Understand All The Legal Ways to Bet
in the US

Depending on where you live there are many different ways to bet.
We scan & break down all the options available in the US

State by State Legal Betting

Check out the latest update on legal online betting options in your state

Betting Formats in the US Explained

Whether you're into traditional sports betting, fantasy contests, or looking to explore alternative betting formats like Sweepstakes or Prediction Markets - there’s probably at least one legal way for you to play in your state. Below you can learn about all the different legal betting formats available to US players.

Real Money Sportsbooks

Bet on pro & college sports with licensed U.S. sportsbooks

Social Sportsbooks

Bet on sports using virtual coins, with real money prize potential

Daily Fantasy Sports

Compete in pick’em & traditional fantasy formats for real money

Prediction Markets

Trade on real-world outcomes - politics, culture, sports, & more

No legalized sports betting in your state? No problem!

Live in a no-sportsbook state? Don’t stress. Social sportsbooks, DFS platforms, and Prediction Markets are legal in way more places than you’d think. The key is finding the right format for you.

Click on any of the buttons above to learn more about each betting format - or check out our betting guides for in-depth breakdowns on how to bet across every type of betting we cover.

Understanding your betting options

Legal betting in the U.S. isn’t always as simple as downloading an app and placing a bet.

Some states allow sportsbooks. Others allow fantasy contests. And in a lot of places, the most accessible option might be a social sportsbook or a prediction market.

If that sounds confusing, you're not alone. That’s why BettingScanner was built: to help regular people understand what’s legal, what’s safe, and what their best options are to bet on sports, casino games, politics, or more.

Learn All Legal Ways to Bet in the US

Cole Redding

Editor-in-Chief

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to legal betting in the U.S. I’ve seen too many folks miss out - or worse, fall into shady offshore sites - just because they didn’t know their options. That’s why this site exists.

At BettingScanner, we break down every legal way to bet. We explain how they work, where they’re legal, and which ones are actually worth your time. Our mission is to help you bet smarter, offering clear answers, real comparisons, and advice you can trust.

Comparing Betting Formats

The Team Behind Betting Scanner

Meet Our Team

Our team is made up by 5 handpicked experts with different backgrounds to accurately cover the expansive American betting market.

We scan it daily to deliver the latest and greatest happenings directly to you here at BettingScanner.com.