Is Online Gambling Legal in the US?

Gambling has been around since the beginning of time. Now that we’re in the 21st century, most things you may want to do can be done online, including gambling.

Gambling has always been a popular pastime in the United States, but what happens when it makes a shift from the casino floor to the internet? Is online gambling legal in America? The answer to that question is a bit complicated due to the US’s love-hate relationship with gambling, but we’re here to break it down for you.

The Legality of Online Gambling in the USA

The legality of online gambling in the US is a hot topic for many people. To start with, you should know that there are no federal laws that explicitly make it illegal to gamble online, but there are also no federal laws that explicitly make it legal. So, where does that leave us?

The way the law currently stands, it is up to each individual state to decide whether or not to allow online gambling within its borders. Some states, like Nevada and New Jersey, have already taken advantage of this and have set up regulated online gambling industries that are thriving.

Nevada always had a special status and managed to launch the first sports betting app in the US in 2010, while most states weren’t doing anything. On the other hand, some states, like Idaho and Hawaii, have made it explicitly illegal to gamble online.

Before we get to the legality of the matter and check out the situation in each state separately, we will first explain what exactly falls under online gambling.

What Is Online Gambling?

Online gambling can take many different forms. The most common type of online gambling is casino gambling, which includes games like slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker. These games can be played for real money at online casinos regulated by the state in which they operate.

Another popular form of online gambling, especially in the US, is sports betting. This is when you bet on the outcome of a sporting event like a football game, basketball game, or horse race.  Sports betting can be done at online sportsbooks regulated by the state in which they operate.

Online poker can and often does break away from online casinos in a standalone format of online gambling.

You’ll often find one or two types of poker at regular casinos, but online casinos offer many different varieties, like Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and 7-Card Stud. Just be aware that each type of poker has its own probabilities and odds.

Fantasy sports are a kind of online gambling, but unlike other casino games, it is a game of skill as much as luck. These are games where you create a team of real-life players and then bet on how well they will do in their upcoming games. Fantasy sports online gambling is legal or operates in a legally gray area in most states, and only a few states have outright banned it.

Last but not least, there is also online lottery gambling, also known as iLottery. It doesn’t differ much from a regular lottery; it’s more convenient since you don’t have to go anywhere.

History of Online Gambling Legislation in the US

Now that we’ve answered the question of what online gambling is, it’s time to take a look at the history of gambling legislation in the United States.

The first major piece of federal gambling legislation was the Federal Wire Act of 1961. This law was put in place to crack down on illegal sports betting and organized crime operations using the telephone to place bets.

The law made it illegal to use wire communications (like the telephone and telegraph) to place bets on sporting events and other contests, except when it’s legal in both the destination and source location.

Because the law says “wire communication facility,” the Department of Justice (DOJ) feels like it applies to the internet and, by extension, to online gambling sites, too, even though the internet did not exist in 1961.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed in 2007, ruling that the legislation solely applies to sports gambling. The cat-and-mouse game continued, with the DOJ altering its opinion in 2011 to comply with the Fifth Circuit court verdict. It didn’t take long for the DOJ to alter its stance again in 2018, only to change it back in 2022, re-aligning with the court ruling.

This wasn’t the only obstacle hampering the creation of a legal online casino in the US. Two other notable acts that impeded progress were the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006.

The PASPA was put in place to make sports betting illegal across the United States, with notable exemptions in Oregon, Montana, Delaware, and Nevada, which technically gave these states a monopoly over sports betting.

The law was eventually struck down by the US Supreme Court in 2018 for being unconstitutional, which paved the way for states to legalize and regulate sports betting within their own borders.

The UIGEA was designed to make it difficult for online gambling sites to process payments, essentially cutting off money flow to and from offshore sites.

Considering that it made it illegal for businesses to accept payments from illegal online gambling sites knowingly, the UIGEA did not make online gambling illegal, but it did make it more difficult for people to gamble online. The act specifically exempts fantasy sports and other games of skill, though.

With the global ban on sports betting overturned, licensing regulated by the states, and payment processing somewhat sorted, the stage has moved from the federal to the state level.

The only thing still unresolved is the Wire Act, which either needs to be amended, replaced, or scrapped altogether. At the moment, we don’t have any indication of whether or when that will happen, though.

Where Is Online Gambling Legal in the US?

