Gambling Laws by State (2026)
How each state charges gambling and the maximum penalties, from each state criminal code.
| State | Gambling |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama's criminal code makes betting on a contest of chance or future event unlawful unless an exception applies. Simple gambling (taking part as a player) is a Class C misdemeanor (up to three months), but it is a defense that the player was in a social game in a private place. Promoting gambling (profiting from gambling other than as a player, such as bookmaking or running games) and conspiracy to promote gambling are Class A misdemeanors (up to one year). Ala. Code §§ 13A-12-20, 13A-12-21, 13A-12-22, 13A-12-23 |
| Alaska | Alaska law authorizes charitable gaming: the state may issue permits to municipalities and qualified organizations to conduct bingo, raffles and lotteries, pull-tab games, ice classics and similar classics, fish derbies, dog mushers' contests, Calcutta pools and contests of skill. The charitable gaming law does not authorize playing cards, dice, roulette wheels, coin-operated gaming machines or similar gambling devices. Other gambling not specifically authorized by law is unlawful: playing is a violation (fine only; up to $1,000 for a second or later offense), with a defense for a social game in a home with no house player, bank, odds or income. Promoting or profiting from unlawful gambling is a Class A misdemeanor (up to one year, up to $25,000), or a Class C felony (up to five years, up to $50,000) for an unlawful gambling enterprise. AS 05.15.100, 05.15.180; AS 11.66.200 - 11.66.280; AS 12.55.035, 12.55.125, 12.55.135 |
| Arizona | Legal ('regulated') gambling in Arizona includes gambling under a tribal-state gaming compact or the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, gambling operated under a state or federal statute, rule or order with all taxes and fees paid and no players under 21, and event (sports) wagering conducted under Title 5, chapter 11. Social gambling among equals with no house benefit and amusement gambling are also allowed. Otherwise, promoting gambling (running or financing gambling for a benefit) is a class 5 felony, benefiting from gambling is a class 1 misdemeanor, and running an unlicensed betting business (bookmaking) is a class 1 misdemeanor. A.R.S. §§ 13-3301, 13-3303, 13-3304, 13-3305 |
| Arkansas | Simple betting of money or anything of value on any game of hazard or skill is a violation (not a misdemeanor), punishable by a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $25. Arkansas criminal gambling laws also include several felonies: keeping a gambling house is a Class D felony (up to 6 years) for offenses on or after July 31, 2007; operating a lottery (second or later offense), promoting a lottery, unlawful wagering on horse racing, bribery of a sports participant and lottery fraud are also Class D felonies. Which forms of gambling are legal (the state lottery, licensed casinos, sports betting, racing) were not verified from an official source. Ark. Code §§ 5-66-113, 5-66-103, 5-66-115, 5-66-117, 5-66-118, 5-66-119, 5-55-501 |
| California | Bookmaking or pool selling (taking even a single bet on an uncertain future event, such as a sporting contest) is a crime in California. A first offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony: up to 1 year in county jail or 16 months, 2 or 3 years in state prison, and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Repeat offenses carry minimum fines starting at $1,000. Cal. Pen. Code § 337a(a)-(c); CALCRIM No. 2990 |
| Colorado | Colorado's gambling crimes do not cover acts expressly authorized by law, bona fide contests of skill, social games between individuals, crane games, or sports betting conducted under part 15 of article 30 of title 44 and the rules of the limited gaming control commission; the state lottery is authorized under article 40 of title 44. Otherwise, a person who gambles commits a petty offense, and professional gambling (helping others gamble for profit, or playing with an unfair advantage) is a class 2 misdemeanor. Gambling devices, records and proceeds may be seized and forfeited. C.R.S. §§ 18-10-102, 18-10-103, 18-10-104, 18-5-102(1)(g) |
| Connecticut | Connecticut allows the state lottery, pari-mutuel betting at state-licensed race tracks, state-authorized off-track betting, authorized games at casino gaming facilities, online casino gaming, online and retail sports wagering, and fantasy contests as authorized by §§ 12-852 to 12-865, plus certain free promotional drawings and sweepstakes. Other gambling is illegal: engaging in gambling, soliciting others, or being present where gambling occurs is a Class B misdemeanor (up to six months and $1,000), with an exemption for social games among natural persons where no one profits as a professional gambler. Professional gambling is a Class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000). Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53-278b, 53-278g, 53a-36, 53a-42 |
