Sports Gambling Legal

admin 4/4/2022

Online sports gambling will be worth $250B by 2024: Sportsgrid co-founder. Sportsgrid president and co-founder Lou Maione discusses the growth in New Jersey’s online sports gambling, the future. Countries With Legal Sports Betting. There are dozens of countries all over the world offering legal sports betting to their residents. Global sports betting is a roughly $150 billion yearly industry, and dozens of countries have either recognized or begun to recognize its potential economic benefits. For decades the Silver State was the only state with legal sports betting until the federal ban on sports betting was lifted by the Supreme Court. In 2019, the sports betting handle in Nevada was $6 billion. However, Nevada’s position as the largest betting state is under threat with the NJ sports betting handle reaching $4 billion. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 effectively outlawed sports betting nationwide, excluding a few states: however, on May 14, 2018, the United States Supreme Court declared the entire law unconstitutional (Murphy v.

Sports Gambling Legal In Ohio
Sports Gambling Legal States
Sports Gambling Legal In Texas

There are dozens of countries all over the world offering legal sports betting to their residents. Global sports betting is a roughly $150 billion yearly industry, and dozens of countries have either recognized or begun to recognize its potential economic benefits. While legal sports betting in the U.S. (outside of Nevada) is still in its infant stages, it has been a cultural mainstay in other countries for decades that is only expanding as move forward in 2021. Some companies from other countries have even parlayed all that experience into lucrative partnerships with U.S.-based sportsbooks—English company William Hill has been at the forefront of this trend.

At Legal Sports Betting, we aim to provide readers from all over the world with all the sports betting information they need. Avid sports bettors from all corners of the globe can find information relevant to their own sports betting experience throughout this page. The sports betting industry is constantly evolving and expanding all over the world, and our expert staff is always monitoring for updates and regulatory changes. Whether you are a resident of a country with legal sports betting or just looking for a foreign vacation destination with some sports betting action, this page can direct you to the information you need.

Find Your Country:

Argentina

Sports betting is indeed legal in Argentina, but there are some serious limitations. The state of Argentina sports betting is similar to the US before the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Horse racing is considered legal in all parts of Argentina. Gambling on horse races was established in the 1880s but it was banned and re-established multiple times, ending on legal status. If you go to Buenos Aries, you have more options. Online sports betting is legal in Buenos Aries and you can bet on esports, horse races, and most other sporting events. The main thing that you cannot wager on in Buenos Aries (or the rest of Argentina) is political events. But for now, sports betting on non pari-mutuel sports is restricted to Buenos Aries. You cannot go to the rest of the country and bet on the same sports. The tax revenue collected from sports betting and horse wagers go back into fueling sports being played in Argentina.

Australia

If you are looking for a country with one of the most developed sports betting markets, then you should check out Australia. Horse races were legalized in Australia back in 1810 and the full sports betting market eventually came in the picture in 1980. Australia has sports betting parlors all over the country. Online sports betting is allowed as well. The only restriction they have is a ban on how many sportsbook ads are aired. Other than that, sports betting has no real restrictions on the land down under.

Australia does not just have a presence within their own country. As the United States has fresh new sports betting market, sportsbook providers from Australia have begun to set up shop in the US. Australian companies are helping to provide sportsbook operations to various casinos in the US. This allows casinos to have sportsbooks with years of experience even though sports betting is new in the US.

Brazil

Much like the United States, Brazil sports betting is rather new. Back in December of 2018, Brazil sports betting was formally legalized. The new law allows both retail and online sportsbooks to be active in the country but there are some legal challenges to Brazilian sports betting. The individual states want control of taxation and distribution. Due to the massive size of the country, Brazil sports betting will attract many sportsbook operators from around the world. For now, most of the Brazilian sports betting will happen through online offshore sportsbooks as the country works towards creating their own brand of sportsbooks.

Canada

To put it simply, Canada does offer sports betting. But it is not just as simple as that. Sports betting is not federally restricted in Canada. Canadian sports betting laws are through both the federal government and the government of each province. For example, Alberta sportsbooks can only operate through a setlist of gambling brands but Alberta currently does not have online sports betting websites.

