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Legal Gambling in the USA: State by State

See what you can legally gamble on in your state.  

You can also read about Caribbean Sports Betting and Gambling.

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American online gambling has never been in a healthier state. For the first time, players in Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania can place bets on sports, try slot machines, or play poker from the comfort of their own homes (via gambling apps for iPhone and Android). And more places in the US are starting to get in on the action. In 2019/2020 most US states have some kind of gambling legislation in development. And while the legal process can be slow, expect more states to join the leading pack in the years ahead.

We keep you informed on which US states have legalized online betting, which states are due to pass laws, and what games you can play legally and safe. We’ll even show you the most trustworthy and licensed US gambling sites to bet on if you live in the right states. 

Americangambler.com is registered with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement with Vendor ID #91864. Therefore we will also update you on the current bonus codes and promotions offered to new and existng customers by the leading online gambling sportsbooks and casinos in New Jersey. Play legal!

US Gambling: Legal Sites 2020

Several US states now have regulated online gambling, covering casino games, online poker, daily fantasy and licensed sports betting. Esports is legal in Nevada. Here’s a list of what you can legally gamble at in some legalized states in the United States.

The legal US gambling landscape is changing all the time in the United States. Here is a current list of gambling options – both online sites/apps and offline locations – that are legal in the US by state.

American Online Sportsbooks 

Several US states now have legalized online sports betting. Michigan did it 10 days before 2020. Here is our selection of the best gambling websites for placing sports wagers online, just from the comfort of your own home or via app or tablets.

Note that American sports gamblers from Pennsylvania or Oregon will not be able to place bets at MI or NJ online betting sites such as William Hill, bet365, Caesars Sportsbook, Unibet NJ or SugarHouse etc., as all legal sportsbooks use geo-location technology.

So, please check what online gambling operator is licensed to accept your sports bets in your state. Check Best US Online Sportsbooks For Beginner Bettors!

All Sportsbooks Reviews

Traditionally in the US, sports betting has been restricted to big sportsbooks in Nevada and New Jersey, and a handful of other states that have some form of legal betting. Many other states, however, have pari-mutuel betting on local and off-track horse races. On a federal level, the Wire Act of 1961 historically prohibited betting on sports and races by phone across state lines. The aging law was also used to restrict online sports betting.

That was until the US Supreme Court scrapped the PASPA to allow for the first time betting on individual sports. In reaction, some states have been busy first launching brick ‘n’ mortar sportsbooks and their first legal online sports wagering sites. Sports betting and DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) is now available in more US states than ever. It’s likely that sports wagering legislation may appear in 2020 or 2021 in states that have traditionally banned non-parimutuel betting.

Since the laws changed, a number of states have started to license and operate sportsbooks, including New Jersey, Mississippi, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Arkansas. You can, of course, still bet on sports in huge land-based sportsbooks in Nevada. Las Vegas has the largest sportsbooks in the world. Pari-mutuel betting, or pooled betting, is available at many racetracks across the US, even in states that traditionally have banned single-match sports betting.

In 2019, New York and North Carolina passed sports betting legislation, and Michigan also approved new sports gambling laws.

Check US sports betting revenue 2019 month by month, state by state here: gaming.unlv.edu

American Online Horse Gambling Sites 

Majority of US states now let you bet on horse races online or in person at numerous racetracks. Pari-mutuel horse gambling is also permitted in states that carry the right legislation. You will need geolocation enabled on your smartphone to prove that you are within state lines when you place bets. What Are The Top Horse Racing Betting Apps in USA 2020 (for iPhone/Android)

All Horse Betting Sites Reviews per state

American Online Casinos 

Despite several US states legalizing online gambling in recent years only a few states allow casino games. New Jersey and Delaware has online casinos. Pennsylvania opened its first online casino sites in summer 2019. Check our guide above and navigate to your state’s casino section to learn where you can legally play roulette, blackjack or slots online. Check Party Casino NJ bonus codes or play at SugarHouse Casino.

All Casino Sites Reviews per state

American Online Poker Rooms 

Legalized online poker has been available in the US since 2013. Nevada and New Jersey have the best sites but Delaware’s online casino operators also offer some limited gpoker ames. Player pools are now shared between New Jersey and Nevada. It could show the way for other states wanting to introduce poker gambling legislation of their own. Read our gambling review of the BetMGM Poker.

