Can I Bet on College Sports in My State: Full Legal Guide

Whether you can bet on college sports—including March Madness—depends on your state’s sports betting laws. While most states with legal sports betting allow some form of college sports wagering, some have restrictions on betting on in-state teams or certain bet types.

States That Allow Full College Sports Betting

These states allow you to bet on all college games, including in-state teams, with no restrictions:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Jersey (retail sportsbooks only)
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

States That Restrict Betting on In-State College Teams

Some states allow March Madness betting but ban wagers on in-state college teams or events:

• Illinois: No bets on Illinois-based college teams unless placed at a retail sportsbook.
• New Jersey: No betting on New Jersey-based college teams or college events held in the state.
• New York: No betting on in-state college teams.
• Rhode Island: No bets on Rhode Island college teams unless in a tournament with four or more teams.
• Washington D.C.: No betting on D.C.-based college teams.

States That Allow Retail College Betting but Restrict Online Wagering

• Montana: College sports betting is only available at retail sportsbooks.
• North Dakota: Limited to tribal casinos.
• South Dakota: Retail-only at Deadwood casinos.
• Washington: Only available at tribal casinos.

What If Sports Betting Isn’t Legal in My State?

If your state doesn’t allow traditional sports betting, you still have options through social sportsbooks and sweepstakes casinos, which let you place virtual bets and win prizes. Popular platforms include:

• Fliff: A social sportsbook where you can bet on sports using virtual currency.
• Rebet Social Sportsbook: A sweepstakes-based betting site with peer-to-peer wagering.
• Sportzino: A hybrid sports and casino sweepstakes site offering virtual sports betting.

How to Check If College Sports Betting Is Legal in Your State

Laws change frequently, so if you’re unsure about betting rules in your state, check our guide to state-by-state sports betting laws.

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Nick Slade as part of our fact-checking process.