Sports Betting Apps Legal
- Best Legal Sports Betting Apps
- Best Mobile Sports Betting App
- Best Legal Sports Betting Apps
- Sports Betting Apps Legal In Pa
- Sports Betting Apps Legal Advice
Where is sports betting legal in the US? Learn about sports betting sites across America and find out how you can gamble on sports in 2020. We review the best sports betting sites for 2020. Which online sportsbooks are worthy of your time, legal in your state and offer the best signup bonus? Legal and licensed mobile sports betting is live in Pennsylvania. That means you can turn your phone or tablet into a sportsbook available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. That’s right, the top PA sports betting apps place a sportsbook in the palm of your hand.
Legal and licensed mobile sports betting is live in Pennsylvania. That means you can turn your phone or tablet into a sportsbook available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
That’s right, the top PA sports betting apps place a sportsbook in the palm of your hand, and they are all just a tap away on your mobile device.
Read on to find out how you can download and install a sports betting app, how you can use an app to bet on your favorite teams and players, and how these apps can improve your sports betting experience.
Best PA sports betting apps
Some of the best betting apps in the country have launched in Pennsylvania. Here’s a look:DraftKings Sportsbook app
DraftKings Sportsbook partnered with The Meadows Racetrack and Casino to launch its sports betting app in PA.
Since then, it has handled close to 25% of all the sports betting in the state. It’s easy to see why, with DraftKings Sportsbook’s easy-to-navigate software filled with functionality.
The live betting feature stands out, and DraftKings runs a variety of promotions.
FanDuel Sportsbook app
FanDuel Sportsbook got together with Valley Forge Casino to launch its popular sports betting app in the state.
Besting long-time competitor DraftKings, FanDuel has handled close to 40% of all the sports betting in the state since it went live. The platform is easy to use and filled with all kinds of betting features that are just a tap away.
Odds boosts and promotions make the FanDuel app worth downloading.
FOX Bet Sportsbook app
FOX Bet and Mount Airy Casino have teamed up to launch a sports betting app with more links to a major sports broadcaster than any other.
It’s a great sports betting product all on its own, and that along with the hype from FOX Sports has led it to a 10% market share in Pennsylvania.
You’ll find all kinds of ongoing promos brought to you by various FOX Sports personalities and an app that functions as well as any on the market.
BetMGM Sportsbook app
The BetMGM Sportsbook has brought one of the biggest names in US gambling to other states and now it is available in Pennsylvania, as well. BetMGM partners with Penn National’s Category 4 property Hollywood Casino Morgantown (slated to open in 2021) for sports betting.
An already solid software platform is always improving, and BetMGM offers a wide array of sports betting markets, bet boosts, and parlays to PA bettors on desktop or mobile. Their partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers also means plenty of Black and Yellow betting options and promotions.
BetRivers Sportsbook app
BetRivers Sportsbook is Rivers Pittsburgh’s sports betting app.
The brand is popular in the state, and the app delivers on all the expectations for an operator located just a stone’s throw from where the Pittsburgh Steelers play.
Smooth running software and a clean layout make it easy to use. Finding bets and filling out bet slips is simple, and the rewards program is another strong point.
Caesars Sportsbook app
Harrah’s Philadelphia is a Caesars property, so Caesars Sportsbook runs its Pennsylvania sports betting app out of there.
Another massive name in gambling, Caesars delivers on the sportsbook app experience as you’d expect it to.
The app is easy to use because it’s relatively stripped down and simple. All of the betting markets and bet types are there. It’s just that Caesars runs without a lot of bells and whistles getting in the way.
There’s more banking options than most, great customer support and worthwhile promos you can take advantage of by downloading the Caesars Sportsbook app.
PA sports betting regulations
It’s simple, really. If you want to use a Pennsylvania sports betting app to bet on sports, you have to be 21 or older and currently inside state lines.
The apps make sure of this. They verify your age using the Social Security number information you provided when you signed up. Then, they verify that you are within Pennsylvania when you’re placing bets using geolocation technology to determine your exact location.
The thing is, you can use sports betting apps to manage your account and do your banking from almost anywhere. But when it comes time to place a bet, you have to be inside state lines.
Geolocation ensures that, and there’s no getting around it with some kind of VPN or other technology.
