Where Is Sports Betting Legal? Full List of Legal Betting States 2024

Bettors who are on the hunt for the best legal betting sites have no shortage of sportsbooks to consider. The Odds Shark team has put all of them through their paces while leaning on our 30+ years of industry experience.

We took a deep dive into all of the key aspects, including bonus offers, the quality of odds and lines, and the overall user experience. Some sportsbooks passed the test with flying colors, while others came up short in some areas.

At the end of our vetting process, there were several that clearly separated themselves from the crowded pack. Down below, we take a detailed look at the best legal betting sites for 2024, including FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and bet365.

FinCertified Legal Sports Betting Apps FinCertified - We prioritize what bettors care about most—security, competitive odds, fast payouts, and a smooth user experience. We break these down into a series of Trust Factors that have been FinCertified, by receiving the Odds Shark fin seal of approval from our expert team.

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What Sports Betting Apps are legal?

Our team has conducted extensive reviews of all of the top legal sports betting sites. While doing so, we paid extra careful attention to all the little things that really move the needle for both new and experienced players.

It’s not enough to know which sites are the most popular. Instead, bettors need to know which ones are actually worth their time and investment. That's why you will only get FinCertified recommendations here at Odds Shark.

Below is our FinCertified list of the best legal sports betting apps for 2024, with FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and bet365 among those who made the cut. Below, we have summary reviews for each of them. You can also check out the full details on each sportsbook, and learn more about how we review betting sites.

FanDuel

FanDuel is an industry giant and among the market leaders in all states in which it operates. A steady stream of advertising has certainly helped keep the company at the forefront of sports betting, but that’s not all there is to the story.

FanDuel features an incredibly user-friendly platform that works like a charm with easy and clear navigation. The sportsbook isn’t shy about innovating either, and has been one of the driving forces behind making same game parlays such a popular way to wager on games.

Strengths

Same-Game Parlays
Generous Bet Boosts
Streaming Content
Reliable & Intuitive App
Fast Deposit & Withdrawal
Customer Support

Weaknesses

Competitive Odds
Limited Bad Beat Refunds

Strong Customer Service

Futures Options

Robust Betting Options

Same-Game Parlays

FanDuel User Experience

"Was initially disappointed they changed the app, but it's a big upgrade. Gives real time results and very easy to use" - LondonViking88 App Store User
"FanDuel and theScore Bet are the two best - because what you win you get to keep, they don't have wagering requirements. That's why I deleted bet MGM" - EZstevie App Store User

FIND YOUR EDGE Find Your Edge - Leveraging Odds Shark’s industry expertise, we highlight unique, expert-evaluated elements of each sportsbook to help users confidently select the platform that fits their needs

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Ease of Use
Seconds matter, especially if you're live betting. FanDuel's easy deposits, quick navigation and instant withdrawals make it the easiest to use betting app. If anything, sign-up to use its live betting feature and you'll have the best chance to catch a good line.
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Promo Offers
While their casino free-spins are inconsistent, their sports betting profit boosts and no sweat parlays are as competitive as they come. The wide variety of game to game offers guarantees that they have a boost that your current book doesn't.
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Referral Bonus
What better way to make some extra bonus money, than by connecting with your friends, and FanDuel offers a great referral bonus. If you open an account and like what you seeing, telling your friends is a win-win.

Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars is an iconic brand that’s known for its signature destinations in gambling meccas. The company has also become a force in online sports betting. Caesars features all of the sports and bet types that you could ask for on a slick and easy-to-use platform.

Sports bettors can also join Caesars Rewards and rise through tiers and earn shopping, dining, and travel rewards. Caesars also delivers a steady stream of offers to existing users, including an assortment of daily odds boosts and live betting opportunities.