British Columbia also has legal sports betting as well, but they will only allow sports betting at six different websites. Each site is free to enforce restrictions, such as what game odds they offer and betting sizes. In Ontario, online sportsbooks are allowed, but single-game wagering is not. So much like with the United States, you cannot paint a broad brush on Canadian sports betting. Each province has their own situation to deal with, and they vary on how they offer sports betting to people in Canada.

China

China is basically the country that invented gambling. The Chinese people have been gaming since ancient times and they have developed many different games. Although now, the Chinese government does look down on gambling and has restricted most forms of it. But sports betting is up and active in Hong Kong and Macau. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is the only legal bookmaker in Hong Kong. Macau does allow sports betting, but they are lacking proper facilities.

China’s sportsbooks are usually done by a sports lottery. That is when sports bettors place pooled bets on either European soccer or American basketball. The reason this is allowed is that the Chinese government does not consider lotteries as a form of gambling. Not everyone in China is satisfied with only this. Most of the Chinese sports bettors take their money and go to online sportsbooks. Although the Chinese government has blocked many sites, the sports bettors know how to get around the online blockade and are good at finding alternatives.

Colombia

If you are living in Colombia or are planning a trip to the South American country, you should know that sports betting is regulated and legal. Retail sports betting has been going on since 2001, but it was not until 2016 that online sports betting became legal. But the sports betting operator, Coljuegos, has put a blacklist on 325 sportsbook operators in Colombia. The blacklist includes companies such as William Hill, Betfair, and Ladbrokes.

The regulations have softened since 2017, so more international sportsbook operators can join in. Once Coljuegos stepped in to regulate Colombian sports betting, betting on sports became much safer. Soccer definitely the number one sport to bet on while you are in Colombia, but that is not all they have to offer. You can bet on a number of international sports such as baseball, American football, and other major sporting events.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica sports betting is both legal and licensed. However, there are a few catches that you need to be aware of. Costa Rica might have legal sports betting, but the government does not allow for land-based sports betting. Most of the sports betting in Costa Rica is done online in a server. So, although you cannot bet on sports at a retail location, online sports betting is thriving in Costa Rica.

Many famous online sportsbooks set up shop in Costa Rica due to the progressive views the country has on sports betting. Costa Rican online sportsbooks take action mostly on American football, soccer, and baseball. Since famous sportsbooks are based here, you can bet on a large number of sporting events around the world. We highly recommend you give Costa Rica sportsbooks a try.

Ghana

In case you did not know, sports betting is completely legal in Ghana. In fact, sports betting has been established in Ghana for a long time. Ever since 1960, the residents of Ghana have been betting on a variety of sports. People living or visiting Ghana are free to bet on nearly all sporting events. This can be done in two different ways. You can either go to a sports betting parlor or you can use an online sportsbook in Ghana.

Sports betting has been very good for Ghana. There are a couple of different soccer clubs that are based in the country. Some of the clubs used to be strapped for cash but some of the sportsbooks have sponsored these clubs. Major sporting events in Ghana also receive advertisements and funds in connection with sports betting. Although low-income populations in Ghana suffer from addiction problems, sports betting has been overall good for the country.

India

India does have some sports betting, but it depends on where you are. Much like the United States, India has states within their country and they are all operated by local governments. So, it really depends on location. As far as sports betting, do not have too many options in India. Horse racing is going to be the main form of sports betting in India. There are only around 10 race courses in India. But there are some lotteries and casinos that you can use as well.

At the moment, retail sportsbooks are completely against the law in India. The only state in India that has any form of regulated sports betting is Sikkim. There is a lot of underground sports betting that happens in India, though. Most of the time, they bet on cricket matches. If you are looking for safer sports betting option in India, online offshore sportsbooks are what most of the tourists and locals use.

