Welcome to US Casino Advantage! Our goal is to provide the best information about casinos. US Casino Advantage has multiple sections covering gambling in the United States. There are pages dedicated to online casinos, online and live poker rooms, and retail and mobile sportsbooks. Additionally, we have blackjack and table game surveys in markets we have visited.
We have worked hard on our network of Advantage sites. Here at US Casino Advantage, we have added strategy articles to the blog to go with our trip reports. There are also sections for players clubs, casino games, state gambling laws, and directories to sections of our other sites for blackjack, table games, poker rooms, online poker, online casinos, and mobile sportsbooks.
Most Advantage sites were created after a road trip that we took that covered areas from Cincinnati to Atlantic City. Our blog includes 19 posts that cover the adventure that helped us create Advantage sites for Atlantic City, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. The blog also has casino strategy articles and news.
Find out more about gambling in your state
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Online and mobile casinos are legal in some states
Online and mobile casino games are legal and live in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. These games may be played on computers or mobile devices. Games like online blackjack, craps, roulette, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Let it Ride, slots, video poker, and keno are available at these sites. States in our Advantage network that have legal online casinos have sections with details and site reviews. The information includes online casino bonuses, which often return over 100% to players with perfect strategy.
Online and mobile poker rooms
Several states have legal and licensed online poker rooms. These may be played on Android and iOS apps, as well as on computers. Legal online poker is live in Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It is approved in Connecticut and West Virginia. However, no poker sites have been launched in those two states.
Rhode Island passed online gambling. However, all table games must use a live dealer. This seems to make online poker impossible in that state.
Online and mobile sportsbooks
Sports betting is legal in over half of the country. Most states that legalized it permit both retail and mobile sportsbooks. Many mobile sports betting offers include free bets or bonuses with low wagering requirements.
Regulated gambling options in the United States
Some form of gambling is legal and regulated in 49 of 50 states. Hawaii is the only state where all gambling is illegal. Utah is close. However, daily fantasy sports contests are considered legal there. Casinos are available in more than 40 states.
There are 46 state lotteries. Alabama, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah are the states without one. Daily fantasy sports contests are available in all states except Idaho, Hawaii, Nevada, and Washington. Sports betting is legal in just over half of the United States. Online sweepstakes games are available in most states. Charities may use games like bingo and raffles for fundraising purposes in all states except Hawaii and Utah.
The section below covers what types of gambling are regulated in each state. Selecting the flags below will take you to each state’s section.
Flag icons by icons8.com
Alabama
Alabama is one of four states that does not have a state lottery. It is on the radar of state legislators. An Alabama Lottery requires a constitutional amendment that includes a statewide referendum. Bingo games are legal in Alabama counties where it is approved by voters. Video bingo games, which mimic slot machines, are available on Wind Creek tribal land. Former greyhound racetracks have historical horse racing machines.
Greyhound racing is legal in Alabama. However, there are no tracks open. The Birmingham Race Course was the last to operate. Its final race was on March 18, 2020, just before the pandemic closure. Off-track betting on greyhounds and horses remains legal at the former tracks. Learn more about gambling in Alabama.
Alaska
There are some legal gambling games in Alaska. These include tribal bingo and pull-tabs, a state lottery, and events like dog sled races, weather, and salmon migration. Read our summary of gambling in Alaska.
Arizona
Arizona has a wide variety of legalized gambling. Horse racing is permitted. This includes live racing, off-track betting parlors, and mobile betting. Casinos are permitted on tribal land. Games include slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker. Sports betting is available at casinos and sports venues, as well as on mobile apps. There is also a state lottery. Read more about gambling in Arizona.
Arkansas
Arkansas has a large selection of regulated gaming available. There is a state lottery. Full-service casinos deal games like slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker. Horse and greyhound racing are legal. This includes live racing, off-track betting parlors, and mobile horse racing wagers. Currently, only live horse races are held in Arkansas. There are no open greyhound tracks.
There are sportsbooks at the state’s racetracks and casinos. Mobile sports betting is now legal. Learn more about gambling in Arkansas.