With the online gambling market expected to grow to $100 billion worldwide by 2026, it isn’t a big surprise that many states have started legalizing it. Nowadays, you can find legal online casinos in many US states, with more joining the fray all the time.

Let’s take a look at the current state of online gambling in each state. For each state, we’ll see if they allow online casinos, poker, sports betting, horse racing, fantasy sports, and lotteries.

✅ – Legal
❌ – Illegal or unregulated

Is Online Gambling Legal in Alabama?

Regulated by the Alabama Gaming Commission, municipal commissions, and the office of the attorney general.

For the most part, online gambling is illegal in Alabama. There are certain movements in the government and attempts to legalize online sports betting. There has been some discussion about regulating online sports betting and gambling, but the motion never gained traction, and the 2022 legislative season concluded without anything noteworthy happening.

Online horse racing and fantasy sports are considered legal. What you can also find without any issues in Alabama are online social casinos, which have all of the popular casino games but no money ever exchanges hands.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Alaska?

Regulated by the Alaska Department of Revenue.

Alaska is one of the least friendly gambling states in the US. It forbids the use of gambling devices and doesn’t have any land-based casinos or even a bingo hall or two. When it comes to online activities, you can only legally participate in fantasy sports.

The rest of the activities are unregulated and, therefore, illegal. There are no signs that anything will change in the near future.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Arizona?

Regulated by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

Arizona is one of the states that recently joined the online gambling world by legalizing sports betting. As soon as the legal issue was sorted, Arizona welcomed DraftKings with open arms. You can now bet on all major US sports, including the big four – basketball, football, baseball, and hockey.

In addition to sports betting, you can also play fantasy sports and buy lottery tickets online without any issues. Unfortunately for casino lovers, online casinos are not legal in Arizona, and with no indication when or if it’ll change.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Arkansas?

Regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission.

Arkansas introduced online sports betting in March 2022. Previously, you could only engage in betting on online horse racing and fantasy sports. While online casino games still have a long way to go, this is a step in the right direction. For the time being, you’ll have to stick to playing at land-based casinos if you want to gamble in Arkansas.

Is Online Gambling Legal in California?

Regulated by the California Gambling Control Commission.

California is one of the most populous states in the US and is home to many land-based casinos. However, online gambling is still not legal in California. You can participate in horse racing and fantasy sports, but that’s about it.

The state has been trying to pass a bill regulating online poker and casinos for years, but the motion has been unsuccessful thus far. The only glimmer of hope is the upcoming vote on the legalization of sports betting.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Colorado?

Regulated by the Colorado Division of Gaming.

Colorado is one of the states that recently joined the online sports betting world. Sports betting was legalized in May 2020, and online sportsbooks started popping up left and right.

Now that the state has dipped its toes into the gambling pool, it’ll be interesting to see how things progress. For now, we can only watch since there weren’t any indications of online casinos appearing anytime soon.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Connecticut?

Regulated by the Connecticut Gaming Division.

Connecticut started working on its gambling regulations even before the PASPA act was repealed, and when it happened, they hit the ground running. It’s one of the states that has fully embraced online gambling. You can legally participate in all forms of online gambling, including casino games, poker, sports betting, horse racing, and fantasy sports.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Delaware?

Regulated by the Delaware Lottery.

It’s a little-known fact that the small state of Delaware was the second state, after Nevada, to introduce sports betting without any restrictions. It first tried to do it in 2009 before PASPA was repealed but was shut down by the US Supreme Court.

Today, there aren’t any such burdensome restrictions, so the state has fully embraced regular and online gambling venues. No matter what you prefer, you’ll find it here.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Florida?

Regulated by the Florida Gaming Control Commission.

Florida is one of the US states where gambling laws are very strict. The only forms of online gambling currently legal in Florida are horse racing and fantasy sports. Only with the 2018 addition of Amendment 3 to the state’s constitution could gambling in Florida develop further, and only if the people had voted accordingly. Unfortunately, that didn’t quite happen.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Georgia?

Regulated by the Georgia Lottery Corporation.

When it comes to gambling, Georgia is as dry as gin. There are no land-based or internet casinos in the state, and there are no plans to add any in the near future. The sole option is a state-run lottery.

Fantasy sports are also available, although they operate in a legal gray area. At the moment, there are no signs that anything will change soon. Most attempts are focused on setting up land-based casinos, but none have gained much traction.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Hawaii?

There is no regulatory body.

