This article answers the common question, "How many states have legal gambling?" by separating the headline numbers by format and explaining why a single count is often misleading. You will find clear definitions for commercial casinos, tribal gaming, sports betting, and iGaming, followed by format-specific counts and a short checklist to check availability in your state. The goal is to give a practical, evidence-based picture using official sources so you can quickly determine which activities are authorized where you live.

Counts differ by format: commercial casinos, tribal gaming, sports betting, and iGaming each tell a different story about legal gambling.

Sports betting expanded quickly after 2018, making it the most widely legalized modern format in the U.S.

Full statewide online casino play remains limited to a small group of states, while tribal gaming appears in many more locations.

Quick answer: how many states have legal gambling and what that number means

Short headline numbers

The headline counts depend on which forms of regulated play you include. If you count states with operating commercial casinos, there are 25 states with commercial casino gaming, according to the American Gaming Association, while tribal gaming operates in 29 states as reported by the National Indian Gaming Commission American Gaming Association report.

When you look at sports wagering, the number is larger: 38 states plus the District of Columbia had legalized sports betting as of February 27, 2025, though the channels and scope vary by jurisdiction NCSL sports betting map (see the USA TODAY legality map USA TODAY legality map).

Why totals vary by gambling type

Different formats are regulated and authorized independently. A state may host commercial casinos but prohibit statewide mobile wagering, or it may allow tribal-only gaming that does not extend to all residents. That means asking "how many states have legal gambling" needs a follow-up: which type of gambling do you mean, and how broadly do you count it.

A final note on scale: commercial gaming revenue reached a record in 2025, a sign of market maturation rather than a direct change in how many states allow gambling overall American Gaming Association report.

What counts as legal gambling: definitions and the formats that matter

Commercial casinos vs tribal gaming

Commercial casino gaming refers to state-licensed casinos that typically offer slots, table games, and sometimes resort amenities. The AGA's survey of the commercial sector is the usual source for counting states where those casinos operate American Gaming Association report.

Tribal gaming is regulated under federal law and tribal-state compacts; it often appears in states that otherwise lack commercial casinos and can create localized exclusivity. The National Indian Gaming Commission reports tribal gaming activity in 29 states, which affects local availability even when statewide commercial licensing is limited NIGC gross gaming revenue release.

Sports betting variations: mobile, retail, tribal-only

Sports betting laws vary widely. Some states allow mobile, statewide wagering while others permit only in-person retail sportsbooks or limit operations to tribal operators. That variation matters for accessibility and the user experience because mobile permission vastly increases how many people can place bets without visiting a physical venue NCSL sports betting map.

Retail-only markets might still count as legal sports betting, but practical access is constrained to on-site locations. Tribal-only frameworks can further restrict who can offer online or retail products and where those products can be offered.

Find the state's official regulator or the NCSL map to confirm formats

State regulator page
Sports betting status
iGaming status

Use official regulator pages where possible

Full online casino play and online poker distinctions

Full iGaming means statewide authorization for online casino play, which commonly includes virtual slots and table games. Online poker may be treated separately; for example, Nevada permits online poker but does not broadly authorize statewide online casino play. Use the state gaming map and regulator notices to confirm exactly which online formats are authorized AGA state gaming map.

Because regulators can authorize different product mixes, a state might permit one form of online play while banning another. That is why lists of "states with gambling" need to specify whether they refer to casinos, sports betting, tribal gaming, or iGaming.

Close up of a laptop showing a state regulator license and rules page in a minimalist Funded Plays style dark background with accent license badge states with gambling

Commercial casino gaming is active in 25 states, per the American Gaming Association's State of the States survey. That count reflects jurisdictions where licensed commercial properties operate traditional casino products American Gaming Association report.

Tribal gaming operates in 29 states, according to the National Indian Gaming Commission's recent gross gaming revenue release. Tribal facilities range from small bingo halls to large resort casinos depending on compacts and state agreements NIGC gross gaming revenue release.

As of February 27, 2025, 38 states plus the District of Columbia had legalized sports betting in some form, although access differs by state and some markets remain retail-only or tribal-only. The National Conference of State Legislatures provides a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction map of these laws NCSL sports betting map.

Full online casino (iGaming) statewide authorizations are still limited. Seven states-Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia-authorize statewide online casino play, while Nevada permits online poker but not full iGaming in the same way others do. This narrower footprint means iGaming availability is a smaller subset of overall "states with gambling" AGA state gaming map.

