Sports betting rules, odds math and money facts, in plain English
Independent education for everyday US adults. We explain how legal sportsbooks and state rules work, how odds and payouts are calculated, what bonus fine print means, how winnings are taxed, how to spot illegal offshore sites, and how to stay in control. Every fact links to an official source and shows the date we checked it. We publish no picks and no predictions, give no betting advice, and have no sportsbook links, affiliate deals or sponsors at this time.
Start here
- Odds converterAmerican, decimal and fractional odds, plus implied probability.
- Parlay calculatorSee the combined odds, payout and the chance every leg hits.
- Vig and hold calculatorFind the margin built into a set of prices.
- Bonus rollover calculatorHow much you must wager before a bonus can be withdrawn.
- Taxes on winningsW-2G, reporting, and the 2026 change to the loss deduction.
- Spot illegal offshore sitesHow to check whether a site is licensed where you live.
- Bonus fine printBonus bets, site credit, rollover and expiry explained.
- First-timer checklistWhat to know before you open an account.
- Get helpHelplines, self-exclusion and limits.
State rules: covers 11 states so far (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont)
These pages use official state sources only (the regulator, the statute or the regulation) for the legal age, who regulates betting, and how you can bet. States not listed are not covered yet; that does not mean betting is legal or illegal there. We add states in batches. See all state pages and what is missing.
| State | Minimum age for sports betting | Regulator named in our sources |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 21+ | Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), Gaming Division |
| Maine | 21+ | Maine Gambling Control Unit (Department of Public Safety), under 8 M.R.S. chapter 35 |
| Massachusetts | 21+ | Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) |
| Michigan | 21+ | Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) |
| New Hampshire | 18+ | New Hampshire Lottery Commission (RSA 287-I) |
| New Jersey | 21+ | New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (Office of the Attorney General) |
| New York | 21+ | New York State Gaming Commission |
| Ohio | 21+ | Ohio Casino Control Commission (R.C. chapter 3775, sports gaming) |
| Pennsylvania | 21+ | Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) |
| Rhode Island | 18+ | Rhode Island Lottery (division director), R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 42-61.2 |
| Vermont | 21+ | Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery (31 V.S.A. chapter 25) |
The national picture, from news reports
News sites reported in mid-October 2026 that sports betting is legal in some form in 39 states plus Washington, D.C., and that statewide online betting is live in a smaller group of those states; counts differ slightly by outlet because of how they treat retail-only and tribal-only markets (Action Network, CBS Sports). These are news reports, not regulators, so we do not rely on them for any state's rules.
Why this site exists
Most betting sites earn money when you sign up with a sportsbook. This one does not, and it will not link to sportsbooks. The goal is a reference you can trust to explain the rules and the math without a sales pitch. If you spot a mistake, please tell us.