Strengths

Live streaming of NFL Games with "Watch & Bet" feature
Frequent Promos & Generous Offers
Daily "Bonus Bets"
Enhanced Live Betting

Weaknesses

Live Chat Feature
Slow verification

Live Betting Options

SGP Options

Customer Support

European Sports Options

Caesars User Experience

"Great looking site. Prefer the dark mode. Lots of boosts, credits, etc. Signed up without knowing about first time bonus/bet credits - would appreciate an opportunity to have this corrected." - TM Abroad App Store User
"Quickly place in play bets without having to chase the line changes! Odds up quickly and bet placed just as quick. Not to mention the very competitive lines and unbeatable promos and rewards" - Joshomacd App Store User

FIND YOUR EDGE Find Your Edge - Leveraging Odds Shark’s industry expertise, we highlight unique, expert-evaluated elements of each sportsbook to help users confidently select the platform that fits their needs

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Caesars Rewards
Whether you live near a Caesars casino location or not, Caesars Rewards is one of the best rewards programs out there (including that BS your credit card company offers you). Our take - if you're betting somewhere anyway, why not earn benefits like early-access to concert tickets, VIP Travel Lounge access and top restaurant gift cards.
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Profit Boosts
Caesars extensive history in the Vegas industry means they can offer some of the most unique profit boosts you can't find at other sportsbooks. Vegas Grand Prix, the biggest Vegas UFC events, NBA Cup in Vegas will all be boosted at Caesars.
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Sports Variety
Of the major players in the US sports betting industry, Caesars has the widest variety of sports available to bet. Yes, we all love to bet on the sports we know, but if you're really trying to make some money it's the obscure sports that provide the most opportunity. The Vegas traders that work for these big books know NFL, NCAAF, etc., but are you confident they know Aussie Rules football? Sign up and find out!

BetMGM

BetMGM is another legacy gambling entity that has made massive strides to become a top online betting site. It features a massive menu of sports and markets, with regularly competitive odds and unique built-in features, such as its “easy parlay” builder.

The sportsbook also dishes out a regular assortment of promos and boosts for existing players, while live streaming is featured prominently across the platform. Bettors can also kick things up a notch and join the rewards program to rack up points as you wager.

Strengths

Lucrative Promos and Oddsboosts
Early Cash Outs
MGM Loyalty Rewards
Live Streaming (including MLB)
Responsible Gambling Policy

Weaknesses

Limited Sports in Certain Regions
Competitive Odds

Matchup Page

Customer Support

UFC Options

Futures

BetMGM User Experience

"When it comes down to simplicity, design, promotions and just overall experience this is by far the best Sportsbook!" - Saks 5th App Store User
"Best site out there. Makes it easy for beginners. Glad they worked the bugs out for determining location. Love this site" - Dcbbo App Store User

FIND YOUR EDGE Find Your Edge - Leveraging Odds Shark’s industry expertise, we highlight unique, expert-evaluated elements of each sportsbook to help users confidently select the platform that fits their needs

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Promotion Variety
Hopefully you haven't been too distracted by the twinkle in Jamie Foxx's eye, because the offers he is promoting for BetMGM are some of the best out there. Bonus Bet offers like a second chance offer on your first scorer bet make BetMGM a cut above the rest.
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Responsible Gambling
BetMGM have put an emphasis on the entertainment element of their product. To ensure it stays entertaining, and in line with their mission to "Focus on What Matters", they have a number of protections in place to ensure everyone has a safe and responsible approach, top of mind.
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Location Services
Even the top brands seem to struggle determining a user's location. With the variation in regulation from state to state, that can be really frustrating for people who live near a state-line or bet while they travel. BetMGM does not seem to have that same struggle. Maybe it's because of their association with the resort and travel industry, but they make it very easy to bet on the go.

bet365

International sports betting behemoth bet365 continues to build its presence across the US. The sportsbook keeps things simple with a smooth and eye-catching platform. It’s completely packed with a huge menu of sports and bet types to choose from.

There’s a constant array of promos and bet boosts for bettors to claim, as well as pre-built parlays and lightning-quick live betting options. The betting experts at Odds Shark give bet365 high marks and have it entrenched on the list of best legal betting sites.

