Online Sports Betting vs In-Person Betting: What's Legal in Each State

Introduction

Sports betting is legal in a growing number of US states, but the way you can bet varies enormously depending on where you are. Some states let you place wagers from your couch using a mobile app, others require you to visit a physical sportsbook, and a handful still prohibit sports betting entirely. Understanding the difference between online and retail (in-person) sports betting, and which option is available in your state, is essential before you place your first wager.

As of late 2025, 39 states plus Washington, D.C. have legalized sports betting in some form. Of those, 32 allow online and mobile betting, while 7 restrict wagering to retail locations only. The remaining 11 states have not legalized sports betting at all.

This guide breaks down the online vs. retail sports betting landscape across all 50 states. You will learn which states offer which formats, why some states restrict betting to physical locations, and what the practical differences are for bettors. For a broader overview of sports betting legality, see our complete guide to US sports betting laws.

How Online and In-Person Sports Betting Differ

Before diving into the state-by-state breakdown, it helps to understand what separates online sports betting from the in-person retail experience.

Online and Mobile Sports Betting

Online sports betting allows you to place wagers through a sportsbook website or mobile app from anywhere within a state where it is legal. You create an account, deposit funds electronically, and bet from your phone, tablet, or computer. The key characteristics of online betting include:

• Convenience: Bet from anywhere within state lines at any time, day or night.
• More betting options: Online sportsbooks typically offer a wider range of markets, including live in-game betting, same-game parlays, bet builders, and prop bets that retail locations may not support.
• Promotions and bonuses: Welcome bonuses, deposit matches, odds boosts, and loyalty programs are primarily available through online platforms.
• Responsible gambling tools: Online apps provide deposit limits, wager limits, loss limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion options built directly into the platform.
• Geolocation required: Every time you open a betting app or place a wager, geolocation technology verifies that you are physically located within a state where online betting is legal. For a full explanation of how this works, see our guide to sports betting geolocation.

Retail and In-Person Sports Betting

Retail sports betting means placing wagers at a physical location such as a casino sportsbook, a racetrack, or a dedicated betting lounge. The in-person experience includes:

• Physical sportsbook windows and kiosks: You place bets at a counter with a teller or use a self-service kiosk.
• Cash and ticket-based: Many retail locations accept cash and issue paper tickets for your wagers, though some also accept electronic payment methods.
• Atmosphere and social experience: Watching games on large screens surrounded by other bettors is a key draw of retail sportsbooks that no mobile app can replicate.
• Fewer markets in some cases: Retail locations may offer fewer betting options compared to online platforms, particularly for live in-game wagering.
• Operating hours: Physical sportsbooks have set hours, unlike online platforms that are available around the clock.
• In-person registration: In a few states, you must register your online account in person at a retail sportsbook before you can bet on your phone. This requirement has become less common over time but still applies in some jurisdictions.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Online Betting	Retail Betting
Availability	Anywhere within state lines	Specific physical locations only
Hours	24/7	Limited to venue hours
Betting Markets	Extensive (live, props, builders)	Standard, sometimes limited
Promotions	Welcome bonuses, odds boosts, etc.	Limited or none
Payment Methods	Cards, bank transfer, e-wallets	Cash, some electronic options
Social Experience	Solo (app-based)	Communal, big-screen viewing
Responsible Gambling Tools	Built into app (limits, self-exclusion)	Available but less immediate
Geolocation	Required on every session	Not needed (you are already there)

State-by-State Breakdown: Online, Retail, or Not Legal

The following table shows the current legal status of sports betting in every US state and Washington, D.C. The "Online" column indicates whether mobile and online sports betting is available. The "Retail" column indicates whether in-person betting at a physical sportsbook is available.

