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How do I check whether an online gambling site is licensed in my state?
- Start with your location. Use the regulator for the state where you are physically located, not a general national list or the regulator for a different state.
- Find the official regulator. Use an official state government website or agency directory, then follow its link to a licensee lookup, licensing information, or approved-operator list.
- Select the right gambling category. Look for the specific activity—such as sports wagering, interactive casino gaming, online poker, or fantasy contests. Permission for one category does not establish permission for another.
- Match the operator and the site. Compare the legal company name in the regulator’s record with the company behind the consumer-facing brand. Confirm that the exact website domain or app is associated with that approved operator; use regulator-provided links when available.
- Check the record’s status and scope. Confirm that the approval is current and applies to the relevant category. If the regulator publishes disciplinary records or offers a way to request license history, consult those resources when relevant.
- Pause if anything does not match. Do not deposit or provide sensitive information. Contact the regulator using contact details on its official website. If you suspect theft or fraud, report it to the appropriate authorities.
What details should match?
Do not stop after finding a company name that looks familiar. Compare the regulator’s current record with the specific site or app across each of these details:
- State: the regulator must be the one responsible for the state where you are located.
- Activity: the approval must cover the kind of gambling offered, not just a related product.
- Status and category: the listing must show a current approval relevant to that activity.
- Legal operator: the company named in the record must be connected to the brand you are considering.
- Website or app: the exact consumer-facing domain or app must be associated with the approved operator.
A license for a related company, a similar brand, or a different gambling category does not verify the site in front of you.
Why a logo, certificate, or search result is not enough
Operator websites can display copied or forged credentials, and fraudulent sites can imitate licensed brands. Verify claims by navigating to the regulator’s official website yourself and checking its own records. A regulator logo on an operator’s page can be a useful clue, but it is not a substitute for the current operator listing.
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California’s Gambling Control Commission states, “The Commission does not issue, nor has it ever issued, licenses to online casinos.” The Commission has also warned that an illegal online casino displayed a forged license certificate. If a site claims California authorization for an online casino, check that claim against the Commission’s guidance rather than trusting the site’s certificate or footer.
State rules and approvals vary by activity
There is no blanket state authorization that makes a site legal everywhere in the United States. A state may allow one form of online gambling while not authorizing another. Iowa, for example, says online sports wagering is legal there only when the operator is licensed; it does not authorize online casinos, slots, or poker. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission also warns that fraudulent websites may spoof licensed casinos or use official branding. Its administrator Tina Eick said in a September 3, 2025 release that illegal operators “are not subject to independent testing or player protection requirements and are a real risk to consumers.” That is her attributed warning, not a universal finding about every unlicensed site.
State regulator websites illustrate why you need to check both the activity and the specific operator:
- Pennsylvania: The Gaming Control Board provides separate verification routes for online sports wagering, interactive gaming, online poker, and fantasy contests. Its recommended logo check should supplement—not replace—checking the Board’s current listings.
- Indiana: The Gaming Commission publishes active company-license information across categories, including sports wagering certificate holders. It also has a separate process for requests about license history not shown on its published pages.
- Arizona: The Department of Gaming offers a “Check Your Bet” resource and approved-operator information. Its guidance warns that unauthorized operators may expose users to fraud and other risks.
These examples are not a complete state-by-state list. Use the regulator’s current information for your location because approved operators and records can change.
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What if I cannot find the site on the regulator’s list?
Treat an unverified claim as unverified; do not assume the site is licensed because it operates in another state, appears in search results, or names a regulator. Check whether you searched the correct category and whether the company uses a different legal name from its brand. If the exact operator and website or app still cannot be confirmed, do not proceed. Contact the regulator using its official contact information and ask whether the operator and site are approved for that activity in your state.
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