| Delaware | Legal gambling in Delaware is run through the state lottery: traditional lottery games, video lottery machines and table games at licensed video lottery agents, a sports lottery (players must be 21 or older), and an Internet lottery for players physically located in the state; interactive fantasy contests are regulated separately. Operations of a lottery under state control are exempt from the gambling crimes. Illegal gambling offenses such as advancing gambling (running numbers or a lottery, or recording or accepting bets) and possessing a gambling device are class A misdemeanors (up to 1 year), while taking part in a crap game is a violation. 29 Del. C. §§ 4825, 4826, 4827; 11 Del. C. §§ 1401, 1403, 1405, 1407, 1413 |
| District of Columbia | D.C. law legalizes lotteries, daily numbers games, bingo, raffles, Monte Carlo night parties, game of skill machines and sports wagering, but only when conducted by the District or by those it licenses; sports wagering is regulated by the Chief Financial Officer's lottery office. Running illegal gambling is a crime: setting up or keeping a gaming table, gambling house or gambling device, or inducing people to play, is punishable by up to 5 years in prison, and running or selling tickets in an illegal lottery is punishable by up to 3 years, a fine, or both. Installing or operating an unlicensed game of skill machine is a misdemeanor (up to 180 days). D.C. Code §§ 22-1716, 36-621.02, 22-1701, 22-1704 |
| Florida | Playing any card game, keno, roulette, faro or other game of chance for money or anything of value is a second-degree misdemeanor in Florida (up to 60 days and $500), unless a specific law authorizes it. State law authorizes the Seminole Tribe, under a ratified gaming compact, to offer slot machines, banked card games such as blackjack and baccarat, and other games specified in the statute, including sports betting and fantasy sports contests under the newer compact (bettors must be 21 or older, and mobile wagers by players located in Florida are deemed to be conducted by the Tribe on its lands); games conducted under the compact do not violate state law, and it is not a crime for a person to take part in them at a tribal facility. Fla. Stat. §§ 849.08, 285.710(13), (14); Fla. Stat. §§ 775.082, 775.083 |
| Georgia | Georgia runs a state lottery through the Georgia Lottery Corporation, whose net proceeds 'shall be used to supplement, not supplant, existing resources for educational purposes and programs' (§ 50-27-2). Otherwise, betting on the result of a game, contest or election, or playing cards, dice or balls for money, is the crime of gambling, a misdemeanor (up to $1,000.00 and up to 12 months in jail (§ 17-10-3)). Commercial gambling (running a gambling place, taking bets, selling chances or running an unlicensed lottery or bingo game) is a felony punished by one to five years, a fine of up to $20,000.00, or both. O.C.G.A. §§ 16-12-21; 16-12-22; 50-27-2 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii's penal code makes knowingly participating in any gambling activity a misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,000). Promoting gambling is a felony: second degree (negligently advancing or profiting from gambling) is a class C felony, and first degree (for example bookmaking with more than five bets totaling more than $500 in seven days, or taking in more than $1,000 in a lottery or other gambling scheme in seven days) is a class B felony (up to 10 years). Private social gambling is an affirmative defense if players compete on equal terms, no one but the players profits, all players are adults, it is not bookmaking, and it does not take place in a business, hotel, bar, restaurant, park, beach or other public area. HRS §§ 712-1221, 712-1222, 712-1223, 712-1231; HRS §§ 706-660, 706-663, 706-640 |
| Idaho | Idaho's constitution declares gambling contrary to public policy and strictly prohibited except for a state lottery, pari-mutuel betting, and charitable bingo and raffles, each under enabling legislation, and it bars any form of casino gambling (including blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, keno and slot machines) or electronic imitations of it. Tribes may conduct only those forms of gaming authorized by Idaho law under state-tribal compacts. The criminal code defines gambling to include betting on a sporting event and casino games. Participating in gambling, or knowingly allowing gambling on property you control, is a misdemeanor. Idaho Const. art. III, § 20; Idaho Code §§ 18-3801, 18-3802, 67-429A(2)(a), 67-7401 |
| Illinois | Illinois law exempts many licensed forms of gambling from its gambling crime: the state lottery (including lottery tickets bought online through the state program), pari-mutuel horse-race betting, casino gambling under the Illinois Gambling Act, video gaming terminals at licensed establishments and truck stops, sports wagering (including online) under the Sports Wagering Act, fantasy contests, bingo, charitable games, raffles and poker runs, and pull tabs, each when conducted as those laws require. Other gambling, including playing a game of chance for money, illegal betting, bookmaking, or running an unlicensed Internet gambling site, is a Class A misdemeanor. A second or later conviction for the operator-type offenses (such as gambling devices, bookmaking, unlicensed lotteries or Internet gambling sites) is a Class 4 felony. 720 ILCS 5/28-1(a), (b)(3), (5), (6), (6.1), (8)-(12), (15), (16), (c) |
