Updated Aug 7, 2020 - Sports
The states that have legalized sports betting
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2020 was poised to be a big year for sports betting. Some of that momentum was lost due to the shutdown, but the industry is still surging ahead — and holding out hope for a massive fall.
The state of play: Sports betting is now legal and fully operational in 18 states, plus Washington, D.C.
- Another four states — Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Washington — have passed bills legalizing it this year, but are not yet operational.
Driving the news: William Hill opened a temporary sportsbook at Washington, D.C.'s Capital One Arena last Friday, making it the first pro sports stadium or arena in the country with a full-service sports betting operation.
- A permanent sportsbook is being built inside the arena, but with construction delayed, the ticket box office area was converted into a temporary site.
Where it stands:
- Legal (18 states plus D.C.): Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Washington, D.C.
- Passed bill (4 states): North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington.
- Active bill (9 states): , Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont.
- Failed legislation in 2020 (12 states): Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Wyoming
- No legislation in 2020 (7 states): Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin
Go deeper: The NFL's slow embrace of sports betting
