International Sports Betting

Sports betting has become a truly global phenomenon, facilitated by new communication technologies. As a result, the development of deviances, from match-fixing to money laundering, has accelerated. This new reality has numerous implications, for both the regulation of this billion-dollar industry and the very integrity of sport, sport financing and betting operations. There's also plenty of international sports betting options available including Aussie Rules football, soccer, darts, cricket, handball, snooker, and rugby. There's plenty of other gambling options including e-sports, casino games, poker and horse racing. Simply put, you'll find more betting options in more sports. The International Betting Integrity Association is the leading global voice on integrity for the licensed betting industry. Our Monitoring & Alert Platform is a highly effective anti-corruption tool designed to detect and report suspicious betting activity using detailed consumer data. Table tennis betting is available at all of the top international sports betting sites. Swimming: We have always felt swimming would be a great betting sport, with its short races and 1, 2, 3 finishes, just like horse racing and car racing.

Within days of the launch of Colorado online sports betting, several new platforms debuted in the Centennial State. May 1, 2020, marked the date for the newest big arrival in the legal US sports betting market.

Four new sports betting platforms launched in Colorado shortly after legislation regulating online sports betting went into effect. This paved the way for legal sports betting in the state after residents voted Proposition DD into law the prior year.

Proposition DD legalized both retail and online sports betting in Colorado. In the months since Colorado's launch, many new operators have started to make their mark in the state.

When the state's new sports betting industry reaches full maturity, Colorado bettors could have access to 20 or more different online sportsbooks. In its second month, June 2020, Colorado sportsbooks took in over $38 million in wagers, even while virtually no sports played in the US.

Now, we're starting to see Colorado come into its own as a sports betting leader. New operators are entering the market and making moves to build an audience in the Centennial State.

Best Online Sportsbooks In Colorado

• DraftKings Sportsbook: Claim up to $1000 bonus here.
• FanDuel Sportsbook: Claim up to $1000 bonus here.
• BetRivers Sportsbook: Claim up to $250 bonus here.

All Colorado Online Sportsbooks

DraftKings Sportsbook

One of the top players in the US legal sports betting industry, DraftKings Sportsbook was one of four platforms to launch in Colorado on May 1, 2020.

After going live as one of Colorado's first operating mobile sports wagering sites, DraftKings Sportsbook appears poised to be one of the leading brands in the Colorado market. DraftKings Sportsbook operates under the license of Golden Gates Casino, which is owned by Twin River Worldwide Holdings.

Take advantage of up to $1000 in bonus offers at DraftKings Sportsbook here.

BetRivers Sportsbook

Owned by Rush Street Interactive, the BetRivers brand is another emerging player in the US legal sports betting market. With the May 1, 2020 launch of its platform, BetRivers added Colorado to the growing list of states in which it operates.

JP McGill's Hotel & Casino is the land-based casino license partner for BetRivers Sportsbook. Triple Crown Casinos owns the property.

Check Out BetRivers Colorado Bonus Offers Here.

William Hill

Another sportsbook from across the pond, UK-based William Hill is one of the bigger names in sportsbook apps, a status that has only grown following the recent takeover of the bookmaker by Caesars Entertainment. William Hill is partnered with the Isle Casino and the Lady Luck Casino in Black Hawk. William Hill offers new sign-ups a risk-free bet up to $500.

Get up to a $500 risk-free bet at William Hill Colorado here with promo code COSHARPRF.

PointsBet

The PointsBet brand already operates in a handful of US states. The Australian-owned brand features the unique PointsBet betting method. This allows bettors to win more money on a game based on the final score margin. PointsBet Colorado launched in November 2020 under the license of Double Eagle Hotel and Casino.

In August 2020, PointsBet announced a 5-year partnership with NBC Sports, which could see the company expand into the US sports betting market in a way we didn't anticipate. They also announced a partnership with the University of Colorado and established their US headquarters in Denver, showing a commitment to the state.

SportsBetting.com

The Carousel Group, an international iGaming company, plans to expand into the US with its SportsBetting.com brand. SportsBetting.com launched on May 12 in Colorado is slated as the first US state in which SportsBetting.com will launch. The platform is licensed to Johnny Nolon's Saloon & Gambling Emporium.

BetMGM Sportsbook

The BetMGM brand continues to expand into the US market, with online casino and sportsbook products in several states. Formerly known as playMGM, the rebranded BetMGM operates in Colorado under the license of Midnight Rose Hotel and Casino. The land-based property is owned by Triple Crown Casinos.

BetMGM is a product of ROAR Digital, which is a collaborative venture between MGM Resorts and gaming brand GVC Holdings. BetMGM was one in the first group of online sportsbooks to launch in Colorado on May 1, 2020.

Start Playing At BetMGM Colorado Here.

FanDuel Sportsbook

The US legal sports betting industry is still evolving, but FanDuel Sportsbook's status as one of the leading brands in the market isn't likely to change anytime soon.

FanDuel Sportsbook was among the first legal sports betting platforms to go live in Colorado, launching on May 1, 2020. Golden Gulch Casino, owned by Twin River Worldwide Holdings, is the land-based license partner for FanDuel Sportsbook.

BetMonarch

Unlike the other mobile sportsbook brands on this list, BetMonarch is a homegrown product. The BetMonarch app is owned, operated, and licensed to Monarch Casino.

Located in Black Hawk, Colorado, Monarch Casino is the first land-based property to launch its own Colorado online sports betting site. The product debuted on May 9, 2020, just days after the initial introduction of online sportsbooks in the state.

FOX Bet

Bettors in the US can expect FOX Bet to be a major presence in the legal sports betting industry. The brand operates as a partnership between FOX Sports and the Stars Group, which are giants in the sports media and online gambling industries, respectively.

The FOX Bet Colorado mobile sportsbook app launched on May 19, 2020, as a license partner of Lady Luck Blackhawk. Lady Luck is owned by Caesars Entertainment following the company's merger with Eldorado Resorts.

Sky Ute SportsBook

Sky Ute SportsBook landed in the Colorado history books as Colorado's first tribal sportsbook, a partnership between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe-owned Sky Ute Casino and Las Vegas-based USBookmaking. Sky Ute SportsBook promises better odds than most sportsbooks because it's not bound by Colorado state law.

SBK by Smarkets

Smarkets operates differently than most traditional sportsbooks, with odds created by sports bettors in the company's native UK. Colorado sports bettors aren't allowed to participate in the market making, but can reap the benefits: which include some of the best odds available at any Colorado sportsbook.

Circa Sports

Circa Sports started in Las Vegas. They recently expanded into Colorado with its first online sportsbook outside of Nevada after partnering with Century Casino. Circa offers high limits and competitive odds.

ELITE Sportsbook

ELITE Sportsbook launched in Colorado through a partnership with the Red Dolly Casino in Black Hawk. Its app and website are taking bets now, with a variety of props and parlays, including what it claims is the only bookmaker in Colorado to offer a progressive parlay. New players can get a sign-up bonus worth up to $1,000 in free bets.

Betfred

With more than 1,500 locations, Betfred is a big name in sports betting in the UK, but its US expansion is relatively new. Colorado is Betfred's second US market, the first being Iowa. Betfred's local partner in Colorado is the Saratoga Casino in Black Hawk. New bettors can get a $500 risk-free bet as a welcome bonus.

theScore Bet

theScore Bet has the distinction of being the first sportsbook to be launched by a North American media company, Score Media. It offers a variety of moneyline, spreads, parlays, props and teasers, and all major sports are accounted for in the app. New Jersey was theScore's first launch, and it's partnered in Colorado with Jacobs Entertainment, owners of The Lodge Casino and the Gilpin Casino in Black Hawk.

BetWildwood

BetWildwood was among Colorado's first home-grown sportsbooks, a product of the Wildwood Casino in the mountain casino town of Cripple Creek. Bettors will find a variety of moneyline and spread bets on the events and sports you'd expect, many of which offer in-game betting. New bettors can receive up to a $50 free bet.

BetAmerica

Owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated, BetAmerica is another emerging brand in the legal US sports betting industry. BetAmerica is approved for operation in Colorado as a license partner of Bronco Billy's Casino and Hotel, owned by Full House Resorts.

SuperBook

SuperBook's home base in Las Vegas is the world's largest retail sportsbook. SuperBook's expansion plans outside of Nevada include a mobile sports betting platform in Colorado.

SuperBook has a nationwide partnership in place with Jacobs Entertainment. The Lodge, a Jacobs-owned Colorado property, will license the SuperBook mobile platform in Colorado.

SuperBook originally planned for a May 1 launch to coincide with the opening of Colorado's sports betting market. However, the company delayed the launch due to sports league shutdowns. They ultimately launched in October 2020.

Colorado Online Sportsbooks At A Glance

Check out our Guide To Online Sports Betting In The US.

Coming Soon To Colorado

Wynn Sportsbook

Full House Resorts and Wynn Resorts inked a partnership to bring Wynn Sportsbook to Colorado. The launch date for Wynn Sportsbook is unannounced. When it does go live, Wynn Sportsbook will operate as a license partner to Full House-owned property Bronco Billy's Casino.

Barstool Sports

A Barstool Sports-branded legal online sportsbook will hit the Colorado market as a licensed product of Ameristar Blackhawk Casino. That land-based property is operated by Penn National Gaming, which also owns Barstool Sports. Barstool CEO Erika Nardini recently suggested a September launch window for the company's sportsbook. On November 5, the Barstool-branded retail sportsbook opened at Ameristar Blackhawk, but it's looking like a 2021 launch for the sportsbook app.

