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Most sporting events have a perceived favorite, so applying a spread to the game is the bookmakers' way of creating an even playing field. This is most often seen when betting on the NFL. When you bet 'against the spread,' it's not enough for the favorite to win the game; now, they have to win by more than a specified amount (the spread) in order for them to 'cover the spread.'

As we explained with moneyline betting, a negative number (-) indicates the favorite and a positive number (+) indicates the underdog.

ATS (Against the Spread) Betting: Case Study

As you can see, New England is the favorite in this game by 7.5 points, since they have the negative number. You will often see half-points attached to the spread to avoid 'pushes,' or ties for the newbies. As we covered in our how to read odds guide, games with half-point spreads are said to contain a 'hook.'

In this circumstance, favored New England is said to be 'laying' 7.5 points. This means you subtract 7.5 points from their total score when the game concludes. If they still have more points than the Chiefs, then they 'covered.' Therefore, the Patriots will have to win the game by at least 8 points for you to win your bet.

While New England is 'laying' 7.5 points, Kansas City is 'getting' 7.5 points. This means you add 7.5 points to their total score when the game concludes. If, after doing so, they have more points than the Patriots, then they 'covered.' So, in order to win your bet, the Chiefs just cannot lose the game by 8 points or more. For example, if the Chiefs only lose by 3 points, you would win if you bet on Kansas City.

Here are a couple of mock outcomes, with the team who covered the spread in bold.

• Kansas City 21 – New England 24
• Kansas City 17 – New England 25
• Kansas City 3 – New England 41
• Kansas City 30 – New England 27

What Can Change the Spread?

The spreads in football games are subject to change based on where the money is going and weekly injury reports. If Tom Brady is hit by the Madden Curse before the season even starts and is unable to suit up, you'll see the spread decrease, likely landing around New England -3.5.

Calculating Payouts Against the Spread

Now you may have noticed in the chart above that there is a three-digit number next to each spread, which looks an awful lot like a moneyline. It is, in essence. Those negative numbers (-110 in this case) indicate how much you have to bet in order to win $100. (Sportsbooks still take their cut when you're betting against the spread.)

Generally, you will see 'even bets,' meaning the payout is the same no matter who you bet on. But that's not always the case, as you'll see in the chart for our next example.

If the result of this game is Seattle 21 – Green Bay 28, would you win if you bet on Seattle to cover?

(NO! They lost by more than three points.)

Do Other Sports Have Spread Betting Options?

Betting against the spread on the NFL is undoubtedly the most popular form of spread betting, but there are other options.

You will also see point spreads in hockey, baseball, and soccer. They are referred to in different terms, but they refer to the same principle of operation as the spread.

In hockey, the spread is called apuck line; in baseball, it is a run line; and in soccer, it is a goal line.

Puck lines and run lines are almost always fixed at 1.5.

Learn the Basics of Sports Betting

Want to learn more about the basics of betting on sports? Educate yourself with sports betting 101.

In May 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court officially struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The landmark decision restored the right for each state to individually pursue sports betting by creating their own set of rules and regulations. Over the years many states have exercised that right, creating a diverse, flourishing sports betting industry in the United States.

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On this page we'll breakdown all of the states that now have legal, regulated sports betting, and the online operators where you can place wagers. If you have general questions about online sports betting in the U.S., we've got your answers.

States With Legal Online Sports Betting

In the post-PASPA world each state is responsible for creating its own set of sports betting rules. While there are some similarities, there's still room for plenty of variety from state to state. Some only permit retail sports betting, while some include online wagering too, and others only allow for online betting. Here's our breakdown of every state that now has some form of legal online sports betting.

Nevada

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: 1949
• Online/Retail: Both

The first state in the country to legalize sports betting, Nevada thrived for years under PASPA as the nation's sports betting capital. It's no longer the only game in town, but Nevada, and Las Vegas specifically, are still king. Online wagering is now available throughout Nevada using a number of different apps. MGM, William Hill, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Wynn, and plenty of other leading casino brands now offer online sportsbooks and betting apps.

