States That Outlaw Gambling
Gambling was once upon a time a taboo subject. People were loath to talk about it because it was considered “immoral”. Nowadays we have made a lot of progress in terms of discussing gambling as a social phenomenon.
After New Jersey's Supreme Court victory in May 2018, any state that wishes can legalize sports betting.
At the same time various state lawmakers are considering sports betting legislation, Congress is too. Senators Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and now-retired Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, co-introduced comprehensive sports betting legislation at the end of 2018. On Sept. 27, 2018 the House Judiciary Committee held a formal hearing on the topic.
The dual track of proposals -- state and federal -- have increased in frequency since the start of 2017.
- Apart from Tamil Nadu, its neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has already banned online gambling and some of the card games that can be played online. Tamil Nadu neighbour on the other side, Karnataka, is also mulling a new law to ban online games which involve gambling and betting, according to reports.
- Virginia gambling laws are relatively restrictive, and generally define gambling as betting on the outcome of any games or contests that depend on chance. While casinos and greyhound racing are specifically prohibited, the state allows horse racing and off-track betting at licensed facilities.
- In New York, gambling laws have historically limited gambling to casinos on Indian reservations and allow betting on horse racing. But times are changing in the Empire State. In 2013, voters approved an amendment to the New York constitution that allows Las Vegas-style casinos in the state.
To measure the change in the landscape, we ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of how likely it is for each jurisdiction to offer full-scale legal sports betting. A brief synopsis for the active states is included, with updates to follow.
Last updated on November 3, 2020.
Already there
1. Nevada
No longer the only state to permit a wide variety of legal sports betting, Nevada is a mature market that has existed for decades. Given its long history in successfully offering regulated sports wagering, many states might look to Nevada for best practices.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 223
Population: 3,034,392 (2,246,259 21+)
2. Delaware
On June 5, 2018, Delaware moved to offer single-game betting on a number of different sports at three casinos in the state. Expanded sports wagering options could take place at additional locations or online. Delaware's authorization of what Gov. John Carney described as 'a full-scale sports gaming operation' happened less than a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the federal law restricting single-game betting to Nevada was unconstitutional.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 967,171 (726,161 21+)
3. New Jersey
On June 11, 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the sports betting bill that had passed the previous week. A William Hill sportsbook at Monmouth Park took the first bets on Thursday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Gov. Murphy was the first customer in line. The Borgata in Atlantic City booked sports bets 30 minutes later. Other sportsbooks in New Jersey opened soon thereafter. For example, FanDuel's first sportsbook at the Meadowlands opened its doors on July 14.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams and collegiate events held within the state
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 9
Population: 8,908,520 (6,634,683 21+)
4. Mississippi
Two casinos owned by MGM Resorts booked their first sports bets in Mississippi on Aug. 1, 2018. Mississippi enacted a new law in 2017 that allowed for sports betting pending a favorable decision by the Supreme Court. In June 2018, the Mississippi Gaming Commission adopted implementing regulations that require all betting to take place in person, with mobile wagering to be considered later.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 29
Population: 2,986,530 (2,153,795 21+)
5. West Virginia
On Aug. 30, 2018, West Virginia became the fifth state to offer legal and regulated sports betting when the Hollywood Casino -- a sportsbook owned by Penn National -- opened its doors. The move came six months after the West Virginia legislature passed a new bill with the West Virginia Lottery Commission serving as the chief regulator.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 5
Population: 1,805,832 (1,375,788 21+)
6. New Mexico
On Oct. 16, 2018, the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel booked its first sports bet in partnership with Nevada-based USBookmaking. Although New Mexico has not passed any new sports betting legislation since the Supreme Court's decision, the move by the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel was made via a gaming compact with the state. According to Nedra Darling, spokeswoman at the Department of the Interior's Office of Indian Affairs -- the federal agency in Washington, DC that oversees tribal gaming compacts -- the New Mexico compacts permit 'any or all forms of Class III Gaming,' a category in the federal regulations that specifically includes '[a]ny sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering.'