Twin River

Twin River Worldwide Holdings owns three retail casinos in Colorado, as well as three internet sports betting licenses. Two of those licenses are already utilized in partnership with DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook. They plan to launch a third online sports betting site in the future.

Bonuses At Colorado's Online Sportsbooks

Risk-Free Bet

The most common bonus available at Colorado's legal online sportsbooks comes in the form of the risk-free bet offer.

Risk-free bets offer a rebate, up to a certain amount, on the first bet made at a mobile sportsbook. The rebate is only applied if that first bet results in a loss.

FanDuel Sportsbook, for example, offers a risk-free bet, up to $1,000, for new players. After depositing, the first bet made on the platform is eligible for up to a $1,000 refund, but only if the bet is a loss.

For amounts smaller than $1,000, the risk-free bet refund would match the amount of the bet. A $250 bet, and a loss, would garner a $250 rebate.

On bets larger than $1,000, the maximum refund amount is $1,000.

Deposit Match Bonus

A widely offered bonus found at many online gambling sites, the deposit match bonus awards bonus money that matches a certain percentage of a deposit.

BetRivers Sportsbook presents one of the industry's most generous deposit match bonus offers to new players. The first deposit at BetRivers is eligible for a 100% match bonus, up to $250.

Utilizing this bonus, a new player can make their first deposit at BetRivers, and earn up to $250 in bonus money. Deposits smaller than $250 are eligible for bonus money that matches the deposit amount.

Deposit match bonuses generally come with a playthrough provision. This requires players to wager a certain amount to unlock the bonus. Many of these bonuses require a 25x playthrough or more, meaning a player has to wager 25 times the amount of the deposit to unlock the bonus.

The BetRivers bonus, however, only requires 1x playthrough, essentially giving new players up to $250 in free bets.

No-Deposit Bonus

One easy way to get started at an online sportsbook is through no-deposit bonus offers. These bonus offers are not as common on sports betting sites. When you do see them, they are often in small amounts, like $25 or $35. New bettors will see the amount in their account just after registering.

Colorado's Mobile Sportsbooks

The passage of Proposition DD made Colorado one of the latest US states to embrace sports betting after the fall of PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act). PASPA was a federal mandate that outlawed sports wagering. In May 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the act.

With PASPA overruled, a new era of legal sports betting dawned in the U.S. Now that it's launched sports betting, Colorado is a significant player in the industry. Colorado officially launched legal sports betting on May 1. Since then, sportsbooks from around the globe have set up shop in the Rocky Mountain State.

Proposition DD

Proposition DD legalized both retail and online sports betting in Colorado. The May 1, 2020 launch date allowed the state's land-based casinos to operate on-property sports betting for the first time in the 30-year history of Colorado's casino industry.

The legislation also allowed Colorado casinos to offer online sports betting. The mobile sports wagering platforms authorized by state law likely will produce most of the revenue realized by the state's sport betting industry as a whole.

Access To Sportsbooks Statewide

Colorado limits land-based commercial casinos to the towns of Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, and Central City, apart from a pair of tribal casinos in the southwest region of the state. Players can access mobile sports betting apps offered by these casinos, however, from anywhere within state borders.

Mobile apps give bettors superior ease of access to the entire lineup of online sports betting platforms available in the state. Deposits and withdrawals, line shopping, and research are all far more convenient on mobile wagering sites, versus their land-based counterparts.

Colorado's mobile betting platforms use geolocation software to determine a user's location. This gives players the ability to wager from anywhere in the state. It also offers bettors from surrounding states the opportunity to drive into Colorado and place a sports bet with ease.

Early Signs Of Mobile Sports Betting Success

In states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, mobile sports betting makes up more than 85 percent of overall sports betting revenue. That same trend will almost certainly hold in Colorado.

Colorado's land-based casinos operate with strategic technology partners for their online sports betting platforms. This new market has attracted just about all of the biggest brands in the sports betting industry.

FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook are two of the industry's leaders in US mobile sports betting. Both companies have sportsbooks live in Colorado, alongside other major players like FOX Bet, BetRivers, and BetMGM.

Other sports betting powerhouses like William Hill, PointsBet, BetFred, and Circa Sports, have all been granted licenses to operate in Colorado.

The presence of these major brands will make Colorado a key player in the US sports betting market.

Early revenue numbers signal that Colorado will have a strong sports betting presence. The state could quickly become an industry leader. In its first month with online sports betting (amid a global pandemic and casino closures), Colorado drew in $25.5 million in gross, unaudited revenue. June 2020 brought an even bigger revenue spike. Colorado sports betting earned $38 million in its second month of operation.

What Sports Can I Bet On In Colorado?

Betting On US Pro Sports

Colorado's capital city, Denver, holds a professional sports distinction that only a few other US cities can claim.

Denver is home to teams in all four major US sports leagues. Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies, The NFL's Denver Broncos, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver Nuggets of the NBA make Colorado a major sports hub in the US.

The legalization of sports betting gives Colorado's sports enthusiasts access to betting markets featuring all of the Centennial State's major teams. The entire regular season and postseason schedule is available to bet on for all four major leagues.

Ways to bet on these games include point spread, moneyline, parlay, and live in-game betting.

These options are available for virtually every game on the schedule. Futures betting markets and prop bets are also widely offered on the four major US sports leagues at Colorado's legal online sportsbooks.

Other US Sports To Bet On In Colorado

Colorado sports betting law also allows for betting on the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, as well as the National Lacrosse League's Colorado Mammoth. Betting isn't just limited to these in-state franchises. Colorado's legal online sportsbooks offer bets on the entire schedule in these leagues.

MMA, boxing, and NASCAR, as well as major tennis and golf events in the US, are open for betting on Colorado's legal mobile sports betting apps as well.

See our complete guide on How To Bet On Sports Online.

College Sports Betting In Colorado

Betting on college sports is legal at Colorado's online sportsbooks. This includes major sports like college football and college basketball, both of which offer plenty of options for betting on Colorado-based teams.

The only restriction on college sports betting in Colorado is a ban on prop betting. Other than that, Colorado bettors can legally bet on numerous sports, including contests involving home teams.

University Of Colorado Buffaloes

The Colorado Buffaloes sit at the epicenter of Colorado's college sports tradition. A college football staple for much of the past century, the Buffaloes play in the PAC-12 conference.

Annual big games for the Buffaloes include PAC-12 matchups against the Utah Utes, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, and Oregon Ducks. The Buffaloes' yearly schedule also includes a non-conference matchup against their in-state rivals, the Colorado State Rams. PointsBet Sportsbook announced a partnership with the University so expect to see a push for betting of Buffaloes games.

Colorado State Rams And Air Force Falcons

The Colorado Buffaloes, Colorado State Rams, and Air Force Academy Falcons are the three biggest college sports programs in the state. Colorado bettors can legally bet on all three schools, all of which are on the national radar in both college football and basketball.

Both Air Force and Colorado State play in the Mountain West Conference and play against each other in big, cross-state matchups nationally.

In addition to football and basketball, other sports legally available to Colorado bettors include college baseball, softball, hockey, lacrosse, and others.

International Sports Available On Colorado Online Sports Betting Sites

International sports betting markets are aplenty at Colorado's legal online sportsbooks. Platforms like DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook offer bets on a wide array of international contests.

With these international sports on the menu, Colorado players will find no shortage of year-round betting opportunities.

Major International Soccer Leagues

Colorado's online sportsbooks offer betting markets that feature all of the biggest leagues in the world's most popular sport.

Teams like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona of Spanish La Liga are open for betting. The English Premier League, and its powerhouse clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United, are available to Colorado bettors as well.

Germany's biggest league, Bundesliga, offers yet another available betting market for international soccer. Interleague events like the UEFA Champions League are on the menu as well.

International Golf And Tennis

Major events in golf and tennis take place all around the world, and Colorado's legal online sportsbooks grant bettors access.

International tennis majors like the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, and other overseas events from the ATP and WTA are on the board. Golf majors, like the British Open, are open for wagering in Colorado as well.

Other International Sports And Events

Colorado's legal online sportsbooks offer a wide scope of other international betting markets. These include international leagues and events in rugby, hockey, basketball, baseball, table tennis, darts, and cycling.

Can You Bet On Esports In Colorado?

Colorado's expansion into legal online sports betting doesn't include esports betting, for now.

Esports rising popularity shows no signs of diminishing, as games like Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and others created robust betting markets at offshore gambling sites.

The future looks bright for esports to continue its ascent into mainstream culture. ESPN began broadcasting competitive events for games like NBA 2K and Rocket League in 2020.

As esports competitions continue to rise in popularity, state-level legislation on esports betting could change to include legal esports betting.

What Else Can You Bet On In Colorado?

The Colorado Division of Gaming, which regulates online gambling in Colorado, has language in place to allow for betting on new sports that might come into the market.

Newly formed leagues can apply for authorization to be included on the menus of Colorado's legal online sportsbooks.

Can I Place Parlay Bets At Colorado's Online Sportsbooks?

Throughout the history of sports betting, parlay bets have offered some of the most enticing odds, and biggest potential payouts, of any kind of bet.

Colorado's legal online sportsbooks offer numerous parlay betting options. Parlay bets will almost certainly be a popular option for Colorado bettors as the state's legal online sportsbooks continue to launch.

Traditional Parlay Bets

Parlays allow for multiple bets to be combined into one bet, with an exponentially higher payout for a win. For a parlay bet to be a winner, however, all bets in the parlay must be a winner.

