US State Gambling Laws
In the United States, online gambling is governed by a patchwork of state statutes. The federal government generally defers to the discretion of individual states when it comes to regulating gaming. The legal status of gambling and the forms it can take differ across the United States.
Some states lie somewhere in the middle, such as those that restrict gambling to regulated establishments like casinos. Other states may allow some forms of gambling but not others.
For instance, bets on horse races, both on and off the track, as well as bets on sporting events and casino games, are all legal in states like New Jersey. But while bets on horse races are legal in Washington, wagers on other sports are not. Moreover, in Washington State, casinos can only be found on Native American reservations.
Even if gambling is legalized at the state level, it may still be prohibited by specific municipalities. Local governments can opt out of hosting casinos and other forms of gaming.
| Gambling Laws by State | |||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado |
| Connecticut | Delaware | DC | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii |
| Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky |
| Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota |
| Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire |
| New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
| Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington |
| West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | |||
In 48 out of the 50 states, gambling is allowed, at least in some contexts. Utah and Hawaii are the only two states that outrightly prohibit it. Gaming is permitted throughout Nevada, which has earned a reputation as a gambling haven.