In other words, you have to accept the fact that Pennsylvania mobile sports betting is a PA-only kind of thing. But once you do, you’ll find you can use apps to bet from just about anywhere inside the state.
How to download & install PA sports betting apps
You can download and install most PA sports betting apps on most devices. That includes Android phones and tablets running on the Android 5.1 operating system or newer. Plus, iPhones and iPads running on iOS version 8 or newer.
How to download and install on your iPhone
- Tap the link to the PA sports betting app of your choice above.
- Look for the Apple logo and tap it to download the app from the PA sports betting operator’s homepage.
- Tap the “Get” button.
- When the download is finished, tap on the app’s newly created icon.
- Sign up for an account, deposit funds and look for something to bet on.
How to download and install on your Android
For most Android devices, you’re going to have to change your settings to allow downloads from sources other than Google Play. Just go to Settings > More > Security > Unknown Sources. Then:
- Tap the link to the app of your choice above.
- Look for the “Android” logo and tap it to download the app from the operator’s homepage.
- When the download is finished, tap on the app’s newly created icon.
- Sign up for an account, deposit funds and look for something to bet on.
How to open a betting account
Online betting apps make signing up for an account relatively easy.
Tap on the app’s icon on your device. Then, click on anything that says “sign up,”“join now” or “register.”
You’ll have to fill out some fields with personal information, including your:
- Name
- Phone number
- Address
- The last four digits of your Social Security number
You’ll also want to plug in any promo code or bonus code you found on this site to make sure you get your hands on the best bonus available.
Plus, you’ll have to create a username and password you’ll use to log in going forward, and accept all the various terms and conditions.
In the end, just submit all that for verification, and you’ll be ready to go.
How to deposit money into a sportsbook account
The next step toward making bets with the app is to add money to your account. Online sportsbooks make this easy, as well. Plus, regulation ensures your money is always safe and secure with these apps.
Log in and tap on anything that says “deposit” or “cashier.”
Choose a deposit method from a list that might include credit or debit cards, online bank transfers or third-party payment processors like PayPal, prepaid debit cards, PayNearMe at 7-Eleven, or cash at the affiliated casino’s cage.
Then, enter how much you want to deposit, follow the prompts and instructions, and confirm your deposit.
Most online methods work fast, so the money should be in your account almost immediately, and you can start betting.
Advantages of mobile betting apps
Sports betting apps are convenient. You can use the apps to bet on sports with your device from anywhere inside Pennsylvania. That means no more driving to the casino, which is most definitely convenient.
PA sportsbook apps provide several betting options for the big game, no matter the sport. You can bet on the Eagles to crush the Giants from your sofa on a Sunday afternoon, or that Joel Embiid will drop 30 on the Celtics from your local sports bar while you watch the game.
Plus, you can do it all with the same phone or tablet you use to text your buddies, order pizza and check your email every day. Look up the definition of “convenient” in the dictionary, and that’s right there.
Best Legal Sports Betting Apps
The fact that there are a good number of PA sports betting apps already live — with more coming — is also good news for you.
It means the apps are competing for your business by offering all kinds of free bets, risk-free bets and deposit match bonuses when you sign up. Plus, promos like odds boosts to keep you betting.
That’s loads of free bonus cash and free bets so you can start betting with the apps right away.
Finally, sports apps offer you unparalleled choice and flexibility. There are frequently more ways to bet with an app, and you can browse through your options at your own pace, even checking potential payouts, as you decide what you want to bet on.
There’s also access to live betting options, giving you the chance to lock up winnings by hedging your bets or limit your losses by taking the other side on an obvious loser. Many also offer an early cash-out option, in case you want to lock up a profit before tides potentially turn.
No matter how you slice it, PA sports betting apps are all about:
- Convenience
- Value
- Choice
- Flexibility
- Live betting
And these are all good things for you.
Apps for live betting
Live betting gives you the chance to bet on games that have already started at odds that change with the action.
It all happens at light speed, so the use of a mobile device is a must. The truth is, the odds change so fast that you’ll have trouble getting a bet down on them at retail sportsbooks, where you have to wait in line at a ticket window. This pretty much makes live betting the exclusive domain of sports betting apps.
The apps use live feeds and official data to set live betting markets that you’ll see change in real time on your device.
Tap on an available total, spread or moneyline bet fast enough, and you can get some money down on the live odds. There’s also live props and even more betting markets for high-profile games and sports.