Strengths

Generous Boosts and Super Boost
Early Payouts
Parlay Boost Initiative
Fast Deposit/Withdrawal Options
Great Customer Service
Great Platform Design

Weaknesses

Competitive Odds
Location Issues
Props Hidden in Menu

Robust Betting Options

Responsible Gambling

Futures Markets

Matchup Hubs

bet365 User Experience

"The set up of the app is super easy to use. I also enjoy the free pools you can join to win and have never had a problem with payouts" - Eric223232 App Store User
"Best app. Has live streaming faster than cable on your TV, best in game betting and quick updates. In game cashout option actually works and is widely offered. Withdrawals are almost instantaneous, within a few hours the money is in your account. A+" - WaddleCat App Store User

FIND YOUR EDGE Find Your Edge - Leveraging Odds Shark’s industry expertise, we highlight unique, expert-evaluated elements of each sportsbook to help users confidently select the platform that fits their needs

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Live Betting
They have a great live streaming function, to compliment their live betting platform. We haven't done the math, but with the cost of streaming services, bet365 is where we often watch our football.
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Early Payout
This isn't the 'early cashout' you may be familiar with, this is an early opportunity to guarantee a bet before the game is over. By sport, your team just needs to hit a certain differential - NFL is 17 points, MLB is 5 runs, NHL is 3 goals. Bet365 won't let you get Atlanta Falcon'ed.
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Betting Flexibility
Bet365 offers really unique flexibility features like editing a parlay after some legs have already finished. You have a 10-leg parlay, 6 legs hit and an NBA star decides to "rest". You can go into the app and just swap that game out for a different game.

the current landscape for legal betting sites

In 2018, the game changed dramatically for sports bettors in the US. That May, the Supreme Court placed sports betting legalization and regulation into the hands of the individual states. The dominoes started to fall rapidly over the summer, and haven’t stopped since.

States including Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania opened the floodgates, and additional markets followed in rapid succession over the following years. Today, sports betting of at least some kind is allowed in 38 states plus Washington DC.

When did sports betting become legal?

States have been legalizing sports betting one-by-one since 2018 when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the bill (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) that previously banned sports wagering.

Each individual state has its own regulators who decide which bets are legal. With each state having its own set of rules, our state-by-state betting guide (at the bottom of this page) can be useful.

The Federal Wire Act (1961)
Prohibited the use of wire communications for sports betting across state lines, effectively curbing interstate gambling operations.
Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) (1992)
Enacted to ban sports betting nationwide, with exceptions for states like Nevada and limited provisions for Oregon, Delaware, and Montana.
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) (2006)
Made it illegal for financial institutions to process payments related to online gambling, severely restricting internet-based sports betting.
New Jersey's Push Against PASPA (2011-2018)
New Jersey passed legislation to legalize sports betting, leading to a lengthy legal battle that culminated in a Supreme Court case.
Supreme Court Overturns PASPA (May 14, 2018)
The landmark decision in Murphy v. NCAA struck down PASPA, giving states the authority to legalize and regulate sports betting.
Delaware Launches First Post-PASPA Betting (June 2018)
Delaware became the first state to offer full-scale sports betting following the PASPA repeal.
Expansion of State Sports Betting Markets (2018-Present)
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and others began launching their own regulated sports betting markets, driving rapid growth in the industry.
introduction of Mobile and Online Sports Betting
Key States New Jersey and Nevada embraced mobile betting, making it a cornerstone of the industry and a key driver of revenue.
Tribal Gaming Compacts and Sports Betting
States like Arizona and Florida negotiated with Native American tribes to expand sports betting into tribal casinos, sometimes leading to legal disputes.
Emergence of National Standards and Advertising Oversight
As sports betting spread, federal and state lawmakers proposed measures to regulate advertising and consumer protections, influencing the industry’s future operations.

What's next for legal online sports betting

Legal online sports betting is now entrenched in much of the US, but there’s still room to grow. States that appear to be inching closer toward legalization include Missouri, while massive markets such as California and Texas have yet to enter the fray.

A clear hierarchy has developed among sportsbook operators, with Fanduel establishing itself as an industry leader. Other top betting sites like Caesars, BetMGM, and bet365 have staked their claim to solid shares of the market, making it that much tougher for new entrants.

how to stay informed on legal betting sites

Sports betting is big business. As such, you’ll find coverage of the topic all over the place, including mainstream outlets and top social media platforms. To stay further in the know, lean on the experienced team here at Odds Shark.

From guides to reviews to the latest sports betting odds, we have you covered on all fronts. We also stay on top of the latest news so you don’t have to, providing you with unmatched insights from our team of industry veterans.