Fact check
“Sports betting is legal in 39 states and Washington, D.C.”
Reasoning
Both the ProPublica article and the Epic Research article directly assert that, as of early 2026, sports betting is legal in 39 states plus the District of Columbia. No contradictory evidence is provided.
On confidence: Two independent primary sources explicitly state that sports betting is legal in 39 states and Washington, D.C.
Important context
The claim refers to the legal status of sports betting across U.S. jurisdictions. The sources confirm the number of states where it is legal, aligning with the claim.
Evidence
Supporting (2)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceI Posed as a Problem Gambler. DraftKings Made Me a VIP. — ProPublica
sports with FanDuel or DraftKings, you can help ProPublica understand how these apps work. Use our browser extension to download your betting history, then upload the files to us. Share Your Experience This wink-and-a-nod dynamic is now at…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceGambling Disorder Diagnoses Have Risen More Than 60% in States That Legalized Sports Betting
reclassified as an addictive disorder in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013, alongside substance use disorders. 1 In May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal…
Limitations
The evidence is limited to the two cited articles; no official government source is cited, and the exact date of the count is not specified beyond "early 2026."
- Last verified:
- Sep 27, 2026, 4:19 AM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 2.1.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
I Deliberately Bet Like a Problem Gambler. DraftKings Made Me a VIP.ProPublica · Jake Pearson