This article gives a concise, practical answer to where sportsbook markets remain prohibited in the United States in 2026. We identify the primary holdout states, explain the legal reasons behind those restrictions, and offer clear steps bettors can use to verify the current status in their state. The goal is to help sports fans and bettors understand the difference between an explicit legal ban and a market that lacks enabling legislation. For anyone considering participation, the safest first step is to check the official state regulator site and a current industry tracker.

Utah and Hawaii retain broad legal prohibitions that effectively bar licensed sportsbooks in 2026

Most other states permit sportsbooks or lack enabling laws rather than having explicit bans

Always confirm licensing on the state regulator site and consult trusted trackers before betting

Short answer: Which states do not allow sportsbooks?

The short, practical answer is that as of 2026 two states consistently stand apart: Utah and Hawaii, where state law effectively bars licensed sportsbook operations and broader gambling licensing for betting on sports. For a clear, regularly updated view of where betting markets operate, consult national trackers and your state regulator before you act American Gaming Association state map

What states do not allow licensed sportsbook operations in 2026?

As of 2026, Utah and Hawaii consistently maintain statutory or constitutional provisions that effectively bar licensed sportsbook markets; other states without active online markets typically lack enabling legislation or restrict activity via tribal compacts or in-person authorizations.

Most other U.S. states either permit sportsbooks in law, have active regulated markets, or simply have not enacted enabling legislation rather than imposing explicit bans. That distinction matters because a lack of an online market is not always the same as a statutory prohibition against sportsbooks Legal Sports Report guide

Why Utah and Hawaii ban sportsbooks: legal basis and context

Both Hawaii and Utah rely on state-level law as the primary source of their restrictions. Hawaii code contains broad prohibitions on gambling activity that limit licensed betting services in the state and make sportsbook licensing impractical under current statutes Hawaii Revised Statutes

Utah similarly embeds anti-gambling provisions in state statute and constitutional provisions that together have long been interpreted to prohibit most forms of wagering, including licensed sportsbooks and comparable commercial betting products Utah Code and constitutional provisions

These are state-level policy choices rather than matters of federal prohibition. The federal framework that allowed states to regulate or prohibit sports betting after the repeal of PASPA leaves the decision to state legislatures, which explains why local political and cultural factors strongly influence whether a state becomes a sportsbook market CRS report on sports betting post-PASPA

How to verify whether sportsbooks are allowed in your state

Start with the state gaming regulator or the official state legislature website. Those pages show which activities a regulator is authorized to license and typically list current operator licenses and relevant administrative rules American Gaming Association state map

Use a reliable industry tracker as quick secondary confirmation. Guides that track state-by-state developments compile recent legislation, tribal compacts, and operational launch details that help you interpret whether a state has an active online market industry tracker

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Check my state rules

Types of restrictions that fall short of full bans

Some states do not authorize statewide online sportsbooks but permit limited activity through tribal compacts. Tribal-compact-only markets allow betting where tribal-state agreements authorize in-person or specific digital services for tribal lands while leaving broader state licensing unchanged Legal Sports Report guide

Other states allow in-person casino betting but restrict online or mobile sportsbooks to inside-casino access only. Those limited frameworks mean residents may be unable to use an online sportsbook from home while still having legal in-person options at authorized venues CBS Sports overview of state status

Finally, alternate regulatory pathways exist for products such as daily fantasy sports and skill-based sweepstakes, which are often governed by different statutes and can operate in jurisdictions where traditional sportsbooks are not authorized Legal Sports Report guide

State examples: places without commercial or online sportsbooks and why

When a state lacks a commercial online market, it is usually for one of three reasons: the legislature has not passed enabling laws; political resistance has blocked commercial licensing; or activity remains limited to tribal compacts and in-person operations. Those situations are common in states that have not built out an online regulatory framework Legal Sports Report guide

It is important to be precise: only Utah and Hawaii are consistent examples of states whose statutes or constitutional provisions effectively ban licensed sportsbook activity. Other states without broad online markets may permit some legal activity under specific compacts or venue-based rules American Gaming Association state map

Verify state status before you bet

Before you try to place a bet, verify whether your state regulator lists licensed operators and confirm any tribal compact limitations on where betting is allowed.

