Legal online casinos enjoyed a sharp increase in popularity in the United States following the removal of sports betting restrictions in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns accelerated this trend, as traditional brick-and-mortar casinos closed their doors and the world of sport was momentarily halted.
Today, online casinos are big business, with users signing up from across the US to their legal betting apps. The legal status of such enterprises, however, varies from state to state. Currently only a few states sanction online casinos, which feature traditional games like roulette, blackjack and craps and online casino bonuses.
Sports betting offers are not available this state.
But as the financial benefit of legal betting sites and online casinos becomes apparent, more jurisdictions may soon move to legalize them. Let’s take a closer look at where you can (or can’t) enjoy online casinos in the US.
Legal online casinos: Quick facts
- Legal states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Rhode Island
- Geolocation required: Yes
- Gambling regulators: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Michigan Gaming Control Board, West Virginia Lottery, Delaware Gaming Enforcement, Rhode Island Division of Gaming and Athletics
- Gambling age in legal states: Age 21 and older
- Deposit & withdrawal methods: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Play+, bank transfer, PayNearMe
- Casino games available: Online slots, roulette, online blackjack, baccarat, online craps, live dealer games, video poker, online poker
States with legal online casinos
New Jersey
New Jersey has the most online casinos of any state. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has approved the following:
- 888 Casino
- Bally
- Barstool
- Bet365
- Betfair
- BetMGM
- BetParx
- BetRivers
- Betway
- Borgata
- Caesars Palace
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Golden Nugget
- Hard Rock
- Harrah’s
- Jackpocket
- Mohegan Sun
- Ocean Casino
- Party Casino
- PlayStar
- PokerStars
- PointsBet
- Resorts
- Stardust
- Sugarhouse
- Tipico
- Tropicana
- Virgin
- Wheel of Fortune
- WSOP.com
- WynnBET
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania online casino market is massive, with almost two dozen operators and several big brand names.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board oversees gaming in the Keystone State. The following casinos are licensed to operate in the state:
- Bally
- BetAmerica
- BetMGM
- BetParx
- BetRivers
- Betway
- Borgata
- Caesars Palace
- DraftKings
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Golden Nugget
- Hard Rock
- Hollywood
- Jackpot City
- Stardust
- Sugarhouse
- Tropicana
- Wind Creek
Michigan
There are 15 Michigan online casinos at the moment, and the state only has 15 available licenses, meaning an operator would have to leave in order for there a new casino to open.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board has legalized the following casinos:
- BetMGM
- BetRivers
- Caesars Palace
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Firekeepers
- Four Winds
- Golden Nugget
- Hollywood
- Play Gun Lake
- PokerStars
- PointsBet
- Soaring Eagle
- Sports Illustrated
- WynnBET
West Virginia
The West Virginia Lottery Commission oversees the state’s legal online casino market. Currently, there are eight legal casinos. Those are:
- Barstool
- BetMGM
- BetRivers
- Caesars Palace
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Golden Nugget
- PointsBet
Connecticut
Connecticut legalized online casinos in 2021, and there are two options available. Note that FanDuel and Mohegan Sun operate as partners in CT:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel-Mohegan Sun
Delaware
The Delaware Lottery oversees the state’s licensed online casino market, and there are currently three operators available. Those are:
- Bally
- Delaware Park
- Harrington Gaming Online
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the newest online casino state, as it legalized in 2024. Bally’s is the only casino that is currently live.
States without legal online casinos
Alabama
Alabama’s state constitution prohibits lotteries and gambling, including online casinos. Legalizing online gambling would require a constitutional amendment. As a result, Alabama bettors currently do not have any legal options to gamble online.
Alaska
Alaska’s anti-gambling laws are among the strictest in the entire US, with no legal options for bettors. This precludes the operation of online casinos which are illegal in the state.
One exception does exist for international cruise ships, which are permitted to continue hosting gambling when visiting Alaska.
The legalization of sports betting may need to be the priority in order to sanction online gambling in the future.
Arizona
While legislation legalizing sports betting was enacted in 2021, online casinos remain illegal. In 2021, 20 native tribes signed the Arizona Gaming Compact, which allows for several sports betting licenses and apps.
Since then, various in-person sportsbooks have opened in the state, while Glendale played host to 2023’s Superbowl LVII. Online casinos could one day receive legal sanction in Arizona, given the evolving gambling landscape.
Arkansas
Mobile sports betting was legalized in Arkansas in February 2022, a significant shift from previous legislation which only allowed land-based operations. Online casinos, though, remain illegal.
Two state casinos acquired the initial licenses for mobile sports betting, with larger companies like Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM potentially following suit.
Licensing for online casinos in Arkansas may be considered at a later stage following the establishment of mobile sports betting.