You can bet live any way you like, but as we mentioned earlier, these live markets offer you the chance to hedge bets and mitigate losses.
There’s little doubt that live betting can enhance your sports watching and sports betting experience. All you need is your phone and a PA sports betting app to get in on the action.
In May 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court officially struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The landmark decision restored the right for each state to individually pursue sports betting by creating their own set of rules and regulations. Over the years many states have exercised that right, creating a diverse, flourishing sports betting industry in the United States.
- Top Rated Sportsbook
- User-Friendly
- NJ-MI-PA-IL-IN-IA-WV-CO-TN-VA
Best Mobile Sports Betting App
- Use Code: SAORFBET
- Innovative PointsBetting
- NJ-MI-CO-IL-IN-IA
Best Legal Sports Betting Apps
- Use Code: SAOMAXPROMO
- Big, Exciting Brand
- NJ-MI-PA-IN-CO-TN-WV-VA-IA-MI
- Plus $250 Risk-Free Bet
- Profit Boost Specials
- NJ, PA, and IN
- Bet Risk-Free For A Week
- Unique Brand
- Available in CO
- Top iGaming Brand
- Valuable Promos
- VA-MI-PA-CO-IL-IA-IN
- Use Code: SAOMAXBONUSRF
- Trusted Brand
- NJ-MI-CO-IL-WV-IA-VA
- $500 Risk-Free Bet
- No Code Needed
- NJ, PA, CO, and MI
- $1000 Deposit Match
- Seamless Mobile Betting
- NJ-MI-PA-IN-VA-TN-CO-IA-IL-WV
On this page we’ll breakdown all of the states that now have legal, regulated sports betting, and the online operators where you can place wagers. If you have general questions about online sports betting in the U.S., we’ve got your answers.
States With Legal Online Sports Betting
In the post-PASPA world each state is responsible for creating its own set of sports betting rules. While there are some similarities, there’s still room for plenty of variety from state to state. Some only permit retail sports betting, while some include online wagering too, and others only allow for online betting. Here’s our breakdown of every state that now has some form of legal online sports betting.
| State | Sports Betting Status | Online or Retail | Launch |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | Legal + Live | Both | June 2018 |
| West Virginia | Legal + Live | Both | August 2018 |
| Mississippi | Legal + Live | Retail Only (online on premises) | August 2018 |
| Pennsylvania | Legal + Live | Both | November 2018 |
| Rhode Island | Legal + Live | Both | November 2018 |
| Iowa | Legal + Live | Both | August 2019 |
| Oregon | Legal + Live | Both | August 2019 |
| Indiana | Legal + Live | Both | September 2019 |
| New Hampshire | Legal + Live | Both (though retail isn't live yet) | December 2019 |
| Illinois | Legal + Live | Both | March 2020 |
| Michigan | Legal + Live | Both (though online isn't live yet) | March 2020 |
| Colorado | Legal + Live | Both | May 2020 |
| Tennessee | Legal + Live | Online Only | November 2020 |
| Virginia | Legal + Live | Both (though retail isn't live yet) | January 2021 |
Nevada
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: 1949
- Online/Retail: Both
The first state in the country to legalize sports betting, Nevada thrived for years under PASPA as the nation’s sports betting capital. It’s no longer the only game in town, but Nevada, and Las Vegas specifically, are still king. Online wagering is now available throughout Nevada using a number of different apps. MGM, William Hill, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Wynn, and plenty of other leading casino brands now offer online sportsbooks and betting apps.
New Jersey
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: June 2018
- Online/Retail: Both
Sports Betting Apps Legal In Pa
New Jersey led the push for online sports betting in the U.S. Retail wagering began in June 2018, just a month after PASPA fell. Online sites went live in August of the same year. All of Atlantic City’s major casinos now offer luxurious retail sports betting experiences, and online bettors can join the action from anywhere in the state with more than a dozen books (and counting!) to choose from. Many bettors from New York travel to NJ to place bets while they wait for the home state to enter the market.
Pennsylvania
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: November 2018
- Online/Retail: Both
Pennsylvania actually passed online sports betting legislation in 2017 while PASPA was still in play. However, despite the head start, its rollout was slower than expected. The first retail books opened in November 2018, but online bettors had to wait until May of 2019. A massive iGaming state due to its population, PA bettors can now choose from a host of top online operators including BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings, and FOX Bet.