| Indiana | Legal gambling in Indiana is limited to what the state licenses. The Indiana Gaming Commission licenses and oversees the state's 13 casinos, regulates sports wagering (established by House Enrolled Act 1015-2019 and contained in Indiana Code 4-38, with both retail and mobile wagering authorized), paid fantasy sports, and charity gaming such as bingo, raffles, charity game nights and pull tabs run by qualified nonprofits. Knowingly or intentionally engaging in other gambling is unlawful gambling, a Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days and $1,000). An operator who uses the Internet to run unlawful gambling in Indiana or with a person in Indiana commits a Level 6 felony. Ind. Code §§ 35-45-5-2, 35-45-5-14 (IPAC compilation, Indiana Code 2022); Ind. Code art. 4-38 (per Indiana Gaming Commission) |
| Iowa | Iowa allows gambling only as licensed under its gambling laws: casino gambling games on licensed excursion gambling boats, gambling structures and racetrack enclosures, and sports wagering, all regulated by the state racing and gaming commission; pari-mutuel wagering; internet fantasy sports contests; social and charitable gambling; and the Iowa Lottery. Licensed sports wagering may be done in person or through an advance deposit sports wagering account by an eligible person at least 21 who is located in Iowa. Other betting or bookmaking is illegal gaming, graded by the amount involved and repeat offenses: $100 or less is a serious misdemeanor for a first offense (rising to a class "C" felony on a fourth); over $100 to $500 is an aggravated misdemeanor for a first offense; over $500 to $5,000 is a class "D" felony; and over $5,000 is a class "C" felony. Iowa Code §§ 725.7, 725.15, 99F.1, 99F.9, 99G.1 (Iowa Code 2026) |
| Kansas | Kansas criminal law excludes from illegal betting the state-run Kansas Lottery, licensed bingo, parimutuel wagering under the Kansas parimutuel racing act, tribal gaming, charitable raffles, qualifying fantasy sports leagues, and sports wagering as defined by state law. Other gambling, meaning making a bet or entering or remaining in a gambling place to bet, play a lottery or use a gambling device, is a class B nonperson misdemeanor (up to six months). K.S.A. 21-6403(a), (b), 21-6404 |
| Kentucky | Legal gambling in Kentucky includes the state lottery (KRS Chapter 154A), pari-mutuel horse-race wagering and other wagering licensed under KRS Chapter 230 by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, sports wagering (offered at licensed facilities or online through approved websites and mobile apps), fantasy contests, and licensed charitable gaming (KRS Chapter 238). Kentucky's gambling crimes target those who run or profit from illegal gambling: promoting gambling in the second degree (knowingly advancing or profiting from unlawful gambling) is a Class A misdemeanor, and promoting gambling in the first degree (larger bookmaking operations, lotteries taking over $500 a day, or setting up and operating a gambling device) is a Class D felony. Knowingly allowing one's premises to be used for gambling not licensed under Chapters 154A, 230 or 238 is permitting gambling, a Class B misdemeanor. KRS 528.010(6) (am. 2026), 528.020, 528.030, 528.070 (am. 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 184, eff. July 15, 2026), 230.805 |
| Louisiana | Under the criminal gambling statute, the following are not gambling when licensed, regulated and conducted on the licensed premises: riverboat gaming, the official gaming establishment, electronic video draw poker, charitable gaming, pari-mutuel wagering, slot machines at eligible horse racing facilities, and the state lottery. Fantasy sports contests (except as provided in R.S. 27:305) and sports wagering conducted in compliance with the Title 27 or Title 47 sports wagering laws are also not gambling. Illegal gambling, meaning intentionally conducting or directly assisting, as a business, a game or contest where people risk something of value to make a profit, is punishable by a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Running an illegal gambling business with five or more people that operates for thirty days or more (or takes in $2,000 in a day) is punishable by a fine of up to $20,000, up to five years, or both. La. R.S. 14:90(A), (C), (D), (E) |
| Maine | In Maine, gambling is unlawful unless expressly authorized by statute. Licensed slot machine facilities and casinos (slot machines and table games) operate under licenses from the Gambling Control Board, and sports wagering, including facility and mobile sports wagering licenses, is regulated by the state's gambling control director; the state lottery is also authorized. Knowingly advancing or profiting from unlawful gambling, or operating or promoting an online sweepstakes game, is unlawful gambling, a Class D crime (less than one year and up to $2,000), with forfeiture of related income; playing a slot machine under age 21 is also unlawful gambling. Aggravated unlawful gambling, such as bookmaking that takes more than 5 bets totaling more than $500 in a day or receiving more than $1,000 a day in a lottery or other gambling scheme, is a Class B crime (up to 10 years and $20,000). 17-A M.R.S. §§ 952, 953, 954; 8 M.R.S. §§ 1011, 1203 |
