay wagering; HR 4261 would allow simulcast wagers on horse racing in licensed casinos. There's also HB 4926, which would get the job done within a greater bill creating the lawful internet gaming act. | May 2018 | Tribal concerns reportedly are slowing the legislation. However there is some new momentum behind Rep. Iden's bill and a session that doesn't end until December 31 (recess on June 21) so a chance something could get done after SCOTUS rules (if it's favorable). | Representative Robert Kosowski (D-District 16) and Brandt Iden (R-District 61) are at the helm. |
| Minnesota | Percolating | Previous bills failed but in April a draft bill by Rep. Pat Garofolo (R-Farmington) surfaced that would legalize sports betting in Minnesota, create a sports wagering regulatory body, and establish a novel taxation model (1 percent off the top for the state). | April 2018 | The hurdle? “I won’t submit a sports gambling bill the tribal casinos are opposed to,” Garofalo said. “Non-negotiable.” There are nearly 20 casinos and racetracks operating in Minnesota, nearly all of them on Native American lands and they wield a whole lot of power. | Rep. Pat Garofalo |
| Mississippi | Legal | House Bill 967 legalized sports fantasy betting (Fantasy Contest Act) in the state and also included language that would legalize sports betting in Mississippi casinos if PASPA is overturned. Regulations were introduced by the state gaming commission on June 20. | June 2018 | The goal is to have properties ready by football season. Online sports betting may come later as mobile/online wagering is permitted now on-premises only. Wagering on games by colleges located in the state is allowed. "Tell me that people are not already betting on these games all over the place, anyways," quipped Allen Godfrey, Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, in an interview with Sports Handle. | Representatives Bennett, Ladner, Barnett, Dixon, Sykes, and Eure |
| Missouri | Pending | House Bill 2320 is pretty skinny but a start for implementing legal sports betting. It tasks the Missouri Gaming Commission with creating rules and regulations. There's also the 'Missouri Video Lottery Control Act' (SB 767), which could serve as the sports betting vehicle. A more recent pair of sister House-Senate bills dubbed the 'Comprehensive Missouri Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act' gives MLB and the NBA everything they're asking for in terms of money and control. | April 2018 | The state appears to be backing away from the Comprehensive Missouri 'Sports Betting and Sports Protection Act.' At this stage it seems Hoskins' bill is the more likely vehicle but it's extremely doubtful something gets done this year with the session ending on May 18. | Rep. Bart Korman (R-High Hill) for HB 2320; Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-District 21) has sponsored Senate Bill 1013 and Rep. Dean Plocher (R-St. Louis) House Bill 2535. |
| Montana | Legal on a very limited basis | Montana was one of four states (along with Nevada, Delaware and Oregon) to have their grandfathered under PASPA because they all allowed some form of sports betting at the time of its enactment. | Current | In 2008, Montana began its "Montana Sports Action" which is basically a form of fantasy sports, offering through the state lottery. | |
| Nebraska | No action | ||||
| Nevada | Legal, very legal | Current | |||
| New Hampshire | No action | ||||
| New Jersey | Passed | The Assembly and Senate unanimously passed bills on June 7 to legalize sports betting in New Jersey. | June 2018 | Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill (A4111) into law on June 11. The bills completely spurns the sports leagues -- no fees, no data rights. Bill imposes 8.5 percent tax on in-person wagers and 13 percent on internet/mobile wagers. Division of Gaming Enforcement and New Jersey Racing Commission will set forth complete regulations, but first temporary ones so operations can begin sooner. Monmouth Park is set to to take first legal wager on June 14. | Assembly members Eric Houghtaling (D-11), Joann Downey, (D-11) as well as John Burzichelli (D-3); Senate Majority Leader Stephen M. Sweeney (D-03) on the senate side; former Senator Raymond Lesniak a champion throughout. |
| New Mexico | No action | ||||