Indiana
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: September 2019
- Online/Retail: Both
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb placed the state’s ceremonial first bet on September 1, 2019. Within a month more than 10 Indiana brick-and-mortar casinos were operating retail sportsbooks. An efficient online rollout was completed just a month later, with BetRivers and DraftKings taking the state’s first online bets on October 3rd.
West Virginia
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: August 2018
- Online/Retail: Both
West Virginia officially opened its sports betting market on August 30, 2018. It took nearly a full year for online wagering to arrive in a permanent capacity, with both FanDuel and DraftKings accepting their first online bets in August 2019. Each of the state’s five brick-and-mortar casinos now has a retail sports betting facility, and can host up to three online skins on its license… so there’s a lot of growth potential in the Mountain State.
Iowa
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: August 2019
- Online/Retail: Both
Iowa was the first state to launch both online and retail sports betting simultaneously. While a handful of retail sportsbooks opened their doors on Day 1 of the market – Aug. 15 – William Hill also became the first active online bookmaker. All of the state’s 19 casinos now hold valid sports betting licenses, and and can host two online skins each. While there are some smaller, more local online options like Elite Sportsbook and Q Sportsbook, Iowa bettors also have access to major industry players like PointsBet, DraftKings and Hard Rock, too.
Iowa elected to require in-person registration during the market’s first year but that is now a thing of the past. As of January 1, 2021, remote registration for all legal and live online sportsbooks is available. This means you can sign up anywhere there is an internet connection via your computer or mobile device.
Mississippi
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: August 2018
- Online/Retail: Retail, with online betting available on premises
Sports Betting Apps Legal Advice
Mississippi is a little tricky. Retail sports betting is alive and well at more than twenty locations around the state. Online wagering is *technically* legal, though there’s a pretty harsh restriction that requires bettors to be on premises at a retail casino. With some states accepting more than 80% of wagers online, full fledged state-wide mobile is a big miss in Miss.
Rhode Island
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: November 2018
- Online/Retail: Both
Since November 2018 both of Rhode Island’s casinos have offered retail sports betting. William Hill has partnered with the state lottery to run online operations, which began in September 2019. Notably, Rhode Island is one of the few states that set the age bar at just 18
Oregon
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: August 2019
- Online/Retail: Both
Oregon kicked off its sports betting industry in August 2019 with the opening of its first retail sportsbook. There’s just one online sports betting option, Scoreboard, which is run by the Oregon lottery and began accepting wagers in October ’19.
New Hampshire
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: December 2019
- Online/Retail: Both, though retail has not launched
New Hampshire launched state-wide online sports betting in the final days of 2019. After agreeing to a generous, near even revenue split with the state, DraftKings was chosen to be the sole online sports betting operator. Retail sportsbooks will follow, but haven’t opened yet.
Illinois
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: March 2020
- Online/Retail: Both
Illinois is a big state for online sports betting in the United States because of its large population base. The first regulated sports bets were placed on March 9, 2020, at the Rivers Casino Des Plaines. Online wagering kicked off on June 18, 2020 when BetRivers took the first online wager.
Established providers like DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and William Hill have all joined the fray, with more expected to follow.
Michigan
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: March 2020
- Online/ Retail: Both
Michigan managed to push through legislation for online sports betting, casino and DFS in December 2019. The MGM Grand and the Greektown Casino became the first brick-and-mortar sportsbooks to open, accepting the state’s first bets on March 11, 2020. Online sports betting and casino gaming launched together on January 22, 2021.
Colorado
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: May 2020
- Online/Retail: Both
Colorado voters narrowly approved the state’s sports betting referendum in late 2019, with the market officially launching on May 1, 2020. With 33 casinos, all of which are now allowed to offer retail betting and establish online partners, Colorado could get crowded. Wynn Resorts, theScore, Circa Sports, and a host of other sites have already confirmed that they will have an online presence in Colorado.
Tennessee
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: November 2020
- Online/Retail: Online only
Tennessee bucked convention by approving an online-only sports betting bill in 2019. However, it was far from a rapid-release in the Volunteer State. Tennessee finally accepted its first legal bets on November 1, 2020.
