A lot can happen in a year.
At this time last year, the Seattle Seahawks were a little more than a month out from signing Sam Darnold, which probably prompted a few chuckles from so-called ball-knowers given the quarterback's haunted history.
Now, in April 2026, Darnold and the Seahawks are reigning Super Bowl champions. If anyone is still chuckling, they're probably keeping it to themselves.
Blindsided by new betting
Things can change quickly in the gambling scene, too. A year ago, prediction market sites were still relatively nascent in the wagering world. The federally regulated exchanges were there, sure, but they weren't quite the force they've now become.
So, in writing this year's version of "Where can you legally bet on the NFL draft," I, like the alleged ball-knowers, had to humble myself. Because it's a new ballgame these days.
- Federally regulated prediction markets have quickly grown into a major, controversial alternative to traditional sportsbooks, allowing widespread betting-like activity on events such as the NFL draft.
- Whether sports prediction markets survive the legal onslaught they're currently facing remains to be seen, but they're here for now.
- NFL draft betting legality varies widely by U.S. state, with a complex patchwork of rules that (non-prediction market) bettors still have to follow.
Let us then address the elephant in the room. Yes, there are NFL draft odds and betting markets offered by federally regulated prediction markets all over the United States.
These prediction markets allow users to buy and sell "yes" or "no" contracts tied to various things, sporting events quite controversially included. This has made de facto sports wagering possible on the NFL draft in almost every state.
You could, for example, go to Kalshi and see that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has a 99% likelihood of being the first overall pick Thursday night. (You could also beg to differ and buy a "no" contract for a penny, but it might be better just to hold on to that cent). The No. 1 pick betting market had registered nearly $1.3 million in trading volume for the prediction market operator as of Monday afternoon.
Kalshi's most popular NFL Draft markets appear to involve the #2 pick at the moment, which makes sense, because there is little to no suspense at all about who is going first overall: pic.twitter.com/8xbCno2Ned
— Geoff Zochodne (@GeoffZochodne) April 20, 2026
So, while there are still state-regulated sportsbooks offering draft-related betting markets, there is a growing alternative that is accessible to bettors almost everywhere in the U.S.
However, it is most definitely worth noting that prediction markets are currently under a fierce legal siege from state gambling regulators, who believe the exchanges are offering unlicensed and illegal sports betting. It's possible that by the time the 2027 NFL draft rolls around, prediction markets will be much more restricted in what they can offer. It's also possible they are bigger than ever. Time will tell.
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Good old-fashioned (and state-regulated) gambling rules
For now, though, sports prediction markets are here, and they are treated as legal enough by their regulator, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Until that changes, the exchanges will remain broadly available for bettors seeking action on a wide variety of events, including the draft.
All that said, not everybody is or wants to be a trader. Some people have access to state-regulated sportsbooks and like them just fine. Those sportsbooks offer draft-related betting markets as well.
It's for you, traditionalist, that I offer the following: a state-by-state guide to betting on the NFL draft.
Some states permit draft betting with little to no restrictions, others have harsher rules, and others still prohibit it entirely. Read on, then, to discover the patchwork of state sports betting regulations, knowing full well that prediction markets seek to soar above it all.
Alabama
There is no legalized sports betting in Alabama, so there are no state-regulated sportsbooks offering NFL draft markets.
Alaska
Alaska hasn't legalized sports betting yet. Hence, no NFL draft betting has been authorized.
Arizona
Yes, Arizona sports betting includes wagering on the NFL draft. However, the state does not allow "live" or "in-play" betting on the event.
Arizona's rules also state that "(a)ll betting markets should close prior to the start of the earliest affected round." In other words, when the draft starts on Thursday, most (if not all) betting will screech to a halt. However, based on the wording of the rules, there could be some markets that reappear after the end of the first round.
Arkansas
Yes, Arkansas sportsbooks can take bets on the draft. Those state-regulated sportsbooks now include DraftKings and FanDuel, which finally launched in Arkansas earlier this year.
California
Sports betting is not legal in California. Therefore, no state-authorized NFL draft betting is on offer.
Colorado
Yes, Colorado sports betting rules allow for draft wagering. The state does have restrictions on that wagering, though. Bets on so-called "pre-draft offerings" (i.e., who will be the first pick, the second pick, etc.) must be made and accepted before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the first selection. Meanwhile, bets and betting on "round-specific offerings" (i.e., whether a player will get drafted in the second round) have to be offered and accepted before the start of that round.
Furthermore, "in-draft" betting is only allowed in the first three rounds, and all wagers must be made and accepted at least two picks before the selection at issue. As an example, someone who bets on a player or position to be taken 37th overall would need to make that pick before No. 35 is announced.
Connecticut
No, Connecticut sports betting rules do not allow for wagering on the NFL draft.
Delaware
Yes, you can bet on the NFL draft in Delaware using BetRivers, the state's only authorized online sportsbook.
Florida
Yes, you can bet on the NFL draft in Florida using Hard Rock Bet, the only legal sportsbook there.
Georgia
No draft betting is authorized. Georgia has not legalized sports betting.
Hawaii
No draft betting is permitted. There are no legal sportsbooks yet in Hawaii.
Idaho
No, because Idaho hasn’t legalized sports betting.
Illinois
Yes, Illinois sportsbooks can take bets on the draft.
