States Expand Sports Betting Landscape, Offering New Avenues for Wagers

Sports betting has expanded across several U.S. states, with Ohio, North Carolina, New York, and Missouri establishing legal frameworks for online and in-person wagers. These states have launched with multiple licensed sportsbook apps, offering residents a range of betting options on professional and collegiate sporting events.

In Ohio, sports betting became legal on January 1, 2023, with 13 licensed sportsbook apps available. Residents and visitors over 21 can bet on professional sporting events and collegiate events, with the exception of college player props. Ohio offers both online and retail betting options, with 13 retail locations, primarily within casinos, alongside online platforms.

North Carolina launched its online sports betting market on March 11, 2024, following initial legalization of in-person betting in 2019 and retail betting in 2021. The state, regulated by the North Carolina State Lottery Commission, features seven legal online sportsbook apps. Bettors must be over 21 and physically within the state to place wagers. North Carolina permits betting on college sports, including player props, which differs from some other states.

New York's journey into legal sports betting began with retail locations in July 2019, with mobile sports betting legalized in April 2021 and launched on January 8, 2022. Currently, nine sportsbook apps operate in the state. New York has specific regulations for college sports betting: wagers cannot be placed on New York-based college teams or on any college sporting event taking place within the state. Player prop bets on collegiate games are also prohibited.

Missouri's sports betting market officially launched on December 1, 2025, after the approval of Amendment 2 on November 5, 2024. The state's Gaming Commission oversees eight licensed online sportsbook apps. Missouri allows betting on college sports, including player props, with the stipulation that these props cannot be from in-state teams. The state has also begun crackdowns on prediction markets and unlicensed operators.

Across these states, common features include the requirement for bettors to be at least 21 years of age and physically located within the state's borders to place a wager. Welcome offers, such as deposit matches, bonus bets, and bet-and-get promotions, are frequently provided by sportsbooks to attract new users. These offers typically involve bonus funds that cannot be directly withdrawn and may expire if unused.

For those seeking to wager in person, retail sportsbooks are available in Ohio, North Carolina, and New York, often located within casinos or racinos. Missouri also features numerous retail sportsbook locations within its casinos.

Residents in these states have a wide array of professional and collegiate teams to bet on, including major franchises in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and prominent college programs. The availability of diverse betting markets and the increasing number of legal operators signify a growing trend in regulated sports wagering across the United States.