Kenya

Although sports betting in Kenya is available, it is not the safest to navigate. Gambling has been legal in Kenya since 1966 and a couple dozen casinos exist in the country. At the moment though, there are only three retail sportsbooks in Kenya and one racebook in the entire country. Kenya is not a small country, and so many people have difficulties accessing these sportsbooks. So, many looks towards online sportsbooks to bet on sports in Kenya.

The only problem is that there is only one Kenya regulated online sportsbook. So, what does that mean for sports betting in Kenya? Are they out of options? Thankfully, the Kenya government does not restrict access to online sportsbooks based outside of the countries. Sites like SportsBetting happily take bets from Kenya residents. Online sports betting is relatively new in Kenya, so it is possible that things could change in the near future.

Mexico

When it comes to legal Mexico sports betting, almost everything is allowed. Sports betting was firmly established in Mexico back in 2004. There are hardly any restrictions with Mexico sports betting. Thanks to that, Mexico has one of the fastest-growing sports betting markets in all of Latin America. You can easily go to any brick and motor sportsbook within Mexico and place a bet on your favorite teams from around the world. This includes any soccer teams that you want to bet on, or you can bet on American sports like football or college games as well.

The country also has established online sportsbooks as well. People visiting the country do not even have to go to a retail sportsbook. The only real restriction that Mexico sports betting has is that no one under the age of 18 can bet on sports. The online offshore sportsbooks we often recommend to you are extremely popular in Mexico as well.

The Netherlands

Sports betting in the Netherlands is legal in both retail as well as online and mobile forms. There is currently only one local casino operator that offers sports betting at this time. While land-based sports betting has been regulated for years, online and mobile betting only recently launched in 2019. The original petition for online sports betting was issued in 2016 and took three years for legislators to come to an agreement. The mobile sportsbook is provided by the land-based betting operator.

Residents and tourists are able to bet on sports without traveling to the land-based sportsbook, however, since international betting sites offer some of the best odds to all sports bettors in the Netherlands. Many online sportsbooks offer both English and Dutch language options as well for all players’ convenience

New Zealand

New Zealand sports betting is in an interesting spot. To put it into simple terms, sports betting in New Zealand is both regulated and legal. Retail sportsbooks are licensed and regulated by the New Zealand Gambling Commission and the NZ Department of Internal Affairs. New Zealand laws actually ban retail sportsbooks throughout most of the country, but six retail sportsbooks are allowed to operate.

Online sportsbooks are a different story. It is currently against the law to operate an online sportsbook based in New Zealand. But you are more than free to use an online sportsbook that is based outside of the country. Sites like SportsBetting and BetOnline are more than happy to take bets on rugby, soccer, and cricket. Sports betting in New Zealand is growing fast, so more retail sportsbooks are expected to come in the near future.

Nigeria

African sports betting has become much more prominent in the last decade as major African economies, including Nigeria, have seen explosive growth. Nigeria first launched sports betting in 2005 with the passage of the National Lottery Act. The Lottery Act legalizes sports betting across the country, with the only notable restriction being a minimum age of 18 years old. Nigerian sportsbooks accept wagers on almost any sport or league you can think of. Most Nigerian sportsbooks are hosted online, but there are a few retail locations open for those who prefer a more traditional sports betting environment. For Nigerian fans who don’t feel adequately covered by their domestic sportsbooks, online sportsbooks are also available for use to anyone in the country.

Peru

Sports betting became legal in Peru over 25 years ago. Online sportsbooks in Peru have appeared in the market in the last 10 years. To put it simply, Peru sports betting is thriving. There are plenty of casinos in Peru along with pari-mutuel horse race track that opens four days a week. Top sports betting operators have been applying for a gaming license in Peru ever since 2008. So that means there are plenty of different online sportsbooks operating in Peru. Not just online sportsbooks based in Peru, but offshore sportsbooks as well.

Peru sports bettors have access to great online sportsbooks such as SportsBetting. That means that you are free to bet on sports no matter where you are in the country. Feel free to bet on soccer, baseball, American football, and many more sports while you are visiting Peru.