California
Both sports betting and online casinos are forbidden in the state of California, which allows only daily fantasy sports and horse racing. The only place where casino gambling can be practiced is on tribal lands.
It is unlikely that online casinos will be a priority during an election year, with Governor Gavin Newsom seeking a new term. But the introduction of Prop. 27 on the 2022 ballot, which would have legalized sports betting but was rejected by voters, could pave the way for future success.
Prop. 27 proposed collaboration with Native American tribes and was backed by sportsbooks DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM. An eventual move to legalize sports betting would remove one of the obstacles for online casinos in California down the line.
Colorado
Colorado legalized sports betting in 2019 but online casinos remain illegal. Charity organizations may sponsor gambling events at licensed casinos within the state, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM offer legal online sportsbooks in Colorado, indicating a potential pathway for the legalization of online casinos.
Florida
Online casinos are illegal in Florida, despite sports betting relaunching in 2023 throughout the state.
FanDuel Group has an office in Orlando, suggesting potential interest in the market. Future resolution of legal issues may pave the way for online casino legalization.
Georgia
Online casinos and sports betting are both illegal in Georgia. Legislative efforts to change the state’s gambling laws failed to gain traction in 2020.
Georgia residents can enjoy “Social casinos” offering free-play slots and table games are available.
House Bill 93 for sports betting, which would have mandated application and licensing fees for sportsbooks, was passed by a Senate Special Judiciary Committee in June 2020.
Georgia continues to debate the legalization of sports betting, which could pave the way for online casinos in the future.
Hawaii
Hawaii has some of the strictest gambling laws in the nation. Online casinos are illegal in Hawaii, while sports betting, lotteries, horse racing, and bingo are also all prohibited.
Discussions continue in the state over potentially legalizing the activity in the future.
In 2021, DraftKings testified to the Hawaii state legislature in support of sports betting legislation. There was an additional push to legalize online sports betting in the state following Super Bowl LVI.
As of yet, though, no bill proposing legal gambling has made it past committee in the Hawaiian state government.
Idaho
Online gambling is illegal in Idaho, meaning that there are no online casinos in the state.
Idaho has not introduced any legislation to legalize gambling since the overturning of PASPA – the federal legislation whose repeal gave power to control sports betting to the states – in 2018.
Illinois
While online sportsbooks such as BetMGM and FanDuel are fully operational and extremely popular in Illinoise, online casinos are currently illegal.
Efforts to introduce online casinos via legislative measures have also fallen short in recent years.
Indiana
Indiana legalized sports betting in 2019, but maintains the prohibition of online casinos.
Multiple online casino bills failed to pass through Indiana’s state legislature. One such proposal was Senate Bill 417, which would have permitted state casinos and racetracks to offer mobile betting apps, was among them.
A corruption scandal which broke at the end of 2023 prompted House leaders to pledge they would not consider any gambling legislation in the current session.
Iowa
Mobile sports betting went live in Iowa in 2019. However, online casinos remain illegal in the state.
An online casino (iGaming) bill was introduced failed to make it through Iowa’s legislature earlier this year, amid opposition to the bill came from racetracks, casinos, and community organizations.
Supporters of the legislation included other casinos, such as Penn National Gaming’s Ameristar Casino and Caesars Enterprise Services.
Kansas
Kansas legalized sports betting earlier in May 2022; online casinos, however, remain prohibited.
The regulatory framework for sports betting begins with the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC), the state lottery, and four land-based casinos.
Penn National Gaming’s Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway was among the first retailers to operate a sportsbook in the state.
Through partnerships, online casinos might be the next logical step in terms of legal gambling in the Sunflower State.
Kentucky
Legislation to legalize sports betting in Kentucky has failed to pass through the state legislature multiple times since 2018.
Consequently, online casinos are illegal in the state.
Mobile betting on pari-mutuel horse racing and online lotteries are available options for gamblers in Kentucky.
Louisiana
Sports betting in Louisiana became operational earlier this year, offering options like DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars.
Despite the legalization of sports betting, online casinos remain illegal in Louisiana.
Sweepstakes casinos and offshore options for online wagers are available alternatives for gamblers in the state.
Given Louisiana’s gambling-friendly environment, the legalization of online casinos may only be a matter of time.
Maine
Maine legalized sports betting in 2022, with online casinos still prohibited.
The sports betting law sees the state’s four native tribes partnering with retailers for online betting, with retail betting yet to launch.
This partnership model could lay the groundwork for legalizing online casinos in Maine within the next few years.
Maryland
Maryland has legalized sports betting, but online casinos remain illegal.
Social casinos may be the only legal option for playing slots and table games online in the state.