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 32
Population: 2,095,428 (1,529,540 21+)
7. Pennsylvania
The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course booked the first legal sports bets in Pennsylvania in mid-November 2018. The move came just over a year after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a new sports betting bill as part of a broad legislation push that included online poker and DFS. The October 2017 bill became effective after the Supreme Court's May 2018 ruling upending the federal ban on single-game betting outside of Nevada.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 12
Population: 12,807,060 (9,645,705 21+)
8. Rhode Island
The Twin River Casino in Lincoln opened its doors for legal sports betting on Nov. 26, 2018. The move came five months after Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the state budget, which included language allowing sports betting. Only two locations would be allowed to offer sports betting under the law, with the state's lottery providing regulatory oversight. In early 2019, the law was tweaked to provide for mobile betting.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 2
Population: 1,057,315 (800,838 21+)
9. Arkansas
On July 1, 2019, the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort booked the first legal sports bets in Arkansas. Two other retail locations opened sportsbooks in the subsequent months. Sports betting is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 3,013,825 (2,191,256 21+)
10. New York
On July 16, 2019, the first legal sports bets were placed in New York. J. Gary Pretlow -- a New York lawmaker and chair of the state's racing and wagering committee -- was among the first to place a wager at the Rivers Casino in Schenectady. The opening of a legal sportsbook came six years after New York passed a law to allow sports betting at four on-site locations, all in upstate New York. After lying dormant for years, the law was revived after the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 and the issuance of regulations earlier this year. The current law does not allow for mobile wagering.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 28
Population: 19,542,209 (14,724,807 21+)
11. Iowa
Legal sports betting arrived in Iowa on Aug. 15, with multiple operators all opening their doors to customers on the first day. The move came three months after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into a law a comprehensive bill to legalize sports betting in the Hawkeye State. Operators must pay a $45,000 licensing fee and there is a 6.75 percent tax on revenue. The new law permits mobile wagering. Betting on college sports is permitted, but certain kinds of in-game prop bets involving college games are banned. The new law bestows the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission with authority to regulate sports betting.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 23
Population: 3,156,145 (2,286,374 21+)
12. Oregon
Legal sports betting returned to Oregon on Aug. 27 after a long hiatus, with the first bets booked on-site at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. Oregon is one of a small number of states that already had a law on the books permitting some forms of sports betting, so the resumption of wagering did not require the legislature to pass any new law or have the governor amend an existing tribal-state compact. In mid-October, mobile sports betting arrived in Oregon too, with the state-run lottery overseeing the launch of a new website and app.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort, but sportsbook operated by the Oregon Lottery does not permit betting on games involving in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 4,190,713 (3,167,912 21+)
13. Indiana
Legal sports betting opened up at a number of locations in Indiana on Sept. 1. The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees all sports betting regulations and has issued licenses to operators across the state. Wagering on both college and pro sports is permitted, but betting on esports and high school sports is banned. Indiana's new law allows for both mobile and in-person wagering. Regulations permit sports leagues or colleges to request 'to utilize a geofence to prohibit wagers at the location of a particular sporting event.'
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 14
Population: 6,691,878 (4,842,337 21+)
14. New Hampshire
Governor Chris Sununo placed the ceremonial first legal sports wager -- on the New England Patriots -- in New Hampshire on Dec. 30, 2019. The state's lottery is in charge of regulatory of regulatory oversight. Both retail and mobile sports betting will be permitted on a wide variety of sports, although no betting on New Hampshire's in-state colleges is allowed.