For example, standard odds for a single bet are often -110, meaning a $110 bet yields a $100 profit if the bet is a winner. Taking two separate -110 bets, and combining them into a two-team parlay, could yield a 13-to-5 payout. A three-team parlay could yield a 6-to-1 payout, and so on.

Parlay bets allow bettors to dream big, as the odds increase with each bet added. Parlays can involve point spread, moneyline, and over/under bets.

The total payout for a winning parlay depends on the odds of the individual bets. Putting multiple underdog bets on the same parlay could yield an astronomical payout in the events of a win.

Teasers

The teaser bet takes the traditional parlay and makes it even more enticing, with more favorable points spreads.

For example, if the Denver Broncos were favored by 3 on a given Sunday afternoon in the NFL, that point spread would appear as 'Broncos -3' on the betting menu. A teaser parlay could shift that line six-point, and turn that line into 'Broncos +3', which would then give the bettor the Broncos and three points.

A teaser parlay would offer the entire slate of that weekend's NFL games at teaser odds. The payouts on a teaser parlay are considerably smaller than a traditional parlay. But bettors have a better chance of winning with the more favorable point spreads.

What Do I Need To Register At A Colorado Online Sportsbook?

Signing up at one of Colorado's legal online sportsbooks takes just a few steps. For example, signing up at DraftKings Sportsbook requires these steps:

• Navigate to the DraftKings Sportsbook homepage, or download the app for iOS and Android devices. For iOS devices, the DraftKings Sportsbook app can be found in the App Store. For Android devices, the app must be downloaded directly from the DraftKings Sportsbook site.
• Click on the 'Sign Me Up' link.
• Choose a username and password, and supply a valid email address.
• Provide proof of identity and age. Only players 21 and over will be able to access the site.
• Upon verification of email address and identification documents, new players are eligible to deposit and start betting.

You'll find that most sportsbooks have near-identical sign up processes. You'll always need to provide the information above to create your account at a Colorado online sportsbook.

All Colorado Sports Betting Apps In 2021

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• BetRivers
• William Hill
• PointsBet
• SportsBetting.com
• BetMGM
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• BetMonarch
• FOX Bet
• Sky Ute Sportsbook
• SBK buy Smarkets
• Circa Sports
• ELITE Sportsbook
• Betfred
• theScore Bet
• BetWildwood
• BetAmerica
• SuperBook

Online Sportsbooks: Legal Versus Illegal

The development of Colorado's legal online sports betting market is only just getting started. By the time the industry reaches its full potential, players in the Centennial State will enjoy access to a market that could include more than 20 different platforms.

Colorado Division Of Gaming

The Colorado Division Of Gaming approves and oversees all of the state-regulated, legal online sports wagering sites. The Division of Gaming is a government agency that regulates Colorado's entire casino industry.

The Division of Gaming's oversight includes all legalized operators of retail and online gambling in the state. The state's retail casinos must offer fair games, prompt payouts, and protection of personal information. They also most offer protocols for settling customer disputes.

Land-based casinos are accountable to the Division of Gaming. By extension, the legal online sportsbooks offered by these land-based casinos also operate under the Division of Gaming's jurisdiction.

Any bet placed at a legal mobile sports wagering site in Colorado comes with the same level of security as placing a bet at a retail casino in the state.

Risky Offshore Gambling Sites

Offshore gambling sites, or any non-approved online gambling site operating within state borders, are operating illegally in Colorado. These sites are not obligated to offer the same level of security as state-regulated online gambling platforms.

All legal online sportsbooks in Colorado will feature the Division of Gaming seal.

Looking for more information? Check out our Comprehensive Guide To Online Gambling In Colorado.

Colorado Online Sports Betting FAQ

The minimum age for casino gambling in Colorado is 21. This age applies to any kind of casino gambling at a retail casino or online. The only exceptions to this rule are lottery and bingo, which carry a minimum playing age of 18.

Legal sports betting in Colorado, both retail and online, requires players to be at least 21 years old. When you register for an account, you'll be required to confirm your age and identity, usually by providing your social security number.

Yes. Colorado is one of several states in which DraftKings Sportsbook operates legally. The platform launched in Colorado on May 1, 2020, under the license of Golden Gates Casino, owned by Twin River Worldwide Holdings.

DraftKings Sportsbook is available to Colorado bettors as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Players can also access the platform directly on a desktop computer.

Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook debuted in Colorado on May 1, 2020, which was the first day any of the state's legal online sportsbooks could begin operations.

The FanDuel Sportsbook platform is available to Colorado players age 21 and over. Bettors must be located within state borders at the time of a bet to legally place a wager. Golden Gulch Casino operates the FanDuel Sportsbook license. Twin River Worldwide Holdings owns Golden Gulch Casino.

No. Colorado's legal online sportsbooks do not offer credit lines for betting use. Potential bettors must complete the registration process and deposit funds to start betting at a mobile sports wagering site.

Some sportsbooks do offer site credit as part of various bonus offers. These credits must be used for betting, and cannot be withdrawn on their own.

Yes. The state permits betting on college sports on Colorado's online sports wagering platforms. Colorado bettors can wager on in-state teams like the Colorado Buffaloes, as well as any in-state college athletic contests.

The only restriction on college sports betting in Colorado is a ban on prop betting. Betters can only make prop bets on professional sports events.

No. Colorado's legal online sportsbooks are open for registration from anywhere within state borders. Most of these platforms are available as mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, as well as on desktop.

Visiting the parent casino of an online sportsbook is an option for opening an account, but isn't necessary.

Only a few years ago legal online sports betting became available to sports fans in the US, which ushered in a new era of sports betting and a number of successful sportsbook sites.

The Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a federal mandate that outlawed sports betting.

The overturn of PASPA gave states the green light to offer legal sports betting. Individual states can now pass their own legislation and allow both retail and online sports wagering within their state.

Several US states introduced legal online sports betting in the wake of the fall of PASPA. In states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, online sports betting accounts for more than 80 percent of all statewide sports betting revenue. More than a dozen states offer legal online sports betting, with more to come.

Best Online Sportsbooks

States With Legal Online Sportsbooks

Colorado

May 1, 2020, marked the beginning of a new era of sports betting in Colorado. The first wave of the state's legal online sportsbooks launched that day, with four different mobile platforms debuting.

DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, BetRivers, and BetMGM all began operations on the May 1 launch date. BetMonarch and FoxBet joined the fray later in May. Four more sportsbooks launched in June and July including SBK Sportsbook, Sky Ute Sportsbook, Circa Sports, and BetWildwood.

These already-operating platforms are just the beginning of the emerging Colorado market. As many as 20 or more different online sportsbooks could operate in the Centennial State eventually. Even with the challenging sports environment, Colorado sportsbooks took in $38million in wagers in June 2020.

Learn more about Colorado Online Sports Betting.

Illinois

Retail and mobile sports wagering were legalized in Illinois in June 2019. Online sportsbooks launched in June 2020 starting with BetRivers. William Hill launched in Illinois on August 3, and DraftKings Sportsbook launched in Illinois on August 5 as a partner of Casino Queen out of East St. Louis. During the last week of August, FanDuel launched as a partner of Par-A-Dice Casino in Peoria, Illinois. On September 12, Pointsbet Illinois launched as a partner of Hawthorne Race Course.

See our guide to Online Gambling In Illinois.

Indiana

Indiana lawmakers signed legal online sports betting into law in May 2019. State-regulated mobile sportsbooks started to launch in the Hoosier State in October 2019.

Online sportsbooks available to Indiana bettors include BetRivers, BetMGM, BetAmerica, and PointsBet. Like most other US states, these brands operate as license partners of Indiana's retail casinos.

Several other brands are already approved by the Indiana Gaming Commission, and will eventually join the state's mobile sports betting market.

See our full guide to Online Sports Betting In Indiana.

Iowa

Iowa joined the list of US states to offer legal online sports betting in May 2019. Governor Kim Reynolds signed bill SF617, which legalized both retail and online sports betting in the Hawkeye State.

Both land-based and online sportsbook launched at the same time in Iowa, with legal sports betting going live in Iowa on August 15, 2019.

The Iowa mobile sportsbook betting market includes a couple of brands not seen in other states. Q Sportsbook and Elite Sportsbook join well-known brands like PointsBet and DraftKings Sportsbook as legal sports betting options in Iowa.

See our full guide to Online Gambling In Iowa and our Iowa Sports Betting Guide.

Michigan

Michigan approved legal online sports betting in December 2019. State-regulated mobile sportsbooks launched in January 2021.

Sportsbooks operate in partnership with Michigan's land-based tribal and commercial casinos. BetRivers, William Hill, FanDuel, BetMGM, PointsBet, DraftKings, and Golden Nugget are among the first wave of mobile sportsbooks going live in the Wolverine State.

PointsBet also announced a partnership with the Detroit Tigers, the first MLB relationship of its kind. Since then, several other Michigan sportsbooks announced partners with Detroit teams.

FireKeepers launched its retail sportsbook in Michigan in 2020, making it the first tribal casino in Michigan to operate its own sportsbook.

Keep up-to-date on developments in our Michigan Online Sports Betting Guide.

Montana

Legal online sports betting in Montana doesn't quite operate the same way it does in other US states.

The Montana Lottery oversees the state's sports betting industry. The agency approved one legal online sports wagering operator, Sports Bet Montana. Intralot, the Montana Lottery's technology partner, is the company behind Sports Bet Montana.

Businesses offering lottery and alcohol sales can apply for approval to install Sports Bet Montana kiosks. Hundreds of locations throughout the state will likely eventually host these kiosks.

