Many U.S. sports fans ask whether it is illegal to bet on esports. The short answer is that there is no single federal ban that makes esports wagering uniformly illegal. Instead, legality depends on state law and the permissions a state regulator gives to licensed operators. This article explains the federal context, how state catalogs and approvals work, common integrity and age rules, and practical steps you can take to verify whether a specific esports market is lawful where you live. It focuses on clear verification steps and safe practices rather than legal advice.

Esports online betting is governed by state law after the Supreme Court's Murphy decision, not by a single federal ban.

State-approved events catalogs list which esports titles and tournaments licensed operators may offer in a jurisdiction.

Always confirm both the event listing and operator license with your state regulator before placing a wager.

What 'esports online betting' means in US law

Definitions: esports, wagering, licensed operator

The phrase esports online betting refers to placing wagers on competitive video game events through an internet-connected platform. In practical legal terms, whether that activity is lawful in your area depends on whether state law treats those events as authorized sports wagering and whether the operator is licensed to offer them. The baseline for the U.S. framework is the Supreme Court decision in Murphy v. NCAA, which shifted sports-wagering authority to the states and allows states to decide if esports are covered, so readers should view esports online betting through a state regulatory lens Murphy v. NCAA opinion.

Why federal law does not outright ban esports wagering

There is no federal prohibition that singles out esports wagering and makes it per se illegal across the country. Instead, federal law after Murphy leaves decisions about legal sports wagering to state governments, and states may include esports in their authorized lists or treat them differently from traditional sports Murphy v. NCAA opinion.

Use your state regulator search to confirm whether an esports event is authorized

State regulator site
Event or league name
Operator name

Check the regulator catalog date and operator licenses

How the legal framework works: federal versus state

Murphy decision and its effect

The Supreme Court's ruling in Murphy v. NCAA eliminated the federal ban that had prevented most states from legalizing sports wagering, and it left the decision to allow and regulate wagering to each state. That means the legal starting point for esports online betting is state law and state regulatory rules rather than a single nationwide rule Murphy v. NCAA opinion.

Role of state gaming regulators and licensing

State gaming commissions or lotteries write the detailed rules that determine what markets licensed operators can offer. Those regulators create approved events catalogs, set licensing requirements for operators, and enforce integrity and advertising rules. If an operator is not listed as licensed by the state regulator, it cannot lawfully take sports wagers in that jurisdiction New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approved leagues page.

Practically, this means a person who wants to place a wager on an esports match needs to confirm both that the state allows wagering on that title and that the operator is licensed to accept bets from bettors inside that state. In the absence of both pieces, placing a wager may fall outside state protections and carry legal and consumer risks AGA state of the states overview (state play map).

State catalogs and approvals: where esports betting is allowed

What an approved events catalog is and why it matters

Many state regulators publish an approved events or allowed wagers catalog that lists sports, leagues, and specific event types operators may offer. These catalogs exist so operators, bettors, and stakeholders know which matches and markets are authorized and what integrity conditions apply. If an esports title or particular tournament is not on your state catalog, licensed operators generally may not lawfully accept wagers on it New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approved leagues page.

Verification is practical and direct. The catalog is the authoritative record of what can be offered by a licensed operator in that state, and it usually includes notes on event types, required approvals, and special conditions that can affect availability.

How to check your state catalog in practice: first, locate your state gaming regulator or lottery website. Second, search for an approved events list or sports wagering catalog. Third, look for the specific esports title or league and note any date or event-specific restrictions. Fourth, confirm the operator you plan to use lists that event among its available markets. For example, New Jersey and Massachusetts keep catalogs that have explicitly listed approved esports events at recent updates, showing how the process works in practice New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approved leagues page (MGC overview).

When a catalog lists esports, it is usually accompanied by conditions the regulator requires operators to meet before offering bets, such as approval of the specific organizer or season. That is why a listed title still may require event-level sign off before an operator can post markets for a particular match Massachusetts Sports Wagering Catalog.

Regulators often limit wagering to matches run by recognized organizers or leagues and may require event preapproval. This is intended to reduce the risk of match manipulation and to ensure operators have access to reliable data and timing. State catalogs commonly reference approved leagues and require operators to confirm an event meets those standards before offering bets Colorado sports betting catalog.

Close up laptop screen showing regulator approved events catalog with a hand pointing at an esports entry highlighting esports online betting in a minimalist Funded Plays style

Another common rule is that wagers are not allowed on contests involving minors. That means high school or underage competitions are typically excluded from lawful betting markets in regulated states, a restriction intended to protect young competitors and to minimize harm in closely monitored events Virginia Lottery sports betting catalog.

Integrity measures can include mandatory reporting of line movements to regulators, requirements that operators use official data feeds, and the preapproval of tournaments or series before markets are opened. These safeguards are reflected in state catalogs and guidance documents, and operators must follow them to remain compliant Colorado sports betting catalog.

Because these rules are event specific, a popular online-only tournament might be excluded even in a state that otherwise permits esports wagers. That is why it is important to confirm both the catalog listing and any event-level approvals the regulator or operator may require New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approved leagues page.

Verify your state's approved esports events before wagering

Check your state regulator's approved events catalog now to confirm whether a specific esports title or tournament is authorized where you live.

View my state catalog

When a catalog lists esports, it is usually accompanied by conditions the regulator requires operators to meet before offering bets, such as approval of the specific organizer or season. That is why a listed title still may require event-level sign off before an operator can post markets for a particular match Massachusetts Sports Wagering Catalog.