| Maryland | Maryland's State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency oversees the state lottery and the state's six casinos, and it also regulates sports wagering and online fantasy competitions. According to the Agency, sports wagering through licensed operators and online fantasy competitions offered by registered operators are the only legal online gaming options in Maryland, and no other forms of real-money online or mobile gaming are operating legally. Illegal bookmaking, keeping a place for betting, or taking and forwarding bets on a race or contest is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, a fine not exceeding $5,000, or both. Md. Code, Crim. Law § 12-102; Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts permits gaming conducted under its casino gaming law (M.G.L. chapter 23K) and sports wagering conducted under its sports wagering law (M.G.L. chapter 23N); the state's bookmaking statute expressly does not apply to gaming or sports wagering conducted in accordance with those chapters. Illegal bookmaking, such as keeping a place or device for registering bets or selling pools on a game, contest or election, or holding bets for compensation, is punishable by a fine of not more than $3,000, up to three years in state prison, or up to two and one-half years in jail or a house of correction. M.G.L. c. 271, § 17; c. 23K; c. 23N |
| Michigan | Michigan authorizes licensed casino gaming, internet gaming (online casino games) and internet sports betting when conducted under the state's casino, lawful internet gaming and lawful sports betting acts; online wagers are treated as gaming conducted at the operator's Michigan casino. The state lottery, pari-mutuel horse race wagering, bingo and millionaire parties, and tribal gaming on Indian lands under federal law are also authorized under their own laws. Illegal betting, such as taking money on the promise of a payout contingent on a race, contest, game or uncertain event, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail or a fine of not more than $1,000. MCL 432.203; MCL 432.304; MCL 432.404; MCL 750.301 |
| Minnesota | Minnesota permits lawful (charitable) gambling conducted by organizations licensed under chapter 349, pari-mutuel betting on horse racing under chapter 240, the State Lottery, and certain small social card and dice games. Making a bet or possessing an unauthorized gambling device is a misdemeanor (up to 90 days and $1,000). Running a gambling place, conducting an illegal lottery, or receiving or forwarding bets is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days and $3,000, and sports bookmaking is a felony. Minn. Stat. §§ 609.755, 609.76, 609.761 |
| Mississippi | According to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, gambling is generally a crime under Miss. Code Ann. § 97-33-1 et seq., with exemptions: most gambling games, including wagering on sporting events, on the floor of a casino licensed by the Commission; gaming and sports wagering at casinos operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians; bingo at Commission-licensed bingo halls whose proceeds go to a licensed charity; lottery games conducted through the Mississippi Lottery Corporation; raffles held by listed nonprofit organizations; fantasy sports run by a licensed operator; and children's amusement games. The Commission states that sports wagering outside a casino is illegal ('online and mobile sports wagering apps are illegal') and that online casino games are illegal. The criminal grade and penalty for illegal gambling could not be read from the code. Mississippi Gaming Commission, Frequently Asked Questions (citing Miss. Code Ann. §§ 97-33-1 et seq., 75-76-1 et seq., 97-33-50, 97-33-51, 27-115-1 et seq., 97-33-301 et seq., 97-33-8) |
| Missouri | Legal gambling in Missouri is set by the state constitution: a state lottery (art. III, § 39(b)); on-track pari-mutuel betting on horse racing if authorized by law (art. III, § 39(c)); casino games on excursion gambling boats and floating facilities on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers only (art. III, § 39(e)); and, since voter approval in 2024, sports wagering by licensed operators online to people physically in Missouri, at the riverboat casinos, and at approved locations in pro-sports districts, for people 21 and older, starting no later than December 1, 2025 (art. III, § 39(g)). The Missouri Gaming Commission states 'Online casinos are illegal in Missouri.' Gambling outside these exceptions is a class C misdemeanor (up to 15 days), a class B misdemeanor if done with a child under 17, and a class A misdemeanor for a professional player (§ 572.020); promoting gambling in the first degree (e.g., bookmaking over $100 a day or operating a slot machine) is a class E felony (§ 572.030). Mo. Const. art. III, §§ 39(b), 39(c), 39(e), 39(g); RSMo §§ 572.020, 572.030; Missouri Gaming Commission PSA (Apr. 23, 2025) |
| Montana | 'Except as specifically authorized by statute, all forms of public gambling, lotteries, and gift enterprises are prohibited' (§ 23-5-151). Authorized forms include the state lottery and sports wagering run by the Montana state lottery, which may be done in person or on mobile devices only within the physical confines of an approved licensed sports wagering facility (§ 23-7-103); licensed video gambling machines (bingo, poker, keno, video line and multigame) at licensed operators (§ 23-5-603); live card game tables under permit (§ 23-5-306); and raffles, bingo, Calcutta pools and sports pools under Title 23, chapter 5. Internet gambling, including online casinos using any currency, is defined as an illegal gambling enterprise, and tribal class II and III gaming on Indian lands is excluded from that definition (§ 23-5-112). Possessing an illegal gambling device or operating an illegal gambling enterprise is a misdemeanor: up to $500 for a first offense, rising to up to $1,000 and 6 months in jail, then up to $10,000 and 1 year for repeat convictions within 5 years (§§ 23-5-152, 23-5-161); cheating or using an illegal gambling device to obtain more than $750 is a felony (§ 23-5-156). MCA §§ 23-5-112, 23-5-151, 23-5-152, 23-5-156, 23-5-161, 23-5-306, 23-5-603, 23-7-103 |