California
California has an unusual casino industry. Slots, video poker, and certain types of table games are only permitted at tribal casinos. Card clubs and tribal casinos deal poker and table games that do not require a house banker.
Horse racing is legal in California. This includes racetracks, simulcast betting, and wagering placed on horse betting apps. There is also a state lottery. Sports betting is not legal in any form in California. Two ballot questions failed to change that in November 2022. Learn more about California gambling.
Colorado
Colorado is home to a typical range of regulated gaming. Casinos in Colorado are permitted in Black Hawk, Central City, Cripple Creek, and on tribal land. Games include slots, video poker, and any type of table game, including poker.
Colorado sportsbooks are legal at casinos and on mobile betting apps. Horse racing is legal at tracks. Off-track betting is permitted at parlors and on mobile betting apps. There is also a state lottery. Learn more in our summary of Colorado gambling.
Connecticut
Connecticut has a diversified gaming industry. There is a state lottery and legalized greyhound and horse racing, including off-track and mobile. Casinos are legal on tribal land. These are full-scale resorts with all the typical games available.
Sportsbooks are legal, including retail and mobile. Online casinos and poker rooms are approved by gaming regulators. However, no poker site has launched in Connecticut. Online casino games are live. Read more about gambling in Connecticut.
Delaware
The state lottery regulates most forms of gambling in Delaware. There is live and off-track horse racing. The three video lottery casinos are at the racetracks. The games are slots, video poker, live poker, and table games. Charities may operate poker rooms.
Retail sportsbooks are legal. However, there is no mobile sports betting in Delaware.
Online casino and poker games are legal in Delaware. 888 operates these games. The poker site networks with New Jersey and Nevada. BetRivers will replace 888 as the online lottery game provider in late 2023.
Florida
Florida was the first state in the South with a state lottery. Its racing industry is the oldest in the region. Florida voters outlawed greyhound racing. Horse racing and jai alai remain legal. Off-track betting, including on mobile devices, is permitted. Racetracks have card clubs that deal poker and other player-banked games. These establishments were permitted to keep gambling after greyhound racing was banned.
Commercial casinos exist in the South Florida counties of Broward and Dade. Tribal casinos are found in other parts of the state. Slots, video poker, live poker, and electronic table games are legal at these casinos. Seminole Hard Rock Casinos also have live table games, including craps and roulette.
Sports betting became legal in Florida in 2023. The Hard Rock Sportsbook app has a monopoly in Florida. There are also sportsbooks at the Seminole casinos in the state. Read about legal gambling in Florida.
Georgia
The state lottery is the main form of legalized gambling in Georgia. It includes standard lotto games and online redemption ones that mimic slot machines. The state lottery regulates video redemption machines located in taverns and convenience stores. Casinos, sports betting, and racing are all illegal in Georgia. Learn more about gambling in Georgia.
Hawaii
All forms of gambling are illegal in Hawaii, except social gambling. Gambling on casino cruises cannot take place within the coastline nor on ships originating or ending in Hawaii. Find out more about gambling in Hawaii.
Idaho
Idaho is home to a state lottery, tribal casinos, and horse racing. Tribal casinos only offer slots, video poker, and electronic table games. Live table games and poker are not permitted. Horse racing is legal at racetracks, off-track betting simulcast facilities, and on mobile apps. Daily fantasy sports contests are illegal in Idaho. Read more about legal Idaho gambling.
Illinois
There is a large gaming industry in Illinois. It includes full-service casinos, a state lottery, video gaming at taverns, live and mobile horse racing, and retail and mobile sports betting. Illinois casinos offer standard games like slots, video poker, live poker, and table games. Read more about legal Illinois gambling here.
Indiana
Indiana has tribal and commercial riverboat casinos. The standard selection of games is available, like slots, video poker, live poker, and table games. Game availability is limited at one of the state’s tribal casinos to slots and live poker. There is a state lottery with the standard lotto games.
Sports betting is legal at Indiana casinos. There are also sports betting apps in the state. Read more about gambling in Indiana.
Iowa
Iowa is home to casinos on riverboats, at racetracks, and on tribal land. The standard selection of slots, video poker, and table games is available. These establishments may also have retail sportsbooks. There are also mobile sportsbooks in Iowa.