Event eligibility and integrity rules for esports markets

Common eligibility rules: approved leagues and age of competitors

Minimalist 2D vector split image of an esports stadium broadcast and a smartphone showing a regulator website wireframe illustrating esports online betting compliance

Another common rule is that wagers are not allowed on contests involving minors. That means high school or underage competitions are typically excluded from lawful betting markets in regulated states, and operators are expected to screen events for participant age and eligibility before offering markets Virginia Lottery sports betting catalog.

Integrity measures and preapproval requirements

Age limits and other player restrictions

Typical minimum age rules and examples

Most state-regulated sports wagering frameworks set a minimum age for betting, and in several states that minimum is 21. Age requirements apply to anyone placing a wager, regardless of the sport or nontraditional event type. Confirm your state minimum before attempting to place a bet, and remember that both operator terms and state regulations set the rule Massachusetts Sports Wagering Catalog.

Is it illegal to bet on esports in the US?

No, not at the federal level; esports wagering is regulated by states under the Murphy framework, and it is legal only where state law and the regulator's approved events catalog permit it and where licensed operators offer the market.

In addition to minimum bettor age, regulators generally prohibit markets on competitions featuring underage competitors. That excludes high school and many youth events from lawful bets in regulated states, and operators are expected to screen events for participant age and eligibility before offering markets Virginia Lottery sports betting catalog.

How to verify a licensed operator and stay within the law

Checking operator licenses and regulator statements

Start by finding the licensing page on your state regulator site. Most regulators publish a list of licensed operators and their permitted market types. If an operator does not appear on the state list or does not claim authority to accept bets from your location, do not assume it is lawful to use that operator New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approved leagues page.

Also compare the operator's public market list with the state catalog. An operator may offer a range of titles that are lawful in one state but not in another. Confirm that the operator lawfully accepts bettors from your state and that the specific esports market is included in the operator's offerings and in the regulator's approved events list Massachusetts Sports Wagering Catalog.

Sites that operate offshore or without a state license are not subject to state consumer protections, account monitoring, or dispute resolution processes, and bettors who use them may lose access to meaningful remedies in case of problems. For those reasons, state licensing is the reliable path to legal and protected wagering AGA state of the states overview.

Common mistakes and legal risks to avoid

Assuming availability across states

A frequent error is assuming an esports market is available everywhere because a state offers traditional sports betting. Availability is often event specific and varies by state, so always check the official catalog or ask the regulator rather than relying on assumptions New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approved leagues page.

Relying on nonapproved events or unlicensed platforms

Betting on an event that was later declassified by a regulator, or using an unlicensed operator, removes the protections you get when dealing with licensed operators and may expose you to legal or financial risk. Avoid sites that lack clear licensing information and check that the operator and the event appear in your state catalog before wagering AGA state of the states overview.

Funded Plays Challenges

View my state catalog

Another practical mistake is failing to verify operator disclosures about the source of event data and how markets resolve. Licensed operators must follow regulator rules for official data and timing, so read market terms carefully and contact the operator or regulator if something is unclear Colorado sports betting catalog.

Practical scenarios: three examples of how to check if a bet is legal

Scenario A: Big tournament listed in the state catalog

Imagine a major, internationally run esports tournament appears by name in your state regulator's approved events list. In that case, the catalog entry is the first confirmation you need, and you then check the operators licensed in your state to confirm which ones post markets for that tournament. If both appear, placing a bet with a licensed operator is the lawful path to participate in that market New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approved leagues page.

Scenario B: Smaller online-only tournament with mixed eligibility

For a smaller, online-only event run by a third-party organizer, start with the state catalog. If the event is not listed, contact the regulator or check whether the operator has requested preapproval for that particular tournament. Operators sometimes seek event-level permission; absent that permission, the operator should not post markets for bettors in the state Colorado sports betting catalog.

Scenario C: Choosing a licensed alternative for skill-based play

If your goal is to participate in skill-based sports prediction rather than wagering with real-money sportsbook odds, consider structured, skill-focused platforms that run challenges with virtual funded accounts. Those platforms operate under a different model than sportsbooks and emphasize evaluation and performance rather than traditional betting. They are not sportsbooks and do not guarantee earnings, but they can be a lawful, structured way to demonstrate forecasting skill without using an unlicensed sportsbook.

Always confirm the platform's model and rules before participating and treat any reward opportunities as conditional on meeting challenge requirements and operator terms.

Summary and next steps for readers

Checklist before you place a wager

Short checklist: confirm your state allows wagering on the specific esports title, confirm the operator is licensed in your state, verify you meet the minimum age requirement, and check the event-level approvals or restrictions in the regulator catalog New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approved leagues page.

Where to find authoritative information

Authoritative sources are your state gaming regulator or lottery and the operator's licensing page. If you see conflicting information, ask the regulator for clarification before placing funds. Remember that the federal framework established in Murphy v. NCAA created the state-led system that governs these determinations Murphy v. NCAA opinion.

Is esports online betting federally illegal in the United States?

No. After Murphy v. NCAA the decision to permit or ban sports wagering, including esports where listed by regulators, rests with each state.

How do I know if a specific esports match is legal to bet on in my state?

Check your state regulator's approved events or sports wagering catalog and confirm the operator is licensed to offer that market in your state.

Are unlicensed or offshore esports betting sites safe to use?

No. Offshore or unlicensed sites lack state consumer protections and dispute mechanisms, so they carry higher legal and financial risks.

If you plan to place a wager on an esports event, take a few minutes to check the state catalog, confirm an operator's license, and make sure you meet any age or event eligibility rules. Those checks protect both your rights as a consumer and the fairness of the market. When in doubt, contact your state regulator for clarification before transferring funds or placing a bet.