US gambling licensing: online casino and sports betting by state
There is no federal US gambling license. Each state licenses operators and suppliers separately. Online casino is legal in seven states, with Maine to follow, and sports betting in 39 states plus DC.
What United States licenses
Online casino states
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island; Maine’s law took effect July 29, 2026, with launch expected in 2027.
Sports betting
Legal in 39 states and DC, each with its own licensing.
Suppliers
Game content and platform suppliers need state supplier or vendor licenses; some states also register affiliates.
What the regulator expects
- State-by-state license applications and background investigations
- Key person and owner disclosures
- Game and system certification by approved test labs
- AML, geolocation and player protection controls
How the application runs
- 1Market selectionWhich states, which products, which partners.
- 2ApplicationsSupplier, vendor or operator applications per state.
- 3InvestigationBackground checks on the company and key persons.
- 4CertificationGames and systems tested for each state.
- 5LaunchGo-live with operators in each state.
Ongoing obligations
- Separate compliance in every state
- Renewals and change reporting per state
- Geolocation and responsible gaming requirements
- Operator access in most iGaming states runs through land-based or tribal license holders, so suppliers often enter first.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a single US gambling license?
No. Each state licenses separately.
Which states allow online casino?
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island, with Maine expected to launch in 2027.
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