| Nebraska | Betting on chance or on a game, contest or election is unlawful gambling unless done under one of the state's gaming laws: the Nebraska Bingo Act, County and City Lottery Act (keno), Lottery and Raffle Act, Pickle Card Lottery Act, Small Lottery and Raffle Act, State Lottery Act, or the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act (§ 28-1101(4)). Under the Racetrack Gaming Act, licensed operators may offer games of chance, including slot machines, table games, card games, keno and sports wagering, within licensed racetrack enclosures regulated by the State Racing and Gaming Commission; sports wagering excludes in-game and individual-player bets on games involving Nebraska college teams (§ 9-1103). Playing an unlawful game by betting less than $500 in a day is promoting gambling in the third degree, a Class IV misdemeanor ($500 fine) (§ 28-1104); betting $500 or more in a day or small-scale bookmaking is a Class II misdemeanor (§ 28-1103); bookmaking or receiving $1,500 or more in a day is a Class I misdemeanor for a first offense, a Class IV felony for a second and a Class III felony after that (§ 28-1102). Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-1101, 28-1102, 28-1103, 28-1104, 9-1103 |
| Nevada | Casino gambling is legal in Nevada when licensed: it is unlawful to operate any gambling game, slot machine, race book, sports pool or interactive gaming system without all required federal, state, county and municipal gaming licenses (NRS 463.160), and willfully doing so is a category B felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $50,000, or both (NRS 463.360(3)). Accepting a wager from someone physically in Nevada by phone, internet or other communication is a gross misdemeanor (NRS 465.092), except wagers accepted within the state by licensed race books and sports pools and other licensed operators (NRS 465.094). Nevada has no state lottery: the constitution states that 'no lottery may be authorized by this State,' except charitable or nonprofit raffles or drawings authorized by the Legislature (Nev. Const. art. 4, § 24). NRS 463.160, 463.360, 465.092, 465.094; Nev. Const. art. 4, § 24 |
| New Hampshire | Gambling that is not specifically authorized by law is a crime: knowingly and unlawfully gambling, permitting gambling in a place one controls, or possessing a gambling machine is a misdemeanor; running a gambling business that takes in $2,000 in a day, runs more than 10 days, or accepts over $5,000 in wagers in 30 days is a class B felony; and promoting gambling on a gambling machine is a class B felony with a fine of at least $5,000 per day per machine (RSA 647:2, I-I-b). Exceptions include fantasy sports contests, small private home poker games meeting listed conditions, and sports wagering authorized by RSA 287-I (RSA 647:2, V). Under RSA 287-I, the lottery commission and up to 5 mobile agents may run a sports book, including online and mobile wagering initiated within New Hampshire, for bettors 18 or older physically in the state; bets on New Hampshire college teams, college events in the state and high school events are prohibited (RSA 287-I:1, 287-I:2, 287-I:7). RSA 647:2; RSA 287-I:1, 287-I:2, 287-I:7 |
| New Jersey | New Jersey's Constitution bans gambling unless approved by voters, but authorizes: a State lottery; casinos within Atlantic City; sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos and at current or former horse racetracks (but not on college events held in New Jersey or involving a New Jersey college team); wagering on horse races; and bingo and raffles run by qualifying charitable, veterans, religious and similar organizations. Internet gaming is authorized by statute and is 'deemed to take place where a casino's server is located in Atlantic City.' Running illegal gambling ('promoting gambling') is a disorderly persons offense with a fine up to $10,000; bookmaking of three or more bets in two weeks is a crime of the fourth degree (fine up to $25,000); and bookmaking of more than five bets totaling more than $1,000 in a day, or larger lottery/policy operations, is a crime of the third degree (fine up to $35,000). Participating only as a player is an affirmative defense. N.J. Const. art. IV, § VII, ¶ 2; N.J.S.A. 5:12-95.20; N.J.S. 2C:37-2 |
| New Mexico | According to the New Mexico Gaming Control Board, gambling is prohibited unless specifically permitted by law (Gaming Control Act § 60-2E-4 and Criminal Code §§ 30-19-1 to 30-19-15). Legal forms include: the state lottery; tribal casinos operated under tribal-state compacts; casinos with gaming machines at five licensed racetracks (up to 750 machines each) and horse-race wagering placed at a licensed track; up to 15 gaming machines at qualified veterans' and fraternal clubs, for members only; and bingo, raffles and pull-tabs run by qualified organizations. The Board states that sports betting pools and wagering on sporting events (other than horse racing at a licensed track), casino nights and paid poker games are prohibited, and that it does not license or approve any internet or online gambling. It describes running commercial gambling (§ 30-19-3) as a fourth-degree felony. NMSA 1978, §§ 60-2E-4, 30-19-1 to 30-19-15, 30-19-3 (as described by the NM Gaming Control Board) |