Montana bettors can place sports wagers directly through these kiosks, or on a downloadable mobile app. Bets placed on the mobile app, however, must be within a close distance of a Sports Bet Montana kiosk at the time of a bet.

Nevada

Before the overturn of PASPA, Nevada held the position as the only US state legally able to offer full-scale sports betting. Nevada casinos got the jump on other states regarding legal online sports betting platforms.

International Sports Betting Odds

Most of Nevada's legal mobile sportsbooks operate as casino-branded platforms. Casinos offering self-branded online sportsbooks include South Point, Wynn, Station Casinos, Atlantis, and Golden Nugget.

William Hill and Westgate Superbook also offer mobile sports wagering platforms in Nevada.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire entered the legal sports betting market in July 2019. Governor Chris Sununu approved a bill to bring both retail and online sports betting to the Granite State.

Online sports betting brands won't operate as license partners to land-based casinos. This is because New Hampshire doesn't have any retail casinos. Instead, the New Hampshire Lottery licenses and approves all online sports betting operators in the state.

DraftKings Sportsbook launched in December 2019, as New Hampshire's first legal mobile sportsbook.

New Jersey

New Jersey sets the bar as the state with the biggest selection of legal online gambling options. It comes as no surprise that the Garden State stands at the front of the curve in the US legal mobile sports betting industry.

The state legalized online sports betting in June 2018. The first of New Jersey's legal mobile sportsbooks launched the following month.

New Jersey leads the US in online sports betting revenue. Bettors in the Garden State can access more than a dozen mobile sportsbooks. Brands include Unibet, Fox Bet, William Hill NJ, and theScore Bet.

Learn more about Online Sports Betting In New Jersey.

Oregon

The fall of PASPA didn't affect Oregon sports betting laws. This is because the state was already exempt from the federal ban on sports wagering mandated by PASPA.

Similar to Montana and New Hampshire, the Oregon Lottery regulates the state's legal sports betting industry. Oregon bettors can access a single mobile platform in the state. The Oregon Lottery Scoreboard app permits sports betting from anywhere within state borders.

Only professional sports are open for betting on the Scoreboard platform, as the Oregon Lottery restricts betting on college sports.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania went to work on sports betting legislation before the official overturn of PASPA. An October 2017 package of bills legalized retail and online sports betting in the Keystone State.

The reversal of PASPA allowed Pennsylvania casinos to begin launching mobile sports betting platforms in May 2019. SugarHouse and BetRivers, both owned by Rush Street Interactive, were among the first legal sports betting sites to launch in the state.

Pennsylvania is second only to New Jersey in online sports betting revenue in the US. Other online sports betting brands in the state include Parx Sportsbook, FOX Bet, and Unibet.

Check out our comprehensive Guide To Sports Betting In Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island legislators approved retail and online sports betting in the state in June 2018. The Rhode Island Lottery regulates the state's legal sports betting industry.

Bettors in the Ocean State can wager on a single online sports betting site, Sports Bet Rhode Island. The technology behind the platform comes from a collaboration between IGT and William Hill.

Sports Bet Rhode Island operates as a license partner of Twin River Worldwide Holdings, which operates two land-based casinos in the state.

Tennessee

Tennessee approved online sports betting in April 2019. The Volunteer State takes a unique position in the mobile sports betting industry, as the state doesn't host any land-based casinos.

Online sports betting companies can apply for licensure as standalone platforms. Tennessee's legal online sportsbooks launched on November 1, 2020. The first sportsbooks to debut include fan-favorites DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.

Virginia

Virginia legalized sports betting in March 2020, with the legislation going into effect in July 2020. Virginia's gambling laws permit brick-and-mortar casinos to open in a handful of cities in the state. There will most likely be retail sportsbooks at some of these casinos as well.

What is more exciting is that the gambling bill legalized online sports betting in Virginia. On September 15, 2020, the Virginia Lottery, which will regulate sports betting, finalized its rules and regulations.

This process opened the application process for standalone online sportsbooks to operate in the state. FanDuel Sportsbook launched in Virginia in January 2021 as the first online sports betting platform to go live. DraftKings followed just a few days later, and BetMGM shortly after that.

Washington DC

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's signature on DC Council Bill 23-25 approved sports betting in the US capital in January 2019.

Similar to Rhode Island, Montana, and a few other US states, legal sports betting in Washington DC is regulated by the Office of Lottery and Gaming.

Intralot, the technology company behind the lottery in Washington DC, operates the district's lone mobile sports wagering platform. The platform, christened Gambet DC, debuted in May 2020. In December 2020, William Hill launched in Washington DC, but bettors can only place wagers within a few blocks of the Capital One Arena in downtown DC. It is anticipated that BetMGM is also on its way through a partnership with the Washington Nationals.

West Virginia

West Virginia went all-in on legalized online gambling after the fall of PASPA. Mobile gambling options in the Mountaineer State include online sports betting, which was legalized in May 2018.

The first online sportsbook in West Virginia, BetLucky, launched in August 2018. The platform was short-lived, however, ceasing operations after just a few months.

Online sports betting reemerged with the debut of FanDuel Sportsbook in August 2019. Other platforms currently operating in West Virginia include DraftKings Sportsbook and BetMGM.

The Future Of Online Sports Betting

More states will eventually join the list of states with legal online sports betting, as the industry continues to expand in the US. Several states already have legislation in place to offer legal mobile sports betting, with the launch of products in those states pending.

States like New York, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, and New Mexico currently offer legal retail sports betting. Online sports betting regulation could be on the horizon in those states.

Maryland and Louisiana both took steps towards legalizing sports betting with ballot measures during the 2020 election. Each state will need to enact rules and regulations before any online sports betting launches in the state.

Many other states are considering legalizing sports betting, including California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Kentucky, among others.

Online Sports Betting Sites In The US

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook looms as a leading brand in the US online sports betting industry. In virtually every state in which it legally operates, DraftKings Sportsbook stands as one of the top revenue-earning mobile sportsbooks.

The brand currently operates legally in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, Tennessee, and Michigan.

New bettors can earn up to $1,000 in bonus money upon registering at DraftKings Sportsbook. The bonus includes a deposit match bonus of 20% up to $1000.

With one of the most user-friendly interfaces in the sports betting industry and a wide selection of sports, DraftKings Sportsbook should appeal to bettors of all experience levels.

Check out our complete DraftKings Sportsbook Review.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Along with its closest competitor, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook holds a position as one of the most popular online sports betting platforms in the US.

Sports bettors located in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Virginia, and Michigan, can wager at FanDuel Sportsbook. In many of those states, FanDuel Sportsbook emerged as one of the top-earning mobile sports betting sites.

Bonus offers at FanDuel Sportsbook include a $500 risk-free bet for new players. After an initial deposit, new account holders are eligible for up to a $500 rebate on the first bet made on the platform, if the bet results in a loss.

FanDuel Sportsbook offers a wide array of betting markets. Bettors looking for action on domestic professional and college sports, as well as international leagues and niche sports, can find plenty of options at FanDuel Sportsbook.

FOX Bet

The FOX Bet platform is committed to a massive US expansion. Several states with legal online sports betting will eventually include the FOX Bet brand among online sportsbook offerings.

FOX Bet operates as a partnership between FOX Sports and The Stars Group. This collaboration pairs one of the most visible US sports media companies with the world's biggest online gambling brand.

Bettors located in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Michigan can access the FOX Bet platform. New players can unlock both a $500 risk-free bet and a 50% deposit match bonus, up to $500.

Casual bettors should enjoy the FOX Bet platform, as it consistently offers good odds on favorites. The bonus offers, which can unlock up to $1,000, are generous as well.

BetRivers

The BetRivers brand emerged as a legal online gambling platform owned by Rush Street Interactive. Poised to be a major player in the US legal online sports betting market, BetRivers currently offers mobile sports betting in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan. BetRivers operates in New Jersey as SugarHouse Sportsbook.

BetRivers offers one of the most player-friendly deposit match bonuses in the US. New bettors can unlock a 100% match bonus, up to $250, with just a 1x playthrough requirement.

The minimal playthrough requirement is unmatched by any other mobile sportsbook brand. That bonus offer, and an overall outstanding sports betting platform, makes BetRivers a top choice for any sports bettor.

PointsBet

The Australian-owned PointsBet brand committed to a stateside business plan with the implementation of two land-based headquarters in the US. The PointsBet platform currently offers access to bettors in New Jersey, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, and Michigan.

New bettors can take advantage of up to $1,500 in risk-free bet bonuses upon sign-up at PointsBet. They also offer a tiered deposit match bonus for new bettors.

The brand is known for its one-of-a-kind 'PointsBetting' style of wagering. This bet awards (or takes) more money depending on the margin of victory in a selected game.

Bettors looking for unique action and big potential payouts should enjoy betting at PointsBet.

What Online Sportsbook Bonuses Are Available?

Risk-Free Bets

Many legal online sportsbooks offer sign-up bonuses in the form of risk-free bets. A risk-free bet offers a refund on the first bet made at an online sportsbook, up to a certain amount. The refund only applies if the bet results in a loss.

At FOX Bet, for example, new account holders can apply a risk-free bet offer to the first bet on the site, up to $500. The potential $500 refund only applies to the first single wager a new bettor places at FOX Bet.

The refund bonus matches the amount of the bet, up to $500, in the event of a loss.

Other online sportsbooks offering risk-free bet bonuses include FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, and PointsBet.

