Which states will see online sports betting sites launched?
States with Legal Land Based Wagering
At Online Betting Guide we are primarily interested in legal online sports betting sites in the US, but by looking at where sports betting is legal in person we can get some clues as to the prospects of other states growing a regulated online market. Whilst not always the case, typically legal sports betting will take place in person at brick and mortar venues before expanding to online.
- New York
- Delaware
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- New Mexico
- Montana
- North Carolina
- Washington
- Oklahoma
- Maryland
- South Dakota
States Likely to Have Betting Sites Live Soon?
Other than those states already mentioned, the easiest way to look at which US states will legalize sports betting soon is to see which ones have bills on file and lined up for consideration, in progress or where there is an appetite. These are on our list as the next most likely to allow sports betting soon and hopefully online sports betting at the same time or soon after. We give an approximate prediction of when sports betting might be legal.
These are the US States we expect to be next to legalize online sports betting
- South Dakota
- Maine
- Missouri
- Kentucky
Will These States Ever Have Legal Sports Betting Sites?
Will we ever see legal sportsbooks in these remaining states?
These are the least likely states to provide legal online sports betting any time soon
- Idaho
- California
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Hawaii
- Vermont
- Texas
- Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- Florida
- Alaska
- Georgia
- Utah
Which will be the most prominent sports betting sites in the USA?
The way the sports betting legal landscape is developing across the states, we could end up with 100s of differently named online betting sites. Some will only operate in one state, such as where the state lottery may run a monopoly or where licensing is restricted to existing land-based establishments and only in their brand names.
Where skins allow land-based license holders to partner with other brands or where multiple skins are being allowed or where access is not restricted to partnering up with a land-based operator, the big companies are competing for opportunities. Here we look at some of those betting sites as we predict the most likely brands to establish themselves across the USA.
Already Well Established Sports Betting Sites
These betting sites are racing into the lead to license in as many states as they can, as quick as they can.
DraftKings Sportsbook
Draftkings is in a solid position in the US, having built a considerable brand through its fantasy sports products. A recent deal with Penn saw them gain access to seven new states including West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Expected to roll out their offering across states where they can secure access.
FanDuel Sportsbook
Huge brand as a fantasy betting site of course and after joining with the globally established PaddyPower Betfair (all now under one big umbrella of Flutter Entertainment) is now part of a vast sports betting operation. They claim to have become the number one operator in New Jersey and are live online in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Retail sportsbooks are operating in Iowa, New York, Mississippi, and probably soon in Indiana. So they have secured access well early on, and we expect them to be everywhere they can! Reportedly spending some $50m a year on marketing in the US.
Sugarhouse Sportsbook & BetRivers
The first and now most dominant player in Pennsylvania with a large share of the sports betting handle. Third, to come to New Jersey, Sugarhouse likes to get in early. Under the umbrella of Rush Street Interactive, there are definite plans to expand. Where the strengths of Rush Interactive lie is in their product which is probably one of the most comprehensive legal online sports betting sites available in the US currently. Read full review of Sugarhouse Sportsbook Review Here. Rush Street have gone live with the Bet Rivers brand in Indiana and are in the process of looking at rebranding Sugarhouse PA to BetRivers. So it is looking like they may be choosing Bet Rivers as the statewide brand.
BetMGM Sportsbook
Initially, PlayMGM and now switched to BetMGM, part of GVC group which owns Ladbrokes/Coral, Bwinparty and Sportingbet which are all large brands across the UK and Europe. Likely to spread across many states in time using the BetMGM brand although they also run Borgata Sportsbook as well..
Sports Betting Sites with Some Early Presence
These betting sites have been gaining licenses but not at the pace of the bigger movers.
Fox Bet Sportsbook
The Stars Group recently signed an access deal with Penn to add nine more states to their portfolio, growing their total reach to a staggering 20 states. Their US brand is set to be Fox Bet, and they have the experience of running sports betting with the popular UK Brand Skybet. Also owning Pokerstars, BetStars, Full Tilt and Beteasy, The Stars Group are making giant strides in the US as well as globally. However, their Betstars brand hasn't been gaining significant market share in NJ, and it is likely that FoxBet will be much better positioned to challenge the dominant brands of Fanduel and Draftkings. A deal has recently been signed with Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort in New York which will give fist skin access when the state legalizes.
Pointsbet
A sports wagering opportunity with a difference, points betting allows bettors to win more, the more they are right. Known as spread betting in the UK, it is a popular form of betting with more experienced sports bettors. Pointsbet are a serious player in the US market where they are setting about expanding their footprint.
Unibet Sportsbook
Unibet, owned by the huge global gaming group Kindred, is serious about growing it's brand awareness in the USA. A recent multi year sponsorship deal with the Philadelphia Eagles confirmed this. Unibet's branding will be displayed around the Lincoln National Field as it seeks to establish a strong footprint in Philadelphia. Unibet are already live in NJ and PA.
BetAmerica Sportsbook / Twinspires
A national brand since 2008 with its racebook, BetAmerica opened its Sportsbook in New Jersey at the start of 2019. Also has a land-based presence running sportsbooks in Mississippi. Expected to be a nationwide player for sports betting but hasn't so far been aggressive in securing partnerships.
bet365 Sportsbook
bet365 is a UK online bookmaker which has expanded globally to acquire more than 35 million customers. It's first major play in the US seems to be the partnership with Empire in New York at the cost of around $50m. That though could prove to be a fantastic deal if New York, as is thought, sticks to one skin per license. Read full bet 365 Sportsbook review here.