If Georgia is dry as gin, Hawaii is a veritable desert. There isn’t a single gambling venue on any of the islands, and there are no plans to change that in the near future. There was one attempt to get a single land-based casino approved and built, but it was put on hold indefinitely after just two weeks.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Idaho?

Regulated by the Idaho State Lottery Commission.

Idaho is one of the states in the US that has very strict rules about gambling. Businesses have to make it clear that their business transactions are not a form of gambling. In the state, there are just two gambling options: horse racing and the lottery, and only horse racing is available online.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Illinois?

Regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board.

Illinois is one of the US states with a more liberal approach to gambling. In the state, you’ll find all the major types of gambling, both land-based and online. The only exceptions are online casinos and poker games, which are illegal. However, with Michigan fully legalizing online gambling, we may see it spread to Illinois at some point.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Indiana?

Regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission.

Indiana is no stranger to all sorts of land-based gambling, but it has yet to allow online casino games. The only two online gambling activities are sports betting and fantasy sports. House Bill 1356, which would legalize gambling in the Hoosier state, was proposed at the beginning of 2022, but after two weeks, it was dead in the water.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Iowa?

Regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

The state of Iowa is one of the more gambling-friendly states in the United States. Various legal gambling options are available to both residents and visitors, but online casinos are still forbidden. Iowa’s sports betting, horse racing, and fantasy sports markets are pretty active, and you can find them without much trouble.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Kansas?

Regulated by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission.

Kansas is one of the US states where online gambling is not explicitly illegal. Still, no online casinos or poker rooms in the state are licensed and regulated. Residents can use a number of legal sites for horse racing, sports betting, and fantasy sports betting. The state has a lottery, but everything is land-based.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Kentucky?

Regulated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Casino games, poker, and sports betting are all illegal in the state of Kentucky, but you can bet on horse races and play fantasy sports online. And if you’re looking to test your luck, the state lottery is also available online.

Fantasy sports betting isn’t technically legal, but it isn’t illegal either. It exists in a legally gray zone, which is used by DraftKings, FanDuel, and other providers to allow Bluegrass State players to participate in fantasy sports online.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Louisiana?

Regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Louisiana Racing Commission.

Bringing legal online gambling to the Pelican State was an uphill battle that lasted three years, managing only to get sports betting and fantasy sports introduced to the state. Not only was there little support at the time, but the state’s bureaucracy also contributed to the situation lasting longer than it ought to have.

Even if legislation were to be introduced to allow for additional types of online gaming sites, it would take some time for lawmakers to approve them.

With no legal online casinos in the state, you may be tempted by the offshore options, but don’t do it! Louisiana is one of the states where online gambling has been criminalized, and after three strikes, you will be charged with a felony. If you really need to scratch the itch, you can try one of the social casinos – as long as there’s no money involved, you’ll be fine.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Maine?

Regulated by the Maine Gambling Control Board.

Considering there are both casinos and bingo halls in the state, Maine is sadly lacking when it comes to online gambling. It only permits fantasy sports and horse racing online. While there were certainly some attempts at legalizing other forms of gambling, every such effort has so far been shot down by the governor.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Maryland?

Regulated by the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

Like most states, the Old Line State allows only online horse racing and fantasy sports to be played, for now at least. By the end of 2022 or early 2023, it’s also expected to introduce regulation allowing online sports betting. This was voted in by a referendum, but it will take some time to formalize.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Massachusetts?

Regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Massachusetts does not have strict laws addressing the legality of online gambling. With the Las Vegas-styled brick-and-mortar casinos present in the state, we hope to see online gambling get addressed in the near future, too.

For the time being, online gambling sites exist in limbo, with only online fantasy sports and horse racing having a defined status and state regulations.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Michigan?

Regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

In 2019, Michigan legalized online casino gambling, and the market has been growing steadily since then. Players in Michigan have a wide range of legal online gambling options to choose from.

Online casinos, poker, sports betting, and horse racing are all available, as are fantasy sports and the lottery. What more is there to say? Go to the Great Lakes state and experience it for yourself!

Is Online Gambling Legal in Minnesota?

Regulated by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board.

In 2022, Minnesota decided to stop being on the fence and try and push for a bill that would allow for sports betting in the state, both land-based and online. Sadly, the bill failed to gain much traction, so we’re waiting to see what 2023 will bring. Currently, only horse racing and fantasy sports betting are allowed online, and all other forms of gambling are illegal.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Mississippi?

Regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

After the federal ban on gambling was overturned, Mississippi was quick to adopt legislation allowing fantasy sports but didn’t bother with the other aspects of online gambling. As such, despite numerous land-based casinos, the only form of online gambling allowed in the state is online fantasy sports, and only because it’s viewed as a game of skill.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Missouri?

Regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

In 2002, Missouri tried to make sports betting legal, but the bill failed. Now, fantasy sports are the only form of legal online gambling, while everything else is unregulated. With state lawmakers having a negative view towards online gambling, you should consider if offshore casinos are worth the risk.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Montana?

Regulated by the Montana Lottery.

Montana is one of the most gambling-friendly states regarding land-based gambling, but it’s an entirely different matter for online casino sites. There were attempts to legalize online sports betting, but they’ve all failed.

At the moment, you can only participate in online horse racing. You would expect the state to at least allow online lotteries since any place with a liquor license can have its own lottery, but no such luck yet.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Nebraska?

Regulated by the Nebraska State Racing & Gaming Commission.

Nebraska recently saw a gambling expansion, but only to online horse betting, while fantasy sports exist in a legally gray area. With the recent bill limiting the reach of online gambling, we do not expect to see legalized online casino gaming in the state any time soon.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Nevada?

Regulated by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission.

You would expect Nevada to allow all sorts of online gambling in the state, but that is not the case. The odd thing is that online poker is allowed but has only one operator, while online casinos are illegal. Could it be that land-based casinos don’t like competition?

Whatever the case is, other than poker, you can also participate in online horse betting and sports betting, while online casinos, fantasy sports, and lotteries are prohibited.

Is Online Gambling Legal in New Hampshire?

Regulated by the New Hampshire Lottery.

New Hampshire has been slowly but steadily introducing various legal online gambling sites. The most recent addition was in 2019, when sports betting in both forms was made legal.

That said, the same bill that legalized those is now creating problems with legalizing online gambling sites like casinos and poker rooms. Another interesting tidbit is that all forms of traditional slot machines are currently forbidden in the state.

Is Online Gambling Legal in New Jersey?

Regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

New Jersey is one of the leading gambling states in the US and one of the few that fully embraces online gambling sites like casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks. The only game not available online is the lottery.

There are apps for it, but to buy them, you must go to a brick-and-mortar store. The online gambling industry in New Jersey is booming, and the state is collecting huge taxes from all operators. New Jersey is the right choice if you are looking for a safe place to gamble online.

Is Online Gambling Legal in New Mexico?

Regulated by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board.

While New Mexico isn’t a stranger to gambling and was among the first to welcome sports betting when the ban was lifted in 2018, the situation isn’t so rosy when it comes to online venues.

Sports betting remains tied to land-based establishments, and there’s no indication that online gambling laws will change in the future. Currently, only fantasy sports, horse betting, and online lotteries are allowed in the state.

Is Online Gambling Legal in New York?

Regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission.

Given its proximity to New Jersey, it’s no surprise that New York state views the online gambling industry favorably, at least regarding sports betting.

While you won’t find any state-regulated online casino games yet, there are currently two bills on the floor trying to change that, and we expect 2023 to bring some major changes to state regulations. As it stands, only sports betting in all its forms is legalized and regulated in New York.

Is Online Gambling Legal in North Carolina?

There is no regulatory body.

North Carolina laws are strict and don’t allow any online gambling within the state. The only thing currently allowed is an online lottery, though you can play slots in land-based casinos or bet on sports in a couple of brick-and-mortar establishments in the Appalachian Mountains.

Is Online Gambling Legal in North Dakota?

Regulated by the North Dakota Gaming Division.

While North Dakota has one of the largest per capita densities of gambling facilities in the United States, not much is being done to move some of those attractions online. That said, at least one form of online gambling is available in North Dakota: playing fantasy sports through sites like DraftKings and FanDuel.

Other than that, there really isn’t much in the way of online gambling options for ND residents. The state has made it clear that it’s not interested in changing its laws to allow for online casinos or poker rooms, so residents will have to stick to the land-based options for now.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Ohio?

Regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

If you’re looking for some legal gambling fun in Ohio, your options are unfortunately quite limited. The state has yet to legalize any form of online gambling, including online casinos, online poker, and online sports betting.

