College Betting Rules By State
Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling, which struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, 38 states have allowed sports betting in some form, whether online or in person.
This essentially left the states to decide if they would allow sports betting and what restrictions they would place. That’s where the waters get a little murky with college betting.
What This Means for You as a Bettor
If you’re keen on placing bets on in-state college games, the first step is to familiarize yourself with the laws of your state. That’s why we’ve put together this table of all of the college betting rules by state.
Even in states where it’s legal, there are usually regulations in place regarding how and where bets can be placed, such as through licensed casinos or online betting apps.
| State | In-State College Matches | College Matches in the State | College Player Props |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Allowed | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Arkansas | No Restrictions | ||
| Colorado | Allowed | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Connecticut | Prohibited, unless in a tournament | Allowed | Allowed |
| Delaware | Prohibited | Allowed | Allowed |
| Illinois | Allowed, in-person at retail shops | Allowed, unless involving an Illinois school | Prohibited for Illinois teams |
| Indiana | Allowed | Allowed | Prohibited in-play |
| Iowa | Allowed | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Kansas | No Restrictions | ||
| Louisiana | No Restrictions | ||
| Maryland | No Restrictions | ||
| Massachusetts | Prohibited, unless playing in a tournament | Allowed | Allowed |
| Michigan | No Restrictions | ||
| Mississippi | No Restrictions | ||
| Montana | No Restrictions | ||
| Nevada | No Restrictions | ||
| New Hampshire | Prohibited | Prohibited | Allowed |
| New Jersey | Prohibited | Prohibited | Allowed |
| New Mexico | Varies by tribal site | Allowed | Allowed |
| New York | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| North Carolina | No Restrictions | ||
| North Dakota | Varies by tribal entity | Allowed | Allowed |
| Ohio | No Restrictions | ||
| Oregon | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Pennsylvania | Allowed | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Rhode Island | Prohibited | Prohibited | Allowed |
| South Dakota | Prohibited | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Tennessee | Allowed | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Virginia | Prohibited | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Washington | Prohibited | Prohibited | Allowed |
| Washington, D.C. | Prohibited | Prohibited | Allowed |
| West Virginia | Allowed | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Wisconsin | Prohibited | Allowed | Allowed |
| Wyoming | No Restrictions | ||
The Restrictions You Might Encounter
Some states have specific prohibitions against betting on in-state college teams or college games taking place within the state. The reasoning behind these restrictions often stems from concerns about preserving the integrity of collegiate sports, preventing undue pressure on young athletes, and mitigating the risks of problem gambling among college fans.
Wagering on In-State College Teams
Some states, such as Delaware and Massachusetts, to name a few, ban betting on in-state schools altogether. This means if you’re in a state like New Hampshire, you can’t bet on Dartmouth winning the NCAA tournament. They don’t allow bets on their own teams.
Wagering on College Props
We all love a good prop bet. They’re fun and take your sports betting excitement to the next level. However, this is one of the most common bans for states that allow sports betting. You might be able to bet on the team outright, but many states, such as Arizona, Colorado, and Iowa, don’t allow bets on college props.
In-State Tournaments
This is where the restrictions get just a bit more murkier. As we mentioned, some states don’t allow you to bet on in-state teams. However, a few states, such as Massachusetts, only allow betting on in-state teams if they’re playing in a tournament such as March Madness.
Get in on the Collegiate Action!
Does your state allow betting on college games? If so, don’t hesitate to grab a bonus from some of the best sportsbooks in the industry and throw down a bet. These are some of the best bonus offers from the best sportsbooks. Not only that, they all allow college betting – pending if your state doesn’t have any restrictions on them.
Matt Brown
Head of Sports Betting and DFS
Matt’s love for sports betting and daily fantasy sports, coupled with a deep understanding of football, hockey, and baseball, shapes his innovative thoughts on Hello Rookie. He has a B.S. in Aeronautical Computer Science and a M.S. in Project Management.
