Which States Could Legalize Sports Betting Next in 2026?

The US sports betting map keeps expanding. As of June 2026, 38 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico offer legal sports betting in some form, with 30 states supporting online wagering via apps or websites. Yet some of the country's largest population centers remain on the sidelines, and the race to legalize the next wave of markets is heating up.

For bettors, every new state means more legal, regulated options and an end to risky offshore alternatives. Here is where things stand and which states are most likely to join the legal map next.

The Current Legal Landscape

Missouri became the 39th legal sports betting state after launching in December 2025 following a successful ballot initiative. That win added momentum to legalization campaigns elsewhere, but progress remains uneven. The states still without any legal sports betting include Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.

If you are new to the space, our US sports betting hub explains how legal markets operate state by state, and our broader sports betting guide covers the fundamentals every bettor should know.

The Biggest Prizes: California and Texas

California and Texas together represent roughly 22 percent of the US adult population, making them the two most coveted unregulated markets in the country. Legalizing either would dramatically expand the national handle.

• California: Tribal gaming interests and commercial operators have clashed over the structure of any future market, and past ballot measures failed. Resolution will likely require a negotiated framework acceptable to the state's powerful tribes.
• Texas: Legislative sessions have repeatedly stalled despite support from pro sports franchises. The biennial legislative calendar slows progress, but momentum continues to build.

Neither is a lock for 2026, but both remain the ultimate prizes that operators and bettors are watching closely.

Georgia: The Top Watch for 2026

Georgia has emerged as the leading near-term candidate. Lawmakers have repeatedly introduced mobile sports betting bills, and with professional sports teams and a large, engaged fan base, the appetite is clearly there. The main hurdles are constitutional questions and competing visions for how revenue should be allocated. If Georgia clears those obstacles, it would instantly become one of the more attractive new markets in the Southeast.

Other States to Watch

Beyond the marquee names, several states could make moves:

• Minnesota: Tribal negotiations remain the sticking point, but a deal could unlock the market.
• Oklahoma: Tribal-state compact disputes have slowed progress, though interest persists.
• South Carolina and Alabama: Periodic legislative pushes keep these in the conversation, even if passage remains uncertain.

As new markets open, operators typically roll out aggressive launch promotions. Bettors can track those through our best sportsbook promos page to capture welcome value when a state goes live.

What Legalization Means for Bettors

Legal, regulated markets offer real protections: licensed operators, consumer safeguards, responsible gambling tools, and recourse if something goes wrong. They also bring competition, which drives better odds, richer promotions, and more product features. When a new state launches, the major national books usually arrive first, including operators detailed in our BetMGM review and Caesars review.

The Tax Factor

One wrinkle bettors should understand is taxation, which varies dramatically by state. Rates on sports betting gross gaming revenue range from as low as 6.75 percent in Iowa and Nevada to a punitive 51 percent in New York, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. High tax rates can pressure operators to offer fewer promotions and slightly worse pricing, so the structure a new state adopts matters for the end-user experience, not just state coffers.

The Road Ahead

Legalization rarely moves in a straight line. Ballot initiatives, tribal compacts, and legislative calendars all shape the timeline, and setbacks are common. Still, the long-term trend is unmistakable: more states are moving toward legal sports betting every year. For bettors in holdout states, the message is patience, with optimism that legal options are coming.

The Prediction Market Wild Card

One factor complicating the legalization debate is the rise of prediction markets, platforms that offer event-based contracts overseen by federal regulators rather than state gaming authorities. These platforms have begun offering sports-related contracts nationwide, including in states without legal sportsbooks, raising thorny questions about jurisdiction and fairness. Ongoing litigation across several states is testing whether this federally framed model can coexist with, or undermine, traditional state-by-state legalization.

For bettors in unregulated states, prediction markets may look like a workaround, but their legal status remains contested and could change abruptly. The safest path is still a fully licensed sportsbook operating under state regulation, which offers consumer protections, responsible gambling tools, and recourse that unregulated alternatives cannot guarantee. As more states legalize, the appeal of these gray-area products should diminish, but in the meantime they add another layer of uncertainty to an already fluid landscape.

It is also worth remembering that legalization is only the first step. After a state passes a bill, regulators must write rules, license operators, and certify technology before betting goes live, a process that can take months. Bettors eager for a new market should temper expectations: a legalized state is not the same as a launched one, as the gap between Missouri's late-2025 legalization and its market rollout illustrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many states have legal sports betting in 2026?

As of June 2026, 38 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico offer legal sports betting in some form, with 30 states supporting online wagering.

Which state is most likely to legalize sports betting next?

Georgia is widely viewed as the top near-term watch for 2026, though California and Texas remain the largest and most coveted unregulated markets.

Why haven't California and Texas legalized sports betting?

California faces disputes between tribal and commercial interests over market structure, while Texas is slowed by its biennial legislative calendar and political opposition despite support from pro sports teams.

How do tax rates affect bettors?

States tax sports betting revenue at rates from 6.75 percent to 51 percent. Higher rates can lead operators to offer fewer promotions and slightly worse odds.

Want to stay ahead of the next launch? Bookmark our US sports betting hub and check the latest best sportsbook promos so you are ready when your state goes live.