However,  the state is considering a bill regulating online sports betting. There are some other options available, too. Ohio residents can enjoy online horse racing and fantasy sports betting, as both activities are considered legal under state law.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Oklahoma?

Regulated by the Oklahoma Gaming Compliance Unit.

Oklahoma is a great state for old-school gamblers. There are many casinos and racetracks located throughout the state. However, most online gambling is not currently legal in Oklahoma, and its residents cannot gamble online at any casino, poker room, or sportsbook.

That said, online horse racing is legal, while fantasy sports operate in legally gray areas of the law. There are currently no signs of any impending changes to these policies.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Oregon?

Regulated by the Oregon Racing Commission and Gaming Enforcement Division.

While Oregon offers various options for more traditional gamblers throughout the state, its online offer is minimal, as players can only access online sports betting and horse racing.

All other forms of online gambling, including online casinos and poker, are illegal in the state. The only notable exception is fantasy sports, which are stuck in legal limbo, like in most US states.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Pennsylvania?

Regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The state of Pennsylvania has fully legalized online gambling in any form. This means that all types of online gambling are entirely legal and regulated by the state.

The list includes online casino games, poker, sports betting, horse racing, fantasy sports, and even online lotteries. There is a large variety of different online gambling sites available to residents of Pennsylvania, making it arguably the best state for online gambling in the US.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Rhode Island?

Regulated by the Division of Commercial Licensing and Racing & Athletics.

When it comes to gambling, Rhode Island has a bit of everything. You can find casinos, poker rooms, sports betting, horse racing, and more. However, not all forms of gambling are legal online.

Despite being one of the first states to legalize online sports betting, internet casino gambling and poker are still banned. If you want to play online, your best bet is to stick to sports betting, horse racing, fantasy sports, or iLottery.

Is Online Gambling Legal in South Carolina?

There is no regulatory body.

At first, South Carolina was open to all forms of gambling, but after a tragic incident in 1999 in which a newborn died as its mother played a video poker machine, the state changed its tune and became strongly anti-gambling.

South Carolina has one of the strictest rules regarding gambling and has taken people to court for playing poker in their own homes. While the government is less likely to raid private residences in search of illegal poker games, there is still nowhere for people to legally gamble in any form (online or land-based), and it doesn’t seem that this will change anytime soon.

The only thing you can find is fantasy sports, and that’s only because, like in many other states, it operates in a legal gray area in South Carolina.

Is Online Gambling Legal in South Dakota?

Regulated by the South Dakota Commission on Gaming.

Playing poker in Deadwood during the Wild West could be very dangerous, as James “Wild Bill” Hickok discovered. Today, the situation is very different, and Deadwood is the gambling capital of South Dakota.

The danger today comes from playing online because state laws classify any gambling using the internet to bet or wager as a felony.

As always, fantasy sports get away with it due to it being in a legal gray area, but it’s still an unregulated market. Online sports betting and horse racing are regulated, but since sports betting is only permitted inside the casino, it’s not viable for online gambling. Luckily, horse race betting is allowed outside the racing tracks, but that’s about it.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Tennessee?

Regulated by the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.

Tennessee is a pretty interesting state when it comes to gambling. For starters, you won’t find any land-based casino establishments. So, imagine our surprise when in 2019, it allowed for online gambling in the form of sports betting, horse racing, and fantasy sports betting.

Currently, it doesn’t look like we’ll get an online casino, but who knows what the future will bring?

Is Online Gambling Legal in Texas?

There is no regulatory body.

The only form of gambling legal in the state of Texas is the lottery. However, even this is restricted, as you can only purchase tickets from authorized retailers. There are no online gambling options available. Even fantasy sports, although not strictly illegal, function in an illegally ambiguous region rather than a legally gray one.

The closest thing to legal gambling in Texas would be playing at one of the many Indian land-based casinos located in the state. These are regulated by the federal government and not the state, so they are not subject to Texas laws.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Utah?

There is no regulatory body.

Utah’s gambling venues are as dry as its climate, and we aren’t just talking about online gambling. Even regular land-based gambling is forbidden in the Mormon state. There isn’t even a state-run lottery, so that tells you about the general attitude toward gambling.

The only exception, or more like an oversight from the state, is fantasy sports. As usual, not legal but unregulated and operating in a gray area. It’s probably only a matter of time before the Beehive state cracks down on it too.

