US Legal Sports Betting in February 2025

Welcome to USA Legal Betting, home of comprehensive reviews for the best legal sports betting sites and apps in the USA. 

Are you interested in betting on sports? Do you want to know if your state offers legal sports betting? Have you been searching for the best betting sites online but don’t know where to start? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, or just want to learn about legal sports betting, we’ve got you covered!

We aim to provide extensive information about the regulated sports betting industry in the US, including the top betting sites to place your bets, the best sports betting bonuses and promos, the latest US legal and industry news, sports betting previews, and much more. 

Our mission is to provide our users with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information so they can make informed decisions. 

All of our reports and analyses are research-based. We employ experts with proven knowledge and experience to provide you with reliable and impartial information, designed to help you understand and enjoy legal sports betting in the US. 

Want to learn more about sports betting? Explore our sections on betting site reviews, state-by-state reports, or any of the many sports-related categories. Looking for a  

top-rated, legal online casino? We have a special section dedicated to helping you find the most reliable casinos in the US.

Betting on sports is extremely popular in the USA, but it is controlled by the state you are in and their sports betting laws.  

A 2018 court decision opened the door to online, retail, and mobile-regulated sports betting in the USA. Nearly three-quarters of states have legalized sports betting at the time of writing, and that number is quickly rising. Several more states are reviewing legislation allowing legal sports betting within their borders. 

However, sports betting laws can vary drastically from state to state, which is why it is important to know what your state’s sports betting laws look like. It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the laws of your neighboring states to see what changes could be on the way. 

Visit our legal sports betting states page to figure out exactly what is legal and where.

Top US Legal Betting Sites

Promotions and Bonuses

Promotions and bonuses are special deals used to entice new and returning bettors to place wagers with a sportsbook, usually around a specific event. 

Promos and bonuses can include opportunities to bet risk-free, gain boosted odds or payouts, activate deposit matches, win early cash-outs, or secure free bet tokens.  

Rewards generally depend on the specific promotion and which sportsbook is offering the deal. 

Promos are an integral part of legal sports betting—we are always looking for the best deals, and they are and important part of our criteria in formulating the list of the best online sportsbooks.

Sportsbooks all have different payment methods for deposits and withdrawals. While this is not necessarily the first factor that most gamblers consider when choosing their favorite sportsbook, it is an important part of the process.

Credit/Debit cards – cards like Mastercard and VISA, are extremely popular—many bettors enjoy the familiarity of using their credit cards and already have their information saved on their mobile devices, although they may have to pay transfer fees.

PayPal – PayPal sportsbooks allow patrons to transfer money using one of the most popular e-wallets, although PayPal does to take a cut of money via processing fees.

Skrill – Another e-wallet with tons of security, although it isn’t easily available to US bettors in many cases.

ACH transfers – Another very safe way of sending money to and from sportsbooks, and although they also charge a fee, it is often lower than credit card companies.

Bank transfers – These are as secure as any other top choice, but they are usually saved for high-rollers looking to send large sums of money to and from sports betting sites.

Play+ – This is most likely the best choice for instant withdrawals, and Play+ cards are even usable at certain ATMs. 

Neteller – Another e-wallet that is comparable to PayPal and Skrill, although it tends to charge higher fees. 

Venmo – Venmo recently started allowing bettors to send money instantly using their service, although they are not widely accepted just yet. 

Cash-at-Cage transfers – These are simply real-money exchanges at retail sportsbooks. The service is quick and easy with no strings attached. 

PayNearMe – A supplemental service to the transaction process. Users are charged for the amount they want to spend and are then sent a barcode via text and/or email and instructed to visit a payment center, such as a gas station or corner store.

Yes, legal online sports betting in the USA is now allowed thanks to the repealing of a long-standing legal precedent. 

On May 14, 2018, the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) via Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 

That decision allowed all states to create legal sports betting markets, whereas sports betting had been previously restricted to Nevada. Many have already jumped at the opportunity to create their own market and forge an identity in the gambling world. 