| New York | The New York State Gaming Commission regulates the legal forms of gambling: horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, Class III Indian (tribal) gaming, the state lottery including video lottery terminals, commercial casino gaming, sports wagering, interactive fantasy sports, and charitable gaming; it urges people to 'wager with licensed operators only.' Running illegal gambling is 'promoting gambling': in the second degree (knowingly advancing or profiting from unlawful gambling) it is a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000); in the first degree it is a class E felony (up to four years) — bookmaking that accepts more than five bets totaling more than $5,000 in a day, or a lottery or policy scheme receiving more than $500 in a day or records from non-players. N.Y. Penal Law §§ 225.05, 225.10; NYS Gaming Commission |
| North Carolina | Operating, playing or betting on a game of chance for money or anything of value is a Class 2 misdemeanor (1-30 days for a person with no prior convictions, up to 1-60 days with five or more priors, and a fine up to $1,000), except as allowed by Chapter 18C (the state lottery and sports wagering) or the charitable bingo and raffle provisions; playing a lawfully conducted lottery in any state is not covered. Sports wagering authorized by Chapter 18C 'shall not be considered unlawful' and may be placed through an interactive (online) account or at a place of public accommodation while the bettor is physically in the state (not on Indian lands). Federally recognized tribes may lawfully offer Class III gaming — gaming machines, live table games, raffles, video games, and sports and horse race wagering — on their trust lands under an approved Tribal-State compact. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-292, 18C-902, 14-292.2 |
| North Dakota | Legal gambling in North Dakota includes the state lottery run by the North Dakota Lottery, charitable gaming run by licensed nonprofit organizations and regulated by the Attorney General's Gaming Division, and the state's five tribal ('Indian') casinos operating on tribal land under tribal-state compacts. The Attorney General states that 'State law prohibits online gaming in North Dakota,' except online raffles by licensed charities through a licensed distributor. Except as permitted by law, gambling on private premises with more than $25 bet per player per hand, game or event is an infraction, and more than $500 is a class A misdemeanor (up to 360 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both); selling or buying chances in an unauthorized lottery is a class A misdemeanor; and engaging in the business of gambling (running a pool or lottery, taking bets for others, keeping slot machines) is a class C felony (up to five years, a $10,000 fine, or both). N.D.C.C. § 12.1-28-02; ND Attorney General Gaming Division |
| Ohio | Ohio's Constitution prohibits lotteries except as it allows: a state-run lottery, charitable bingo, and casino gaming at four casino facilities (one each in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo and one in Franklin County). By statute the Ohio Casino Control Commission licenses and regulates sports gaming, including through mobile management services providers. Illegal gambling — bookmaking, running a game or scheme of chance for profit, providing betting information for bookmaking, or betting as a substantial source of income — is a misdemeanor of the first degree (up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine), and a felony of the fifth degree (six to twelve months, fine up to $2,500) if the person has a prior gambling-offense conviction. Ohio Const. art. XV, § 6; R.C. 3775.02; R.C. 2915.02 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma allows the state Education Lottery, pari-mutuel horse racing and licensed gaming at racetracks under the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act, charity bingo and similar games under the Oklahoma Charity Games Act, and gaming by Indian tribes under the State-Tribal Gaming Act model compact; gaming conducted under those laws is not subject to criminal penalties. Otherwise, betting or playing at a gambling game for money is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $25.00 to $100.00, one (1) to thirty (30) days in county jail, or both. Running a gambling game (such as poker, roulette or craps) is a Class C2 felony with a fine of $500.00 to $2,000.00, and commercial gambling (operating a gambling place, taking bets, running a lottery or gambling business) is a Class C2 felony with a fine of not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00); Class C2 carries up to seven (7) years in prison. 3A O.S. §§ 200, 262(A), 280, 401, 701; 21 O.S. §§ 941, 942, 982, 20M(B) |