Virginia
- Status: Legal and Live
- Market Launch: January 2021
- Online/Retail: Both, though retail has not launched yet
To the surprise of many, Virginia approved legal sports betting in March 2020. Governor Ralph Northam’s signature set the gears in motion towards launch. The first online sportsbooks in VA went live on January 21, 2021. Retail sportsbooks are coming too, but will need significantly more time to get off the ground.
U.S. Online Sportsbook Operators
Many of the gaming industry’s biggest names, both within the U.S. and abroad, have expanded their operations to include online sports betting. Prominent bookmakers in the regulated U.S. market include:
DraftKings
- Active States: New Jersey, West Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Iowa, Colorado, Illinois
DraftKings, a name synonymous with massive daily fantasy sports contests, has quickly grown its presence within the regulated sports betting industry. DraftKings Sportsbook was the first online sportsbook to go live in New Jersey, and is expected to have a presence in virtually every legal U.S. market.
FanDuel
- Active States: New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois
Another DFS giant, FanDuel is now one of the biggest online sportsbooks in the business. New Jersey was first on its list, launching online operations on September 7, 2018. Like DraftKings, the FanDuel Sportsbook brand is expected to be among the most common operators around the country.
PointsBet
- Active States: New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois
A relatively new, innovative Aussie-based bookmaker, PointsBet has made serious waves during its short history. New Jersey was up first, followed by Iowa, Indiana, and more. PointsBet’s clean mobile interface and unique offerings make it a stand out option.
BetMGM
- Active States: New Jersey, West Virginia, Indiana, Nevada, Colorado
A blue blood of retail casino gaming in the U.S., BetMGM is now strengthening its online presence. Like many operators, NJ was the first step, with WV, IN, an NV following. BetMGM has also announced intentions to operate in PA and MI as well, but is not yet live. It’s likely that every state with an MGM property (and even some without!) will eventually host a BetMGM online sportsbook.
FOX Bet
- Active States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado
FOX Bet, operating through its partnership with the Stars Group, originally launched in New Jersey under the BetStars name. In August 2019 a full rebrand was completed to FOX Bet, which will serve as the company’s primary sports betting platform in the U.S. Though not yet live, FOX Bet has already announced an agreement to offer sports betting in Indiana and Michigan.
BetRivers
- Active States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois
BetRivers is the online extension of the B+M Rivers Casinos, which operate in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. Online operations for the company first began in New Jersey under the SugarHouse brand, and then expanded to include Pennsylvania when the market launched. BetRivers was first to market in Illinois (live and online) thanks to its retail sportsbook in Des Plaines.
William Hill
- Active States: New Jersey, Nevada, Rhode Island, Iowa, West Virginia, and Illinois. WH is also in Pennsylvania (retail only).
William Hill is one of the world’s largest bookmakers, accepting wagers in the UK since the 1930s. Will Hill now offers online sports betting in numerous U.S. states, and operates as a retail sportsbook sponsor in several more. New partnerships in both Colorado, Indiana, and Michigan have already been established.
Borgata
- Active States: New Jersey
For the moment Borgata online sportsbook is a one hit wonder. They’re one of the top grossing books in the busy New Jersey market thanks to the tie in with its luxurious Atlantic City resort. However, the brand has yet to expand outside of the Garden State.
Caesars
- Active States: New Jersey, Nevada
Caesars is one of the most iconic names in the retail casino industry. Opening first in New Jersey and Nevada, the Caesars online sportsbook ties in beautifully with the company’s popular Caesars Rewards program, and offers an excellent sports betting experience to boot. Expansion to the midwestern states of Indiana and Iowa is expected soon.
BetAmerica
- Active States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana
Backed by its enormous parent company, Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI), the BetAmerica brand is quickly becoming a prominent sports betting fixture. Online sports betting with BetAmerica online sportsbook first opened in New Jersey, followed by Pennsylvania, with Indiana joining at the tail end of 2019. As more states legalize sports betting, expect to see more BetAmerica sportsbooks nationwide.
Unibet
- Active States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana
Unibet is a massive European bookmaker that’s been around since the late 90s. Its first venture into the U.S. market took place in 2019, partnering with Golden Nugget to provide online sports betting in New Jersey. A few months later through an agreement with the Mohegan Sun, operation spread to Pennsylvania.