Minimalist 2D vector split panel depicting a retail sportsbook area and a casino floor illustrating different access channels for states with gambling on a dark Funded Plays style background

Breakdown by format: how access and channels vary across states

Where commercial casinos operate and what they offer

Commercial casinos typically offer a full suite of products: slot machines, table games, and often hospitality services. The 25-state count for commercial casinos shows where those licensed operations are active, but the mix of properties and the scale of operations varies widely across states American Gaming Association report.

In many states with commercial casinos, regulators oversee licensing, tax rules, and product permissions. That creates clear boundaries where casinos operate and who can offer which games to the public.

Confirm your state's current rules on the FundedPlays Challenges page and official regulator sites

Check your state regulator page or the NCSL sports betting map to confirm which formats and delivery channels are legal where you live.

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Tribal compacts and state-level differences

Tribal gaming is governed by federal law and negotiated compacts with host states, which can create exclusive rights or limit certain offerings. Tribal operations can therefore make gambling available in places without commercial casinos, but availability may be constrained geographically and by compact terms NIGC gross gaming revenue release.

Because compacts can vary, players in tribal markets should check compact language or state regulator summaries for exact rules on offerings and who can access them.

Sports betting: mobile market versus retail-only states

Most legalized sports betting jurisdictions support mobile wagering, which expands access statewide, but some markets remain retail-only or limited to on-site tribal sportsbooks. Where mobile wagering is permitted, consumers typically use licensed apps subject to geolocation controls and age verification NCSL sports betting map (FanDuel's state guide provides a breakdown FanDuel state guide).

Retail-only markets are still legal markets, but they require a physical visit to place a bet. That difference affects how many people practically have access to sports betting services within a state.

iGaming footprint and state-level limits

iGaming remains confined to a small group of states, and Nevada's online poker exception underscores how regulators can treat online poker and online casino play differently. That limited footprint means that statewide online casino access is not available to most U.S. residents, even where other forms of gambling are legal Legal Sports Report overview.

When a state authorizes iGaming, the regulator typically issues technical rules about operator approval, player verification, and responsible-play measures to ensure controlled access.

How sports betting spread and why it matters for state counts

The post-2018 trend and modern legislative pattern

Since 2018, many states have moved to legalize sports betting, producing a rapid rise in the number of jurisdictions that permit it. By early 2025, 38 states plus DC had some form of legal sports wagering, a shift documented on legislative tracking pages and summaries NCSL sports betting map.

This expansion matters because sports betting laws can change faster than other gambling formats, so counts for sports betting can shift more quickly than counts for commercial casino states or iGaming authorizations.

Why mobile legalization changes access

Allowing mobile wagering changes practical availability more than a simple legal count suggests. A state with mobile betting lets a broad cross-section of residents participate without traveling to a sportsbook, whereas retail-only rules confine activity to physical locations and thus limit everyday access Pew Stateline analysis.

Because mobile rules drive user reach, tracking which states permit statewide mobile apps is essential when interpreting the phrase "states with gambling" in consumer-facing contexts.

Where further policy movement could change counts

Major future changes that could alter headline numbers include large states adopting legal sports betting or iGaming. Legislatures continue to consider proposals in some populous states, and regulatory action can follow passage at different speeds.

Tracking the NCSL and state regulator updates is the practical way to watch for changes that move the counts in either direction.

How to read a state's rules: a short framework for checking availability where you live

Step 1: Identify the legalized formats in the state

Start by listing which formats a state expressly authorizes: commercial casinos, tribal casinos, sports betting, online poker, or full iGaming. That first step clarifies whether the state is one of the headline "states with gambling" for the format you care about AGA state gaming map (see the Funded Plays blog Funded Plays blog).

Step 1 prevents assuming that one form implies others; sports betting does not always mean iGaming is permitted.

How many states have legal gambling?

It depends on the format: 25 states have commercial casinos, tribal gaming appears in 29 states, sports betting was legal in 38 states plus DC as of early 2025, and full statewide iGaming exists in seven states; specify the format to get a precise count.

Step 2: Check delivery channels and operator limits

Once you know the authorized formats, confirm whether the state allows mobile apps, retail-only operations, or tribal-only markets. Delivery rules determine how accessible a regulated product is to everyday users, and geofencing or county-level opt-outs can further limit availability NCSL sports betting map.

Checking the regulator's operator list or the state's statute is the best way to verify which companies or tribal entities hold permission in a jurisdiction.