New Jersey

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: June 2018
• Online/Retail: Both

New Jersey led the push for online sports betting in the U.S. Retail wagering began in June 2018, just a month after PASPA fell. Online sites went live in August of the same year. All of Atlantic City's major casinos now offer luxurious retail sports betting experiences, and online bettors can join the action from anywhere in the state with more than a dozen books (and counting!) to choose from. Many bettors from New York travel to NJ to place bets while they wait for the home state to enter the market.

Pennsylvania

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: November 2018
• Online/Retail: Both

Pennsylvania actually passed online sports betting legislation in 2017 while PASPA was still in play. However, despite the head start, its rollout was slower than expected. The first retail books opened in November 2018, but online bettors had to wait until May of 2019. A massive iGaming state due to its population, PA bettors can now choose from a host of top online operators including BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings, and FOX Bet.

Indiana

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: September 2019
• Online/Retail: Both

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb placed the state's ceremonial first bet on September 1, 2019. Within a month more than 10 Indiana brick-and-mortar casinos were operating retail sportsbooks. An efficient online rollout was completed just a month later, with BetRivers and DraftKings taking the state's first online bets on October 3rd.

West Virginia

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: August 2018
• Online/Retail: Both

West Virginia officially opened its sports betting market on August 30, 2018. It took nearly a full year for online wagering to arrive in a permanent capacity, with both FanDuel and DraftKings accepting their first online bets in August 2019. Each of the state's five brick-and-mortar casinos now has a retail sports betting facility, and can host up to three online skins on its license… so there's a lot of growth potential in the Mountain State.

Most sporting events have a perceived favorite, so applying a spread to the game is the bookmakers' way of creating an even playing field. This is most often seen when betting on the NFL. When you bet 'against the spread,' it's not enough for the favorite to win the game; now, they have to win by more than a specified amount (the spread) in order for them to 'cover the spread.'

As we explained with moneyline betting, a negative number (-) indicates the favorite and a positive number (+) indicates the underdog.

ATS (Against the Spread) Betting: Case Study

As you can see, New England is the favorite in this game by 7.5 points, since they have the negative number. You will often see half-points attached to the spread to avoid 'pushes,' or ties for the newbies. As we covered in our how to read odds guide, games with half-point spreads are said to contain a 'hook.'

In this circumstance, favored New England is said to be 'laying' 7.5 points. This means you subtract 7.5 points from their total score when the game concludes. If they still have more points than the Chiefs, then they 'covered.' Therefore, the Patriots will have to win the game by at least 8 points for you to win your bet.

While New England is 'laying' 7.5 points, Kansas City is 'getting' 7.5 points. This means you add 7.5 points to their total score when the game concludes. If, after doing so, they have more points than the Patriots, then they 'covered.' So, in order to win your bet, the Chiefs just cannot lose the game by 8 points or more. For example, if the Chiefs only lose by 3 points, you would win if you bet on Kansas City.

Here are a couple of mock outcomes, with the team who covered the spread in bold.

• Kansas City 21 – New England 24
• Kansas City 17 – New England 25
• Kansas City 3 – New England 41
• Kansas City 30 – New England 27

What Can Change the Spread?

The spreads in football games are subject to change based on where the money is going and weekly injury reports. If Tom Brady is hit by the Madden Curse before the season even starts and is unable to suit up, you'll see the spread decrease, likely landing around New England -3.5.

Calculating Payouts Against the Spread

Now you may have noticed in the chart above that there is a three-digit number next to each spread, which looks an awful lot like a moneyline. It is, in essence. Those negative numbers (-110 in this case) indicate how much you have to bet in order to win $100. (Sportsbooks still take their cut when you're betting against the spread.)

Generally, you will see 'even bets,' meaning the payout is the same no matter who you bet on. But that's not always the case, as you'll see in the chart for our next example.

If the result of this game is Seattle 21 – Green Bay 28, would you win if you bet on Seattle to cover?

(NO! They lost by more than three points.)

Do Other Sports Have Spread Betting Options?

Betting against the spread on the NFL is undoubtedly the most popular form of spread betting, but there are other options.