| Oregon | Oregon runs a state lottery (including video lottery games) under ORS chapter 461. The criminal-law definition of gambling excludes social games, certain token-only contests, and bingo, lotto, raffles and Monte Carlo events run in compliance with the law by charitable, fraternal or religious organizations. Otherwise, knowingly placing a bet with a bookmaker or playing in unlawful gambling is unlawful gambling in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail). Knowingly promoting or profiting from unlawful gambling is unlawful gambling in the first degree, a Class C felony (up to 5 years in prison). ORS chapter 461; 167.117(7), 167.122, 167.127; 161.605, 161.615 |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania's Race Horse Development and Gaming Act authorizes regulated slot machines and table games at licensed casinos, interactive (online) gaming, and sports wagering, all overseen by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Outside those laws, it is a misdemeanor of the first degree (up to 5 years and a fine up to $10,000) to make, set up, sell or keep slot machines or other gambling devices, to let people gather to gamble unlawfully at a place you control, to invite people to an unlawful gambling place, or to operate electronic video monitors offering simulated gambling for cash prizes. 4 Pa.C.S. §§ 1101, 1102; 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513(a), (a.1); §§ 1101, 1104 |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island gambling is run by the state through its lottery division: the state lottery, video lottery terminals, state-operated casino gaming at the Twin River facility in Lincoln (and Tiverton), sports wagering hosted at those facilities, and state-operated online iGaming for players 21 and older. Charitable bingo and raffles are allowed under licensing rules. Outside those laws, running a lottery or game of chance for prizes is a felony punishable by up to two (2) years or a fine up to $2,000; keeping a gambling place or devices is punishable by up to two (2) years or a fine of $500 to $5,000; bookmaking is punishable by a fine up to $500 or up to one year (one to five years for a second conviction); and frequenting a gambling place carries up to thirty (30) days. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 42-61.2-2.1, 42-61.2-2.4, 42-61.2-3.4, 11-19-1, 11-19-14, 11-19-18, 11-19-21, 11-19-32 |
| South Carolina | South Carolina allows the state-run South Carolina Education Lottery. Otherwise, playing or betting at card or dice games or other gambling tables or devices at a tavern, store, gaming house or other public place is punishable by up to thirty days or a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, and the keeper of the gaming place faces up to twelve months and forfeiture of up to two thousand dollars per offense. Betting at a race track, pool selling or bookmaking (taking bets on contests, elections or chance events) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, up to six months, or both. S.C. Code §§ 59-150-10, 16-19-40, 16-19-130 |
| South Dakota | South Dakota allows licensed gaming in the city of Deadwood (including sports wagering on the premises of licensed Deadwood gaming establishments), the state-run South Dakota Lottery (including video lottery machines in licensed bars and lounges), and bingo and small lotteries run by qualifying veterans, religious, charitable, civic and similar organizations under statutory conditions (for example, no bingo prize over two thousand dollars per play). Otherwise, placing or accepting a bet on a sporting event, gambling with cards, dice or devices, or keeping or renting out a place or equipment for gambling is a Class 2 misdemeanor (up to thirty days and/or $500). SDCL 22-25-1, 22-25-25, 22-25-27, 42-7A-1, 42-7B-2.1, 42-7B-4 |
| Tennessee | Online sports betting with operators licensed by the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council is legal for people 21 and older who are physically in Tennessee. Physical sportsbooks and kiosks are not legal, and betting with an unlicensed online sportsbook or with a person (a 'bookie') is illegal. There is a narrow exception for small sports pools, such as a March Madness bracket run by an individual (not a business) with a total pool under $1,000 and an entry fee of $25 or less. Knowingly engaging in illegal gambling is a Class C misdemeanor (up to 30 days and/or a $50 fine). Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, Frequently Asked Questions (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act); Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-17-502, 40-35-111(e)(3) |
| Texas | Betting on games, contests or elections, or playing cards, dice or other gambling devices for money, is the Class C misdemeanor of gambling (fine up to $500). It is a defense that the gambling was in a private place, nobody got an economic benefit other than personal winnings, and the odds were equal for all players except for skill or luck. Defenses also cover the state lottery, bingo and raffles permitted under the Occupations Code, and pari-mutuel racing under the Texas Racing Act. Running or profiting from gambling (gambling promotion) is a Class A misdemeanor. Tex. Penal Code §§ 47.02(a)-(d); 47.03(b); 12.21; 12.23 |