Deposit Match Bonuses

Deposit match bonuses can be found at many legal online gambling platforms, and mobile sportsbooks are no exception. A deposit match bonus awards bonus money that matches a certain percentage of a player deposit.

At BetRivers, for instance, new bettors can enjoy a 100% deposit match bonus, up to $250. A $250 deposit is eligible for a $250 bonus, a $100 deposit can earn a $100 bonus, and so on.

Deposit match bonuses aren't always as generous as the BetRivers offer. The 100% deposit match is one of the biggest in the industry.

Colorado's mobile betting platforms use geolocation software to determine a user's location. This gives players the ability to wager from anywhere in the state. It also offers bettors from surrounding states the opportunity to drive into Colorado and place a sports bet with ease.

Early Signs Of Mobile Sports Betting Success

In states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, mobile sports betting makes up more than 85 percent of overall sports betting revenue. That same trend will almost certainly hold in Colorado.

Colorado's land-based casinos operate with strategic technology partners for their online sports betting platforms. This new market has attracted just about all of the biggest brands in the sports betting industry.

FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook are two of the industry's leaders in US mobile sports betting. Both companies have sportsbooks live in Colorado, alongside other major players like FOX Bet, BetRivers, and BetMGM.

Other sports betting powerhouses like William Hill, PointsBet, BetFred, and Circa Sports, have all been granted licenses to operate in Colorado.

The presence of these major brands will make Colorado a key player in the US sports betting market.

Early revenue numbers signal that Colorado will have a strong sports betting presence. The state could quickly become an industry leader. In its first month with online sports betting (amid a global pandemic and casino closures), Colorado drew in $25.5 million in gross, unaudited revenue. June 2020 brought an even bigger revenue spike. Colorado sports betting earned $38 million in its second month of operation.

What Sports Can I Bet On In Colorado?

Betting On US Pro Sports

Colorado's capital city, Denver, holds a professional sports distinction that only a few other US cities can claim.

Denver is home to teams in all four major US sports leagues. Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies, The NFL's Denver Broncos, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver Nuggets of the NBA make Colorado a major sports hub in the US.

The legalization of sports betting gives Colorado's sports enthusiasts access to betting markets featuring all of the Centennial State's major teams. The entire regular season and postseason schedule is available to bet on for all four major leagues.

Ways to bet on these games include point spread, moneyline, parlay, and live in-game betting.

These options are available for virtually every game on the schedule. Futures betting markets and prop bets are also widely offered on the four major US sports leagues at Colorado's legal online sportsbooks.

Other US Sports To Bet On In Colorado

Colorado sports betting law also allows for betting on the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, as well as the National Lacrosse League's Colorado Mammoth. Betting isn't just limited to these in-state franchises. Colorado's legal online sportsbooks offer bets on the entire schedule in these leagues.

MMA, boxing, and NASCAR, as well as major tennis and golf events in the US, are open for betting on Colorado's legal mobile sports betting apps as well.

See our complete guide on How To Bet On Sports Online.

College Sports Betting In Colorado

Betting on college sports is legal at Colorado's online sportsbooks. This includes major sports like college football and college basketball, both of which offer plenty of options for betting on Colorado-based teams.

The only restriction on college sports betting in Colorado is a ban on prop betting. Other than that, Colorado bettors can legally bet on numerous sports, including contests involving home teams.

University Of Colorado Buffaloes

The Colorado Buffaloes sit at the epicenter of Colorado's college sports tradition. A college football staple for much of the past century, the Buffaloes play in the PAC-12 conference.

Annual big games for the Buffaloes include PAC-12 matchups against the Utah Utes, USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, and Oregon Ducks. The Buffaloes' yearly schedule also includes a non-conference matchup against their in-state rivals, the Colorado State Rams. PointsBet Sportsbook announced a partnership with the University so expect to see a push for betting of Buffaloes games.

Colorado State Rams And Air Force Falcons

The Colorado Buffaloes, Colorado State Rams, and Air Force Academy Falcons are the three biggest college sports programs in the state. Colorado bettors can legally bet on all three schools, all of which are on the national radar in both college football and basketball.

Both Air Force and Colorado State play in the Mountain West Conference and play against each other in big, cross-state matchups nationally.

In addition to football and basketball, other sports legally available to Colorado bettors include college baseball, softball, hockey, lacrosse, and others.

International Sports Available On Colorado Online Sports Betting Sites

International sports betting markets are aplenty at Colorado's legal online sportsbooks. Platforms like DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook offer bets on a wide array of international contests.

With these international sports on the menu, Colorado players will find no shortage of year-round betting opportunities.

Major International Soccer Leagues

Colorado's online sportsbooks offer betting markets that feature all of the biggest leagues in the world's most popular sport.

Teams like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona of Spanish La Liga are open for betting. The English Premier League, and its powerhouse clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United, are available to Colorado bettors as well.

Germany's biggest league, Bundesliga, offers yet another available betting market for international soccer. Interleague events like the UEFA Champions League are on the menu as well.

International Golf And Tennis

Major events in golf and tennis take place all around the world, and Colorado's legal online sportsbooks grant bettors access.

International tennis majors like the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, and other overseas events from the ATP and WTA are on the board. Golf majors, like the British Open, are open for wagering in Colorado as well.

Other International Sports And Events

Colorado's legal online sportsbooks offer a wide scope of other international betting markets. These include international leagues and events in rugby, hockey, basketball, baseball, table tennis, darts, and cycling.

Can You Bet On Esports In Colorado?

Colorado's expansion into legal online sports betting doesn't include esports betting, for now.

Esports rising popularity shows no signs of diminishing, as games like Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and others created robust betting markets at offshore gambling sites.

The future looks bright for esports to continue its ascent into mainstream culture. ESPN began broadcasting competitive events for games like NBA 2K and Rocket League in 2020.

As esports competitions continue to rise in popularity, state-level legislation on esports betting could change to include legal esports betting.

What Else Can You Bet On In Colorado?

The Colorado Division of Gaming, which regulates online gambling in Colorado, has language in place to allow for betting on new sports that might come into the market.

Newly formed leagues can apply for authorization to be included on the menus of Colorado's legal online sportsbooks.

Can I Place Parlay Bets At Colorado's Online Sportsbooks?

Throughout the history of sports betting, parlay bets have offered some of the most enticing odds, and biggest potential payouts, of any kind of bet.

Colorado's legal online sportsbooks offer numerous parlay betting options. Parlay bets will almost certainly be a popular option for Colorado bettors as the state's legal online sportsbooks continue to launch.

Traditional Parlay Bets

Parlays allow for multiple bets to be combined into one bet, with an exponentially higher payout for a win. For a parlay bet to be a winner, however, all bets in the parlay must be a winner.

For example, standard odds for a single bet are often -110, meaning a $110 bet yields a $100 profit if the bet is a winner. Taking two separate -110 bets, and combining them into a two-team parlay, could yield a 13-to-5 payout. A three-team parlay could yield a 6-to-1 payout, and so on.

Parlay bets allow bettors to dream big, as the odds increase with each bet added. Parlays can involve point spread, moneyline, and over/under bets.

The total payout for a winning parlay depends on the odds of the individual bets. Putting multiple underdog bets on the same parlay could yield an astronomical payout in the events of a win.

Teasers

The teaser bet takes the traditional parlay and makes it even more enticing, with more favorable points spreads.

For example, if the Denver Broncos were favored by 3 on a given Sunday afternoon in the NFL, that point spread would appear as 'Broncos -3' on the betting menu. A teaser parlay could shift that line six-point, and turn that line into 'Broncos +3', which would then give the bettor the Broncos and three points.

A teaser parlay would offer the entire slate of that weekend's NFL games at teaser odds. The payouts on a teaser parlay are considerably smaller than a traditional parlay. But bettors have a better chance of winning with the more favorable point spreads.

What Do I Need To Register At A Colorado Online Sportsbook?

Signing up at one of Colorado's legal online sportsbooks takes just a few steps. For example, signing up at DraftKings Sportsbook requires these steps:

• Navigate to the DraftKings Sportsbook homepage, or download the app for iOS and Android devices. For iOS devices, the DraftKings Sportsbook app can be found in the App Store. For Android devices, the app must be downloaded directly from the DraftKings Sportsbook site.
• Click on the 'Sign Me Up' link.
• Choose a username and password, and supply a valid email address.
• Provide proof of identity and age. Only players 21 and over will be able to access the site.
• Upon verification of email address and identification documents, new players are eligible to deposit and start betting.

You'll find that most sportsbooks have near-identical sign up processes. You'll always need to provide the information above to create your account at a Colorado online sportsbook.

All Colorado Sports Betting Apps In 2021

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• BetRivers
• William Hill
• PointsBet
• SportsBetting.com
• BetMGM
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• BetMonarch
• FOX Bet
• Sky Ute Sportsbook
• SBK buy Smarkets
• Circa Sports
• ELITE Sportsbook
• Betfred
• theScore Bet
• BetWildwood
• BetAmerica
• SuperBook

Online Sportsbooks: Legal Versus Illegal

The development of Colorado's legal online sports betting market is only just getting started. By the time the industry reaches its full potential, players in the Centennial State will enjoy access to a market that could include more than 20 different platforms.

Colorado Division Of Gaming

The Colorado Division Of Gaming approves and oversees all of the state-regulated, legal online sports wagering sites. The Division of Gaming is a government agency that regulates Colorado's entire casino industry.

The Division of Gaming's oversight includes all legalized operators of retail and online gambling in the state. The state's retail casinos must offer fair games, prompt payouts, and protection of personal information. They also most offer protocols for settling customer disputes.