You will also see point spreads in hockey, baseball, and soccer. They are referred to in different terms, but they refer to the same principle of operation as the spread.

In hockey, the spread is called apuck line; in baseball, it is a run line; and in soccer, it is a goal line.

Puck lines and run lines are almost always fixed at 1.5.

Learn the Basics of Sports Betting

Want to learn more about the basics of betting on sports? Educate yourself with sports betting 101.

In May 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court officially struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The landmark decision restored the right for each state to individually pursue sports betting by creating their own set of rules and regulations. Over the years many states have exercised that right, creating a diverse, flourishing sports betting industry in the United States.

• Top Rated Sportsbook
• User-Friendly
• NJ-MI-PA-IL-IN-IA-WV-CO-TN-VA

• Use Code: SAORFBET
• Innovative PointsBetting
• NJ-MI-CO-IL-IN-IA

• Use Code: SAOMAXPROMO
• Big, Exciting Brand
• NJ-MI-PA-IN-CO-TN-WV-VA-IA-MI

• Plus $250 Risk-Free Bet
• Profit Boost Specials
• NJ, PA, and IN

• Bet Risk-Free For A Week
• Unique Brand
• Available in CO

• Top iGaming Brand
• Valuable Promos
• VA-MI-PA-CO-IL-IA-IN

• Use Code: SAOMAXBONUSRF
• Trusted Brand
• NJ-MI-CO-IL-WV-IA-VA

• $500 Risk-Free Bet
• No Code Needed
• NJ, PA, CO, and MI

• $1000 Deposit Match
• Seamless Mobile Betting
• NJ-MI-PA-IN-VA-TN-CO-IA-IL-WV

On this page we'll breakdown all of the states that now have legal, regulated sports betting, and the online operators where you can place wagers. If you have general questions about online sports betting in the U.S., we've got your answers.

States With Legal Online Sports Betting

In the post-PASPA world each state is responsible for creating its own set of sports betting rules. While there are some similarities, there's still room for plenty of variety from state to state. Some only permit retail sports betting, while some include online wagering too, and others only allow for online betting. Here's our breakdown of every state that now has some form of legal online sports betting.

Nevada

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: 1949
• Online/Retail: Both

The first state in the country to legalize sports betting, Nevada thrived for years under PASPA as the nation's sports betting capital. It's no longer the only game in town, but Nevada, and Las Vegas specifically, are still king. Online wagering is now available throughout Nevada using a number of different apps. MGM, William Hill, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Wynn, and plenty of other leading casino brands now offer online sportsbooks and betting apps.

New Jersey

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: June 2018
• Online/Retail: Both

New Jersey led the push for online sports betting in the U.S. Retail wagering began in June 2018, just a month after PASPA fell. Online sites went live in August of the same year. All of Atlantic City's major casinos now offer luxurious retail sports betting experiences, and online bettors can join the action from anywhere in the state with more than a dozen books (and counting!) to choose from. Many bettors from New York travel to NJ to place bets while they wait for the home state to enter the market.

Pennsylvania

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: November 2018
• Online/Retail: Both

Pennsylvania actually passed online sports betting legislation in 2017 while PASPA was still in play. However, despite the head start, its rollout was slower than expected. The first retail books opened in November 2018, but online bettors had to wait until May of 2019. A massive iGaming state due to its population, PA bettors can now choose from a host of top online operators including BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings, and FOX Bet.

Indiana

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: September 2019
• Online/Retail: Both

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb placed the state's ceremonial first bet on September 1, 2019. Within a month more than 10 Indiana brick-and-mortar casinos were operating retail sportsbooks. An efficient online rollout was completed just a month later, with BetRivers and DraftKings taking the state's first online bets on October 3rd.

West Virginia

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: August 2018
• Online/Retail: Both

West Virginia officially opened its sports betting market on August 30, 2018. It took nearly a full year for online wagering to arrive in a permanent capacity, with both FanDuel and DraftKings accepting their first online bets in August 2019. Each of the state's five brick-and-mortar casinos now has a retail sports betting facility, and can host up to three online skins on its license… so there's a lot of growth potential in the Mountain State.

