Is Sports Betting Legal in the U.S.? State Laws, Restrictions, and Betting Options Explained 2026

Sports betting legality in the United States is confusing by design. There is no single federal rule that governs whether you can legally place a bet on a game. Instead, legality depends on where you are physically located, which platform you’re using, and how that platform is regulated in that state.

That means two users on the same sportsbook app could face completely different rules, solely based on their location.

Availability is shaped by state gambling laws, licensing frameworks, and real-time location verification. Even if a sportsbook operates nationally, it can only legally accept wagers when you’re physically inside a state where betting is authorized. That’s why you may be able to create an account anywhere, but are blocked the moment you try to place a bet.

This article breaks down where sports betting is legal, how online sportsbooks differ from DFS platforms, how apps verify your location, and the legitimate (and higher-risk) ways people still place bets from restricted states.

Is sports betting legal in the U.S.?

Yes, but only in states that have legalized it.

Sports betting became a state-by-state issue after the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. Prior to that decision, most states were prohibited from authorizing sports wagering. Once PASPA was overturned, individual states gained full authority to legalize, regulate, or prohibit sports betting within their borders.

As a result, the U.S. now operates under a patchwork regulatory system. Some states allow full online and mobile sports betting. Others restrict betting to physical casinos. Some permit daily fantasy sports (DFS) or pick’em contests but ban sportsbooks entirely.

The most important thing for you to remember is that sports betting apps are legal to use only when a bettor is physically located in a legal state. Most major sportsbooks allow users to create accounts anywhere in the U.S., but wagers can be placed only once the app successfully verifies location.

Verification methods typically include IP address checks, GPS data on mobile devices, and Wi-Fi network triangulation.

Legal sports betting in the U.S.

Sports betting availability generally falls into three categories:

• Fully legal online and mobile sports betting
• Retail-only sports betting at casinos or racetracks
• Legal DFS and pick’em contests (not sportsbooks)

States with full online betting allow residents and visitors to place wagers via licensed mobile apps. Retail-only states require in-person betting at approved locations. DFS-only states permit fantasy contests that are legally classified as games of skill rather than gambling.

States where online sports betting is restricted or illegal

Many states have legalized online sports betting, but here are the states where it's illegal. Keep in mind that the list of states that prohibit online betting is subject to change.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• California
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah

Some states still prohibit online sportsbooks due to political opposition, tribal gaming exclusivity agreements, or unresolved regulatory frameworks. In these states, sportsbooks are required to block access using geo-blocking, IP filtering, and device-level location checks.

This is why users may see “location not supported” messages even with valid accounts. In many cases, in-person betting may still be legal at casinos, while online betting remains prohibited. The distinction between retail betting and mobile wagering is critical and often misunderstood.

Online sportsbooks vs. DFS

Online sportsbooks and daily fantasy sports platforms operate under different legal frameworks, which is why availability varies so widely.

Traditional sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Stake accept wagers directly on sporting events. These platforms require state licensure, identity verification, and strict location checks before bets can be placed. If location verification fails, betting is blocked, even if the user’s account is otherwise valid.

DFS platforms like PrizePicks operate differently. Instead of wagering against a sportsbook, users enter contests based on player performance outcomes. Because these contests are often classified as skill-based rather than gambling, DFS platforms are legal in many states that prohibit sportsbooks.

This legal distinction is why DFS apps are frequently available nationwide while sportsbooks are not.

How sports betting apps know your location

Sports betting apps rely on multiple location signals to confirm a physical presence:

• IP-based location checks determine the general geographic region of a connection.
• GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation on mobile devices provide precise location data.
• Browser permissions allow sportsbooks to confirm location during active betting sessions.

If any of these checks fail (or conflict), bets are blocked. This commonly affects users who are traveling, connected to corporate networks, or using privacy tools.

How people still place bets from restricted states

Access restrictions do not eliminate demand for sports betting. However, the methods people use vary widely in legality, risk, and platform compliance. Understanding those differences matters.

1. One common and lower-risk approach is using DFS and pick’em platforms, which remain legal in many states that prohibit sportsbooks. These platforms do not operate as bookmakers and generally face fewer geographic restrictions.
2. (Not recommended) Some users turn to offshore or internationally operated betting sites. These platforms are not licensed in the U.S. and are not subject to U.S. consumer protection laws. This creates risks, such as frozen accounts, delayed withdrawals, or no legal recourse in the event of disputes. We recommend using state-approved sportsbooks only.
3. Another approach is to use a virtual private network (VPN) to mask IP addresses when accessing sportsbook apps. While VPNs are legal in most states, they do not change state gambling laws and often violate sportsbook terms of service. Accounts flagged for VPN use may be locked, voided, or permanently banned.

It’s also important to note that bets placed while physically outside a legal state can be voided, and sportsbooks may temporarily restrict accounts until your location can be verified.

Can you get in trouble for sports betting?

Yes. Because state laws, sportsbook policies, and enforcement practices differ, placing bets from a restricted state often involves trade-offs between convenience, legality, and risk. In some cases, penalties may be issued by the platform rather than the state. In others, legal consequences may apply depending on jurisdiction.

Understanding both state law and platform rules is essential before attempting to place a bet.

Can you use a VPN for sports betting?

Yes, you can use a VPN to place secure sports bets. Using a VPN is legal in most U.S. states. However, using a VPN to place sports bets does not override state gambling laws, and it may violate sportsbook terms of service.

Sportsbooks actively detect VPN usage through IP inconsistencies, device fingerprinting, and mismatched location signals. Accounts flagged for VPN use may face suspensions, denied withdrawals, or confiscated winnings.

Some premium VPNs for online gambling advertise features like obfuscation, dedicated IPs, or GPS spoofing (available on select providers such as Surfshark). These tools may reduce detection but do not eliminate risk.

Why use a VPN for sports betting and gambling

A VPN changes a user’s visible IP address and encrypts internet traffic. Some bettors use VPNs for privacy, to avoid network-level blocks, or to access platforms while traveling.

In the context of sports betting, a VPN is considered good when it can connect reliably without triggering errors, timeouts, or account flags. Key considerations include:

• Speed: Live odds and in-play betting rely on real-time updates. Slow connections can cause wagers to fail or stale odds.
• Connection stability: Frequent disconnects or IP changes can interrupt sessions and trigger security alerts.
• Server availability: A wide range of U.S. and international servers provides flexibility when platforms enforce regional restrictions.

Top VPNs for sports betting

Bottom line

Sports betting is legal in the U.S., but only in states that explicitly allow it. Availability depends on state law, platform licensing, and real-time location verification. DFS platforms operate under different rules and are often accessible in more states.

While some bettors use VPNs or offshore sites to bypass restrictions, these approaches carry meaningful risks. Before placing a bet, it’s critical to understand both the legal framework and the platform rules that apply to your location.

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