Around 30 states plus D.C. have active mobile sportsbooks in 2026. This FAQ covers state legality, geolocation rules, and what visiting bettors need to
Around 30 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have active mobile sportsbooks as of 2026. If you're not sure whether a bet app is legal where you are, you're in the right place.
Sports betting has been legal at the federal level since May 2018, when the Supreme Court struck down PASPA. Since then, 38 states have passed some form of legalization. About 30 of those — plus D.C. and Puerto Rico — have live online or mobile sportsbooks.
Some of the busiest markets: New Jersey (launched June 2018, 17 licensed books), New York (launched January 2022, nine licensees), Michigan (13 licensed books, $4.19 billion handle in fiscal year 2023–24), and North Carolina (launched March 11, 2024). Check the best betting apps in the USA for 2026 for a current list of which apps operate in each state.
Hawaii and Idaho have not legalized any form of sports betting. Mississippi allows retail wagering at licensed casino locations only — statewide mobile betting was still awaiting Senate action as of early 2026. Nebraska is retail-only as well. Montana is a special case: the Sports Bet Montana app exists, but wagers must be placed while physically on-premise at a licensed location.
No — your physical location at the time of the wager is what counts. Every licensed bet app uses geolocation technology to verify you're inside a legal state before accepting a bet. You can be a New York resident betting in New Jersey, and that's perfectly legal. The reverse is also true: a New Jersey resident crossing into a state with no mobile betting cannot use their account there.
VPNs or GPS errors will trigger a block. Licensed apps are required to enforce this — there's no workaround on a legitimate platform.
Most states set the minimum at 21. A handful go lower: Washington D.C. and Montana allow betting at 18+. Kentucky launched at 18+ in 2023 but raised the age to 21+ in April 2026. For the full state-by-state breakdown, see the legal age to use a bet app FAQ.
Must be 21+ in most states (18+ in D.C. and Montana). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Yes. Sweepstakes sportsbook platforms use virtual currency mechanics and are available in nearly every state, including those that haven't legalized traditional mobile wagering. They aren't the same as a licensed sportsbook, but they're a legal alternative for bettors in restricted states.
FanDuel and DraftKings have the widest footprints. FanDuel is live in over 20 states including Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. DraftKings covers 28+ states, adding Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, and Vermont to a similarly long list. FanDuel's sportsbook app leads market share in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. For a head-to-head breakdown, the FanDuel vs. DraftKings comparison covers coverage maps in detail.
BetMGM is one of nine operators licensed in New York but is notably absent from D.C., Mississippi, Nevada, and Puerto Rico. Hard Rock Bet is the only legal mobile option in Florida. BetRivers is active in Michigan, New York, and several other states.
Every licensed app pings your device's GPS and IP address when you open it. If you're inside a legal state, you're cleared to bet. If the system can't confirm your location — say, you're near a state border or have location services off — the app will prompt you to enable location access or decline the wager entirely.
It's not a bug. It's a legal requirement. Regulators like the Texas Tribune's paid-post licensed sportsbook guide and state gaming commissions mandate geolocation on every platform as a condition of licensure.
All licensed US sportsbooks are required to verify your identity as part of KYC (Know Your Customer) rules. You'll typically provide:
Incomplete or mismatched information can freeze your account and delay withdrawals. Get the verification step right the first time. More on how sign-up bonuses work after you create an account is covered in the sportsbook app bonuses FAQ.
Yes, as long as you're physically inside a state with active mobile betting when you place the wager. Your home-state residency doesn't matter. A bettor from Texas visiting New Jersey can open FanDuel, pass geolocation, and place bets without any issue. They just can't do the same when they land back in Texas.
For more on specific apps and their iOS and Android performance across states, the best betting apps for iPhone page has ratings side by side. And if payout speed matters to you, fastest paying bet apps ranks the top options.