888 Sportsbook
While 888 are well established in the USA, running a number of partnerships including with Caesars in Nj and NV for casino, with Delaware Lottery to power their online offering and a partnership with the WSOP brand, there hasn't been a major move yet into sports betting. Dominating online poker seems to be the focus for now, but perhaps there are lots of patient negotiations going on. Behind the scenes, they have been improving their Sportsbook provisions in apparent preparation with the purchase of BetBright (a now-former UK brand). We would expect 888 to become a significant player across the states in time, but for now, they seem to be focused on product rather than land grabbing.
However, they have made a significant move into sports branding with a sponsorship deal with the New York Jets which we expect is part of a long term play to grow the brand awareness of 888 itself.
What is the Difference Between Legal and Illegal Sports Betting Sites?
A question that comes up again and again as 'legal sports betting' is introduced to more and more states in America is, 'What is the difference between legal and illegal sportsbooks, and how does it impact me as a customer?'
To this end, there are two answers to the question.
- The difference between legal and illegal sports betting or the customer
- The difference between legal and illegal sports betting for the operator
They are two very different scenarios, and there are pros and cons either way, so let's take a closer look.
Before we get into this in great detail, let's just state that whilst there may be some cons with legal sports betting, in terms of the safety of your money - which should be your paramount concern - betting with a legally licensed betting site in your state should ALWAYS b your first port of call.
For YOU, The Customer
The difference between placing an online wager with a legal vs illegal sportsbook has two main differences. One is a pro, one is a con. We will assess those two side by side in a moment.
- You may be able to make wagers on a larger markets
- You may not get paid and there is no governmental backup if that happens
So, there you have it. While you may be able to find wagers you can place with an offshore online betting site, such as collegiate betting on props, etc, there remains the security issue that an offshore, unlicensed gambling site, can shut up shop and disappear overnight with no requirement to answer to the government or law if they do so.
You may be able to bet how many points a single player might score in a college basketball game, but if you win, but there is no guarantee you'll get paid or the company will be around to allow you to withdraw your funds if they fall on hard times.
Is being able to make that wager worth the risk if you might never see your winnings or your original stake or bankroll at the end of it?
For the Online Betting Site
The advantages for the betting site are mostly around taxes and the amount they have to pay.
When you bet with a legally licensed sportsbook in your state, you will be assured that a percentage, [it can differ from state to state], will be getting paid into the tax system, and with any luck will be benefitting your state in taxation. When you bet offshore, the operator will pay taxes [if any] into the region in which they are operating. Often there are no taxes to be paid, and this is why at times you may be able to get better odds. However, the difference in odds offered by offshore gambling sites is not really overall better for you, the customer. They just bank more profit.
Legally licensed sportsbooks partnered with land-based casinos in US States have a strict regime of operating laws to abide by. There are in place not to prevent the betting site from offering a good product or to limit the profit they can make, but actually are in place to ensure that you as a customer are making wagers on sport in a safe secure environment.
This includes the safety of your payment methods, and that your security and banking information can not be accessed by those trying to defraud you and access your financial or personal information.
The Safety of your Information and Money Should be your First Concern
Every possible safeguard is in place and strictly monitored with legally operating betting site in your state, and if your first concern is the security of that information and your betting funds, then it makes perfect sense to only bet with online sportsbooks, legally recognized and controlled by the laws of the state in which they are operating.
Common Questions about US Sports Betting Sites
FAQ
USA Betting Sites FAQs
-
What Sports Betting Sites Can I Use Legally in the USA?
The betting sites you can legally use in the USA depends upon which state you are located in at the time of wanting to bet. On this page we list all the legal betting sites in the USA and split these out by state so that you can see which betting sites you can use depending on your location.
-
Can you bet online legally in the USA?
You can bet online legally in the USA if you are located in a state which allows legal online sports betting and you register an account with a licensed sports betting provider. We list all licensed betting sites by state here at OLBG.
-
What is the safest online betting site?
If you want your funds to be safe then we recommend that you only bet with licensed sports betting sites. This page provides a list of licensed sports betting sites by state. Do not bet with offshore illegal bookies as these may not be safe.
-
Which is the best sports betting site in the USA?
The best USA betting sites will vary by state. Currently the best betting site in New Jersey, according to our ratings is bet365 but over in Pennsylvania it is BetRivers. Check out the ratings of betting sites by state at OLBG and see which is voted the best betting site in each state.
-
List of states which allow legal sports betting
There are 11 states which form the full list of states which allow legal sports betting. This full list is detailed above with links to click through to each state for more detailed information.
-
List of legal sportsbooks USA
The full list of legal sportsbooks in the USA is over 80 now. On this page we list the sportsbooks which are live in two or more states. Click through to the state pages for full details on all live legal sports betting sites in each state.
Further Reading to Help You Choose The Best Betting Site for You
As well as the legal sites available to you based on your state, the best betting site for you will depend upon what sports you like to wager on and the types of wagers you like to place. Our expert editorial team have carried out 100s of hours of research into the best betting sites for US sports bettors. This content is localised for each state so when you navigate to the guide, click on the state localisation button.
- Best betting sites for Parlays
- Best NFL betting sites
- Best basketball betting sites
- Recommended NHL Betting Sites
- Best sportsbooks for baseball betting
- Best betting sites for wagering on Soccer
- Best betting sites for AFL (Aussie Rules) wagers
As well as providing comprehensive sports betting guides for US citizens, we also have sections of the site dedicated to the UK, Canada, Ireland & Australia.