The impact of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a federal law that prohibited gambling on sporting events has quickly changed the betting landscape across the country, with many states deciding to open up and accept the revenue to be made in taxes from sports betting. Now, sports betting is legal in most states across America.
Here, Gambling Insider looks at the illegal states and the possibilities each has of becoming legal in the future.
Despite the 2018 decision by the Supreme Court to overturn PASPA (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992), some states have taken longer to decide whether or not to legalise sports betting. Some are on the verge of allowing citizens to do it, while others are staunchly against the practice and have stated complete opposition to ever allowing it.
The state of play
The unregulated and up-and-coming states
| STATE | NOT SOON | POSSIBLE | BILL FILED/PASSED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | NO | YES | NO |
| Alaska | YES | NO | NO |
| California* | YES | NO | NO |
| Georgia | NO | YES | YES |
| Hawaii | NO | YES | YES |
| Idaho | YES | NO | NO |
| Minnesota | NO | YES | YES |
| Missouri | NO | YES | YES |
| Oklahoma | YES | NO | NO |
| South Carolina | NO | YES | YES |
| Texas | NO | YES | YES |
| Utah | YES | NO | NO |
FAQs
What is the deal with California?
California is a state that many would think had already legalised sports betting; however, it is not so – the Tribes are currently at loggerheads with commercial operators when it comes to the subject of sports betting. State law prohibits most forms of sports betting under the California Penal Code, including Section 337a which makes it illegal to engage in bookmaking, pool-selling or wagering on sporting events. Daily fantasy sports (DFS) offerings are available to eligible California residents, however, as well in states such as Alabama, Alaska and Oklahoma.
Missouri joining the pack?
Missouri has officially legalized sports betting as a result of Amendment 2, which received approval during November 2024. The Missouri Gaming Commission is now setting up regulations to conduct sports wagering, aiming to have online Missouri sports betting available by 1 December 2025 at the latest. States such as Hawaii, Georgia, Texas and South Carolina have all seen legislation introduced during 2025 that would legalise sports betting, but it remains to be seen if any bills will be passed by respective goverment bodies.
Why are some states not even considering legalising?
Meanwhile, states such as Utah – due to its high proportion of Mormons – have been staunchly opposed to sports betting in all of its forms. Representatives from Utah have repeatedly stated that it will never allow sports betting, leaving even the hardest pushing of sports betting proponents convinced of Utah’s cemented position. The only hope for those that want to bet on sports and live in Utah is to go to Colorado, Arizona or Nevada to place wagers.