Land-based casinos are accountable to the Division of Gaming. By extension, the legal online sportsbooks offered by these land-based casinos also operate under the Division of Gaming's jurisdiction.

Any bet placed at a legal mobile sports wagering site in Colorado comes with the same level of security as placing a bet at a retail casino in the state.

Risky Offshore Gambling Sites

Offshore gambling sites, or any non-approved online gambling site operating within state borders, are operating illegally in Colorado. These sites are not obligated to offer the same level of security as state-regulated online gambling platforms.

All legal online sportsbooks in Colorado will feature the Division of Gaming seal.

Looking for more information? Check out our Comprehensive Guide To Online Gambling In Colorado.

Colorado Online Sports Betting FAQ

The minimum age for casino gambling in Colorado is 21. This age applies to any kind of casino gambling at a retail casino or online. The only exceptions to this rule are lottery and bingo, which carry a minimum playing age of 18.

Legal sports betting in Colorado, both retail and online, requires players to be at least 21 years old. When you register for an account, you'll be required to confirm your age and identity, usually by providing your social security number.

Yes. Colorado is one of several states in which DraftKings Sportsbook operates legally. The platform launched in Colorado on May 1, 2020, under the license of Golden Gates Casino, owned by Twin River Worldwide Holdings.

DraftKings Sportsbook is available to Colorado bettors as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Players can also access the platform directly on a desktop computer.

Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook debuted in Colorado on May 1, 2020, which was the first day any of the state's legal online sportsbooks could begin operations.

The FanDuel Sportsbook platform is available to Colorado players age 21 and over. Bettors must be located within state borders at the time of a bet to legally place a wager. Golden Gulch Casino operates the FanDuel Sportsbook license. Twin River Worldwide Holdings owns Golden Gulch Casino.

No. Colorado's legal online sportsbooks do not offer credit lines for betting use. Potential bettors must complete the registration process and deposit funds to start betting at a mobile sports wagering site.

Some sportsbooks do offer site credit as part of various bonus offers. These credits must be used for betting, and cannot be withdrawn on their own.

Yes. The state permits betting on college sports on Colorado's online sports wagering platforms. Colorado bettors can wager on in-state teams like the Colorado Buffaloes, as well as any in-state college athletic contests.

The only restriction on college sports betting in Colorado is a ban on prop betting. Betters can only make prop bets on professional sports events.

No. Colorado's legal online sportsbooks are open for registration from anywhere within state borders. Most of these platforms are available as mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, as well as on desktop.

Visiting the parent casino of an online sportsbook is an option for opening an account, but isn't necessary.

Only a few years ago legal online sports betting became available to sports fans in the US, which ushered in a new era of sports betting and a number of successful sportsbook sites.

The Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), a federal mandate that outlawed sports betting.

The overturn of PASPA gave states the green light to offer legal sports betting. Individual states can now pass their own legislation and allow both retail and online sports wagering within their state.

Several US states introduced legal online sports betting in the wake of the fall of PASPA. In states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, online sports betting accounts for more than 80 percent of all statewide sports betting revenue. More than a dozen states offer legal online sports betting, with more to come.

Best Online Sportsbooks

States With Legal Online Sportsbooks

Colorado

May 1, 2020, marked the beginning of a new era of sports betting in Colorado. The first wave of the state's legal online sportsbooks launched that day, with four different mobile platforms debuting.

DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, BetRivers, and BetMGM all began operations on the May 1 launch date. BetMonarch and FoxBet joined the fray later in May. Four more sportsbooks launched in June and July including SBK Sportsbook, Sky Ute Sportsbook, Circa Sports, and BetWildwood.

These already-operating platforms are just the beginning of the emerging Colorado market. As many as 20 or more different online sportsbooks could operate in the Centennial State eventually. Even with the challenging sports environment, Colorado sportsbooks took in $38million in wagers in June 2020.

Learn more about Colorado Online Sports Betting.

Illinois

Retail and mobile sports wagering were legalized in Illinois in June 2019. Online sportsbooks launched in June 2020 starting with BetRivers. William Hill launched in Illinois on August 3, and DraftKings Sportsbook launched in Illinois on August 5 as a partner of Casino Queen out of East St. Louis. During the last week of August, FanDuel launched as a partner of Par-A-Dice Casino in Peoria, Illinois. On September 12, Pointsbet Illinois launched as a partner of Hawthorne Race Course.

See our guide to Online Gambling In Illinois.

Indiana

Indiana lawmakers signed legal online sports betting into law in May 2019. State-regulated mobile sportsbooks started to launch in the Hoosier State in October 2019.

Online sportsbooks available to Indiana bettors include BetRivers, BetMGM, BetAmerica, and PointsBet. Like most other US states, these brands operate as license partners of Indiana's retail casinos.

Several other brands are already approved by the Indiana Gaming Commission, and will eventually join the state's mobile sports betting market.

See our full guide to Online Sports Betting In Indiana.

Iowa

Iowa joined the list of US states to offer legal online sports betting in May 2019. Governor Kim Reynolds signed bill SF617, which legalized both retail and online sports betting in the Hawkeye State.

Both land-based and online sportsbook launched at the same time in Iowa, with legal sports betting going live in Iowa on August 15, 2019.

The Iowa mobile sportsbook betting market includes a couple of brands not seen in other states. Q Sportsbook and Elite Sportsbook join well-known brands like PointsBet and DraftKings Sportsbook as legal sports betting options in Iowa.

See our full guide to Online Gambling In Iowa and our Iowa Sports Betting Guide.

Michigan

Michigan approved legal online sports betting in December 2019. State-regulated mobile sportsbooks launched in January 2021.

Sportsbooks operate in partnership with Michigan's land-based tribal and commercial casinos. BetRivers, William Hill, FanDuel, BetMGM, PointsBet, DraftKings, and Golden Nugget are among the first wave of mobile sportsbooks going live in the Wolverine State.

PointsBet also announced a partnership with the Detroit Tigers, the first MLB relationship of its kind. Since then, several other Michigan sportsbooks announced partners with Detroit teams.

FireKeepers launched its retail sportsbook in Michigan in 2020, making it the first tribal casino in Michigan to operate its own sportsbook.

Keep up-to-date on developments in our Michigan Online Sports Betting Guide.

Montana

Legal online sports betting in Montana doesn't quite operate the same way it does in other US states.

The Montana Lottery oversees the state's sports betting industry. The agency approved one legal online sports wagering operator, Sports Bet Montana. Intralot, the Montana Lottery's technology partner, is the company behind Sports Bet Montana.

Businesses offering lottery and alcohol sales can apply for approval to install Sports Bet Montana kiosks. Hundreds of locations throughout the state will likely eventually host these kiosks.

Montana bettors can place sports wagers directly through these kiosks, or on a downloadable mobile app. Bets placed on the mobile app, however, must be within a close distance of a Sports Bet Montana kiosk at the time of a bet.

Nevada

Before the overturn of PASPA, Nevada held the position as the only US state legally able to offer full-scale sports betting. Nevada casinos got the jump on other states regarding legal online sports betting platforms.

International Sports Betting Odds

Most of Nevada's legal mobile sportsbooks operate as casino-branded platforms. Casinos offering self-branded online sportsbooks include South Point, Wynn, Station Casinos, Atlantis, and Golden Nugget.

William Hill and Westgate Superbook also offer mobile sports wagering platforms in Nevada.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire entered the legal sports betting market in July 2019. Governor Chris Sununu approved a bill to bring both retail and online sports betting to the Granite State.

Online sports betting brands won't operate as license partners to land-based casinos. This is because New Hampshire doesn't have any retail casinos. Instead, the New Hampshire Lottery licenses and approves all online sports betting operators in the state.

DraftKings Sportsbook launched in December 2019, as New Hampshire's first legal mobile sportsbook.

New Jersey

New Jersey sets the bar as the state with the biggest selection of legal online gambling options. It comes as no surprise that the Garden State stands at the front of the curve in the US legal mobile sports betting industry.

The state legalized online sports betting in June 2018. The first of New Jersey's legal mobile sportsbooks launched the following month.

New Jersey leads the US in online sports betting revenue. Bettors in the Garden State can access more than a dozen mobile sportsbooks. Brands include Unibet, Fox Bet, William Hill NJ, and theScore Bet.

Learn more about Online Sports Betting In New Jersey.

Oregon

The fall of PASPA didn't affect Oregon sports betting laws. This is because the state was already exempt from the federal ban on sports wagering mandated by PASPA.

Similar to Montana and New Hampshire, the Oregon Lottery regulates the state's legal sports betting industry. Oregon bettors can access a single mobile platform in the state. The Oregon Lottery Scoreboard app permits sports betting from anywhere within state borders.

Only professional sports are open for betting on the Scoreboard platform, as the Oregon Lottery restricts betting on college sports.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania went to work on sports betting legislation before the official overturn of PASPA. An October 2017 package of bills legalized retail and online sports betting in the Keystone State.

The reversal of PASPA allowed Pennsylvania casinos to begin launching mobile sports betting platforms in May 2019. SugarHouse and BetRivers, both owned by Rush Street Interactive, were among the first legal sports betting sites to launch in the state.

Pennsylvania is second only to New Jersey in online sports betting revenue in the US. Other online sports betting brands in the state include Parx Sportsbook, FOX Bet, and Unibet.

Check out our comprehensive Guide To Sports Betting In Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island legislators approved retail and online sports betting in the state in June 2018. The Rhode Island Lottery regulates the state's legal sports betting industry.

