Which states allow March Madness betting?

March Madness betting is legal in over 30 states, but the rules vary depending on where you live. Some states allow full wagering on college basketball, while others have restrictions—such as bans on betting on in-state college teams.

States Where You Can Legally Bet on March Madness (Online & Retail)

The following states allow full March Madness betting, including online sportsbooks and retail sportsbooks at casinos or racetracks:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

States With Restrictions on College Sports Betting

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

• Illinois: No betting on Illinois-based college teams.
• New Jersey: No bets on New Jersey-based colleges 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 Where Retail Betting Is Legal, but Online Betting Is Limited

Some states allow in-person betting at casinos but don’t offer statewide mobile betting:

• Montana (Retail sportsbooks only)
• North Dakota (Limited tribal sportsbook locations)
• South Dakota (Retail-only at Deadwood casinos)
• Washington (Retail-only at tribal casinos)

States Without Legal Sports Betting (But with Social Sportsbooks)

If your state doesn’t have legal sports betting, social sportsbooks offer a free-to-play alternative:

• Fliff: Available in most states, offering virtual currency betting.
• Rebet Social Sportsbook: A sweepstakes-based betting platform open to most U.S. players.
• Sportzino: Allows sports betting with virtual currencies and prize-based contests.

Checking Your State’s Betting Laws

Sports betting laws change frequently, so if you’re unsure whether you can legally bet on March Madness in your state, it’s best to check your state’s latest regulations.

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