With dozens of licenses available for online sports betting, Maryland may consider legalizing online casinos to expand its gambling infrastructure in the future.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, sweepstakes and social (free-play) gaming are the only options for online casinos, since traditional online casinos are currently illegal in the state.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission permits three casinos and one slots-only casino to operate within the state.
Lawmakers have been working to legalize sports betting, with a bill potentially being passed this month ahead of the NFL season. While mobile gambling may not be a top priority currently, it’s possible for online casinos to become legal in the state in the future.
Michigan
Michigan legalized online sports betting in December 2019 and also authorizes online casinos, which are fully legal in the state.
Players in Michigan can legally play at the BetMGM Online Casino. Other providers offering online casinos in Michigan include Caesars, WynnBET, BetRivers, FanDuel, and DraftKings.
Online casino gaming options include video poker, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, slots, online poker, and live table games.
Minnesota
Efforts to legalize sports betting Minnesota are currently dead in the water, and online casinos also remain illegal in the state.
It may take a few more years for online casinos to receive the green light, though negotiations with native tribes for legalizing online gambling are ongoing.
Social casinos are currently the only option for gambling legally online in the state.
Mississippi
Online casinos are illegal in Mississippi, while sports betting became legal in August 2018 following the repeat of PASPA.
Online betting is subject to significant restrictions, with users only able to place bets while in two state casinos.
Of the major sportsbooks BetMGM offers a mobile app, while Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel may follow suit in the future.
Online casinos in Mississippi might be available within the next few years.
Missouri
State legislators in Missouri are working on passing a bill to legalize sports betting. At the current time both sports betting and online casinos are illegal in Missouri, with social casinos the only option to gamble online in the state.
Legislation to legalize online sports betting in Missouri may be passed by the end of this year. This could establish a pathway to regulating online casinos sometime in the near future.
Montana
Montana legalized sports betting in May 2019 within a strict regulatory framework which as of yet restricts online betting.
Gamblers can only place their bets through licensed kiosks at casinos, bars, and restaurants.
Online casinos remain illegal in Montana. The state seeks to protect its land-based operators, indicating that the prohibition on online casinos may not change anytime soon.
Nebraska
Nebraska passed sports betting legislation in 2021, but the practice is limited to in-person wagers at three casinos in the state. Online casinos remain illegal.
A few casinos operate on tribal land, but there are no racetracks and casinos in Lincoln and Omaha. The continued presence of strict restrictions on sports betting suggests that online casinos may take some time to become available in Nebraska.
Nevada
Sports betting has been legal in Nevada since 1949. The PASPA legislation passed in 1992 maintained Nevada’s gambling monopoly.
In May 2022, Nevada’s commercial casinos generated $1.3 billion in revenue, the highest in any state.
Online poker and mobile sports betting are legal in Nevada, albeit with some restrictions.
Online casinos remain illegal in Nevada, likely due to the state and its land-based operators wanting to maintain their dominance in this industry.
New Hampshire
Online casinos are illegal in New Hampshire, except for social gaming and sweepstakes sites.
Mobile sports betting is legal within the state, with DraftKings being the only legal online sportsbook.
Previous attempts to legalize online poker in New Hampshire by state lawmakers have failed. Another attempt at legalization might be the only hope for the online casino industry to establish itself in the state.
New Mexico
Online casinos are illegal in New Mexico. The mobile sports betting industry has not gained a foothold in the state, with wagers restricted to tribal casinos.
The legality of sports betting within New Mexico is a contentious issue. Legalizing online casinos in the state might be a long shot considering the current landscape.
New York
Online casinos are illegal in New York, though online sports betting has quickly gained a wide presence since being legalized.
DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and WynnBET went live with online sports betting in January 2022. New York Governor Kathy Hochul subsequently reported the state generated $302.3 million in tax revenue from mobile sports betting in its first six months of legal operation.
New York may be just a few short years away from legalizing online casinos, given its potential as a large market and the success of online sports betting.
North Dakota
Retail sports betting at three tribal casinos is legal in North Dakota, but online casinos remain illegal in the state.
Gambling in North Dakota is restricted to lotteries, tribal casinos, social gaming operations, and race tracks.
Surrounding states also have conservative approaches to gambling, meaning that legalizing online casinos in North Dakota might be a long way off..
Ohio
Sports betting was legalized in Ohio in 2021, with operations beginning on Jan 1, 2023.
Online casinos are currently illegal in the state. Ohio gamblers may resort to offshore casinos and poker sites for online gambling.
Legalization of online casinos might not be far off, considering that four out of five states bordering Ohio have already legalized some form of online gambling.
Oklahoma
Online casinos are currently illegal in Oklahoma. Gambling in the state is limited to horse racetracks and tribal casinos.
Tribal compacts pose a legislative challenge for legalizing sports betting in Oklahoma. Given the state’s relatively conservative stance, it may be a while before online casinos become legal for Oklahoma gamblers.