Iowa

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: August 2019
• Online/Retail: Both

Iowa was the first state to launch both online and retail sports betting simultaneously. While a handful of retail sportsbooks opened their doors on Day 1 of the market – Aug. 15 – William Hill also became the first active online bookmaker. All of the state's 19 casinos now hold valid sports betting licenses, and and can host two online skins each. While there are some smaller, more local online options like Elite Sportsbook and Q Sportsbook, Iowa bettors also have access to major industry players like PointsBet, DraftKings and Hard Rock, too.

Iowa elected to require in-person registration during the market's first year but that is now a thing of the past. As of January 1, 2021, remote registration for all legal and live online sportsbooks is available. This means you can sign up anywhere there is an internet connection via your computer or mobile device.

Mississippi

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: August 2018
• Online/Retail: Retail, with online betting available on premises

Mississippi is a little tricky. Retail sports betting is alive and well at more than twenty locations around the state. Online wagering is *technically* legal, though there's a pretty harsh restriction that requires bettors to be on premises at a retail casino. With some states accepting more than 80% of wagers online, full fledged state-wide mobile is a big miss in Miss.

Rhode Island

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: November 2018
• Online/Retail: Both

Since November 2018 both of Rhode Island's casinos have offered retail sports betting. William Hill has partnered with the state lottery to run online operations, which began in September 2019. Notably, Rhode Island is one of the few states that set the age bar at just 18

Oregon

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: August 2019
• Online/Retail: Both

Oregon kicked off its sports betting industry in August 2019 with the opening of its first retail sportsbook. There's just one online sports betting option, Scoreboard, which is run by the Oregon lottery and began accepting wagers in October '19.

New Hampshire

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: December 2019
• Online/Retail: Both, though retail has not launched

New Hampshire launched state-wide online sports betting in the final days of 2019. After agreeing to a generous, near even revenue split with the state, DraftKings was chosen to be the sole online sports betting operator. Retail sportsbooks will follow, but haven't opened yet.

Illinois

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: March 2020
• Online/Retail: Both

Illinois is a big state for online sports betting in the United States because of its large population base. The first regulated sports bets were placed on March 9, 2020, at the Rivers Casino Des Plaines. Online wagering kicked off on June 18, 2020 when BetRivers took the first online wager.

Established providers like DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and William Hill have all joined the fray, with more expected to follow.

Michigan

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: March 2020
• Online/ Retail: Both

Michigan managed to push through legislation for online sports betting, casino and DFS in December 2019. The MGM Grand and the Greektown Casino became the first brick-and-mortar sportsbooks to open, accepting the state's first bets on March 11, 2020. Online sports betting and casino gaming launched together on January 22, 2021.

Colorado

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: May 2020
• Online/Retail: Both

Colorado voters narrowly approved the state's sports betting referendum in late 2019, with the market officially launching on May 1, 2020. With 33 casinos, all of which are now allowed to offer retail betting and establish online partners, Colorado could get crowded. Wynn Resorts, theScore, Circa Sports, and a host of other sites have already confirmed that they will have an online presence in Colorado.

Tennessee

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: November 2020
• Online/Retail: Online only

Tennessee bucked convention by approving an online-only sports betting bill in 2019. However, it was far from a rapid-release in the Volunteer State. Tennessee finally accepted its first legal bets on November 1, 2020.

Virginia

• Status: Legal and Live
• Market Launch: January 2021
• Online/Retail: Both, though retail has not launched yet

To the surprise of many, Virginia approved legal sports betting in March 2020. Governor Ralph Northam's signature set the gears in motion towards launch. The first online sportsbooks in VA went live on January 21, 2021. Retail sportsbooks are coming too, but will need significantly more time to get off the ground.