This means that, depending on the state you’re in, you can now frequent regulated and offshore sportsbooks. Sportsbooks have also been made available online via websites and mobile apps and at retail locations, such as casinos or sports bars & grills. 

It is likely that more sports betting laws will come into effect as the market continues to hit unprecedented heights, and more states come under growing pressure to legalize the industry. 

As developments occur, we will cover all online betting laws and betting sites in the USA.

Just because a state has a gambling market does not mean that they don’t have restrictions on online gambling.  

For example, several states require first-time customers to visit a brick-and-mortar establishment before registering with any legal betting sites.  

Others may have online sports betting but completely restrict online casino games, whereas in other states they typically go hand-in-hand. 

Understanding differences in regulated sports betting laws is one of the first steps on the road to becoming a successful sports bettor. Check out our section on online sports betting for more information. 

As we continue, we will discuss the importance of picking legal online sportsbooks and learning to discern the best betting sites from the rest. We will also dive into how you can find which legal online sportsbook is the best fit for you.

If you’re an American bettor, it is no less than crucial that you bet only at licensed and legal online sportsbooks. 

Many states have laws against using unregulated sportsbooks, making it a criminal offense. Other states turn a blind eye to the “grey market” industry but will not interfere if you run into an issue with a rogue sportsbook. That means you could lose your money and possibly your identity without US law enforcement support. Those are big risks to take, making  regulated sportsbooks the far better option. 

Luckily, finding legal online sportsbooks is a piece of cake.

The market for legal sports gambling in the United States is ever-growing. As more states create legal sports betting markets, the handle, revenue, and profit margins all increase. 

In 2022, the retail and online betting sites in the USA claimed a $93.2 billion handle. Sportsbooks managed a combined $7.5 billion in revenue, with the Super Bowl serving as the biggest betting draw of the year. While the numbers for the 2023 handle have yet to be released, they are projected to exceed $100 billion. 

New legal gambling sites are constantly entering the American market, powered by local casinos, larger conglomerates, or international corporations looking to capitalize on the emerging industry.  

States also claim a certain percentage (which differs depending on the state) in taxes, which go towards funding various state projects such as schools, roads, and conservation efforts.

As we mentioned earlier, many states are enamored by the prospect of adding a legal sports betting market. This is a hot topic in nearly every state in America (except for Hawaii and Utah, neither of which have any form of legal gambling). 

Georgia, for example, has been attempting to pass legislation to legalize mobile sports betting in the Peach State. They had a couple of propositions that failed early in 2023, but there is still a lot of momentum to legalize the industry heading into 2024. 

North Carolina has opened the pre-registration window for bettors to sign up ahead of the March 11 launch of legal sports betting. The Tar Heel State legalized sports betting last summer, but the launch was delayed until March as they carefully prepared to ensure a smooth debut. 

The success of legal sports betting has also started to influence betting offerings in other regions—lobbying has recently begun in Washington for political betting markets. 

The cries for legalizing sports betting are most prominent around the time of the biggest events, namely the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, World Series, UFC fights, and March Madness. The World Cup and Olympics are also less frequent but cyclical events that cause huge turnouts. 

It’s difficult to predict what the future holds for the legal betting market, but one thing is certain—whatever  

legal updates occur on whatever measure, law, and rule change across the country, you’ll be able to read all about it right here, at USA Legal Betting.

Americans love all sports, but some, of course, are more popular than the rest. These include:  

Football (NFL)

Basketball (NBA) 

Baseball (MLB) 

Hockey (NHL) 

Golf (PGA Tour)

The top sports betting events in the US also attract huge numbers of bettors. Among these are:  

The Super Bowl

NBA Finals

World Series

March Madness

Soccer: In recent years, the nation has seen an unprecedented rise in the popularity of soccer and this summer's Euro 2024 and Copa America should provide fans with plenly of betting options.

Other sports such as MMA, Boxing, and Tennis might be a little less popular, yet are still super relevant and are always avaliable at the top sportbooks across the country.

In the United States, Horse race betting is generally permitted under federal law, but illegal in some states.  