Oregon
Online casinos are illegal in Oregon, with casino gambling restricted to tribal and social casinos. Online sports betting was legalized in August 2019, along with horse racing.
Legalizing private casinos in Oregon would require a constitutional amendment. A potential deal with the state’s native tribes could pave the way for the legalization of online casinos in the future, but it remains unlikely for now.
South Carolina
Online casinos are banned in South Carolina, making sweepstakes casino sites the only option for online gambling.
A bill introduced in the state legislature to legalize sports betting earlier this year failed to gain traction. Debates regarding the legalization of online casinos in the state might be initiated within the next year or two.
FanDuel and DraftKings are available in South Carolina through daily fantasy sports.
South Dakota
Online casinos are illegal in South Dakota, limiting online gambling to horse racing platforms and retail sports betting at Deadwood casinos.
Legislative efforts to allow for mobile wagers failed earlier this year despite the legalization of sports betting in South Dakota in 2021. The legalization process for online casinos in South Dakota may take a few more years, given the current restrictions and legislative climate.
Tennessee
Tennessee legalized online sports betting in 2019, with the state’s online-only framework launching in November 2020. Online casinos remain illegal in Tennessee, with social gaming as the only available option for online gambling.
Major operators like BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings have been available in the state for some time, but the opening of online casinos would require a constitutional amendment and a deal with Tennessee’s native tribes.
Legalizing online casinos in Tennessee may necessitate a lengthy legalization process, considering the existing restrictions and regulatory framework.
Texas
Operating an online casino in Texas is currently illegal, but citizens may access offshore gambling sites.
America’s second most-populated state, Texas represents a massive potential market for legal internet gambling, with the possibility of sports betting legalization stalling in 2021.
Despite another big push in the Texas Legislature during 2023 there is currently no active legislation to legalize gambling. Any fresh attempts to change the law will likely have to wait until after this year’s elections.
Utah
Utah has some of the strictest gambling laws in the U.S., with no state lottery, legal sports betting, or online casinos. Land-based tribal casinos are also absent in Utah, and almost all forms of gambling are outlawed.
Legislation related to online gambling in Utah has primarily focused on banning it. Despite the repeal of PASPA, which opened the door for legalized sports betting in other states, Utah’s stance on gambling remains unchanged.
Given the state’s historically harsh policies toward gambling, it may be a long time before any significant changes occur in Utah’s gambling laws.
Vermont
Vermont currently prohibits both sports betting and online casinos, limiting online gambling options to pari-mutuel horse racing platforms or offshore sites.
Lawmakers in Vermont are currently assessing the possibility of legalizing sports wagering in the state.There is a high likelihood that Vermont may legalize sports betting in the near future, given the ongoing analysis by lawmakers.
If sports betting is legalized, it could pave the way for the legalization of online casinos in Vermont, potentially expanding the state’s gambling options.
Virginia
Virginia legalized online sports betting in 2020, with the industry becoming operational in the following year. Despite the legalization of online sports betting, online casinos remain illegal in Virginia.
FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and BetMGM are among the operators maintaining sportsbooks in the state.
The absence of legally authorized online casinos suggests that online sportsbooks are currently the sole option for placing bets on sports in Virginia. But given the existing framework for online sports betting, the eventual legalization of online casinos in Virginia should theoretically not be too difficult to achieve.
Washington
Washington legalized sports betting at tribal casinos in March 2020. However, online casinos remain illegal in the state. Additionally, daily fantasy sports are outlawed in Washington.
Mobile sports betting is restrictive and relatively new, having been implemented for barely a year.
The legalization of online casinos in Washington may take some time, given the current regulatory environment.
Top operators like BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars may need to establish partnerships with tribal casinos before online casinos become a reality in Washington.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. officially legalized sports betting in 2019. Starting in 2021, legal wagers were permitted to be placed online at certain retail venues and sports stadiums.
BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel each operate sportsbooks in Washington, D.C., while DraftKings only offers daily fantasy sports.
Online casinos, however, remain illegal in Washington, D.C. The nearby MGM National Harbor Casino could potentially be among the first to offer legal internet casino gambling in the region.
Wisconsin
Online casinos are illegal in Wisconsin. Betting on sports is only allowed at one tribal casino.
Wisconsin may debate the issue of legalizing online casinos in the future. Top companies like DraftKings and FanDuel may need to negotiate with native tribes in the state before online casinos can be considered.
Wyoming
While Wyoming legalized online sports betting in 2021, online casinos remain illegal in the state. The state’s only casinos are located on tribal lands.
Legal sports betting wagers placed within Wyoming are exclusively online. BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel already operate online sportsbooks in Wyoming, potentially paving the way for the legalization of online casinos.