U.S. Online Sportsbook Operators

Many of the gaming industry's biggest names, both within the U.S. and abroad, have expanded their operations to include online sports betting. Prominent bookmakers in the regulated U.S. market include:

DraftKings

• Active States: New Jersey, West Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Iowa, Colorado, Illinois

DraftKings, a name synonymous with massive daily fantasy sports contests, has quickly grown its presence within the regulated sports betting industry. DraftKings Sportsbook was the first online sportsbook to go live in New Jersey, and is expected to have a presence in virtually every legal U.S. market.

FanDuel

• Active States: New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois

Another DFS giant, FanDuel is now one of the biggest online sportsbooks in the business. New Jersey was first on its list, launching online operations on September 7, 2018. Like DraftKings, the FanDuel Sportsbook brand is expected to be among the most common operators around the country.

PointsBet

• Active States: New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois

A relatively new, innovative Aussie-based bookmaker, PointsBet has made serious waves during its short history. New Jersey was up first, followed by Iowa, Indiana, and more. PointsBet's clean mobile interface and unique offerings make it a stand out option.

BetMGM

• Active States: New Jersey, West Virginia, Indiana, Nevada, Colorado

A blue blood of retail casino gaming in the U.S., BetMGM is now strengthening its online presence. Like many operators, NJ was the first step, with WV, IN, an NV following. BetMGM has also announced intentions to operate in PA and MI as well, but is not yet live. It's likely that every state with an MGM property (and even some without!) will eventually host a BetMGM online sportsbook.

FOX Bet

• Active States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado

FOX Bet, operating through its partnership with the Stars Group, originally launched in New Jersey under the BetStars name. In August 2019 a full rebrand was completed to FOX Bet, which will serve as the company's primary sports betting platform in the U.S. Though not yet live, FOX Bet has already announced an agreement to offer sports betting in Indiana and Michigan.

BetRivers

• Active States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois

BetRivers is the online extension of the B+M Rivers Casinos, which operate in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. Online operations for the company first began in New Jersey under the SugarHouse brand, and then expanded to include Pennsylvania when the market launched. BetRivers was first to market in Illinois (live and online) thanks to its retail sportsbook in Des Plaines.

William Hill

• Active States: New Jersey, Nevada, Rhode Island, Iowa, West Virginia, and Illinois. WH is also in Pennsylvania (retail only).

William Hill is one of the world's largest bookmakers, accepting wagers in the UK since the 1930s. Will Hill now offers online sports betting in numerous U.S. states, and operates as a retail sportsbook sponsor in several more. New partnerships in both Colorado, Indiana, and Michigan have already been established.

Borgata

• Active States: New Jersey

For the moment Borgata online sportsbook is a one hit wonder. They're one of the top grossing books in the busy New Jersey market thanks to the tie in with its luxurious Atlantic City resort. However, the brand has yet to expand outside of the Garden State.

Caesars

• Active States: New Jersey, Nevada

Caesars is one of the most iconic names in the retail casino industry. Opening first in New Jersey and Nevada, the Caesars online sportsbook ties in beautifully with the company's popular Caesars Rewards program, and offers an excellent sports betting experience to boot. Expansion to the midwestern states of Indiana and Iowa is expected soon.

BetAmerica

• Active States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana

Backed by its enormous parent company, Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI), the BetAmerica brand is quickly becoming a prominent sports betting fixture. Online sports betting with BetAmerica online sportsbook first opened in New Jersey, followed by Pennsylvania, with Indiana joining at the tail end of 2019. As more states legalize sports betting, expect to see more BetAmerica sportsbooks nationwide.

Unibet

• Active States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana

Unibet is a massive European bookmaker that's been around since the late 90s. Its first venture into the U.S. market took place in 2019, partnering with Golden Nugget to provide online sports betting in New Jersey. A few months later through an agreement with the Mohegan Sun, operation spread to Pennsylvania.

888Sport

• Active States: New Jersey

Headquartered in Gibraltar, 888 Holdings has maintained a strong presence in the iGaming world since 1997. In the U.S. 888 currently offers online sports betting, casino, and poker in the state of New Jersey. Likely future destinations include Pennsylvania and Michigan, where the company could capitalize on its ability to offer all three products.