Type of wagering permitted: Mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 0
Population: 1,356,458 (1,042,882 21+)
15. Illinois
Legal sports betting arrived in Illinois on March 9, 2020. The move came less than a year after the Illinois legislature passed a broad gaming bill that allowed for both online and in-person sports betting. With Governor J.B. Pritzker's signature, the new law also provided for betting on-location at venues such as Wrigley Field. Operators and certain data providers are required to obtain a license under the new law.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No wagering on minor leagues or Illinois college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 12,741,080 (9,391,158 21+)
16. Michigan
Legal sports betting in Michigan commenced on March 11, 2020, with two Detroit-area casinos launching on the same day. The move came less than three months after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the 'Lawful Sports Betting Act' into law. The new law provides for wagering on a wide variety of sports, including college contests.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 27
Population: 9.995,915 (7,428,72721+)
17. Montana
Legal sports betting arrived in Montana in March 2020. The move came after Governor Steve Bullock formally signed into law a 28-page bill that brought sports wagering to Big Sky country via the state's lottery. Governor Bullock cited the Montana Lottery's 'proven track record of responsibility and integrity' when signing the bill.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 13
Population: 1,062,305 (793,151 21+)
18. Colorado
May 1, 2020 marked the launch of legal sports betting in Colorado, with multiple operators allowing residents to open accounts online and place wagers. The move came less than six months after Colorado voters -- by a narrow margin -- approved a ballot measure that would provide 'for the regulation of sports betting through licensed casinos.' Both mobile and retail sports betting are permitted. Tax revenue from sports betting will help fund various state water projects.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 35
Population: 5,695,564 (4,210,663.00 21+)
19. Washington, D.C.
In June 2020, the D.C. Lottery launched its 'GameBetDC' platform allowing consumers 'to wager while in the District on major sports worldwide' via computer or mobile device. Sports betting in nation's capital followed the passage of the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 and a Congressional review period during which time Congress did not formally object. The Office of Lottery and Gaming provides regulatory oversight of all sports wagering in D.C.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions:No betting on games involving colleges located in D.C.
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 705,749
20. Tennessee
Regulated sports wagering -- all online -- launched on November 1, 2020 in Tennessee with four licensed operators offering a wide variety of options. The 'Tennessee Sports Gaming Act' permits statewide mobile sports betting without any brick-and-mortar anchor. As such, there are no in-person retail sports betting locations in the state. Subject to an exception, Tennessee's new law requires all licensed operators to 'exclusively use official league data for purposes of live betting.'
Type of wagering permitted: Mobile only
Notable prohibitions:None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 6,829,174
On-deck circle
21. North Carolina
On July 26, 2019, Governor Roy Cooper signed into a law a bill to 'allow sports and horse race wagering on tribal lands,' with such betting designated as a 'Class III' gaming activity under the state compact. The new law permits betting on both college and professional sports, but all bettors must place their wagers in-person at one of two retail locations.
22. Washington
Governor Jay Inslee signed Washington's sports betting bill into law on March 25, 2020. The new law permits sports wagering at Class III tribal casinos in the state. Mobile sports wagering is not allowed statewide, but is permitted when on-site at a licensed tribal casino. Betting on an 'esports competition or event' is allowed, but the new law bans wagering on games involving in-state colleges or minor league professional events. The new bill delegates regulatory oversight to the Washington State Gambling Commission.
23. Virginia
After some back-and-forth between Governor Ralph Northam and the legislature, legalized sports wagering was approved in the Commonwealth of Virginia in April 2020. Online betting is allowed, but wagering is not permitted on Virginia-based college sports or certain youth sports.
24. Maryland
In November 2020, Maryland voters approved 'sports and events betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education' by about a 2-1 margin. A regulatory framework must be created by Maryland lawmakers before any sports wagering takes place. The Maryland referendum would potentially allow for both in-person and mobile sports betting throughout the state.
25. South Dakota
On November 3, 2020, voters in South Dakota approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering in Deadwood.' Other tribal locations in South Dakota could see the arrival of regulated sports betting too. State lawmakers must now establish a regulatory apparatus and tax rate for legalized sports wagering.
26. Louisiana
In November 2020, voters in the vast majority of Louisiana's 64 parishes approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering activities and operations.' As a result, regulated sports wagering could come to New Orleans and certain other cities as early as 2021. Lawmakers will be tasked with setting up a regulatory scheme during an upcoming state legislative session.
Moving toward legalization
All of these states have seen some degree of legislative activity towards the legalization of sports betting the past few years.
