Are Online Casinos Legal? Laws by State (2026)

Quick Answer

Online Casinos & Poker is illegal in 21 states as of 2026. It's legal in 17 states and restricted in 12. The legal landscape is shifting, so always verify current law before acting.

17 Legal

12 Restricted

21 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Online Casinos & Poker Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	ILLEGAL	Online casino gambling and poker are illegal in Alabama. The state has no laws authorizing online gambling, and Alabama ...	Details →
Alaska	ILLEGAL	Alaska prohibits online casino gambling and poker under Alaska Statutes Title 11, Chapter 66. The state only permits lim...	Details →
Arizona	RESTRICTED	Arizona permits online poker but does not currently authorize online casino gambling. The state allows tribal casinos to...	Details →
Arkansas	ILLEGAL	Arkansas prohibits online casino gambling and poker under Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 66. The state only permits limi...	Details →
California	RESTRICTED	California does not currently authorize online casino gambling statewide but allows online poker through tribal compacts...	Details →
Colorado	LEGAL	Colorado legalized online casino gambling and poker in 2020 under Amendment 77 and regulates it through the Colorado Div...	Details →
Connecticut	LEGAL	Connecticut legalized online casino gambling and poker in 2021 through a compact with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohega...	Details →
Delaware	LEGAL	Delaware was the first state to legalize online casino gambling and poker in 2012 under Delaware Code Title 29, Chapter ...	Details →
Florida	RESTRICTED	Florida currently prohibits online casino gambling and poker except for limited authorized tribal gaming under the Semin...	Details →
Georgia	ILLEGAL	Georgia prohibits online casino gambling and poker under Georgia Code Title 16, Chapter 12. The state only permits limit...	Details →
Hawaii	ILLEGAL	Hawaii prohibits all forms of gambling, including online casinos and poker. There are no exceptions under state law, and...	Details →
Idaho	ILLEGAL	Idaho law prohibits all forms of online gambling, including online casinos and poker. Idaho Code Title 18, Chapter 8, ex...	Details →
Illinois	LEGAL	Illinois has legalized and regulates online casino gambling and poker under the Illinois Gambling Act (230 ILCS 10/). Th...	Details →
Indiana	ILLEGAL	Indiana permits online sports betting but does not currently authorize online casino gambling or poker. The Indiana Gami...	Details →
Iowa	LEGAL	Iowa permits online casino gambling and poker regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission under Iowa Code Chapter...	Details →
Kansas	ILLEGAL	Kansas allows online sports betting but does not currently permit online casino gambling or poker. The Kansas Racing and...	Details →
Kentucky	ILLEGAL	Kentucky prohibits online casino gambling and poker under KRS Chapter 528. The state has not legalized or regulated any ...	Details →
Louisiana	RESTRICTED	Louisiana permits online sports betting and limited online poker but does not allow online casino gambling. The Louisian...	Details →
Maine	LEGAL	Maine legalized online casino gambling and poker in 2020 under LD 553, regulated by the Maine Gambling Control Unit. Lic...	Details →
Maryland	LEGAL	Maryland legalized online casino gambling and poker in 2021 under the Maryland Expanded Gaming Act (SB 4). The Maryland ...	Details →
Massachusetts	ILLEGAL	Massachusetts currently prohibits online casino gambling and poker under its gambling laws. However, the state allows li...	Details →
Michigan	LEGAL	Michigan legalized online casino gambling and poker in December 2019 under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act (...	Details →
Minnesota	ILLEGAL	Minnesota prohibits online casino gambling and poker under Minn. Stat. § 609.75 and related statutes. The state only per...	Details →
Mississippi	RESTRICTED	Mississippi permits online sports betting but does not currently authorize online casino gambling or poker. The Mississi...	Details →
Missouri	ILLEGAL	Missouri prohibits online casino gambling and poker under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 572.030. The state allows limited gambling su...	Details →
Montana	RESTRICTED	Montana allows online poker through licensed operators under the Montana Interactive Gambling Act (Mont. Code Ann. § 23-...	Details →
Nebraska	ILLEGAL	Nebraska prohibits online casino gambling and poker under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1101 et seq. The state only permits limit...	Details →
Nevada	LEGAL	Nevada was the first state to legalize online poker and online casino gambling under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 463.370 et seq. L...	Details →