State	Online	Retail	Status	Notes
Alabama	No	No	Not Legal	No legal sports betting
Alaska	No	No	Not Legal	No legal sports betting
Arizona	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Launched September 2021; tribal and commercial operators
Arkansas	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Mobile betting added 2022; limited to three casino operators
California	No	No	Not Legal	Ballot measures failed in November 2022
Colorado	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Launched May 2020; large number of operators
Connecticut	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Tribal compact framework; limited operator count
Delaware	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	One of the first states post-PASPA; online added later
Florida	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Seminole Tribe compact; legal battles ongoing
Georgia	No	No	Not Legal	Legislation has been proposed but not passed
Hawaii	No	No	Not Legal	No legal gambling of any kind
Idaho	No	No	Not Legal	No legal sports betting
Illinois	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Major market; removed in-person registration requirement
Indiana	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Launched September 2019; casino-based licensing
Iowa	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	In-person registration requirement expired 2021
Kansas	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Launched September 2022; state-owned casino partnership model
Kentucky	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Launched September 2023
Louisiana	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Online in most parishes; some parishes opted out
Maine	Yes	No	Online Only	Online-only market launched 2024
Maryland	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Online launched November 2022; strong operator lineup
Massachusetts	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Retail launched January 2023; online March 2023
Michigan	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Large market with tribal and commercial operators
Minnesota	No	No	Not Legal	Legislation stalled over tribal gaming concerns
Mississippi	No	Yes	Retail Only	Betting available at licensed casinos only
Missouri	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Approved by voters in November 2024
Montana	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Run through Montana Lottery; limited to bars and taverns
Nebraska	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Online launched 2024; retail at authorized horse racing tracks and casinos
Nevada	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Original legal sports betting state; in-person registration required for some books
New Hampshire	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Lottery-operated; DraftKings exclusive online partner
New Jersey	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Led the PASPA repeal; one of the largest US markets
New Mexico	No	Yes	Retail Only	Tribal casinos only; no state-level legislation
New York	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Largest US online market by revenue; high tax rate
North Carolina	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Online launched March 2024; tribal retail since 2019
North Dakota	No	Yes	Retail Only	Limited to tribal casinos
Ohio	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Launched January 2023; broad access model
Oklahoma	No	No	Not Legal	Tribal gaming discussions ongoing
Oregon	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Lottery-operated Scoreboard app; tribal retail
Pennsylvania	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Major market; early adopter post-PASPA
Rhode Island	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	State lottery-operated; limited operator options
South Carolina	No	No	Not Legal	No legal sports betting
South Dakota	No	Yes	Retail Only	Deadwood casinos and tribal locations only
Tennessee	Yes	No	Online Only	Online-only market; no physical sportsbooks
Texas	No	No	Not Legal	Largest state without legal sports betting
Utah	No	No	Not Legal	Constitutional prohibition on gambling
Vermont	Yes	No	Online Only	Online-only market launched January 2024
Virginia	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Online launched January 2021; retail options expanding
Washington	No	Yes	Retail Only	Tribal casinos only; no online betting
Washington, D.C.	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	DC Lottery operates GambetDC; private operators also licensed
West Virginia	Yes	Yes	Online + Retail	Early adopter; casino-based licensing
Wisconsin	No	Yes	Retail Only	Tribal casinos only
Wyoming	Yes	No	Online Only	Online-only market; no retail sportsbooks

For detailed information about specific states, see our state-specific sports betting legal guides.

States with Full Online and Retail Sports Betting

The largest group of states offers both online and in-person sports betting. These markets provide bettors with the most flexibility. You can place bets from your phone anywhere within state lines or visit a physical sportsbook for the in-person experience.

Major Online Markets

Several states stand out as the biggest and most competitive online sports betting markets:

• New York generates more online sports betting revenue than any other state. The market launched in January 2022 with a limited number of operators but high demand. The state applies one of the highest tax rates in the country at 51 percent of gross gaming revenue.
• New Jersey was the state that led the legal challenge to overturn PASPA. Its mature market features a large number of operators and consistently ranks among the top states for betting handle (total amount wagered).
• Pennsylvania was one of the earliest states to legalize post-PASPA and has developed into a major market with both online and retail options tied to its casino industry.
• Illinois removed its initial in-person registration requirement, which had required bettors to visit a casino before using an app. Since going fully remote, the state has seen significant growth in online handle.
• Michigan offers both tribal and commercial operators, creating a competitive landscape with numerous options for bettors.
• Ohio launched in January 2023 with a broad-access model that allows bars, restaurants, and other venues to host betting kiosks alongside the traditional casino and online platforms.

In-Person Registration States

A few states that offer online betting still require or previously required bettors to register in person at a retail location before using a mobile app. Nevada is the most notable example, where some sportsbooks still require an initial in-person visit to create your account. Iowa and Illinois originally had this requirement but have since removed it. If you are in a state that requires in-person registration, you will need to visit a participating retail sportsbook with a valid ID to set up your account before you can use the mobile app.

