Gambling is a major industry in the United States, regulated mostly at the state level. In 2025, each U.S. state has its own rules about what kind of gambling is allowed—whether it’s land-based casinos, tribal casinos, racetracks, or online gambling. Some states allow all forms of gambling, while others permit only specific types like tribal casinos or lotteries. This article gives a detailed, state-by-state list of legal casinos and gambling spots in the U.S. as of 2025. Only licensed and legal gambling establishments are included, to help people understand where they can gamble safely and within the law.
Nevada
Nevada is the most famous gambling state in the U.S. Las Vegas and Reno are home to hundreds of casinos, ranging from large resorts to small local gaming venues. All forms of gambling are legal here, including sports betting and online poker.
Major Gambling Areas:
- Las Vegas Strip (MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, Bellagio, The Venetian)
- Downtown Las Vegas (Golden Nugget, Fremont Casino)
- Reno and Lake Tahoe casinos
New Jersey
New Jersey legalized casino gambling in Atlantic City. It also has fully legal online casinos, poker, and sports betting. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement strictly monitors all gambling activity.
Main Casinos:
- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
- Hard Rock Atlantic City
- Caesars Atlantic City
- Ocean Casino Resort
Online gambling and mobile sports betting are also popular and fully legal here.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has become a leading gambling state with legal land-based casinos, online gambling, and sports betting. There are multiple racinos (racetrack + casino) and standalone casinos.
Main Legal Casinos:
- Parx Casino (near Philadelphia)
- Rivers Casino (Pittsburgh and Philadelphia)
- Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Wind Creek Bethlehem
Online poker, slots, and table games are also legal and widely used.
Michigan
Michigan allows land-based commercial and tribal casinos, along with legal online casinos and sportsbooks. The Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees operations.
Main Gambling Locations:
- MGM Grand Detroit
- MotorCity Casino
- Greektown Casino
- Soaring Eagle Casino (tribal)
- FireKeepers Casino (tribal)
Online gambling platforms like BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel operate under license in Michigan.
New York
New York allows commercial casinos, tribal casinos, sports betting (online and offline), and limited racetrack betting. Online casino games like slots and poker are still not legal in 2025.
Major Casinos:
- Resorts World Catskills
- Rivers Casino Schenectady
- Del Lago Resort & Casino
- Turning Stone Resort (tribal)
- Seneca Niagara (tribal)
Sports betting is legal both in-person and through mobile apps.
Illinois
Illinois allows riverboat casinos, racetracks with slot machines, and online sports betting. A law passed in 2020 allowed land-based casinos as well. Online casino gaming is under discussion but not yet legalized.
Popular Legal Casinos:
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
- Grand Victoria Casino
- Argosy Casino Alton
- Harrah’s Joliet
Sports betting is legal online and in physical locations across the state.
Indiana
Indiana offers full-scale legal gambling including commercial casinos, tribal casinos, and online/mobile sports betting. Online casinos are not legal as of 2025.
Main Casinos:
- Horseshoe Hammond
- Tropicana Evansville
- Ameristar East Chicago
- Caesars Southern Indiana
All forms of land-based gambling, including live poker and table games, are legal.
Ohio
Ohio permits commercial casinos and racinos. Sports betting, both online and offline, was legalized in 2023 and is now active. Online casino gaming is not yet allowed.
Main Casinos:
- Hollywood Casino Columbus
- Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
- JACK Cleveland Casino
- Hollywood Casino Toledo
Betting on sports is allowed through legal apps and sportsbooks in casinos.
Florida
Florida has a mixed gambling environment. Tribal casinos are allowed, and recently, through agreements with the Seminole Tribe, sports betting has been allowed again. Online casinos are still banned.
Main Gambling Spots:
- Seminole Hard Rock Tampa
- Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood
- Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
- Magic City Casino (Miami)
Only tribal casinos operate full table games and slots. Online gambling is still a legal grey area.
California
California has tribal casinos and card rooms but no commercial casinos. Sports betting was not legalized in 2022, and as of 2025, it remains illegal. Online casinos are also not allowed.
Key Tribal Casinos:
- Pechanga Resort Casino
- Yaamava’ Resort & Casino
- Thunder Valley Casino
- Morongo Casino
Card rooms offer poker and some table-style games, but with limitations. Online gambling remains under legislative review.
Arizona
Arizona legalized sports betting and expanded tribal casino gaming in 2021. Online sports betting is also legal. Commercial casinos are not allowed.
Legal Gambling Locations:
- Talking Stick Resort
- Desert Diamond Casinos
- Casino Arizona
- Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
Online sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel are legally operating.
Colorado
Colorado has a strong gambling industry with casinos in mountain towns like Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. Sports betting and online sportsbooks are also legal.
Main Casinos:
- Monarch Casino Resort
- Ameristar Black Hawk
- The Lodge Casino
- Wildwood Casino
Online gambling is limited to sports betting. Online poker or slots are not legal.
Louisiana
Louisiana allows both riverboat casinos and land-based casinos. Sports betting is legal both online and in-person. The state gaming board controls licensing.
Popular Casinos:
- Harrah’s New Orleans
- L’Auberge Casino Baton Rouge
- Golden Nugget Lake Charles
- Horseshoe Bossier City
Online casinos are not legal yet, but sports betting is widely available.
Other States with Legal Gambling (Partial List):
Mississippi
- Legal casinos mostly along Gulf Coast and riverfronts
- No online casinos, but sports betting is legal in-person
Iowa
- Legal casinos and racetracks
- Online sports betting allowed
Missouri
- Riverboat casinos legal
- Sports betting is under legislative process
Connecticut
- Two major tribal casinos (Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun)
- Online gambling and sports betting legal
West Virginia
- Commercial and online casinos are legal
- Sports betting fully legalized
Rhode Island
- Two commercial casinos
- Online sports betting legal
Delaware
- One of the first to legalize online gambling
- Small number of casinos (Dover Downs, Delaware Park)
States Where Gambling Is Still Restricted or Illegal
Several U.S. states still do not allow full-scale gambling or have very strict laws. These include:
- Utah: All gambling is banned
- Hawaii: No casinos or sports betting allowed
- Alaska: No casinos, limited charitable gaming
- South Carolina: No commercial casinos, only limited charity gaming
- Georgia: Only lottery allowed, no casinos or sports betting
Conclusion
The gambling scene in the United States in 2025 is a patchwork of laws and licensing systems. States like Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan lead in offering full access to casinos, online gambling, and sports betting. Meanwhile, others like California and Florida have complex tribal agreements but limited online access. States like Utah and Hawaii have no legal gambling at all. If you’re planning to visit or gamble in the U.S., it’s important to know the laws of each state. Playing only at licensed venues or apps ensures safety, fairness, and compliance with U.S. laws. As new states legalize online casinos or sports betting, the legal map will keep changing—so keeping up-to-date is necessary for any gambler or tourist.