New Hampshire	LEGAL	New Hampshire legalized online casino gambling and poker in 2019 under RSA 284-B:64. Licensed operators may offer online...	Details →
New Jersey	LEGAL	New Jersey legalized online casino gambling and poker in 2013 under the New Jersey Casino Control Act (N.J.S.A. 5:12-1 e...	Details →
New Mexico	ILLEGAL	New Mexico does not currently authorize online casino gambling or online poker. The state’s gambling laws, primarily und...	Details →
New York	LEGAL	New York legalized online casino gambling and online poker in 2019 under the New York State Gaming Commission regulation...	Details →
North Carolina	ILLEGAL	North Carolina prohibits online casino gambling and online poker under its state gambling laws. The North Carolina Gener...	Details →
North Dakota	RESTRICTED	North Dakota allows limited online gambling through its state lottery and tribal casinos but does not permit online casi...	Details →
Ohio	LEGAL	Ohio legalized online casino gambling and online poker in 2021 under HB 29, which amended the Ohio Revised Code Chapter ...	Details →
Oklahoma	RESTRICTED	Oklahoma permits online gambling only on tribal lands under tribal compacts but does not authorize statewide online casi...	Details →
Oregon	RESTRICTED	Oregon permits online poker and online sports betting through the Oregon Lottery but does not allow online casino gambli...	Details →
Pennsylvania	LEGAL	Pennsylvania legalized online casino gambling and online poker in 2017 under the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regul...	Details →
Rhode Island	LEGAL	Rhode Island legalized online casino gambling and online poker in 2013 through the Rhode Island Lottery and the Twin Riv...	Details →
South Carolina	ILLEGAL	South Carolina prohibits all forms of online casino gambling and online poker under its state gambling laws. The South C...	Details →
South Dakota	ILLEGAL	South Dakota prohibits online casino gambling and poker under state law. The state allows limited in-person gaming such ...	Details →
Tennessee	RESTRICTED	Tennessee has legalized online sports betting but does not authorize online casino gambling or online poker. The Tenness...	Details →
Texas	ILLEGAL	Texas prohibits all forms of online casino gambling and online poker under the Texas Penal Code § 47.02. The state only ...	Details →
Utah	ILLEGAL	Utah has a complete prohibition on all forms of gambling, including online casino and poker, under Utah Code § 76-10-110...	Details →
Vermont	RESTRICTED	Vermont permits online sports betting and has authorized online lottery games but does not currently allow online casino...	Details →
Virginia	LEGAL	Virginia legalized online casino gambling and online poker in 2020 under the Virginia Lottery Act (Va. Code § 58.1-4000 ...	Details →
Washington	ILLEGAL	Washington prohibits online casino gambling and poker under RCW 9.46.0207. The state allows online sports betting throug...	Details →
West Virginia	LEGAL	West Virginia legalized online casino gambling and online poker in 2019 under the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wage...	Details →
Wisconsin	ILLEGAL	Wisconsin prohibits online casino gambling and online poker under Wis. Stat. § 945.02 and related statutes. The state pe...	Details →
Wyoming	RESTRICTED	Wyoming permits online sports betting under the Wyoming Gaming Commission regulations but does not authorize online casi...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is playing at online casinos legal in the United States?

Online Casinos & Poker is illegal in 21 states as of 2026. It's legal in 17 states and restricted in 12. The legal landscape is shifting, so always verify current law before acting.

How many states allow online casinos & poker?

As of 2026, online casinos & poker is legal in 17 states, restricted with conditions in 12 states, and illegal in 21 states. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

What happens if you get caught with online casinos & poker in a state where it's illegal?

Penalties range from civil fines to felony charges depending on the state. Some states treat first offenses as misdemeanors with small fines, while others classify possession as a felony carrying prison time. Check the specific state page for exact penalties, charge levels, and enforcement likelihood.

Can you travel across state lines with online casinos & poker?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If online casinos & poker is legal in your home state but illegal in the state you're entering, you can face criminal charges the moment you cross the border. Always check the laws of every state on your route.