For now, the residents have to go to either Colorado or Nevada if they want to engage in gambling of any sort.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Vermont?

Regulated by the Vermont Lottery Commission and the Vermont Racing Commission.

Gambling is prohibited in Vermont unless it is exempted by one of the state’s legal carve-outs. Unfortunately, most online gambling activities don’t fall into any of the relevant categories.

This means that residents in Vermont cannot legally participate in online casinos, poker, sports betting, or even the lottery. The only two activities allowed online are horse racing and fantasy sports.

Due to fantasy sports being legalized in 2017, many expected online gambling to expand further, but the progress stopped there even with gambling-friendly governments in power. As it stands, we won’t be seeing any legalized online casinos anytime soon.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Virginia?

Regulated by the Virginia Lottery.

Virginia’s approach to gambling is best described as cautious. The state slowly tested the waters first with charitable gambling, followed by bingo halls and a state lottery. Then came horse racing, and in 2018, the state allowed slot-like machines on the race track.

Instead of betting on traditional slot outcomes, though, people could bet on randomly chosen past horse race outcomes. The devices became an instant success, generating over one billion USD in the first year.

While Virginia was slowly testing the waters regarding games of chance, it went head first with online fantasy sports, becoming the first state to legalize the activity in 2016. This was followed by legalizing online sports betting, but that’s where it stopped for now.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Washington?

Regulated by the Washington State Gambling Commission and the Washington Horse Racing Commission.

Washington is one of the few states in the US that has explicitly banned online gambling, including fantasy sports. The state’s gambling laws make it illegal to “knowingly transmit or receive gambling information by electronic means.” This includes all forms of online gambling, from casino games to poker and sports betting.

In contrast to most states, this affects both those who visit these establishments and the businesses that run them. Anyone caught will have to pay a $10,000 fine and/or face five years in prison. The only exception to this law is online horse racing.

We don’t expect anything to change in the Evergreen state regarding online gambling. Only recently, in 2020, the state allowed sports betting in tribal casinos, but that’s as far as the goodwill towards gambling in Washington went.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Washington DC?

Regulated by the DC Lottery.

Aside from sharing the same name, Washington state and Washington DC have very different views on gambling and what should and should not be permitted.

Washington state only permits online horse racing, but the capital allows for online sports betting, fantasy sports, and an online lottery. While you won’t find online casinos or poker here, it’s still a better gambling destination than the state of Washington.

Given the complex legal environment in the nation’s capital, we don’t expect to see any abrupt changes in the future.

Is Online Gambling Legal in West Virginia?

Regulated by the West Virginia Lottery.

In West Virginia, all forms of online gambling are legal. It was one of the first states to legalize online casinos, doing so in March 2019, and other forms of online gambling soon followed. This includes online casino games, poker, sports betting, and horse racing. However, the state does not currently offer an online lottery.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Wisconsin?

Regulated by the Wisconsin Lottery Board.

Online gambling is currently illegal in Wisconsin. This means that you cannot gamble online for real money. However, the rule has two exceptions: horse racing and fantasy sports. While online gambling is not currently legal, there were attempts to change this, but they failed to gain traction.

With the already present gambling culture, it is only a matter of time before online gambling becomes legal in Wisconsin. For now, the tribal-operated brick-and-mortar casinos will have to suffice.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Wyoming?

Regulated by the Wyoming Gaming Commission.

The Equality State has a long history of gambling, dating back to the days of the Wild West. Gambling was popular in frontier towns until it was outlawed for the better part of the twentieth century. It returned slowly to the state with the introduction of horse racing in 1967.

In 2006, after a lengthy legal battle, the two officially recognized state tribes were allowed to build the first casinos in the state on tribal land. It marked a turning point, and soon slot-like machines were on racing tracks.

In 2021, Governor Mark Gordon signed bill HB133, which legalized internet sports betting in the state. Only candidates with a proven track record in at least three or more states with legalized sports betting were eligible to apply under the new law.

This approach guaranteed that only the most competent candidates for licensing were evaluated. It took some time, but Wyoming is returning to its gambling roots. While there aren’t any online casinos or poker houses just yet, you can also participate in horse racing and fantasy sports.

Conclusion

Online gambling is a booming industry in the United States, and it will only get bigger as time goes on. With more and more states legalizing and regulating it, we can expect to see even more growth in the coming years. Despite some legal hurdles, there are plenty of options for those seeking to engage in legal online gambling.