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Golden Nugget

• Active States: New Jersey, Nevada

The Golden Nugget casino has been an icon of old town Vegas since 1946. It waited nearly 60 years to expand east. With an eye on iGaming in New Jersey, Golden Nugget purchased the bankrupt Trump Marina in 2011 and now operates online sportsbooks in both NJ, and NV.

Hard Rock

• Active States: New Jersey, Iowa

In conjunction with tech provider GiG, Hard Rock's online sportsbook premiered in New Jersey in 2019. Just a few months later Iowa became its second state of operation in December of the same year. Its a safe bet that any state with legal sports betting and a Hard Rock Casino will also have access to Hard Rocks online sportsbook.

theScore Bet

• Active States: New Jersey

theScore is a Canadian digital media company that specializes in providing sports related news, information, and of course – scores. theScore Bet, its mobile sports betting app, debuted in New Jersey in September 2019, operating on the Monmouth Park gaming license. theScore has recently announced plans to offer mobile sports betting Colorado and Indiana as well.

Parx

• Active States: Pennsylvania

Philly-based Parx has long been a regional contender, spreading online casino games in both NJ and PA. Sportsbook has remained exclusive to the Pennsylvania market, though expansion to Michigan will be coming through a recently announced agreement with the Gun Lake Casino.

Wynn Sports

• Active States: Nevada

The Wynn has been a luxurious fixture in Las Vegas since it first opened in 2005. Wynn Sports extends the company's reach beyond the strip, as bettors are able to enjoy a premium sportsbook experience online, from anywhere in the state of Nevada. Wynn has also reached an agreement with Full House Resorts to expand the brand slightly further east, to operate in Colorado.

Barstool Sportsbook

• Active States: None, yet…

In early 2020 Penn National Gaming purchased a 36% stake in Barstool Sports with the intention of making it the company's primary sportsbook brand. Expect to see Barstool Sportsbooks, both retail and online, around the country soon.

Online Sports Betting and Major U.S. Sports

Just like how sports betting law looks different in each state, the same can be said for each of the United States' principal sports leagues. Some have taken an active, progressive, stance – while others have yet to embrace it fully. In this section we'll summarize each major league and its stance on sports betting.

NFL

In the U.S., the NFL is king – and the king has started to come around on sports betting. While not quite all-in – at the very least, years of outright opposition from the NFL are a thing of the past. The Oakland Raiders are now the Las Vegas Raiders, and will play all of their home games in the gambling capital of the world. On the franchises first official day in Las Vegas it announced a lucrative partnership with MGM Resorts International.

Elsewhere, NFL owners clearly have sports betting on the mind. The Washington Redskins will be tenants of FedEX Field in Maryland until 2027, however, owner Dan Snyder has made it clear that he wants the team to become a sports betting licensee. This has lead to Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia all aggressively pursuing sports betting legislation in hopes of landing the team. Wherever they end up, it's clear that sports betting will only increase in stature with the league over the coming years.

Use our NFL odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.

NBA

In recent years the NBA has been, perhaps, the most progressive U.S. sports league when it comes to sports betting. It hasn't always been that way, though. The former Commissioner, David Stern, was part of the lobby that led to the creation of PASPA in 1992.

However, since the regime changed in 2014, things have been different. Just months after taking over, new Commissioner Adam Silver published an op-ed piece with the New York Times entitled 'Legalize and Regulate Sports Betting' – adamantly advocating for the legalization, and regulation of sports betting in the United States.

Today, the NBA has a growing list of authorized sports betting partnerships with major operators including DraftKings, The Stars Group, Unibet, theScore, MGM, and FanDuel. The agreements grant the sports betting sites access to the use of NBA trademarks and official league data.

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The NBA has been a big proponent of integrity fees, which essentially earns the league a cut of the sports betting profits. It uses these fees to invest in its own league, and ensure the integrity of its games remains intact.

In addition, the Washington Wizards' Capital One Arena looks set to become the first sports venue in the United States to house a retail sportsbook.

Use our NBA odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.

MLB

In the years post-PASPA, the MLB has become far more accepting of sports betting. For one, after seeing a decline in popularity amongst younger fans, it's a new and exciting way for the league to engage with new demographics. Often criticized for its slow pace, it's now possible to create excitement through in-game wagering.