Check my state rules

Practical exceptions: where alternative products operate instead of sportsbooks

Daily fantasy sports are regulated separately in many states and often remain lawful where traditional sportsbooks are not. DFS platforms operate under distinct statutory frameworks that treat them as skill-based contests rather than wagers in many jurisdictions Legal Sports Report guide

Some sweepstakes or skill-based platforms are structured to avoid traditional gambling classifications and can operate where sportsbooks are prohibited, but their legal status depends on state-specific rules and careful compliance with statutory tests Reuters analysis

Close up of a state legislature facade with legal documents and a laptop showing a legal tracker dashboard highlighting sportsbook regulation on a minimalist dark branded background

Using offshore or unlicensed sites carries legal and security risks. Those platforms are not regulated in the same way as licensed operators and often leave users without recourse if funds are lost or personal data is misused Legal Sports Report guide

How bettors should check availability and avoid legal risk

Confirm operator licensing on the state regulator website before using a sportsbook. Official regulator pages usually list active operator licenses, license numbers, and contact details for verification state regulator website

Understand geolocation enforcement. Licensed operators must restrict access based on where a user is located, and attempting to circumvent those protections with a VPN or other measures can expose you to account closure, loss of funds, or regulatory consequences Legal Sports Report guide

Quick verification steps for license and geolocation checks

Geolocation check
License lookup
Regulatory contact

Keep records of checks made

Decision checklist: can I legally use a sportsbook in a state?

Answer these five quick questions before using an operator: are you physically located in a state that authorizes online sportsbook access, is the operator licensed in that state, does the operator accept accounts from your residency status, are any tribal compact rules applicable, and what penalties apply for unauthorized participation American Gaming Association state map

If any question is unclear, treat the situation as unresolved until you confirm with the state regulator. Licensed activity in another state does not make use legal at home; travel-based access is governed by the destination state's rules Legal Sports Report guide

Common mistakes and compliance pitfalls to avoid

Do not assume that acceptance of your credit card or availability of a website means the operator is legally licensed in your state. Licensing requires explicit authorization and publicly listed licenses on the regulator site are the definitive proof American Gaming Association state map

Do not conflate DFS or sweepstakes models with sportsbook access. Those products often operate under distinct rules and should be evaluated on their own statutory footing rather than treated as a substitute for licensed sportsbook offers Legal Sports Report guide

Scenario examples: what this means for residents of key holdout states

If you live in Utah, state law and constitutional provisions historically limit gambling activity and exclude licensed sportsbook markets. That means residents should rely on regulator guidance and avoid unlicensed or offshore operators to limit legal and financial risk Utah Code

Minimalist 2D vector illustration of a smartphone on a desk showing a simplified regulator website layout with geometric UI blocks no text or logos in Funded Plays colors sportsbook

If you live in Hawaii, the state code contains broad gambling prohibitions that have been interpreted to prevent licensed sportsbooks from operating. Residents should verify any permitted alternatives like DFS or sweepstakes under state rules and avoid unregulated sites Hawaii Revised Statutes

If your state only offers tribal or in-person options, confirm where those services apply. Tribal compacts can authorize betting on tribal lands or in certain venues while leaving broader access restricted elsewhere in the state Legal Sports Report guide

How law and policy have moved since PASPA and what to watch next

Since the end of the federal PASPA restriction, legislative momentum has led most states to enact legal sports betting frameworks. The remaining holdouts reflect local policy choices driven by state legislatures and tribal negotiations rather than federal barriers CRS report

Watch for new tribal compacts and state bills that can change where betting is available. Because compacts and legislation can create or extend market access quickly, periodic checks of regulator pages and trackers will show when a state shifts from no-market to licensed status Reuters analysis

Quick reference: trusted sources to check for the latest status

Official state regulator and legislature websites are the definitive sources for licensing and statutory language. Use them for legal text, license lists, and regulator notices about enforcement or new authorizations American Gaming Association state map

Industry trackers and legal guides provide useful summaries and launch timelines for states and tribal compacts, but always confirm with the primary source for definitive guidance Legal Sports Report guide

Summary and next steps

Key takeaways are simple: Utah and Hawaii remain the main states with statutory or constitutional provisions that effectively bar licensed sportsbook markets, while other no-market situations usually reflect lack of enabling law or compact-based limits rather than express bans American Gaming Association state map

Next steps for readers: verify local status on your state regulator site, consult industry trackers for secondary confirmation, and avoid unlicensed or offshore operators. If you want to explore skill-based alternatives and challenge formats that do not rely on sportsbook licenses, review platform rules carefully and act responsibly

Are any U.S. states fully banning sports betting?

Yes. As of 2026, Utah and Hawaii maintain legal frameworks that effectively prevent licensed sportsbook markets; verify with state regulators for updates.

Can I use daily fantasy sports where a sportsbook is banned?

Often yes. Daily fantasy sports are regulated under separate rules in many states, but availability depends on state law and platform compliance.

Is it safe to use offshore sportsbooks if my state has no licensed market?

No. Offshore operators are unregulated in U.S. states, which raises legal, financial, and security risks for users.

If you live in or plan to bet from a state with unclear rules, rely on regulator notices and the statute text for definitive answers. Legal landscapes change, so periodic checks protect you from unintended risk. FundedPlays provides challenge-based, skill-focused alternatives to traditional sportsbook wagering; if you are exploring alternatives that emphasize consistency rather than real-money sportsbook wagers, review platform rules and regulatory status carefully.