Step 3: Look for tribal exclusivity, age and ID rules, and geographic restrictions

Finally, check compact language, age restrictions, identity verification rules, and any jurisdictional carve-outs that could affect whether you can play. Many states set a minimum age and require ID checks or geolocation enforcement that operators must follow NIGC gross gaming revenue release.

If in doubt, use the state gaming regulator's contact information to confirm current operational details rather than relying on secondary summaries, or check the Funded Plays homepage Funded Plays.

Common mistakes and misconceptions about which states allow gambling

Confusing tribal presence with statewide legality

A frequent mistake is assuming tribal gaming means statewide commercial access. Tribal compacts can grant gaming rights on sovereign lands without expanding commercial licensing across the state. That difference is essential when counting "states with gambling" because presence does not equal statewide authorization NIGC gross gaming revenue release.

Reading compact summaries or regulator FAQs helps clarify where tribal facilities operate and who can lawfully play.

Assuming sports betting means all forms of online play are allowed

Another common error is treating legal sports betting as a shortcut to full online casino access. Sports wagering legalization is separate from iGaming authorization in most states, so you cannot infer online casino legality from a sports betting law AGA state gaming map.

Verify the specific products named in statutes or regulatory orders to avoid this mix-up.

Relying on outdated sources or headlines

Because laws and platforms change, relying on an old article or a headline can lead you astray. Use the NCSL sports betting map, state regulator pages, or the AGA state map for recent and official summaries when possible NCSL sports betting map.

When reading news coverage, check the date and then cross-reference the regulator to confirm the current status.

Practical scenarios: what you can actually do in selected states

Example: a state with commercial casinos but no statewide iGaming

Imagine a state that hosts commercial casinos but has not authorized statewide iGaming. Residents can typically visit casinos to play slots and table games, but they cannot use a statewide online casino platform from home. That split is common in several commercial casino states and illustrates why counting "states with gambling" depends on format American Gaming Association report.

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Practically, someone in that state could use land-based venues for casino play and, where legal, use licensed retail sportsbooks for in-person sports betting, but they would need to check the state's rules to confirm online play options.

Example: a state with mobile sports betting but retail-only casino offerings

Some states permit mobile sports betting while keeping full casino operations limited to physical properties. In that case, a resident can place sports bets via licensed apps but must visit a casino to play slots or table games. That difference shows how the user experience varies even within states that permit multiple forms of gambling NCSL sports betting map.

Knowing which delivery channels are permitted helps you plan whether remote participation is possible or whether travel to a venue is required.

Example: tribal-only markets and what that means for residents and visitors

In tribal-only markets, regulated gambling is limited to tribal lands under compact terms. Visitors can generally play at tribal facilities, but online services may be limited to tribal platforms or not permitted statewide. This setup creates pockets of legal access without statewide coverage and is important to check before assuming broad availability NIGC gross gaming revenue release.

When traveling, confirm local tribal rules and whether a site accepts non-tribal customers or requires specific IDs or membership rules.

Conclusion: tracking changes and staying informed

Key takeaways

Counts for "states with gambling" differ by format: 25 states host commercial casinos, tribal gaming is present in 29 states, sports betting was legalized in 38 states plus DC as of early 2025, and full iGaming statewide authorizations exist in seven states. Use the format-specific number that matches your question when citing a total American Gaming Association report.

How to keep updated

Monitor official regulator pages, the NCSL sports betting map, and the AGA state gaming map for timely updates to laws and market access. For tribal activity, the National Indian Gaming Commission's releases provide authoritative summaries of tribal gaming presence and revenue NCSL sports betting map and the AGA state of play map AGA state of play map, and consult the Funded Plays evaluations guide Funded Plays evaluations guide.

Remember to verify rules before attempting to play and to prioritize responsible participation within the law.

How many states allow sports betting?

As of February 27, 2025, 38 states plus the District of Columbia had legalized sports betting in some form; access can be mobile, retail-only, or tribal-only depending on the state.

Which states allow full online casino play?

Seven states authorize statewide online casino play: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia; Nevada permits online poker but not wide online casino play.

Does tribal gaming mean gambling is legal statewide?

No. Tribal gaming operates on sovereign lands under compacts and does not necessarily indicate statewide commercial authorization; availability depends on compact terms and state law.

If you need a quick next step, check your state gaming regulator or the NCSL sports betting map for definitive, up-to-date guidance. Rules and delivery channels vary, so confirm the specific format and access method before attempting to play. Responsible participation matters: follow age and ID rules, and use official sources when in doubt.