| New York | Pending | The legislative session on June 20 and efforts to legalize through sister bills in the senate S7900(C) and Assembly (A11144) fell short. The senate bill was introduced by Chairman of the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, John Bonacic (R-42nd District). Opposition from tribes in the state is what ultimately doomed the effort. | June 2018 | There is language in the Upstate New York Gaming Development Act of 2013 that would permit sports betting at commercial casinos. The state is working on regulations in accordance with that, but it remains to be seen if the casinos and gaming commission will move forward. It seems likely that something will get done in 2019. The bill would have also given the leagues a big win with a 0.20 percent "royalty" on all wagers. | Sen. John Bonacic and Assembly Member Pretlow are the main players. |
| North Carolina | No action | ||||
| North Dakota | No action | ||||
| Ohio | Pending | Senate Bill 316, introduced in June 2018, is basically a placeholder to get the ball rolling. It reads as follows: "To express the intent of the General Assembly to develop and enact legislation legalizing sports wagering." | June 2018 | Ohio doesn't want to left behind (a common theme elsewhere in the U.S.). It is surrounded on all sides by states that have or intend to legalize sports wagering in the coming months (or year). O’Brien said he wanted a bill introduced so it will have a bill number and constituents can offer opinions. He said he hopes to have more specifics in the bill by August or September. OH's legislature is in session until the end of the year. | Sens. John Eklund, a Munson Township Republican, and Sean O’Brien, a Bazetta Democrat. |
| Oklahoma | Pending | House Bill 3375, which would have expanded the state-tribe compact to allow for sports wagering, had sports betting language removed by amendment before it ultimately passed. | April 2018 | There won't be sports betting in Oklahoma until the tribal-state compact is worked out to mutual satisfaction. The state's 60 tribal casinos have generated more than $100 million annually for the state every year since 2009. | Representative Kevin Wallace (R-Wellston). |
| Oregon | Legal but limited under federal law | Oregon's “Sports Action Lottery," which allowed parlay wagering on NFL and NBA games at times from 1989-2007, was grandfathered in under PASPA. | April 2018 | The state lottery commission believes that if PASPA falls, it will have broad authority to introduce and remove sports wagering games as it sees fit. In other words, additional legislation may not be necessary at the get-go, but likely would follow. | |
| Pennsylvania | Passed | The Pennsylvania Assembly passed HB271 -- a robust gambling bill that would allow online gambling and permit licensed sports betting — if or when federal law allows it. Regulations are currently in progress. | October 2017 | Governor Tom Wolf signed Pennsylvania's sports betting bill but questions remain about the prohibitive tax rate (35%) and humongous fees the law imposes on would-be operators. | Representative Jason Ortitay(R) was primary sponsor with bipartisan co-sponsors |
| Rhode Island | Legal | On June 22, Governor Gina Raimondo signed an appropriations bill into law, which legalized sports betting at the state's two casinos, Twin River in Lincoln and the Tiverton, scheduled to open later this year. | June 2018 | The state is taking a whopping 51% cut of revenue, with 32% to the operator (IGT) and 17% to the casinos. At the outset, wagering will be limited to on-premises only. | H7200 was introduced by Representative Marvin L. Abney. |
| South Carolina | Pending | House Bill 3102 would amend the state constitution to allow South Carolina to regulate sports betting. | January 2017 | The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. | Representative J. Todd Rutherford |
| South Dakota | No action | ||||
| Tennessee | No action | ||||
| Texas | No action | ||||
| Utah | No action | ||||
| Vermont | No action | ||||
| Virginia | No action | ||||
| Washington | No action | ||||
| West Virginia | Legal | Senate Bill 415, the "West Virginia Lottery Sports Wagering Act" has passed in March, legalizing sports betting. The State Lottery introduced regulations in June 2018. | June 2018 | The bill legalizes sports betting at the states five existing casino/racetracks only, and allow approved online betting/mobile applications. Applicable tax rate on operators is 10%. The West Virginia State Lottery is in charge of regulations and licensure. They're preparing to begin operating by football season, or September 1 at the latest. | Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns with co-sponsors. |
| Wisconsin | No action | ||||
| Wyoming | No action |