Your state’s stance on horse racing can be found in our review of states and their betting markets. 

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association acts as the regulator of horse racing in America.  

For more information on horse race betting sites, including the best sites to visit, and everything to do with the industry, check out our horse race betting review.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are, like horse race betting, legal in some states and illegal in others.

Gaming commissions regulate DFS in the states in which they legally operate, and they are available from a variety of operators.

DFS are popular because of their absence of long-term commitment. You can build lineups hours before matchups and swap them out for an entirely new one the very next day if you choose—leaving all the power in your hands.

Some sports betting sites stand above others. This depends on several factors, including the specific sport you are focused on. 

Several sportsbooks specialize in offering diverse prop betting lines, which some bettors prefer. Others will prioritize live betting odds or parlays.  

In addition, sportsbooks will usually run promos during major sports events, giving you the opportunity to win free bets, massive payouts, or boost tokens. These offers depend entirely on the online sportsbook that you have chosen to use. 

Finding the right legal online sportsbook takes time and research. There is no universally correct answer for every gambler out there, but picking the right one will ensure long-term enjoyment and excitement.

Luckily, our expert team of analysts have put in the hours for you and sorted through every category to organized our reviews of the best online sportsbooks. 

All of our writers have years of experience in the betting industry and have spent time combing through every website's offerings, history, and outlook to help compile lists of the top sports betting sites sorted by state, sport, and category. 

Feel free to use our lists as a basis for which sportsbook you choose to visit, but remember that your evaluation of the sportsbook is just that—yours.  

Consider spending some time getting to know all the options available before ultimately choosing one.

Sports Betting Guides

Having knowledge about the composition of legal sports betting in the United States is one thing, but knowing how to convert it into winnings.  

Lucky for you, we have your back and will show you all the different ways that you can boost your bankroll using regulated sports betting. 

Our betting guides are the simplest way to understand what is available to you as a gambler. We will talk about all of the major markets, such as moneylines, spread, and points totals, as well as parlays, futures, teasers, and other exotic markets. 

We also go over tips and tricks to make more money while betting on legal online sportsbooks:  

For example, never to bet on prohibited favorites’ moneylines because the value proposition is very low, or how to formulate low-risk parlays that increase value without sacrificing risk.

We also teach you about the intricacies of sports betting, including how to read betting odds, where to find different betting options, and when to activate bonus offers.

There are many ways to make money with legal sports betting, and the key is finding which one works best for you.

Guides List

• How to Deposit and Withdraw Money
• How to Place a Bet at an Online Sportsbook
• How to Register with an Online Sportsbook
• The Full Guide to Moneyline Betting
• What is the Over/Under in Betting
• What Age Can I Gamble

Online casinos are legal in the United States under federal law—however, states have the option to choose whether or not they offer online casino services, and many have opted not to. 

At the time of writing, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia are the only states with legal online casinos. Remember that states with legal online casinos don’t necessarily have legal online sports betting. 

Online casinos offer all sorts of entertainment, from traditional table and card games to slot machines. It depends entirely on the online casino you are visiting and its offerings. 

Online casinos are a great way to save the trip and bring the fun into the comfort of your home, or anywhere else you choose to play.

The importance of safe and responsible gambling cannot be stressed enough. 

Pay attention to your behaviors when you are placing bets—if you notice that you are becoming reckless or compulsive, you may want to take a break. You could also consider calling a gambling helpline or talking to someone close to you. 

Remember that gambling should be done as a form of entertainment and not as your primary source of income. Smart gamblers play rarely and never risk more than they can afford to lose. 

You can read more information at our responsible gambling page, and if you—or someone you know—have a habit that’s getting the better of you, you can always call 1-800-GAMBLER (You must be 21+ years and located in New Jersey).

USALegalBetting serves as your go-to destination for up-to-date information on legal sports betting and casino gambling news across the United States.

Our primary goal is to assist you in discovering the top legal sports betting sites and online casinos, empowering you to make informed decisions when placing your bets. 

Learn more about our team and writers on our About Us page.