Bettors in the Ocean State can wager on a single online sports betting site, Sports Bet Rhode Island. The technology behind the platform comes from a collaboration between IGT and William Hill.

Sports Bet Rhode Island operates as a license partner of Twin River Worldwide Holdings, which operates two land-based casinos in the state.

Tennessee

Tennessee approved online sports betting in April 2019. The Volunteer State takes a unique position in the mobile sports betting industry, as the state doesn't host any land-based casinos.

Online sports betting companies can apply for licensure as standalone platforms. Tennessee's legal online sportsbooks launched on November 1, 2020. The first sportsbooks to debut include fan-favorites DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.

Virginia

Virginia legalized sports betting in March 2020, with the legislation going into effect in July 2020. Virginia's gambling laws permit brick-and-mortar casinos to open in a handful of cities in the state. There will most likely be retail sportsbooks at some of these casinos as well.

What is more exciting is that the gambling bill legalized online sports betting in Virginia. On September 15, 2020, the Virginia Lottery, which will regulate sports betting, finalized its rules and regulations.

This process opened the application process for standalone online sportsbooks to operate in the state. FanDuel Sportsbook launched in Virginia in January 2021 as the first online sports betting platform to go live. DraftKings followed just a few days later, and BetMGM shortly after that.

Washington DC

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's signature on DC Council Bill 23-25 approved sports betting in the US capital in January 2019.

Similar to Rhode Island, Montana, and a few other US states, legal sports betting in Washington DC is regulated by the Office of Lottery and Gaming.

Intralot, the technology company behind the lottery in Washington DC, operates the district's lone mobile sports wagering platform. The platform, christened Gambet DC, debuted in May 2020. In December 2020, William Hill launched in Washington DC, but bettors can only place wagers within a few blocks of the Capital One Arena in downtown DC. It is anticipated that BetMGM is also on its way through a partnership with the Washington Nationals.

West Virginia

West Virginia went all-in on legalized online gambling after the fall of PASPA. Mobile gambling options in the Mountaineer State include online sports betting, which was legalized in May 2018.

The first online sportsbook in West Virginia, BetLucky, launched in August 2018. The platform was short-lived, however, ceasing operations after just a few months.

Online sports betting reemerged with the debut of FanDuel Sportsbook in August 2019. Other platforms currently operating in West Virginia include DraftKings Sportsbook and BetMGM.

The Future Of Online Sports Betting

More states will eventually join the list of states with legal online sports betting, as the industry continues to expand in the US. Several states already have legislation in place to offer legal mobile sports betting, with the launch of products in those states pending.

States like New York, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, and New Mexico currently offer legal retail sports betting. Online sports betting regulation could be on the horizon in those states.

Maryland and Louisiana both took steps towards legalizing sports betting with ballot measures during the 2020 election. Each state will need to enact rules and regulations before any online sports betting launches in the state.

Many other states are considering legalizing sports betting, including California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Kentucky, among others.

Online Sports Betting Sites In The US

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings Sportsbook looms as a leading brand in the US online sports betting industry. In virtually every state in which it legally operates, DraftKings Sportsbook stands as one of the top revenue-earning mobile sportsbooks.

The brand currently operates legally in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, Tennessee, and Michigan.

New bettors can earn up to $1,000 in bonus money upon registering at DraftKings Sportsbook. The bonus includes a deposit match bonus of 20% up to $1000.

With one of the most user-friendly interfaces in the sports betting industry and a wide selection of sports, DraftKings Sportsbook should appeal to bettors of all experience levels.

Check out our complete DraftKings Sportsbook Review.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Along with its closest competitor, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook holds a position as one of the most popular online sports betting platforms in the US.

Sports bettors located in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Virginia, and Michigan, can wager at FanDuel Sportsbook. In many of those states, FanDuel Sportsbook emerged as one of the top-earning mobile sports betting sites.

Bonus offers at FanDuel Sportsbook include a $500 risk-free bet for new players. After an initial deposit, new account holders are eligible for up to a $500 rebate on the first bet made on the platform, if the bet results in a loss.

FanDuel Sportsbook offers a wide array of betting markets. Bettors looking for action on domestic professional and college sports, as well as international leagues and niche sports, can find plenty of options at FanDuel Sportsbook.

FOX Bet

The FOX Bet platform is committed to a massive US expansion. Several states with legal online sports betting will eventually include the FOX Bet brand among online sportsbook offerings.

FOX Bet operates as a partnership between FOX Sports and The Stars Group. This collaboration pairs one of the most visible US sports media companies with the world's biggest online gambling brand.

Bettors located in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Michigan can access the FOX Bet platform. New players can unlock both a $500 risk-free bet and a 50% deposit match bonus, up to $500.

Casual bettors should enjoy the FOX Bet platform, as it consistently offers good odds on favorites. The bonus offers, which can unlock up to $1,000, are generous as well.

BetRivers

The BetRivers brand emerged as a legal online gambling platform owned by Rush Street Interactive. Poised to be a major player in the US legal online sports betting market, BetRivers currently offers mobile sports betting in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan. BetRivers operates in New Jersey as SugarHouse Sportsbook.

BetRivers offers one of the most player-friendly deposit match bonuses in the US. New bettors can unlock a 100% match bonus, up to $250, with just a 1x playthrough requirement.

The minimal playthrough requirement is unmatched by any other mobile sportsbook brand. That bonus offer, and an overall outstanding sports betting platform, makes BetRivers a top choice for any sports bettor.

PointsBet

The Australian-owned PointsBet brand committed to a stateside business plan with the implementation of two land-based headquarters in the US. The PointsBet platform currently offers access to bettors in New Jersey, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, and Michigan.

New bettors can take advantage of up to $1,500 in risk-free bet bonuses upon sign-up at PointsBet. They also offer a tiered deposit match bonus for new bettors.

The brand is known for its one-of-a-kind 'PointsBetting' style of wagering. This bet awards (or takes) more money depending on the margin of victory in a selected game.

Bettors looking for unique action and big potential payouts should enjoy betting at PointsBet.

What Online Sportsbook Bonuses Are Available?

Risk-Free Bets

Many legal online sportsbooks offer sign-up bonuses in the form of risk-free bets. A risk-free bet offers a refund on the first bet made at an online sportsbook, up to a certain amount. The refund only applies if the bet results in a loss.

At FOX Bet, for example, new account holders can apply a risk-free bet offer to the first bet on the site, up to $500. The potential $500 refund only applies to the first single wager a new bettor places at FOX Bet.

The refund bonus matches the amount of the bet, up to $500, in the event of a loss.

Other online sportsbooks offering risk-free bet bonuses include FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, and PointsBet.

Deposit Match Bonuses

Deposit match bonuses can be found at many legal online gambling platforms, and mobile sportsbooks are no exception. A deposit match bonus awards bonus money that matches a certain percentage of a player deposit.

At BetRivers, for instance, new bettors can enjoy a 100% deposit match bonus, up to $250. A $250 deposit is eligible for a $250 bonus, a $100 deposit can earn a $100 bonus, and so on.

Deposit match bonuses aren't always as generous as the BetRivers offer. The 100% deposit match is one of the biggest in the industry.

The deposit match bonus offer usually requires a certain amount of playthrough, or money wagered, to unlock the bonus. BetRivers, again, offers one of the most generous promotions in this aspect as well, requiring just a 1x playthrough.

At PointsBet, they offer a tiered deposit match bonus. A $150 deposit unlocks $150 in bonus bets, and that tier yields a total of $300 in cash and bonus betting credits for your $150 deposit. The highest tier awards players who deposit at least $250 with $250 in bonus bets, and with this tier a $250 deposit awards $500 total to bet with.

No-Deposit Bonuses

Some mobile sports betting platforms offer free betting credits just for signing up for a new account. This is becoming a little less common for online sportsbooks in favor of other types of bonus offers.

What Sports Can You Bet On In The US?

Betting On US Pro Sports

Legal online sportsbooks in the US offer a robust selection of betting markets on US professional sports leagues.

US bettors can find moneyline, point spread, parlays, and numerous other betting options for NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and MLS games. Virtually every game from the regular season and postseason is available for betting at legal mobile sportsbooks. You can bet on the Super Bowl online as well.

Moneyline and point spread betting on individual games present just a piece of the betting opportunities available on US major sports leagues. Other ways to bet include futures markets, in-game wagering, and prop bets.

Prop betting isn't limited to just on-field contests. Bettors can place prop bets on events like the NFL Draft and NBA Draft. OR, they can bet on season-long statistics like NFL rushing leaders, NBA scoring champion, and many other unique ways to bet.

Most US professional leagues and events offer betting markets with no restrictions. Sports fans can legally bet on home teams from their respective states without worry.

College Sports Betting

College basketball and football represent some of the most wagered-on sports events in the US. The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, aka March Madness, rings in one of the highest-volume betting events on the US sports calendar.

College football, in many states, encompasses loyal and massive fan bases that in some cases eclipse professional sports leagues. Saturdays during college football season draw big sports betting interest. This culminates in the College Football Playoff each winter.

Other college sports, like baseball, hockey, lacrosse, and women's basketball, present even more betting opportunities at US legal online sportsbooks.

Betting on college sports, however, can present restrictions in some US states. Some states don't allow betting on college sports. Others allow betting but restrict who can place bets on collegiate sports.

New Jersey College Sports Betting Restrictions

Betting on in-state teams and events is outlawed in New Jersey. For both retail sports betting, and wagering at online sportsbooks, New Jersey-based college programs and events are off the menu.