States with Retail-Only Sports Betting

Several states have legalized sports betting but only allow it at physical locations. In these states, there is no legal way to bet on sports using a mobile app or website. The retail-only states include Mississippi, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Why These States Have Not Gone Online

The reasons for limiting sports betting to retail locations vary:

• Tribal gaming compacts: In Washington, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and North Dakota, sports betting is primarily offered through tribal casinos. Expanding to online betting would require renegotiating compacts with tribal nations, which is a complex political and legal process.
• Legislative caution: Some state legislatures passed sports betting laws that only authorized retail operations as a first step, with online expansion to be considered later.
• Revenue sharing concerns: Online betting introduces questions about how revenue is split between the state, operators, and existing gaming entities (casinos, racetracks, tribal operations).

What Retail-Only Means for Bettors

If you live in a retail-only state, your betting options are limited:

• You must travel to an authorized location (usually a casino, racetrack, or tribal gaming facility) every time you want to place a bet.
• Betting markets may be more limited compared to online sportsbooks.
• Live in-game betting may be available at kiosks, but the experience is less seamless than using an app.
• Promotions and bonuses that online platforms offer are generally not available at retail windows.

Online-Only Sports Betting States

A small number of states have taken the opposite approach and legalized online sports betting without any retail sportsbook locations. Tennessee, Vermont, Wyoming, and Maine are online-only markets.

Tennessee was the first state to launch with an entirely online model. The state has no casinos, so there were no existing retail locations to host sportsbooks. Vermont and Wyoming similarly lack established casino infrastructure, making online-only frameworks a practical choice. Maine operates online-only as well.

In these states, all betting happens through licensed mobile apps and websites. There are no physical sportsbook windows or kiosks available.

States Where Sports Betting Is Not Legal

As of late 2025, 11 states have not legalized sports betting in any form: Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.

The reasons for not legalizing vary widely:

• California had two competing ballot measures in November 2022, both of which failed. The state's complex gaming landscape involving tribal interests, card rooms, and commercial interests makes consensus difficult.
• Texas is the largest state by population without legal sports betting. Bills have been introduced but have not advanced through the legislature.
• Georgia has seen multiple legislative efforts, but constitutional concerns about gambling expansion have slowed progress.
• Utah has a constitutional prohibition on gambling, making legalization extremely unlikely without an amendment.
• Hawaii has no legal gambling of any kind and has shown little legislative appetite for change.

If you are in a state where sports betting is not legal, there is no lawful way to place a sports bet. Using offshore sportsbooks is risky and not recommended, as they operate outside US law and offer none of the consumer protections that licensed operators provide.

Why Some States Legalized Online While Others Did Not

The distinction between online and retail-only states largely comes down to regulatory frameworks, political dynamics, and existing gaming interests.

Regulatory Frameworks Matter

States that regulated sports betting through their existing casino or lottery commissions generally had an easier path to online legalization. Casino commissions in states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan already had experience overseeing online gambling (casino games and poker), so adding sports betting to the mix was a natural extension.

States that legalized through tribal compacts face a different situation. Tribal gaming agreements are negotiated between tribal nations and state governments, and expanding to online betting requires both parties to agree. This process can take years and involves significant political negotiation.

Revenue and Tax Considerations

Online sports betting generates significantly more revenue than retail-only markets because of the vastly larger number of bettors who participate when they can bet from their phones. States that have gone online have generally seen substantial increases in tax revenue compared to retail-only projections.

However, higher revenue comes with questions about tax rates and how revenue is distributed. New York's 51 percent tax rate on gross gaming revenue is the highest in the nation, while states like Nevada and Iowa tax at much lower rates. The tax structure affects how many operators are willing to enter a market and what promotions they can afford to offer bettors.

The Future Trend

The general trend is toward more states adopting online betting. Several retail-only states have active discussions about adding online capabilities, and some of the remaining holdout states have ongoing legislative efforts. However, each state moves at its own pace, and there is no federal mandate to legalize.

Online vs Retail: Pros and Cons for Bettors

Choosing between online and retail betting depends on your preferences and what is available in your state.

Advantages of Online Betting

• Bet from anywhere within your state at any time
• More markets including live betting, player props, and same-game parlays
• Better odds comparison since you can quickly check multiple apps
• Promotions and bonuses that retail locations typically do not offer
• Responsible gambling tools built into the app (deposit limits, time-outs, self-exclusion)
• Faster transactions for deposits and withdrawals

Advantages of Retail Betting

• Social atmosphere of watching games on big screens with other fans
• Cash betting without needing to link a bank account or payment method
• No geolocation issues since you are already at an authorized location
• Personal assistance from sportsbook tellers who can help with bet placement
• No technology barriers for those less comfortable with apps and digital platforms

When You Might Prefer Retail

Even if you have access to online betting, there are situations where retail sportsbooks offer a better experience. Major sporting events like the Super Bowl, March Madness, or championship fights often draw large crowds to retail sportsbooks, creating an atmosphere that a mobile app simply cannot match. Some bettors also prefer the discipline of only betting when they make the deliberate decision to visit a physical location.