888Sport
- Active States: New Jersey
Headquartered in Gibraltar, 888 Holdings has maintained a strong presence in the iGaming world since 1997. In the U.S. 888 currently offers online sports betting, casino, and poker in the state of New Jersey. Likely future destinations include Pennsylvania and Michigan, where the company could capitalize on its ability to offer all three products.
Golden Nugget
- Active States: New Jersey, Nevada
The Golden Nugget casino has been an icon of old town Vegas since 1946. It waited nearly 60 years to expand east. With an eye on iGaming in New Jersey, Golden Nugget purchased the bankrupt Trump Marina in 2011 and now operates online sportsbooks in both NJ, and NV.
Hard Rock
- Active States: New Jersey, Iowa
In conjunction with tech provider GiG, Hard Rock’s online sportsbook premiered in New Jersey in 2019. Just a few months later Iowa became its second state of operation in December of the same year. Its a safe bet that any state with legal sports betting and a Hard Rock Casino will also have access to Hard Rocks online sportsbook.
theScore Bet
- Active States: New Jersey
theScore is a Canadian digital media company that specializes in providing sports related news, information, and of course – scores. theScore Bet, its mobile sports betting app, debuted in New Jersey in September 2019, operating on the Monmouth Park gaming license. theScore has recently announced plans to offer mobile sports betting Colorado and Indiana as well.
Parx
- Active States: Pennsylvania
Philly-based Parx has long been a regional contender, spreading online casino games in both NJ and PA. Sportsbook has remained exclusive to the Pennsylvania market, though expansion to Michigan will be coming through a recently announced agreement with the Gun Lake Casino.
Wynn Sports
- Active States: Nevada
The Wynn has been a luxurious fixture in Las Vegas since it first opened in 2005. Wynn Sports extends the company’s reach beyond the strip, as bettors are able to enjoy a premium sportsbook experience online, from anywhere in the state of Nevada. Wynn has also reached an agreement with Full House Resorts to expand the brand slightly further east, to operate in Colorado.
Barstool Sportsbook
- Active States: None, yet…
In early 2020 Penn National Gaming purchased a 36% stake in Barstool Sports with the intention of making it the company’s primary sportsbook brand. Expect to see Barstool Sportsbooks, both retail and online, around the country soon.
Online Sports Betting and Major U.S. Sports
Just like how sports betting law looks different in each state, the same can be said for each of the United States’ principal sports leagues. Some have taken an active, progressive, stance – while others have yet to embrace it fully. In this section we’ll summarize each major league and its stance on sports betting.
NFL
In the U.S., the NFL is king – and the king has started to come around on sports betting. While not quite all-in – at the very least, years of outright opposition from the NFL are a thing of the past. The Oakland Raiders are now the Las Vegas Raiders, and will play all of their home games in the gambling capital of the world. On the franchises first official day in Las Vegas it announced a lucrative partnership with MGM Resorts International.
Elsewhere, NFL owners clearly have sports betting on the mind. The Washington Redskins will be tenants of FedEX Field in Maryland until 2027, however, owner Dan Snyder has made it clear that he wants the team to become a sports betting licensee. This has lead to Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia all aggressively pursuing sports betting legislation in hopes of landing the team. Wherever they end up, it’s clear that sports betting will only increase in stature with the league over the coming years.
Use our NFL odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
NBA
In recent years the NBA has been, perhaps, the most progressive U.S. sports league when it comes to sports betting. It hasn’t always been that way, though. The former Commissioner, David Stern, was part of the lobby that led to the creation of PASPA in 1992.
However, since the regime changed in 2014, things have been different. Just months after taking over, new Commissioner Adam Silver published an op-ed piece with the New York Times entitled “Legalize and Regulate Sports Betting” – adamantly advocating for the legalization, and regulation of sports betting in the United States.
Today, the NBA has a growing list of authorized sports betting partnerships with major operators including DraftKings, The Stars Group, Unibet, theScore, MGM, and FanDuel. The agreements grant the sports betting sites access to the use of NBA trademarks and official league data.
The NBA has been a big proponent of integrity fees, which essentially earns the league a cut of the sports betting profits. It uses these fees to invest in its own league, and ensure the integrity of its games remains intact.
In addition, the Washington Wizards’ Capital One Arena looks set to become the first sports venue in the United States to house a retail sportsbook.