The state’s racetracks may offer horse and greyhound racing, though there are no operational dog tracks. Live, simulcast and mobile betting are all available. There is also a state lottery in Iowa. Read more Iowa legalized gambling details.
Kansas
Kansas is home to most forms of legalized gambling. There are four commercial casinos with a standard selection of games. These are regulated by the state lottery. There are also tribal casinos, as well as a live and off-track horse racing industry. Sportsbooks launched at Kansas casinos on September 1, 2022. Kansas online sportsbooks opened during the week that followed. Read more about gambling in Kansas here.
Kentucky
Gambling in Kentucky is limited. There is live, simulcast, and mobile betting on horses. Racetracks have historical racing, which mimics slot machines. There is also a state lottery. Sports betting launched at racetracks and online in September 2023. Learn more about gambling in Kentucky.
Louisiana
Most gambling in Louisiana depends on the parish. Each type must be approved by local voters. There is a state lottery. There are casinos on boats and land-based, including tribal.
Retail and mobile sportsbooks are legal. Parishes may also approve video poker at taverns and truck stops. Horse racing is legal at racetracks and simulcast at off-track betting parlors and on mobile apps.
Maine
Maine is home to commercial casinos with a standard variety of table games, slots, and video poker. There is also a state lottery and horse racing, which includes live, off-track, and mobile options. Learn more in our legal Maine gambling section.
Maryland
Maryland has most forms of legalized gambling. It includes full-service casinos, a state lottery, horse racing with live, off-track, and mobile available, and retail sports betting. Maryland mobile sports betting launched on November 23, 2022. Maryland casinos offer most types of games like slots, video poker, live poker, and tables. A summary of gambling in Maryland can be found here.
Massachusetts
Legal forms of gambling in Massachusetts include commercial and tribal casinos, a state lottery, and horse racing that includes live, mobile, and off-track betting parlors. Some Massachusetts casinos are slots-only. Sports betting is legal in Massachusetts. This includes retail and online sportsbooks. More information about legalized gambling in Massachusetts is available here.
Michigan
Michigan has the largest variety of gambling options of any state. There is a state lottery. Wagering is permitted on live and simulcast horse racing and through mobile apps. There are tribal casinos throughout the state. Three commercial casinos are in Detroit. All offer the typical mix of games.
The state lottery offers online games. There are also online poker and casino sites. Sports betting is legal at casinos and on mobile betting apps. More information about Michigan gambling.
Minnesota
Minnesota has some forms of legalized gambling. There is a state lottery. Tribal casinos have slots, video poker, and table games that use cards. Live, mobile and simulcast horse racing is legal. Racetracks may have card clubs with live poker and table games that use cards. There are pull tabs and similar gaming in bars.
Mississippi
Mississippi is home to one of the newest state lotteries. It also has casinos along its Gulf Coast, on riverboats, and on tribal land. Sports betting is legal at the state’s casinos. However, mobile sports betting is only permitted on casino properties. There are no statewide apps. Read more in our Mississippi casino guide.
Missouri
Missouri has a state lottery, daily fantasy sports, charitable gaming, and riverboat casinos with standard games. Sports betting has yet to pass the state legislature.
Legalized gambling options in Missouri
Montana
Montana has limited forms of legalized gambling. The state lottery operates typical lotto games and has a sports betting monopoly. There is a video lottery. These establishments are at bars throughout Montana. Tribal casinos may only have slots and bingo.
Nebraska
Voters approved casinos at the state’s racetracks and on tribal land in a November 2020 election. Temporary ones are now open. Other forms of legal gambling in Nebraska include lotto and keno drawings, as well as bets related to horse racing, both at the tracks and on mobile devices.
Nevada
Nevada was the first state with legal casinos. There are more types of games available in Nevada than in any other state. It includes common table games, as well as ones like crapless craps, pai gow poker, and Heads Up Hold’em.