Philippines

Philippine sports betting is extremely popular and very lucrative in the country. The Philippines has many sportsbooks all over the country. You can bet on most sporting events that happen in the world, but the majority of bets are placed on basketball and soccer. But Philippine sports betting is not so simple. If you are a foreigner visiting the Cagayan region, you are free to bet on sports. But locals from the area are not allowed to bet on sports. In other regions, everyone is free to bet on sports. The only restriction is that locals must go to a Philippine Amusement and Gambling Corporation (PAGCOR) to place their bets. Sports betting in their own houses is against the law.

Russia

Sports betting is legal and regulated in Russia. Interestingly enough, during the last days of the Soviet Union, sports betting was formally legalized in Russia. But sports betting laws have become pretty complicated in Russia since then. With the increase of taxation in Russia, retail sportsbooks in the country have begun to decline. Not only that, but the Russian media and telecommunications ministry has an ongoing blacklist against many popular sportsbook providers.

In 2008, Roskomnadzor was created to determine which online sportsbook is legal and which is not. William Hill, Betway, and Betfair are all popular online sportsbooks that are banned in Russia. But there are a few options available. SportsBetting and BetOnline are taking bets from Russian sports bettors. We highly recommend you do not use any sportsbooks that have been banned in Russia. Russia is known for severely punishing those who go against the country.

South Africa

In case you were wondering, sports betting is indeed legal in South Africa. Sports gambling was formally established in the country back in 1994. Ever since then, retail sportsbooks and online sportsbooks have appeared all over South Africa. In South Africa, horse betting and sports betting are tied into each other. So, the laws created for sports betting will affect horse race betting as well.

There are an estimated 300 sportsbooks currently taking bets in South Africa right now, so there is a lot to choose from. Much like Canada or the United States, South Africa has nine different provinces in the country. Each province has its own regulatory board for sports betting and horse races. Each regulatory board can add regulations to South African sports betting as well.

United Kingdom

Although the United States is now giving it a run for its money, the United Kingdom has long held the distinction of being the most developed sports betting market in the world. Major betting companies like William Hill are so well-entrenched that they are publicly traded on the UK stock market, and there are numerous sports betting parlors across the country eager to take consumer bets. Additionally, there are a wide variety of online sportsbooks available for UK residents. The UK sports betting market was so strong that major UK-based companies like William Hill were able to establish a foothold in the United States after the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018.

What Countries Have Sportsbooks With Live In-Game Betting?

It really depends on the country. There are some countries that do have live in-game betting, but there are others who do not. For example, even though Australia has one of the most developed sports betting industries in the entire world, they do not allow for in-play betting. But Nigeria, on the other hand, does allow for live betting to happen. The United States is the perfect example of this. Some states restrict what live-bets can be made in their state while other states allow for all in-play betting to happen. Make sure you check out the local laws of the country to discover if live-betting is an option to you and if it is not, online offshore sportsbooks will always have live-betting options.

How Many Countries Have Legal Sports Betting?

We have a list of about 20 countries that offer legal sports betting options to its residents and tourists alike. That is a small sample size, however, as there are even more countries that offer sports betting. Sports betting is embraced all over the world in different countries and is regulated in different fashions. The best thing to do is to research a country before you attempt to bet on sports there to fully understand a countries sports betting laws. With the advent of legal online sportsbooks, even more, locations are able to offer sports betting access to locals and tourists.

Which Countries Bet The Most Money On Sports?

The countries that bet the most money on sports are countries that have the easiest access to sports betting. Countries like the US, UK or Australia are at the top of the list. From numbers before the recent worldwide sports betting expansion, The UK had over $13.9 billion wagered on sports in 2017 while Australians won over $1.06 billion in wagers during 2017 as well. As for the US, a few billion is bet on the NFL in New Jersey alone, showing just how much money some countries bet on sports.

Most Bet On Sporting Events Around The World?