Major League Baseball isn't a stranger to sports betting controversy. Pete Rose is perhaps the most well known betting scandal in the history of U.S. sports. One of the leagues all-time greats, Rose was famously banned for life in 1989 after illegally betting on the team he was managing at the time. Arguments for his Hall of Fame candidacy continue more than 30 years later.

MLB, like the NBA, has been a big advocate for integrity fees – seeking to promote a healthy sports betting atmosphere while avoiding any Rose-like scandals. The league now has numerous sports betting partners, including FanDuel, MGM, and FOX Bet.

Use our MLB odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.

NHL

The NHL surprised many in the sports betting world by awarding the gambling Mecca, Las Vegas, with its first professional sports franchise in 2017. In their inaugural season the Las Vegas Golden Knights had roughly 10-15x more action placed on them than any other NHL team.

Since PASPA was overturned in 2018, the NHL, like the NBA and MLB, has also engaged in exclusive agreements with sports betting operators. William Hill, FanDuel, and MGM are amongst the current partnerships. These operators have the right to use the official league data and other intellectual property.

Use our NHL odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.

NCAA Sports

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but the NCAA is strongly anti-sports betting. That doesn't mean they aren't popular events to bet on. For example, opening rounds of the NCAAB March Madness typically rank amongst the busiest days of the year for sportsbooks.

While still seeking to protect amateur athletes at all cost, the NCAA has come around a little bit. After originally banning championship games from taking place in states with legal betting, in 2019 they performed an about-face as more and more states pursued it. It's now possible that we'll see NCAAF bowl games at the new Raiders Stadium in Las Vegas, or the NCAA tournament hosted at T-Mobile.

Collegiate sports remain one of the most common restrictions for states to specify when legalizing sports betting. Many have elected to exclude sportsbooks in their state from offering action on in-state college teams, college props, or even college events taking place within the state.

Use our NCAAB odds and NCAAF odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.

PASPA

So why is sports betting taking hold around the country now? It all has to do with a 30-year-old, now overturned law: the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Originally passed in 1992, PASPA sought to protect the integrity of both professional and amateur sports by essentially outlawing sports betting throughout the country. Nevada, having already legalized sports wagering, was exempt – and flourished as the nation's sports betting capital under PASPA.

However, other state's wanted a piece of the pie. New Jersey was pivotal in the fight to overturn PASPA. After years of efforts, Governor Chris Christie finally succeeded in getting a case in front of the Supreme Court in 2017. In May 2018 the court finally reached its verdict, declaring the law unconstitutional by a 6-3 vote. The Supreme Court decided that PASPA took too much power away from the states, and was subsequently struck down. Post-PASPA, all states were legally allowed to pursue and regulate sports betting as they saw fit.

New Jersey became the first new state to offer sports betting in decades, launching its industry in June 2018, just a month after PASPA was repealed. Now, sports betting has become more and more common throughout the U.S. with the number of legal states growing with each legislative session.

Online Sports Betting FAQ

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Is online sports betting legal?
Yes it is, but not everywhere. Since PASPA was overturned in 2018 all U.S. states have been able to pursue and legislate sports betting. Since then a growing number of states have established safe, regulated sports betting markets.

What states offer legal online sports betting?

Online sports betting is legal in select states like Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Rhode Island, Michigan, and more. The list of states that have legal online sports betting is constantly growing!

Is there an age limit for sports betting in the United States?

Yes there is. Generally speaking its 21 and up, but the states are allowed to specify this. For example, New Hampshire elected to set their legal betting age at just 18.

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Do legal online sportsbooks have to have my Social Security Number?
Legally, they do. Online sportsbooks and casinos will use the last 4 digits of your SSN to confirm your identity. It's used to verify that all of the information you've provided is accurate.

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Is it legal to bet on sites like Bovada or BetOnline?

Unfortunately not. These sites are not licensed sports betting operators in the U.S.

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What are my options if sports betting is not yet legal in my state?

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