Slots by State
By Rhea Castillo, Slots Editor
Last reviewed September 28, 2026 How we rate
How we earn: some casino links on this page pay us a commission if you sign up. That costs you nothing and it never moves a site up our list. Every casino here is licensed offshore, not by a US state. 21+. Full disclosure.
Quick answerOnline slots for real money are licensed in seven US states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island. Maine has passed a law but is not live yet. The other states have no licensed online casinos, and California, New York and Maine have also banned sweepstakes casinos. This is general information, not legal advice.
On this page
- Where are online slots legal in the US?
- What is the status of online slots in each state?
- Can you play real money slots in a state without licensing?
- What changed for sweepstakes casinos?
- How do you check that a licensed slots app is real?
- Do you pay tax on slot winnings in every state?
- Where can you get help in your state?
Where are online slots legal in the US?
Seven states license real money online casinos, including online slots: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island. In those states, a state regulator or lottery oversees the licensed apps. Maine has passed an online casino law, but its market is not live yet.
- Real money online casinos legal (7)
- Law passed, not live (ME)
- Sweepstakes banned (CA, NY, ME)
- No state licensing
Everywhere else, there is no state-licensed online casino to play at. That is why many US players use offshore sites. The offshore casinos we review are not licensed by any US state, and no US regulator can step in if something goes wrong. Several of them also refuse players from specific states.
What is the status of online slots in each state?
The table groups the states by their online casino status. It covers state licensing and sweepstakes bans only. It does not tell you whether a given offshore site accepts players from your state, which you must check in that casino's own terms.
| Status | States | What it means for slots |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed online casinos | New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island | State-licensed real money slots apps, overseen by a state regulator or lottery |
| Law passed, not live | Maine | No licensed online casino yet |
| Sweepstakes casinos banned | California (from 2026-01-01), New York (December 2025), Maine (July 2026) | No licensed online casinos and no sweepstakes casinos |
| No online casino licensing | All other states and DC | No state-licensed online slots; players often use offshore sites, which have no US state licence |
Our latest guides
Can you play real money slots in a state without licensing?
There is no state-licensed option in those states, so no real money online slots app is approved by your state. Offshore casinos accept players from many of them, but they operate without a US state licence. We cannot tell you whether that is lawful where you live, so check your state's rules or ask a lawyer.
What we can tell you is how the offshore sites treat each state, from their own terms checked 2026-09-28:
- Ignition, Cafe Casino and Slots.lv list DE, MD, NJ, NV and NY as restricted.
- Bovada lists 20 restricted locations: AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VT and WV.
- BetWhale lists LA, MI, MS, TN and MN.
- Wild Casino lists no restricted states in its terms.
We have not verified the restricted states for Super Slots, BetOnline, BetUS or Slots Paradise, so read their terms before you sign up. Our slots casino reviews hub has the full brand-by-brand detail.
What an offshore site does not give you
Playing at an offshore casino means you give up the protections a state licence brings. There is no state regulator to hear a complaint, and state self-exclusion programs do not cover these sites. If you use one, set your own deposit limits in the account, read the withdrawal rules before you deposit, and ask support how to lock or close the account if you need a break.
What changed for sweepstakes casinos?
Three states have banned sweepstakes casinos, the sites that offer casino-style games through a sweepstakes prize model instead of a state casino licence. New York's ban came in December 2025, California's took effect on 2026-01-01, and Maine's arrived in July 2026. In those states, sweepstakes slots are no longer an option.
Maine is the unusual case: it has banned sweepstakes casinos and passed an online casino law, but that licensed market is not live yet. So today, Maine players have neither option through a state licence.
How do you check that a licensed slots app is real?
In the seven licensed states, a state regulator or lottery oversees online casinos and runs the self-exclusion program. Before you deposit, check your state regulator's website to confirm the app is approved there, and read the app's own rules on where you must be located to play.
The state bodies that oversee online casinos:
- New Jersey: Division of Gaming Enforcement.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
- Michigan: Michigan Gaming Control Board.
- West Virginia: West Virginia Lottery.
- Connecticut: Department of Consumer Protection, Gaming Division.
- Delaware: Delaware Lottery.
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island Lottery.
Do you pay tax on slot winnings in every state?
Gambling winnings are taxable income under federal rules, whether you win at a licensed app or an offshore site. The IRS covers this in Topic 419, Gambling Income and Losses. State income tax rules vary, so check your own state or talk to a tax professional. This is not tax advice.
Keep a simple record of deposits, withdrawals and dates. It makes tax time easier and shows you what slots really cost you over a year.
Where can you get help in your state?
1-800-GAMBLER, run by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, and 1-800-MY-RESET, the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline, are free and open 24/7 across the country. Each licensed state also runs its own self-exclusion program for its licensed casinos.
Our responsible gambling page lists each state's helpline and self-exclusion link. For the games themselves, see our real money slots hub, and for how slots actually pay, read our slot guides. You must be 21 or older to play.
Slots questions, answered
Which states have legal real money online slots?
Seven states license real money online casinos: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island. Maine has passed a law but its market is not live yet. All other states have no licensed online casinos.
Which states have banned sweepstakes casinos?
California, New York and Maine. New York's ban came in December 2025, California's took effect on 2026-01-01, and Maine's arrived in July 2026. In those states, sweepstakes slots are no longer available.
Can I play offshore slots in a state without licensing?
Many offshore casinos accept players from those states, but none is licensed by a US state and no US regulator oversees them. We cannot say whether that is lawful where you live. Check your state's rules; this is not legal advice.
Which states do offshore slots casinos block?
It varies by brand. Ignition, Cafe Casino and Slots.lv list DE, MD, NJ, NV and NY. Bovada excludes 20 locations, including PA, MI and NJ. BetWhale lists LA, MI, MS, TN and MN, per their own terms.
Are slot winnings taxable?
Gambling winnings count as taxable income under federal rules, as the IRS explains in Topic 419, Gambling Income and Losses. State rules vary, so check with your state or a tax professional. Keep records of deposits and withdrawals.
Where our facts come from
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement self-exclusion program, checked Sep 28, 2026
- Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board self-exclusion, checked Sep 28, 2026
- Michigan Gaming Control Board responsible gaming, checked Sep 28, 2026
- West Virginia Lottery self-exclusion, checked Sep 28, 2026
- Connecticut DCP Gaming self-exclusion, checked Sep 28, 2026
- Delaware Lottery iGaming self-exclusion program, checked Sep 28, 2026
- Rhode Island Lottery responsible gambling, checked Sep 28, 2026
- California AB 831 bill status, checked Sep 28, 2026
- New York S5935 bill status, checked Sep 28, 2026
- Maine Gambling Control Unit, iGaming, checked Sep 28, 2026
- Maine Gambling Control Unit, checked Sep 28, 2026
- IRS Topic 419, Gambling income and losses, checked Sep 28, 2026
- Ignition Casino welcome bonus and terms, checked Sep 28, 2026
- Bovada bitcoin casino welcome bonus and terms, checked Sep 28, 2026
- BetWhale banking, checked Sep 28, 2026
- 1-800-GAMBLER (Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey), checked Sep 28, 2026
- National Problem Gambling Helpline (NCPG), checked Sep 28, 2026