Is Online Gambling Legal in My State? – A Guide For Laws In 2025!
Posted: July 10, 2025
Updated: July 10, 2025
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A full legal guide to online gambling laws in all US states
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Where and how to play online gambling in the US?
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Is online gambling legal in my state?
Curious about the legal status of online gambling where you live? This article explores every U.S. state to answer the question: Is online gambling legal in my state? From poker to sportsbooks, we cover everything you need to know in 2025.
In this article, we are going to discover every single state in the United States and its legal status in online gambling activities. Keep in mind that we will focus on the online aspects of gambling. Therefore, when you see an “illegal” status on certain activities, it might only indicate online games. Similarly, some places might have only online casinos, but not land-based casinos. Therefore, this article is an up-to-date guide for 2025 online gambling status in each state of the USA.
With laws constantly shifting, staying informed is crucial. Some states allow everything. Others ban nearly all online gaming. Because of this, players must know their rights. In this post, we’ll break down the current status of online gambling across every U.S. state. Register at any of the online gambling sites in the US to find your ideal operator!
Northeast – Is Online Gambling Legal in My State?
The Northeast is already established in its acceptance of gambling, but many states are behind or still trying to debate what is best for the economy and people in general. According to Deadspin, House Bill 332 and Senate Bill 235 seek to allow the state’s three land-based casinos to partner up with two online operators each. The proposed licenses include a $5 million fee and a 20% tax. New York tells a different story.
Despite its massive population, the state still blocks online casinos. However, a bill aims to legalize them. Still, poker has not caught legislative attention. Thus, players must wait longer for full online rights. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania mirrors New Jersey’s stance. Everything from poker to digital blackjack works fine here. As a result, it became one of the top revenue states for legal online games. Register at VAVE Casino to play the best games right away!
- Connecticut: Poker is not legal.
- Maine: Casino and Poker is not legal
- Massachusetts: Casino is not legal. However, a bill is pending. Poker isn’t legal.
- New Hampshire: Casino is illegal. However, a bill is pending. Poker is illegal.
- New Jersey: Everything is legal.
- New York: Casino is illegal. However, a bill is pending. Poker isn’t legal.
- Pennsylvania: Everything is legal.
- Rhode Island: Everything is legal.
- Vermont: Everything is legal, except for sports betting.
The Midwest – The Mixed Zone
The Midwest is in an interesting situation usually. They tend to separate land-based and online activities. The best example is Michigan. According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, land-based casinos are generally illegal without a case-to-case review and approval from the government. However, online gambling has a framework that allows online gamblers to operate under certain circumstances. Therefore, it is the operator’s responsibility to oblige to the law.
This region seeks to try to balance the economy and shift from old beliefs, while also measuring how much law enforcement they can take up. The Midwest remains divided. States like Michigan embrace online play. However, others flat-out reject it. Because of these splits, the answer to “Is online gambling legal in my state?” depends heavily on your zip code.
- Illinois: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Indiana: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Iowa: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Kansas: Casinos and poker are illegal. Furthermore, DFS is illegal but it can be played online.
- Michigan: Everything is legal.
- Minnesota: Casinos, Sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- Missouri: Casinos, Sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- Nebraska: Casinos, Sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- North Dakota: Casinos, Poker, and sweepstakes are illegal.
- Ohio: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- South Dakota: Casinos, sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- Wisconsin: Casinos and poker are illegal. Furthermore, sports betting is only legal on tribal lands.
The South – Is Online Gambling Legal in My State?
The South has been going through a wave of online law reform. Things such as the Alabama and North Carolina gambling legislation have shifted the legal atmosphere in recent years. In the District of Columbia, however, both online poker and casinos are banned. While it allows some limited sports betting options, the broader gambling laws stay tight. Florida tells a more complex story. Most online formats remain illegal, except for a few limited sports betting opportunities. Only one legal operator holds permission. Thus, competition is nonexistent.
- Alabama: Casinos, Sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- Arkansas: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Delaware: Everything is legal.
- District of Columbia: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Florida: Casinos and Poker are illegal. Furthermore, sports betting and DFS are only legal for a single operator.
- Georgia: Casinos, sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- Kentucky: Casinos and sports betting are illegal.
- Louisiana: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Maryland: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Mississippi: Casinos, sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- North Carolina: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Oklahoma: Casinos, sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- South Carolina: Casinos, sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- Tennessee: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Texas: Casinos, sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- Virginia: Casinos are illegal. However, a bill is pending. Poker is illegal.
- West Virginia: Everything is legal.
In summary, the South shows signs of change, but it’s still behind. Some states cling to tradition. Others move toward reform. Because of this, the region remains one of the toughest for legal online gambling access.
The West – An Advancing Legal Atmosphere
Is online gambling legal in my state if I live in the West? Europeans would guess yes, but the truth is quite different. The West is a wild category when it comes to law and legislation. For example, sweepstakes get a lot more attention here. According to the IGB, sweepstakes are social casinos where people may purchase digital currency to play with and pay in digital currencies too. Therefore, it is a way to comply with the law that generally prohibits online gambling. Nevada surprises many.
While famous for Las Vegas, it bans online casinos and sweepstakes. Poker remains legal online in limited forms. The gap between its land-based casinos and online platforms remains wide. New Mexico restricts nearly all online gambling. Only sweepstakes survive under limited conditions.
- Alaska: Casinos, sports betting, and poker are illegal.
- Arizona: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- California: Casinos, poker, and sports betting are illegal. Sweepstakes are in a gray area.
- Colorado: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Hawaii: Everything is illegal, except for sweepstakes.
- Idaho: Everything is illegal, except for sweepstakes.
- Montana: Everything is illegal. Sweepstakes are banned. Furthermore, DFS is legal.
- Nevada: Casinos and sweepstakes are illegal.
- New Mexico: Everything is illegal except for sweepstakes.
- Oregon: Casinos and poker are illegal.
- Utah: Everything is illegal.
- Washington: Casinos, sports betting, poker, and sweepstakes are illegal.
- Wyoming: Casinos, poker, and sweepstakes are illegal.
The Native Casinos – Is Online Gambling Legal in My State?
Native American casinos may have an interference with the ongoing legislative processes, which is fully in their right to do so. Therefore, we have a guide for the Native American Casino laws for you to understand these aspects. Obviously, as a consumer, you shouldn’t care too much. Simply, you have to visit one of the Tribal Casinos within their area. If you feel like you are too far away from them, then a good alternative is to travel to a neighboring state where online gambling is legal in your interest. Because they operate under federal and tribal law, they often sidestep state restrictions. However, online gambling within these areas remains tricky.
Some tribes offer digital services. Others do not. Therefore, players must check whether they live near a tribal facility. If you’re too far from one, a legal neighboring state becomes your best option. As always, local access determines your options. Tribal casinos offer a path for some. However, they’re not available everywhere. Because of this, many turn to online platforms. But unless your state allows them, you must be cautious.
How To Find Legal Gambling Sites in the US?
Is online gambling legal in my state? The answer depends on where you live. To have a full overview of the specifics, take a look at our United States betting legislation megathread. Here, you’ll find a detailed overview of legal gambling platforms and their operators. Therefore, you’ll avoid unlicensed sites and protect your personal information. Legal platforms operate under strict rules.
They offer safety, transparency, and responsible gaming tools. Illegal ones do not. Therefore, finding a legal site ensures your rights stay protected. Always verify the license before registering. States like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey list their approved operators publicly. Use those lists as your guide. If your state doesn’t allow online gambling, consider traveling or waiting for change. Register at VAVE Casino to play gambling games online!