These restrictions include college programs like the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Princeton Tigers, and Seton Hall Pirates. College sports contests held in New Jersey are also restricted for bettors, even if a New Jersey team isn't involved.

Rhode Island and New Hampshire College Sports Betting Restrictions

Best Overseas Sportsbooks

Rhode Island and New Hampshire sports betting laws dictate similar restrictions, with betting on in-state teams and events outlawed.

Oregon College Sports Betting Restrictions

Oregon's lone legal mobile sports betting platform, the Oregon Lottery Scoreboard, outlaws betting on any college sports altogether.

Placing any kind of college sports bet in Oregon requires a trip to a legal retail sportsbook.

Illinois College Sports Betting Restrictions

Bettors in Illinois will be able to place bets on college sports, but they may not bet on Illinois university games. This restriction includes games played in Illinois as well as out-of-state.

Iowa College Sports Betting Restrictions

Betting on in-state teams and events in Iowa is legal, save for a restriction on prop betting.

Individual Sports Betting

Betting on major US professional sports isn't just limited to team sports. MMA, boxing, golf, NASCAR, and tennis open up even more ways to bet at legal mobile sports betting platforms.

Major fighting events include championship bouts in boxing, UFC, and other MMA promotions.

NASCAR betting markets include races from the NASCAR Cup Series. This features some of the biggest names in US auto racing. Other NASCAR events open for betting include the Xfinity Series and Truck Series.

Men's and women's tennis and golf present even more chances to bet on individual-based sports.

International Sports Betting

Overseas sports leagues and events open up a world of possibilities at legal online sportsbooks in the US.

International soccer leagues like the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and German Bundesliga are home to some of the most popular sports teams in the world. US bettors looking to wager on clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich can find those teams and many more on legal mobile sports betting sites.

Other international team sports on the menu at legal online sportsbooks include cricket, rugby, basketball, and baseball leagues from around the world.

International motorsports, along with niche sports like table tennis, give US bettors access to a wide array of sports to bet on outside of the US.

Limitations On Other Betting

The explosion in popularity of esports brings with it a rapidly-expanding betting esports market on offshore gambling sites. Esports betting isn't currently explicitly legal in any US state, although sportsbooks in Nevada and New Jersey have occasionally offered betting on esports events.

Betting on events outside of sports is generally not permitted on US online sportsbooks. This includes betting markets on political elections, award shows, and other non-sports events.

See our Complete Guide To Sports Betting Odds.

How Can I Bet On Sports In The US?

iOS Mobile Devices

Most of the legal online sportsbooks operating in the US can be downloaded as mobile apps for iOS devices. These mobile apps allow for betting from the comfort of anywhere within legal state borders.

For iOS devices, legal mobile sportsbooks can be downloaded from the App Store. These apps can be downloaded for free, and allow for betting right from a mobile device.

Android Devices

Android device users are in luck, as most US mobile sportsbooks are downloadable as Android apps as well.

Mobile sportsbook apps for Android devices must be downloaded directly from the sportsbook's website, as the Google Play store restricts real-money gambling apps.

Desktop

The easiest way to start betting at an online sportsbook is directly through a desktop browser. Legal mobile sportsbooks generally operate from a web-based homepage that can be accessed from virtually any desktop or laptop.

Learn more in our Guide To How To Place A Sports Bet Online.

What Deposit And Cashout Options Are Available On Legal Online Sportsbooks?

ACH/eCheck

The ACH/eCheck deposit option presents the most widely accepted method of depositing money on a legal online sportsbook.

Deposits made using an electronic check (eCheck) deposit generally become available instantaneously at the sportsbooks of choice. This method is occasionally rejected by the bank but works roughly 80 percent of the time.

ACH/eCheck can also be used to cash out from an online sportsbook.

Prepaid Cards

Some online sports betting sites offer site-branded prepaid cards, which operate as debit cards that can be used for depositing funds.

Online sportsbooks directly issue prepaid cards, which can be loaded with funds via eCheck, debit cards, credit cards, and some other methods. After purchasing a prepaid card, funds can be transferred to an online sportsbook balance immediately, with no need to wait for the physical card to arrive by mail.

Prepaid cards can also be used for withdrawals.

PayPal

PayPal deposits generally require a few more security steps to go through before a deposit is approved. These extra steps are only a minor inconvenience, however, and worth the effort, as PayPal deposits have nearly a 100% success rate.

Withdrawals are also possible using PayPal.

Debit/Credit Cards

Most legal mobile sportsbooks accept debit and credit cards for deposits, but this method is regularly declined by the issuing bank. Credit card deposits can also incur cash advance fees from the bank.

Debit and credit cards cannot be used to withdraw funds from an online sportsbook.

Casino Cage Deposit

Most online sportsbooks operate as license partners to land-based casinos. Depositing and withdrawing in-person at the casino cage related to an online sportsbook is a secure but less convenient option.

History Of Legal Online Sports Betting In The US

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA)

A 1992 federal law known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act banned sports betting across most of the US. The mandate exempted Nevada from the ban, and also permitted limited sports betting lotteries in Montana, Oregon, and Delaware.

Interests behind PASPA included former NBA commissioner David Stern and former NBA star Bill Bradley. Bradley was a US Senator from New Jersey at the time PASPA passed.

Bradley, Stern, and executives from other major sports leagues viewed sports betting as a potential problem for sports in the US. President George H.W. Bush signed PASPA into law in October 1992.

PASPA Overturned

New Jersey lawmakers challenged PASPA in the late 2000s, in an effort to bring legal sports betting to Atlantic City casinos.

State voters approved a 2011 amendment to the state constitution that legalized sports betting. New Jersey legislators then passed the NJ Sports Wagering Act in 2012, a bill that formally legalized sports betting at Atlantic City casinos.

The four major US sports leagues and the NCAA challenged New Jersey's new sports betting laws. The battle eventually went to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The Supreme Court ruled PASPA as unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment in May 2018. With PASPA overturned, individual states became free to pass sports betting legislature.

A New Era In Legal Online Sports Betting

The overturn of PASPA allows states to legalize both retail and online sports betting. New Jersey and Pennsylvania emerged as the leading mobile sports betting markets in the US in the aftermath.

Other states now offering legal online sports betting include Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, along with others. In most of these states, online sportsbooks operate in partnership with in-state retail casinos. Tennessee is unique in that there are no retail casinos so online sportsbooks are independent.

Legal Online Sportsbooks Versus Illegal Online Sportsbooks

With a growing number of states offering legal online sports wagering, bettors in some US states can access an unprecedented selection of online sportsbooks.

State-regulated online sports betting platforms generally operate in partnership with retail casinos in their respective states. As such, these legal mobile sportsbooks operate under the same regulatory bodies as the land-based casinos in which they've partnered.

Government agencies like the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement oversee the states' casino industries. These regulatory bodies ensure accountability and transparency from online sportsbook operators.

As state-regulated gambling platforms, legal online sportsbooks offer security of player funds and personal information. State casinos operate with a vested interest in fair games and prompt payouts from their online gambling platforms.

Reasons To Stay Away From Offshore Gambling Sites

State-regulated online sportsbooks always display a seal of approval from the governing agency of their respective states. Any online gambling platform not bearing one of these seals is an offshore/illegal gambling site.

Offshore sites operate illegally in the US. Playing on these platforms is also illegal and could subject the player to criminal penalties.

Depositing money on an offshore gambling site can be risky, with no regulations in place to ensure safe withdrawal of the funds.

Legal Online Sports Betting FAQ

Yes. US states can individually decide to offer legal, state-regulated online sports betting. The current boom in the US online sports betting industry happened in the aftermath of a lift on the federal ban on sports betting.

A 1992 mandate called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act outlawed sports betting in the US, except for Nevada and a few other states. The Supreme Court of the United States overturned PASPA in May 2018, clearing the way for US states to offer legal online sports betting.

21 in most states. The minimum age for legally betting on an online sports wagering platform depends on state laws.

In most US states, 21 is the minimum age. Some exceptions, like Rhode Island, set the minimum age at 18 for online sports betting.

Yes. DraftKings Sportsbook legally operates in several US states.

These states include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, Tennessee, and Michigan. DraftKings Sportsbook uses geolocation technology to determine a user's location at the time of a wager. The DraftKings Sportsbook software blocks bets made outside of the states on this list.

Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook operates legally in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Virginia, and Michigan.

Several more states will likely join that list eventually as FanDuel Sportsbooks expands into more US jurisdictions.

No. Legal online sportsbooks generally don't offer credit lines for betting.

Players earn betting credits and bonus money through various promotions across legal online sports betting sites. DraftKings Sportsbook, for example, awards $25 in betting credits as a sign-up bonus.

Not currently. Individual states can draft legislation to allow esports betting at legal online sportsbooks, but no state has done so yet.

Esports events have appeared on the betting menus at some Nevada and New Jersey sportsbooks at times. Neither state, however, has passed laws explicitly legalizing esports betting.

Online sportsbooks each operate with their own rules regarding maximum bets size. The terms and conditions at DraftKings Sportsbook, for example, state that the platform can restrict bets where the potential payout exceeds $500,000.

Other platforms, like FanDuel Sportsbook, use different maximum payouts for different sports. Bettors can find more information on betting limits and maximum payouts in the terms and conditions of an online sportsbook.

Yes, at legal, state-regulated online sports betting sites. Legal online sportsbooks operate under the oversight of government regulatory bodies in the US.

Betting at a legal mobile sportsbook carries the same level of security as betting at a legal retail casino.

Offshore/illegal online gambling sites, however, do not guarantee the same level of security.