A detailed analysis of why WWE betting remains prohibited in the US and WWE's ongoing efforts to change this status.
The question of whether can you bet on WWE is straightforward in the United States: you cannot place wagers on WWE matches through regulated sportsbooks. WWE betting remains prohibited across all state-regulated sportsbooks in the US despite the sport's massive popularity and growing mainstream appeal. The primary reason regulators and sportsbooks have drawn a firm line here stems from the fundamental nature of professional wrestling itself. Unlike traditional sports where outcomes depend on athletic performance and competition, WWE matches are scripted entertainment events with predetermined results. This predetermined nature creates significant regulatory concerns, as it opens the door to insider information leaks and potential manipulation of betting markets, which sportsbooks and state gambling commissions consider unacceptable risks to betting integrity.
The legal prohibition on WWE betting in the United States traces back to how state regulators interpret gambling laws following the 2018 Supreme Court decision that struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). While this ruling allowed individual states to legalize and regulate sports betting, over 30 states have embraced some form of sports betting; WWE remains universally excluded from these markets. State gaming commissions and sportsbooks have adopted a consistent position: because WWE outcomes are predetermined rather than determined by competition, they fall into the category of "fixed or predicted outcomes," which most states explicitly prohibit from wagering.
Several states have taken particularly clear stances against WWE betting. Colorado's Division of Gaming explicitly stated it is "not currently and has not considered allowing sports betting on WWE matches" and maintains a statute prohibiting wagers on events with predicted outcomes, including the Academy Awards. Iowa and Ohio have legal frameworks that explicitly prohibit betting on events with predetermined outcomes. States including Oregon, Maryland, and South Dakota rejected the idea of WWE betting outright when the topic was raised. Michigan regulators indicated that if WWE wished to propose betting options, the company would need to work directly with gaming industry operators rather than approach regulators independently.
While WWE betting remains unavailable through US regulated sportsbooks, the international landscape differs significantly. In the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions with different regulatory frameworks, betting on WWE matches is permitted through licensed operators. However, the search results provided do not contain detailed information about specific international betting options for WWE events.
Major sportsbooks and state regulators have maintained strict opposition to WWE betting due to its scripted nature, treating it as a non-sport event.
WWE's efforts to lobby for betting legalization faced consistent resistance, pushing the company towards alternative gaming options like casino games.
Beginning in early 2023, WWE began an active campaign to change its betting status by lobbying state regulators in Indiana, Colorado, and Michigan. The company's strategy was notably sophisticated: WWE proposed partnering with the accounting firm Ernst & Young—the same firm that has historically worked with the Emmys and Academy Awards to maintain result secrecy—to prevent insider information leaks that regulators cited as a primary concern. WWE's argument drew a parallel to betting on the Oscars, another event with predetermined outcomes that is already permitted for wagering in some states. The company pointed out the inconsistency in allowing bets on the Academy Awards while prohibiting bets on WWE, suggesting that with proper safeguards, wrestling could follow a similar model.
Despite WWE's sophisticated lobbying efforts and reasonable proposals, the campaign has stalled without achieving meaningful progress. Colorado's Division of Gaming swiftly rejected the proposal, with officials stating directly that betting on WWE matches would not be considered. Michigan's Gaming Control Board responded to WWE's approach by saying the company should work with a Michigan-licensed gaming operator to submit a formal request—essentially deflecting the initiative. The resistance from state regulators has proven insurmountable, and widespread legalization of WWE betting appears unlikely in the near future. This suggests WWE may have deprioritized or abandoned its active lobbying efforts, recognizing the regulatory headwinds remain too strong to overcome.
Major sportsbooks have been remarkably united in their opposition to offering WWE betting, rejecting the idea on both principled and business grounds. BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt was particularly blunt when asked whether his company would consider taking bets on WWE's scripted matches, responding “no f—ing way.” This colorful refusal reflects the broader industry consensus that WWE betting would fundamentally compromise sportsbook integrity. The concern goes beyond theoretical risks: sportsbooks worry that accepting predetermined-outcome bets could set a precedent for other forms of entertainment or scripted events, gradually eroding the distinction between sports betting and pure entertainment wagering.
The prospect of WWE betting legalization remains dim. Several factors suggest change is unlikely in the near term. First, states have demonstrated a strong preference for maintaining clear lines between sports betting (based on competitive outcomes) and entertainment or novelty wagering. Second, the precedent WWE legalization would set concerns regulators—if wrestling betting is permitted, how do you deny it for other entertainment events with predetermined outcomes? However, one notable development offers a partial workaround: in July 2025, WWE and Fanatics Betting and Gaming announced an exclusive multi-year licensing agreement to produce WWE-themed online casino games. These games will launch in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, providing WWE-branded gambling experiences that fall under casino gaming regulations rather than sports betting regulations. This represents WWE's pivot toward monetizing gambling interest through casino games rather than match outcome betting.
Can you bet on WWE through regulated US sportsbooks? The answer remains a firm no, and this prohibition appears unlikely to change meaningfully in the foreseeable future. State regulators and the sportsbook industry have maintained a unified stance against WWE betting, citing the predetermined nature of wrestling matches and the integrity risks associated with allowing wagers on scripted outcomes. Despite WWE’s sophisticated 2023 lobbying campaign featuring partnerships with accounting firms and comparisons to Oscar betting, all state regulators rejected the proposals. Rather than continuing to pursue sports betting legalization—a battle that appears lost—WWE has pivoted to a more promising avenue: partnering with Fanatics to offer WWE-themed online casino games in select states. This strategic shift acknowledges the regulatory reality while still allowing WWE to participate in the gambling market through casino games rather than sports betting, representing a practical compromise between the entertainment company’s monetization goals and regulators' commitment to protecting betting market integrity.
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WWE partners with Fanatics to launch themed casino games, circumventing traditional sports betting restrictions.
State gambling commissions refuse to budge on prohibiting WWE betting, emphasizing integrity concerns of predetermined events.
WWE attempts to gain approval for betting through state partnerships, focusing on security measures and auditing.