All Poker Sites Reviews per state

American Online DFS Sites 

Daily Fantasy Sports are a relatively new phenomenon in the regulated US market. More and more states are beginning to legalize DFS, and more are expected to go legal in 2020. Money is won by scoring points based on your team and player picks in sports ranging from MLB, MLA, and NBA. Some of the major DFS sites also operate limited online sportsbooks. Learn what states allow betting on Fantasy Sports (Football and Basketball)?

All DFS Sites Reviews per state

US Sports Trading Apps 

You can also do sports trading, buy and sell shares of the real teams and athlets. Check some of the best sports trading sites available to American gamblers.

All Trading Apps Reviews

US iLotteries 

There are many states where you can buy instant tickets and play online lottery games such as scratch off cards. For example, Michigan Lottery is very popular among MI citizens. We are sure it is because of their generous bonus code promotions to all new customers above 18. Use our code MIBONUS20 to receive free games. Also, check what other US states lotteries have to offer.

All US Lotteries per state

The first US states to go legal

There are currently several US states that offer some form of online legalized gambling. That number will jump to in 2020 when New York and Maine (Bill passed; awaiting activation in 2020) joins the pack. Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey were the pioneering trio of states that introduced their own interstates gaming laws in 2012 and 2013. Players must be located within state lines to play online, but you can oftentimes sign up for accounts if you are based in other states.

Delaware

Delaware was the first US state to pass online gambling legislation. While laws were passed in 2012, the first legal betting sites and casinos didn’t appear until 2013. Sports betting is now available on single races at the state’s racetracks.

Gamblers in Delaware can play casino games like slots or online poker. Gaming is overseen by the Division of Gaming Enforcement. $1.4 million and $1.8 million in its first two years of online gambling. 91% YoY growth from Dover Downs.

Nevada

Nevada is home to Las Vegas, the world center for gambling. And Nevada opened its first legalized online gambling rooms in 2013. Online poker and sportsbetting sites are available in Nevada, but gamblers in Vegas are still waiting for the first legalized online casinos to appear. Gaming is overseen by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

New Jersey

The Garden State passed online gambling legislation in 2013 to join Delaware and Nevada. Gamblers in Atlantic City and beyond can play casino games and online poker, and place bets on sports as long as they are in state lines.

Under NJ law, all online gambling operators must have partnerships with existing brick ‘n mortar casinos in Atlantic City. New Jersey is now the biggest regulated online gaming market in the United States. Gaming is overseen by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).

Pennsylvania

In 2017, Pennsylvania became the fourth US state to legislate for online casinos and sports betting sites. The state online lottery was expanded in 2018 as well. The first major gambling sites began to appear in the summer of 2019, and most of the larger rooms offer poker, sports betting, online poker, and casino games. Under current state law, Pennsylvania’s brick ‘n’ mortar sportsbooks can have one online site each. Gaming in Pennsylvania is overseen and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Gambling Tax in the United States 

In the US, gambling winnings may have to be reported to the Inland Revenue Service (IRS). In most cases, the gambling site will inform the IRS when paying out winnings. Some tax may be withheld too.

The stipulations are quite clear on whether you need to pay tax and inform the IRS. Under state laws, the gambling sites must inform the IRS if a bet is big enough to be taxed.

The IRS also requires you to keep records of all your gambling wins and losses. It’s important to keep hold of tickets and payment slips (if you are betting in a land-based bookmaker or casino), or printouts of your online gambling account record.

You will need details of:

Date of wager
Type of game/activity
Name and address of casino or sportsbook
Total winnings or losses

You can also deduct losses from your overall tax liability. In many cases, you may have more losses than winnings so it’s vital you keep track when it comes to filing a return.

Game or wager paying over $600 at odds of 300/1 or more:
– Customer receives a form W-2G for every qualifying bet. Forms are generated automatically
– Player must report win on annual tax return and pay a flat 25 percent tax
– A copy is sent to the IRS and the customer

Game or wager paying $5,000 or more at odds of 300/1:
– Gambling site withholds 25 percent of total payout for payment to the IRS
– W-2G forms are created automatically
– A copy is sent to the IRS and the customer

In general, gambling winnings include money earned from all casino games, sports bets, horse racing bets, raffles, and poker. Individual states like Nevada and New Jersey also have some flat tax laws on lottery winnings.

Last Updated on January 8, 2020