About This Guide
NCAA tournament and regular-season college basketball betting is permitted in all legal sports betting states, though some restrict college prop bets
Yes — betting on NCAA college basketball, including March Madness, is legal in every US state that has authorized online sports betting. The one nuance worth knowing: a handful of states restrict or outright ban certain player prop bets when college athletes are involved, so the full menu you get for the NBA may look a little different for NCAA games.
Which States Allow College Basketball Betting?
All states with live, legal online sports betting — including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, Colorado, Arizona, and Tennessee — permit wagering on NCAA regular-season games and the tournament. For a full rundown of where you can legally open an account and place a bet, see our basketball betting legality by state guide.
Texas, California, and Florida do not have fully operational statewide legal online sports betting as of early 2025, so residents there are out of luck for now regardless of the sport.
Are There Any Restrictions on College Basketball Bets?
Most restrictions center on college prop bets. Some states limit or prohibit wagering on individual college player statistics — things like points scored or rebounds — out of concern for player integrity. Standard bet types like point spreads, moneylines, and totals are available nearly everywhere legal betting operates.
It's also worth checking whether the game involves an in-state school, since a small number of states have passed rules restricting bets on games featuring local universities. When in doubt, the sportsbook app itself will simply not display a market if it's prohibited in your state.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Bet on NCAA Games?
The minimum age is 21 in most legal states, though a few permit betting at 18. College basketball is no different from the NBA in this regard — the age requirement applies to all sports markets. Check our page on legal age requirements for basketball betting before you sign up anywhere.
Where Can You Bet on College Basketball Online?
FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook are among the most widely licensed apps covering NCAA basketball across legal states. If you're comparing options, our best sportsbooks for basketball betting page walks through each platform. Creating an account is straightforward — our sportsbook account setup guide covers every step from registration through identity verification.
One thing we always remind readers: only use sportsbooks licensed in your state. You can verify an operator's license through your state gaming regulator's official website — never rely solely on the operator's own claims. Must be 21+ (18+ in some states). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The bottom line is that college basketball betting — NBA or NCAA — is fair game wherever legal sports wagering exists in the US. Just confirm your state's specific rules on props, and stick to licensed platforms for a bet you can actually collect on.