Sports betting is legal at casinos and on mobile devices. Mobile horse racing is legal. There are no tracks in Nevada. It also does not have a state lottery. Nevada was the first state to launch online poker. Online casino games are not available. Our Vegas Advantage site has more information.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire has limited gaming. Its state lottery was the first in the country. There is also live, simulcast, and mobile betting on horses, a DraftKings mobile sportsbook, charitable card clubs with poker and table games with a $10 maximum bet, and online slots that are operated by the state lottery.
New Jersey
New Jersey was the state that got the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act overturned by the US Supreme Court. That opened the door for sports betting in the United States. Sportsbooks are found at New Jersey racetracks and Atlantic City casinos. Horse racing is available live, simulcast at off-track betting parlors, and on mobile devices.
Casino gambling must be in Atlantic City. All the typical games are permitted. Atlantic City hosts online poker and casino games for the entire state of New Jersey. These are licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. More information about gambling in New Jersey can be found here.
New Mexico
New Mexico is home to tribal and commercial casinos, horse racing with live and simulcast betting at tracks, mobile horse racing, and a state lottery. Commercial casinos only have slots and video poker. These are located at racetracks. A few tribal casinos have retail sports betting.
New York
Mobile sports betting is the latest form of legalized gambling in New York. Retail sports betting existed before that at tribal casinos. There is also a state lottery, horse racing that includes live and off-track, and all-slot casinos in urban areas that include video poker and electronic table games. Read more New York State gambling information.
North Carolina
Gambling is limited in North Carolina. There is a state lottery with traditional instant and lotto games. All casinos must be on tribal land. There are three in the state. The two Cherokee casinos have a full slate of games, like slots, video poker, and tables. The other casino is all video bingo games.
Both Harrah’s Cherokee properties also have a sportsbook. There are kiosks at Catawba Two Kings. There is no mobile betting of any kind in North Carolina yet. On June 14, 2023, Governor Roy Cooper signed a bill into law that legalizes online sports betting sites. These will go live in NC in the first half of 2024. A summary of gambling in North Carolina is available here.
North Dakota
North Dakota has some unusual gaming laws. Charities may deal blackjack at taverns with bets up to $25. Blackjack must pay 3:2. Tribal casinos may offer slots, video poker, sports betting, poker rooms, and a variety of table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette. Low bet limits are required under gaming compacts. Live and simulcast racing on horses is legal.
The North Dakota Lottery only holds lotto drawings. It does not sell scratch-off tickets.
More North Dakota legal gambling details
Ohio
There are two types of casinos in Ohio. The four largest cities have full-service ones that have slots, video poker, table games, and poker rooms. The racetracks have video lottery racinos. These properties only have slots and keno games.
Horse racing is legal at live races, on mobile devices, and at off-track betting parlors. Ohio sports betting is approved. It launched on January 1, 2023.
Like most states, Ohio sports betting is available to those 21 years of age and older. The Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline phone number is 1-800-589-9966. A summary of gambling in Ohio can be found here.
Oklahoma
All Oklahoma casinos are on tribal land. Some table games require antes. Other games include slots, video poker, and live poker. There is also live, simulcast, and mobile horse betting, as well as a state lottery, in Oklahoma.
Oregon
Oregon has a state lottery. This includes a video lottery, which is basically slots and video poker in taverns that are regulated by the Oregon Lottery.
Tribal casinos deal a variety of typical games. There are also card clubs that offer poker. Horse racing is available live at racetracks, in off-track betting parlors, and on mobile betting apps.
The Oregon Lottery has a mobile sports betting monopoly. Tribal casinos may have retail sportsbooks and mobile apps that are restricted to reservation land.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania legalized nearly any type of gambling. There is a state lottery. Horse racing is available with wagering on live races and simulcast ones at off-track betting parlors and on mobile apps.
Casinos are available throughout Pennsylvania. These Pennsylvania casinos offer a typical selection of games dealt including slots, video poker, and table games like craps, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and pai gow poker.
Pennsylvania sports betting is legal. This includes retail and mobile sports betting. Online poker and casino games are also legal in Pennsylvania. Read a summary of Pennsylvania gambling.
Rhode Island
Most gambling in Rhode Island is through its state lottery. In addition to standard lottery games, it regulates the state’s casinos, which deal typical games. There is live and mobile sports betting, as well as horse racing with the same options. Rhode Island also has legal online casinos. Table games require live dealers.