| Utah | Utah prohibits gambling, including so-called fringe gambling (de facto gambling machines or games offered by businesses) and online gambling; the statute states that if federal law ever lets states opt out of online gambling, Utah shall opt out. Participating in gambling is a class B misdemeanor (class A with a prior conviction). Making money from gambling (general gambling promotion) is a class A misdemeanor, or a third degree felony with a prior conviction. Utah Code §§ 76-9-1401(6), 76-9-1402(2)-(5), 76-9-1405(2)-(3) |
| Vermont | Online sports betting is legal in Vermont: the Department of Liquor and Lottery operates sports wagering through contracts with two to six operators using mobile sports wagering platforms, and people under 21 may not bet. Playing cards, dice or other games for money in a gaming house run for profit is punishable by a fine of up to $200 and/or up to 60 days in jail; keeping gambling equipment and letting people use it for gambling is punishable by 10 days to six months and/or a $10 to $500 fine. Selling, renting or possessing gambling machines is punishable by up to six months and/or a $100 fine. 31 V.S.A. §§ 1301, 1302 (sports wagering); 13 V.S.A. §§ 2133, 2134, 2135-2139 |
| Virginia | Virginia's gambling crimes do not apply to the state lottery, sports betting that is lawful under the state's sports betting law, licensed casino gaming, pari-mutuel horse racing, or permitted charitable bingo, raffles and Texas Hold'em tournaments. Illegal gambling is a Class 3 misdemeanor (fine up to $500), and illegal betting on horse races outside licensed venues is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Operating an illegal gambling operation is a Class 6 felony, or 1 to 10 years and a fine up to $20,000 if it ran more than 30 days or took in $2,000 or more in a day. The Virginia Lottery regulates the state's casinos and sports betting. Va. Code §§ 18.2-326; 18.2-328; 18.2-334.2; 18.2-334.3; 18.2-334.4; 18.2-334.5 |
| Washington | Washington law limits and strictly regulates gambling but authorizes bingo, raffles, amusement games, punchboards, pull-tabs, card games and other social pastimes run under the Gambling Act, and sports wagering run by federally recognized tribes on Indian lands under amended tribal-state gaming compacts. Transmitting or receiving gambling information by phone, internet or similar means (for example, illegal online betting) is a class C felony unless it relates to authorized activity such as compact sports wagering. Professional gambling in the third degree, including running unlicensed gambling, is a gross misdemeanor. RCW 9.46.010; 9.46.0364; 9.46.240; 9.46.222 |
| West Virginia | Legal gambling in West Virginia is run through the state lottery system: the West Virginia Lottery, racetrack video lottery, racetrack table games, sports wagering and online (interactive) wagering are lawful only when conducted under their articles and the Lottery Commission's rules. Table games are limited to racetracks that hold racetrack video lottery and horse or dog racing licenses, and sports wagering and interactive (online) wagering are limited to the four licensed racetracks and the licensed historic resort hotel. Betting money or anything of value on a game of chance outside these licensed forms is a misdemeanor with a fine of $5 to $300; keeping or exhibiting a gaming table or device (such as a slot machine or keno table) is a misdemeanor punishable by two to twelve months in jail and a fine of $100 to $1,000. W. Va. Code §§ 29-22C-2, 29-22D-2, 29-22E-2, 61-10-1, 61-10-5 |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin's gambling law excludes from illegal betting: bingo and raffles conducted under the charitable gaming chapter, pari-mutuel wagering, the state lottery, and event or sports wagers made by someone physically in Wisconsin using a mobile or other electronic device when the server is located on a federally recognized tribe's Indian lands in the state and the wager is conducted under a tribal gaming compact. Other gambling is illegal: making a bet, entering a gambling place to bet or play a gambling machine, or conducting a lottery is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days, up to $1,000, or both). Commercial gambling, such as running a gambling place, taking bets for gain, or collecting proceeds of a gambling machine, is a Class I felony (up to 3 years and 6 months, up to $10,000, or both), except as the statute provides. Wis. Stat. §§ 945.01(1)(cm)-(e), (h), 945.02, 945.03, 939.50(3)(i), 939.51(3)(b) |
| Wyoming | Legal gambling in Wyoming includes the state lottery run by the Wyoming Lottery Corporation, online sports wagering regulated by the Wyoming Gaming Commission (age 18 and older), pari-mutuel wagering regulated by the Gaming Commission, bingo and pull tabs run by licensed charitable or nonprofit organizations, licensed Calcutta wagering by qualifying organizations, and private social games among people with a bona fide social relationship where no one profits except from winnings; acts expressly authorized by law are excluded from the gambling ban. Otherwise, gambling (risking property for gain on chance or on an event outside one's control, including sporting events) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six (6) months, a fine of up to $750.00, or both, and professional gambling is a felony punishable by up to three (3) years, a fine of up to $3,000.00, or both. W.S. 6-7-101(a)(iii), 6-7-102, 9-17-102, 9-24-101(a)(vi), 9-24-102, 9-24-105, 11-25-102 |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.