01
Arizona AZ
Arizona launched sports betting in September 2021 and quickly became one of the largest markets in the US. Governor Katie Hobbs proposed raising taxes on operators in 2026.
Topic Cluster 6 states Updated 2026-04-30
Sports Betting in the Western United States
Sports-betting law and market structure across the West — Nevada (the legal birthplace), Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, and the surrounding states.
Editorial Angle
Why This Group Of States Matters
The West contains both the legal birthplace of US sports betting (Nevada, 1949) and the largest illegal market in the country (California). Tribal-compact frameworks dominate Washington and New Mexico; monopoly structures dominate Oregon and Montana.
6 States
States In This Category
02
Colorado CO
Colorado has one of the most competitive sports betting markets in the US with 13 active licensed operators in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek (more than 25 licenses have been issued total…
03
Montana MT
Montana has a state lottery monopoly. Sports Bet Montana is the only legal operator, and mobile bets can only be placed while on-premise at a licensed retailer.
04
Nevada NV
Nevada is the birthplace of legal sports betting (since 1949) and launched the first mobile sportsbook in 2010. Requires in-person registration at most books.
05
Oregon OR
Oregon has a state lottery monopoly. DraftKings took over the Scoreboard app from the Oregon Lottery in 2022. 51% effective tax rate.
06
Wyoming WY
Wyoming has online-only sports betting; no retail locations. Uniquely, the minimum age is 18 (rare for legal sports betting states).
Related
Related Topic Clusters
FAQ
Common Questions
What states are in this category?
6 states currently fall in this category: Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming. The list updates whenever a state's market structure changes (operator count, tax rate, or legal status).
Why does this category matter for bettors?
The West contains both the legal birthplace of US sports betting (Nevada, 1949) and the largest illegal market in the country (California). Tribal-compact frameworks dominate Washington and New Mexico; monopoly structures dominate Oregon and Montana.
How were these states selected?
States are grouped by US Census Bureau geographic region.
Where can I see the underlying data?
Each state has a dedicated guide page (/states/[slug]/) with the full operator list, tax history, regulator information, and timeline. For aggregate fiscal data across all 38 legal jurisdictions, see our /research/sports-betting-tax-revenue/ analysis.