27. Oklahoma
In April 2020, two federally-recognized tribes reached agreement with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on new gaming compacts that include sports betting. On June 8, 2020, Governor Stitt announced that the Department of the Interior had approved the compacts, paving the way for sports betting to start in Oklahoma as soon as the 'compacts are published in the Federal Register.' A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, along with Oklahoma's attorney general, have expressed opposition to the expansion of sports betting in Oklahoma and the prospect of legalized sports wagering remains uncertain.
28. Maine
On the last day of the state's 2019 legislative session -- June 19 -- Maine lawmakers passed 'An Act to Ensure Proper Oversight of Sports Betting in the State.' Shortly thereafter, the governor vetoed the bill. The legislature could re-introduce the bill later.
29. Nebraska
On November 3, 2020, Nebraska voters approved certain amendments to its state constitution legalizing 'all games of chance.' If the new constitutional amendments are construed to include wagering on sporting events, legalized sports betting could arrive in Nebraska upon the establishment of certain regulations.
30. Connecticut
31. Kentucky
32. Massachusetts
33. Minnesota
34. Missouri
35. Kansas
36. South Carolina
37. California
39. Ohio
40. Arizona
41. Hawaii
42. Texas
43. Georgia
44. Vermont
45. Alabama
46. Florida
47. Alaska
48. Wyoming
No legalization activity ... yet
49-50. Idaho and Wisconsin
These states have not had any publicly-announced bills devoted to sports betting legalization.
Unlikely
51. Utah
Utah's anti-gambling stance is written into the state's constitution. Any change to existing state policy toward gambling would be a massive departure from decades of opposition to any form of gambling, including lottery tickets, table games and sports betting.
The gambling movement is gaining traction across much of the United States. However, many states are still working on legislation to allow gambling within their borders.
Here are five states without legalized gambling. A few of them may be working feverishly to open the gambling gates. Meanwhile, other states have clearly stated, “No gambling here.”
1 – Utah
Utah is one of the most absolutely beautiful states. From the awe-inspiring drive up to Monument Valley to the majesty of Arches National Park, Utah is a wonderful place to live.
Unless you’re a gambler of any sort, that is. Utah has some of the strictest gambling laws in the country.
Residents of Utah do not have access to a single casino within its borders, making it one of the 10 states without some form of commercial or tribal casino.
Even if the gambling laws began to relax considerably, it would be miles away from opening up to casino play.
Utah has no state lottery and does not participate in any of the multi-state lotteries. You can’t even by a scratch-off in Utah.
So, no casinos and no lottery of any kind.
What about playing bingo for real money?
Bingo has become a way for gamblers in states with no gambling to quell their thirst for some action. Most bingo halls will pay a considerable portion of their earnings to charity. Still, it definitely gives players the chance to cash in on the game.
This may seem like extreme measures, but Utah citizens don’t appear to mind too much one way or the other. Much of Utah’s population is of the Mormon faith, and their religion strictly forbids such activities.
Not all of the people living in Utah are of the Mormon faith, though. Surely residents are free to gamble in their homes.
That’s hard, “no.” If you live in Utah, you’re not even permitted to gamble on poker or the Jazz game in your own home.
Utah is also one of only a handful of states with a specific law prohibiting internet gambling. Utah has gone as far as to opt-out of any federal regulations legalizing gambling.
2 – Hawaii
Hawaii is unequivocally one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The soaring mountains covered in lush vegetation towers above the white sand beaches and perfectly blue waters.
I’ve never been playing a round on one of Maui’s illustrious golf courses or been diving in the waters off of Oahu and wished I were in a casino. This plays into the reasons behind Hawaii not having legalized gambling.
The natural beauty of Hawaii is all of the attraction needed to draw a booming tourism industry. Many believe a gambling industry may only serve to hinder their niche as a family vacation spot.
The Hawaiian culture puts a huge emphasis on family. Hence, Hawaiians largely view gambling as harming their community.
The proponents of legalized gambling in the islands’ chain argue that the casino industry could add over $25 million in new revenue each year. Of course, this pales in comparison to the over $1 billion generated annually via the tourism trade.
