The states that have legalized sports betting

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