How Geolocation Affects Online Bettors

If you use online sports betting, geolocation technology plays a central role in your experience. Every time you open a betting app or attempt to place a wager, the app uses GPS, Wi-Fi signals, and other location data to verify that you are physically within a state where online betting is legal.

This means:

• Traveling between states: If you live in New York (online legal) and travel to Texas (not legal), you cannot place bets while in Texas. Your account still exists, but the app will block wagers until you return to a legal state.
• Border areas: Bettors near state lines may experience geolocation issues where the technology has difficulty determining which state you are in. Moving further from the border usually resolves this.
• VPNs do not work: Sportsbooks use sophisticated geolocation that can detect VPN usage. Attempting to mask your location is a violation of terms of service and will result in account suspension.

For a detailed explanation of how location verification works, common troubleshooting steps, and why it is required, read our guide to sports betting geolocation.

Tips for Bettors Based on Your State's Legal Status

If You Have Full Online and Retail Access

You are in the best position as a bettor. Take advantage of the competitive market by comparing odds across multiple sportsbook apps before placing bets. Use sign-up bonuses from multiple operators, and set responsible gambling limits on each platform. Consider visiting a retail sportsbook for major events to enjoy the atmosphere.

For step-by-step guidance on getting started, see our guide to betting on sports legally.

If You Are in a Retail-Only State

Your options are more limited, but you can still enjoy legal sports betting. Plan visits to authorized locations, familiarize yourself with the sportsbook layout and available bet types before you go, and know your wagers before you approach the window. Retail sportsbooks often have knowledgeable staff who can help if you are new to betting.

If Your State Has Not Legalized

The most important advice is to avoid unregulated or offshore sportsbooks. These platforms operate outside US law and provide no consumer protections. If you lose money, have a dispute, or experience fraud, you have no legal recourse. Wait for your state to legalize and use a licensed operator when the option becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many US states allow online sports betting?

As of late 2025, 32 states plus Washington, D.C. allow online and mobile sports betting. This number has been steadily increasing since the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018. An additional 7 states allow retail (in-person) sports betting only, and 11 states have not legalized sports betting in any form.

Can I bet online if my state only allows retail sports betting?

No. If your state has legalized retail-only sports betting, you cannot legally place bets through an app or website while physically in that state. You would need to travel to a state with legal online betting to use a mobile sportsbook. Attempting to use a VPN to disguise your location is against sportsbook terms of service and will result in account suspension.

Do I need to be a resident of a state to bet there?

No. Sports betting eligibility is based on your physical location at the time of the wager, not your state of residency. If you are visiting a state that allows online sports betting, you can create an account and place bets while you are there, even if you live in a state where betting is not legal. You will need to provide identity verification regardless of residency status.

Why do some states only allow retail sports betting?

States that restrict betting to retail locations often do so because of existing tribal gaming compacts, legislative caution, or concerns about revenue sharing. In many retail-only states, tribal nations operate the sportsbooks under negotiated agreements that do not currently extend to online platforms. Expanding to online would require new agreements and legislation.

What happens if I travel from an online state to a retail-only state?

Your sportsbook account will still exist, but you will not be able to place online bets. Geolocation technology will detect that you are in a state where online betting is not permitted and will block wager placement. You could still visit a physical sportsbook in the retail-only state to place in-person bets if available.

Are offshore sportsbooks a legal alternative where online betting is not available?

No. Offshore sportsbooks operate outside US regulation and are not legal for US bettors. Using them carries significant risks including no consumer protections, no guarantee of payouts, potential legal consequences, and no responsible gambling safeguards. Licensed US sportsbooks are the only legal option, and they are only available in states that have passed sports betting legislation.

Which states are most likely to legalize online sports betting next?

Legislative activity changes frequently, but states with existing retail-only frameworks (like Mississippi and Washington) are often considered candidates for online expansion. Large population states without any legal betting (like Texas and California) generate regular legislative discussion but face significant political hurdles. Check our complete guide to US sports betting laws for the latest updates on pending legislation.