If you are looking for the most bet on sporting event in the entire world, it would have to be the Super Bowl. American football is already one of the most bet on sports not only in the United States but around the world as well. That makes the Super Bowl an extremely popular event to bet on. Following that, is the World Cup. Soccer is a top sport in countries outside of the US, with teams from those countries represented in the tournament every four years.

Do I Have To Exchange My Money To Bet At An International Sportsbook?

It depends. Let’s say that you are in Australia. You will mostly have to use the Australian dollar to bet on sports. But you are also allowed to use the American dollar and Euros to bet on sports as well. But if you are in Mexico, you can only use Pesos and American dollars, no Euros or British Pounds. You will have to know what is commonly accepted as currency in the country you are in to figure out what money you can or cannot use to bet on sports.

Which Online Sportsbook is Available In The Most Countries?

Online offshore sportsbooks such as BetOnline and SportsBetting has the widest availability in most countries. These sportsbooks have been not only accepting bets from US players for decades, but they have been accepting bets from people outside of the US as well. If you are looking for an online sportsbook that is available in most countries, the sites we recommend on LegalSportsBetting.com is your best bet.

Do I Have To Pay Taxes On Sports Bets In My Country?

Once again, it depends. If you are in a country with legal sports betting, then you are likely going to have to pay taxes. But that is not always the case. Online sports betting in Canada is not taxed. That means more money for you to win. But in Australia, fixed odds sports betting has a 19.11% tax rate that you have to pay. If you are in a country with legal sports betting, make sure you look up the local laws to see how much in taxes you need to pay when you bet on sports.

Since the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, the list of states with legal sports betting is ever-increasing with as many 17 states that offer sports betting. But, now that sports betting is in the hands of the state legislature with differing levels of sports betting legalized. It can be confusing to know what you can legally bet on.

Fortunately, we have put this comprehensive guide together that examines the states with legal sports betting, such as, what, when, and how you can legally bet on sports in those states. Plus, we will show the landscape of states that plan to legalize sports betting and those with no current sports betting legislation.

The States with Legal Sports Betting

States with Sports Betting Map

The States with Legal Sports Betting

Arkansas

Arkansas legalized sports betting in 2018. The legislation was voted in through a public referendum, but only in-person gambling is allowed for now.

Arkansas has three sports betting locations:

Southland Casino
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
Saracen Resort Casino

Colorado

Similar to Arkansas, Colorado legalized sports betting by passing legislation following a public referendum in 2019.

Soon Colorado might rival New Jersey for the choice of betting sites available. At present, there are thirteen Colorado sports betting sites compared to New Jersey’s eighteen. However, there are three more sportsbooks planned to enter the market, so Colorado is hot their tail.

Delaware

Delaware was the first state to legalize sports betting after the Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting.

However, online sports betting is not yet allowed, which means bettors must wager person for now.

You can wager at three locations in Delaware:

Delaware Park Casino
Dover Downs
Harrington Raceway.

Illinois

Illinois passed the Illinois Sports Wagering Act in 2019. As a result they became the 15th state with legal sports betting.

Therefore bettors who are 21 years of age or older and located in Illinois can legally bet on sports online or in person at a wide selection of casinos. In fact, there are five casinos where you can go and place sports wagers, as well as five online sportsbooks with Illinois Sports Betting Apps.

Like many other states with sports betting, Illinois sports betting law dictates that bettors must register in person at a licensed sportsbook. However, the global pandemic has led Governor J.B. Pritzker to allow remote registration for the time being.

Indiana

Sports betting went live in the state of Indiana in September 2020, with mobile sports betting launching a month later.

Indiana has three licensed betting apps and eleven sportsbook locations to bet in person.

Iowa

Iowa legalized sports betting in 2019, which is regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

There are four Iowa sports betting apps licensed to accept sports bets. There are also fifteen retail sportsbooks in Iowa.

However, the registration process is much more convoluted compared to other states with legal sports betting due to the in-person registration required. Like sports betting in Illinois, Iowans must register at a licensed Iowa casino to open an account.

Michigan

In 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the sports betting bill into law. However, due to the pandemic, Michigan sports betting apps are not expected to launch until 2021.