It’s easy to imagine the Maui coast dotted with beautiful casino resorts. What many Hawaiians can see is the added potential for things like pollution, crime, and traffic.
I specify commercial casinos for an important reason. You see, there has been legislation being debated over for sometime pushing for native gaming.
The Akaka bill would do much the same for native Hawaiians as the native American tribes have seen in the continental United States, meaning that natives would be permitted to offer gaming as a revenue source.
The Akaka bill seems to be all but dead, but some residents hold out hope.
In an ironic twist, the number one vacation spot for Hawaiians is Las Vegas, Nevada.
3 – Alaska
Alaska may be the home of the latest gold rush, but don’t travel to the last frontier expecting to strike it rich in the casinos.
Alaska has yet to outlaw internet gambling or daily fantasy sports specifically. I’d consider traveling to Canada or Las Vegas before testing the online casinos.
If the Alaskan authorities decide to prosecute a gambler in the state, a second charge is an automatic felony. I can’t imagine a single casino game or sporting wager worth catching a felony charge.
I suppose it isn’t surprising that Alaska has no legal gambling. In many communities and regions throughout the state, a strict prohibition on alcohol still exists.
So, if you think maybe you’ll test your luck at an offshore gambling site, remember that the Alaskan authorities are throwing people in jail for having bottles of liquor.
The lack of casinos likely won’t come as a shock to many of you. Alaska is known for its vast wilderness, and the tourism industry depends on it to survive.
The Alaskan residents don’t seem in any hurry to start littering the beautiful landscape with gaudy casinos. Honestly, it’s probably best to keep it that way.
If you’re heading for an Alaskan vacation, you’d better buy your lottery tickets before you get on the airplane or hit the Canadian border. All forms of the lottery are illegal in Alaska, including scratch-offs and PowerBall.
Alaska has a lot to offer anybody that wants adventure in the wild. On that note, if you’re looking to get rich quick in Alaska, stick to the gold panning.
4 – Texas
Texas has a lot going for it. The Lone Star state has a booming economy, and let’s face it, everything is bigger in Texas.
Sports are among the most popular activities in Texas. From little league to college athletics, passionate fans rarely miss a game.
Texas has eight professional sports teams from the big four sports. Yet, sports betting in Texas is illegal at the moment.
Many sports bettors turn to offshore betting sites to get their fix. While sports betting is prohibited, the use of the sites is not specifically outlawed.
In fact, nobody in the state has ever been brought up on charges resulting from play on one of the sites. Typically, law enforcement will focus on the sites operating illegally.
Texas is one of the largest states in both size and population. Unfortunately, the sprawling land is home to a single casino.
The Lone Star State’s lonesome casino is located on the Kickapoo reservation near the border with Mexico.
Texans still get their fill of casino gaming. Most of the most densely populated areas are within driving distance of casinos in neighboring states.
For years, Dallas/Fort Worth residents would travel to Shreveport, LA, to visit the riverboat casinos. They now have the largest casino in the world a short 90-minute drive north at Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, OK.
Texas looks to be on the cusp of legalizing sports betting. However, this doesn’t open the door for casinos to begin breaking ground.
States That Outlaw Gambling Laws
It simply means that in addition to the massive Texas lottery options, bingo halls, and Saturday night poker games, Texans enjoy, they can also bet on those Dallas Cowboys.
5 – Tennessee
States That Legalized Gambling
Tennessee has a rich and vibrant culture that is distinctly its own. From Memphis’s city sounds to the Appalachian-themed Dollywood, Tennessee is a state that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Tennessee has ignored convention regarding gambling laws as well. The state has left the antiquated laws in place dating back to the 1800s.
That means the Tennessee authorities have not updated laws regarding online gambling. Like many states, online gambling is a gray area.
Gamblers in Tennessee do have nearby options. It simply means driving out of state. The riverboat casinos in Mississippi are a popular destination for Tennessee residents.
You would think the state officials would make changes to existing laws in an effort to keep some of those dollars in state coffers.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a nice vacation with some gambling mixed in, avoid these states. The “No Gambling Here” sign may not last forever, but these five states without legal gambling haven’t made the change yet.