Rhode Island legalized gambling details
South Carolina
There is little in the way of gambling in South Carolina. It is all charity and tribal bingo or games related to the state lottery. South Carolina banned an active video poker industry in 1999. However, there are two casino ships north of Myrtle Beach.
South Carolina legalized gambling details
South Dakota
South Dakota was the third state to legalize casinos. All commercial ones must be in Deadwood. There are also tribal casinos throughout the state. Most games are permitted, including slots, video poker, live poker, and table games like blackjack, craps, roulette, Let it Ride and Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Sports betting is legal at Deadwood casinos and on tribal land. South Dakota mobile sports betting is only permitted on Deadwood casino properties.
The state lottery operates video gaming in taverns. These have a maximum bet of $2 and a maximum payout of $1,000. A summary of gambling in South Dakota can be found here.
Tennessee
Tennessee has limited legalized gambling. It has a state lottery with standard games that also oversees a mobile sports betting industry. Tennessee is one of just a few states with sports betting without legal casinos.
Tennessee legalized gambling details
Texas
Texas has few gambling options. It has a state lottery. There is also a horse racing industry. This includes live and off-track betting parlors. Mobile sports betting is not permitted. There are three tribal casinos in Texas with slots. One also has live poker and bingo. Learn more about gambling in Texas.
Utah
All forms of gambling are illegal in Utah. However, fantasy sports contests are not considered gambling in the state.
Vermont
Legalized gambling in Vermont is limited to a state lottery and horse racing. There is no live racing in Vermont. However, bars may have off-track betting parlors. Mobile apps for horse racing wagers are also legal. Charities may have casino nights in addition to the typical games like bingo and raffles for fundraising purposes.
Virginia
Virginia is in the middle of a gambling expansion. Voters legalized casinos in 2020. These are under construction and will include the typical slate of games. Temporary casinos operate now. Sports betting launched on mobile apps in 2021.
There is one live horse racing track and four off-track betting parlors in Virginia. Mobile betting apps for horses are also legal. There is a Virginia Lottery with standard games. Learn more about gambling in Virginia.
Washington
Washington has a state lottery. There is also a horse racing industry with live racing, off-track betting, and mobile apps. Card clubs may deal live poker and table games. Tribal casinos have sports betting, slots, video poker, and a wider variety of table games than card clubs. Mobile sports betting and daily fantasy sports are not legal in Washington.
West Virginia
West Virginia has horse and greyhound racing. Betting is permitted at live races, simulcast betting parlors, and on mobile apps. Each racetrack has a casino that is regulated by the state lottery. There is also a casino at The Greenbrier Resort.
Video lottery games are legal at licensed establishments. The West Virginia Lottery also offers typical lotto-style games.
Mobile sports betting, online poker, and online casinos are legal in West Virginia. Online poker has not yet launched. A summary of gambling in West Virginia can be found here.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin has several forms of legalized gambling. Tribal casinos may deal with the standard variety of games. Some have sportsbooks. However, mobile sports betting is not legal. There is a state lottery with traditional games. The horse racing industry has live races, off-track betting parlors, and mobile betting.
Wyoming
Wyoming’s lottery only has lotto-style drawings. It does not sell instant game tickets. There are tribal casinos. All have slots and video poker. Some have table games and poker rooms.
There is a horse racing industry that includes live races, off-track betting parlors, and mobile apps. Some taverns have OTBs. Historical horse racing machines are allowed in the state. Taverns may also deal poker, though it may not take a rake from the pot. Mobile sports betting and fantasy sports are also legal in the state. More information about gambling in Wyoming can be found here.
Where we are going from here
There are plans to take another casino road trip as we did in May 2021. We visited 58 casinos in the Midwest and East Coast during that trip. We plan on revisiting some of these properties to observe what changed over time, as well as visit ones that we have never seen in other parts of the country.
Our goal is to make our network of Advantage sites the best resource for US casinos and online gaming information. If you have any questions or topics that you would like to see us cover, please contact us. We are happy to hear from you.
If you have a gambling problem, we hope that you will find help. We have resources available here.