Nevada

For decades the Silver State was the only state with legal sports betting until the federal ban on sports betting was lifted by the Supreme Court.

In 2019, the sports betting handle in Nevada was $6 billion. However, Nevada’s position as the largest betting state is under threat with the NJ sports betting handle reaching $4 billion.

Much like sports betting in Iowa or Illinois, mobile wagering is legal, but bettors must register in person at a casino before they can place bets online.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire legalized sports betting in July 2019 with DraftKings sportsbook the only licensed sports betting app.

New Jersey

In 2012, the Garden State passed Bill A2578 to legalize sports betting in the state. However, the bill would spark a six-year legal battle between the state of New Jersey and the US Sports League who filed an injunction against the legalization of sports betting.

Subsequently, the case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court, who overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Act. Therefore removing the federal ban on sports betting in the United States.

As a result, sports betting was legalized in 2018 and they have not looked back since. For instance, the eighteen NJ betting sites operating in the state means bettors are spoilt for choice!

There are also eleven NJ sports betting locations with eight casinos that have sportsbook lounges, as well as three racetracks where you can place a sports bet in person.

New Mexico

New Mexico was the 6th state after West Virginia to legalize sports betting in the United States. Although, the state legislature has not yet passed a sports betting bill.

If you wish to place a sports wager in New Mexico, then you can place an in-person bet at the following locations:

Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel
Hilton Buffalo Thunder Sportsbook
The Sportsbook at the Inn of the Mountain Gods
The Isleta Resort and Casino Sportsbook

New York

In-person sports betting is legal in the state of New York, but mobile betting is not, currently. The first legal sports bet was placed by J. Gary Pretlow at the Rivers Casino.

There are seven NY sports betting locations:

Resorts World Catskills
Resorts World New York City
Del Lago Resort and Casino
Tioga Downs and Casino
Turning Stone Resort and Casino
Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino
Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway

Mississippi

In 2018, Mississippi partially legalized mobile sports betting, because bettors may only place a bet while inside a casino. However, Mississippi has twenty-four retail sportsbook locations, so bettors are not stuck for choice of where to bet.

Mississippi Gaming Commission oversees and regulates gambling in licensed casinos, who pay 12% tax on their earnings from sports bets.

Montana

Montana legalized sports betting in May 2019, but only at licensed bars and restaurants. For example, bettors can use their mobile to place wagers, but it will not work outside of the premise

The state lottery oversees gambling in the state.

Oregon

Sports betting is legal in the state of Oregon, but the options are limited.

The State Lottery, who also regulates the industry, launched its sports wagering app called Scoreboard in 2019. Alternatively, you can place in-person wagers at the Chinook Winds casino.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania launched legal sports betting back in May 2019, but the first sportsbook to launch did not happen until November that year.

Since then, the Keystone State has wasted no time in becoming a leading state, generating a record $462.8m in bets, in September 2020.

SugarHouse Sportsbook was the first of the PA sports betting apps to launch, but now there are seven PA sportsbooks accepting mobile sports wagers.

More NJ sports betting apps are expected to enter the market in the next few years.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island was one of the first states with legal sports betting.

Rhode Island has two casinos that accept sports wagers, but mobile wagering is not yet live.

Tennessee

Tennessee launched sports betting in November 2020, with three TN sports betting apps licensed to accept sports bets.

However, with no retail sportsbooks currently operating in Tennessee. The Volunteer State is the only one in the Union that offer online wagering only.

Washington DC

Washington DC legalized sports betting in 2019, but the options are very limited. Intralot’s, Gambet DC, is the only sports betting app in the state.

Also, William Hill is the only retail sportsbook, which is situated inside the Capital One Arena.

West Virginia

In 2020, West Virginia became the fifth state to legalize sports betting. Subsequently, five sportsbooks obtained a license to operate a West Virginia sports betting app and accept wagers on sports.

Additionally, there are technically five sports betting locations in West Virginia, but as well as five sports betting locations in West Virginia.

The States with Sports Betting Bills Passed