Online basketball betting is legal right now in a growing list of US states — but not all of them. If you're trying to figure out whether you can legally place a bet on the NBA or March Madness from your couch, your state's regulator is the only authority that matters.
Which States Have Legal Online Basketball Betting?
The following states have live, licensed online sports betting where you can wager on NBA games, college basketball, and other hoops markets. Every operator listed must hold a license from that state's gaming regulator — not just claim to be legal.
| State | Regulator | Minimum Age | Online Betting Live? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) | 21 | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) | 21 | Yes |
| Michigan | Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) | 21 | Yes |
| New York | NY State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) | 21 | Yes |
| Colorado | Colorado Division of Gaming | 21 | Yes |
| Arizona | Arizona Department of Gaming | 21 | Yes |
| Tennessee | TN Sports Wagering Advisory Council (SWAC) | 21 | Yes (online only) |
Tennessee is worth calling out specifically: it runs an online-only model, meaning there are no retail sportsbook windows — every bet is placed through an app or website. The other states on this list support both retail and online wagering.
What About Texas, California, and Florida?
These three states do not have fully operational statewide legal online sports betting as of early 2025. Legislation has been introduced repeatedly in each, but no live licensed operators are confirmed. If you're physically located in one of those states, you're out of luck for legal online basketball betting for now — check your state legislature's progress before assuming anything has changed.
How Do I Know If an Operator Is Actually Licensed?
Don't rely on a sportsbook's own marketing. Go directly to your state regulator's website and look for the approved-operators list. For example, the American Gaming Association's state gaming map gives a useful overview, but your state's official regulator page is the definitive source. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and ESPN Bet are among the most widely licensed operators across the legal states listed above.
Offshore or unlicensed sites may show up in search results, but using them means zero regulatory recourse if a withdrawal gets denied or your account is locked. Licensed operators are accountable to state agencies; offshore ones are not.
Does Legal Status Cover College Basketball Too?
In general, yes — NCAA basketball betting is permitted in all states where sports betting is legal. There are some nuances, though, especially around college prop bets. For the full breakdown, see our guide on whether you can legally bet on college basketball (NCAA) in the US.
What Is the Minimum Age to Bet on Basketball?
Twenty-one is the standard minimum age across most legal states. A handful of states set it at 18, but you should confirm before registering — getting this wrong can lead to a voided account and forfeited funds. Our dedicated page on the legal age to bet on basketball covers every state's requirement in detail.
What Happens If I Travel to a Legal State?
You don't need to be a resident — you just need to be physically present inside the state when you place the bet. Sportsbook apps use GPS and Wi-Fi triangulation to verify your location in real time. If you're visiting New York or New Jersey, you can legally sign up and bet, even if you live in a state where it isn't legal. Just make sure you're not connected to a VPN, which will block geolocation and prevent bet placement or void any wagers placed.
Ready to place your first bet once you've confirmed your state? Our complete beginner's guide to basketball betting walks through everything from reading odds to picking bet types. If you want to compare your app options first, the best sportsbooks for basketball betting page ranks the leading licensed operators side by side. And when you're ready to fund your account, check out our walkthrough on depositing money on a basketball betting app.
Must be 21+ in most states (18+ in select states). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.