Use our NBA odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
MLB
In the years post-PASPA, the MLB has become far more accepting of sports betting. For one, after seeing a decline in popularity amongst younger fans, it’s a new and exciting way for the league to engage with new demographics. Often criticized for its slow pace, it’s now possible to create excitement through in-game wagering.
Major League Baseball isn’t a stranger to sports betting controversy. Pete Rose is perhaps the most well known betting scandal in the history of U.S. sports. One of the leagues all-time greats, Rose was famously banned for life in 1989 after illegally betting on the team he was managing at the time. Arguments for his Hall of Fame candidacy continue more than 30 years later.
MLB, like the NBA, has been a big advocate for integrity fees – seeking to promote a healthy sports betting atmosphere while avoiding any Rose-like scandals. The league now has numerous sports betting partners, including FanDuel, MGM, and FOX Bet.
Use our MLB odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
NHL
The NHL surprised many in the sports betting world by awarding the gambling Mecca, Las Vegas, with its first professional sports franchise in 2017. In their inaugural season the Las Vegas Golden Knights had roughly 10-15x more action placed on them than any other NHL team.
Since PASPA was overturned in 2018, the NHL, like the NBA and MLB, has also engaged in exclusive agreements with sports betting operators. William Hill, FanDuel, and MGM are amongst the current partnerships. These operators have the right to use the official league data and other intellectual property.
Use our NHL odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
NCAA Sports
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but the NCAA is strongly anti-sports betting. That doesn’t mean they aren’t popular events to bet on. For example, opening rounds of the NCAAB March Madness typically rank amongst the busiest days of the year for sportsbooks.
While still seeking to protect amateur athletes at all cost, the NCAA has come around a little bit. After originally banning championship games from taking place in states with legal betting, in 2019 they performed an about-face as more and more states pursued it. It’s now possible that we’ll see NCAAF bowl games at the new Raiders Stadium in Las Vegas, or the NCAA tournament hosted at T-Mobile.
Collegiate sports remain one of the most common restrictions for states to specify when legalizing sports betting. Many have elected to exclude sportsbooks in their state from offering action on in-state college teams, college props, or even college events taking place within the state.
Use our NCAAB odds and NCAAF odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
PASPA
So why is sports betting taking hold around the country now? It all has to do with a 30-year-old, now overturned law: the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Originally passed in 1992, PASPA sought to protect the integrity of both professional and amateur sports by essentially outlawing sports betting throughout the country. Nevada, having already legalized sports wagering, was exempt – and flourished as the nation’s sports betting capital under PASPA.
However, other state’s wanted a piece of the pie. New Jersey was pivotal in the fight to overturn PASPA. After years of efforts, Governor Chris Christie finally succeeded in getting a case in front of the Supreme Court in 2017. In May 2018 the court finally reached its verdict, declaring the law unconstitutional by a 6-3 vote. The Supreme Court decided that PASPA took too much power away from the states, and was subsequently struck down. Post-PASPA, all states were legally allowed to pursue and regulate sports betting as they saw fit.
New Jersey became the first new state to offer sports betting in decades, launching its industry in June 2018, just a month after PASPA was repealed. Now, sports betting has become more and more common throughout the U.S. with the number of legal states growing with each legislative session.
Online Sports Betting FAQ
Is online sports betting legal?
Yes it is, but not everywhere. Since PASPA was overturned in 2018 all U.S. states have been able to pursue and legislate sports betting. Since then a growing number of states have established safe, regulated sports betting markets.
What states offer legal online sports betting?
Online sports betting is legal in select states like Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Rhode Island, Michigan, and more. The list of states that have legal online sports betting is constantly growing!
Is there an age limit for sports betting in the United States?
Yes there is. Generally speaking its 21 and up, but the states are allowed to specify this. For example, New Hampshire elected to set their legal betting age at just 18.
Do legal online sportsbooks have to have my Social Security Number?
Legally, they do. Online sportsbooks and casinos will use the last 4 digits of your SSN to confirm your identity. It’s used to verify that all of the information you’ve provided is accurate.
Is it legal to bet on sites like Bovada or BetOnline?
Unfortunately not. These sites are not licensed sports betting operators in the U.S.
What are my options if sports betting is not yet legal in my state?
We have the perfect option for you, it’s a DFS prop betting platform called Monkey Knife Fight. Click the link to our page to learn more about how you can get a $50 bonus!