Indiana
Yes, Indiana sports betting rules allow for wagering on the draft.
Iowa
Yes, Iowa sportsbooks can take bets on the draft. However, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission says all draft markets must shut down 24 hours before the draft begins and can't reopen during the event. So, if you're going to bet using Iowa's official sportsbooks, you'll have to get any wagers in by Wednesday night.
Kansas
Yes, Kansas sports betting rules permit wagering on the draft.
Kentucky
No draft betting is authorized. While Kentucky has legal sports betting, the state's rules do not allow wagering on the draft.
Louisiana
Yes, Louisiana sportsbooks can take wagers on the NFL draft. However, given the state's patchwork legalization, you can only do so in parishes that permit sports betting. Per FanDuel, here are the parishes that do NOT allow online sports betting:
- Caldwell
- Catahoula
- Franklin
- Jackson
- La Salle
- Sabine
- Union
- West Carroll
- Winn
Maine
Yes, Maine allows betting on the draft via Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings.
Maryland
Yes, Maryland sports betting can include wagering on the NFL draft.
Massachusetts
Yes, the rules for Massachusetts sports betting allow operators to take wagers on league drafts. That said, there are rules bookmakers must follow, including that pre-draft bets connected to the entirety of the event must be made and accepted before the first pick is announced (i.e., how many players from Georgia will be selected).
Round-specific wagers must be placed before the round starts (or, if it involves multiple rounds, before the first of those rounds starts), and pick-specific bets must be made before the selection announcement for the two picks prior. For example, wagers on who will be selected No. 7 must be placed before the fifth pick is announced.
Michigan
Yes, but the draft-wagering rules for Michigan sports betting are identical to the ones that Massachusetts uses.
Minnesota
Minnesota has not legalized sports betting, so it has not legalized betting on the NFL draft either.
Mississippi
Yes, but you can only bet on sports (and the draft) at a casino in Mississippi.
Missouri
While state-regulated Missouri sports betting launched in December, wagering on the NFL draft is not allowed.
Montana
Yes, you're allowed to bet on the draft in Montana. You're just only supposed to do so using Sports Bet Montana at an authorized location. More details here.
Nebraska
Yes, you can bet on the NFL draft in Nebraska, but only at a casino, such as the Warhorse Casino in Lincoln or Omaha.
Nevada
Yes, Nevada sports betting rules permit draft action. Wagering involving a specific player, though, must stop 24 hours before the start of the first round. Everything else shuts down before the start of the round that could affect that betting market. So, if you're in Vegas and trying to bet on a guy to get drafted in the first round, that bet needs to be placed before the first round starts.
Another thing bettors should know about Nevada is that it has been relatively successful in cracking down on prediction markets. Several companies have had to curtail their operations in the state due to legal and regulatory pushback.
New Hampshire
Yes, New Hampshire sports betting rules allow for draft wagering. The state has just one online sportsbook operator, though, which is DraftKings.
New Jersey
Yes, New Jersey sportsbooks can handle wagers on the draft.
New Mexico
Some Native American-owned casinos in the state, such as the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino in Mescalero, do appear to have draft betting available at their properties.
New York
No, you can’t bet on the NFL draft at New York's regulated sportsbooks.
North Carolina
Yes, you are allowed to bet on the draft in North Carolina. However, the state uses the same rules as Massachusetts and Michigan. See above.
North Dakota
There is sports betting offered by casinos in the state, but it's unclear if any will have draft wagering on tap.
Ohio
Yes, the rules for Ohio sports betting allow for wagering on the draft. However, betting markets involving the first two picks are off-limits.
Oklahoma
No draft betting authorized. Oklahoma has not legalized sports betting.
Oregon
Yes, Oregon sports betting rules allow wagering on the NFL draft. DraftKings is the only legal online sportsbook in the state.
Pennsylvania
No, the rules for Pennsylvania sports betting do not allow wagering on the draft.
Rhode Island
No. Rhode Island does not permit wagering on the NFL draft.
South Carolina
No. South Carolina has not legalized sports betting.
South Dakota
It doesn't look like there are any casinos offering NFL draft betting opportunities. It's possible some might.
Tennessee
Yes, state-regulated Tennessee sports betting can involve wagering on the draft. There are timing restrictions similar to those in Massachusetts, Michigan, and North Carolina. See above.
Texas
There is no legal sports betting in Texas.
Utah
No.
Vermont
No. Although sports betting in Vermont is legal, there is no draft wagering allowed.
Virginia
No, the rules in Virginia do not permit betting on the NFL draft.
Washington
Yes, it appears you can bet on the draft at certain casinos in the state of Washington, such as at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort's FanDuel sportsbook.
Washington, D.C.
Yes, you can wager on the draft in Washington, D.C., at locally regulated sportsbooks.
West Virginia
Yes, West Virginia sports betting rules allow for wagering on the draft. It's worth noting, though, that bookmakers will stop accepting action 24 hours before the start of the first round. In other words, you'll have to get your bets in prior to 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Wisconsin
Yes, it is possible for sportsbooks in Wisconsin to legally offer wagering on the draft. However, legal sports betting in the state is currently confined to the lands and casinos of Native American tribes, such as those of the Oneida. This will probably change for next year's draft, as Wisconsin lawmakers recently passed legislation permitting statewide mobile wagering via the tribes. It's just not ready yet.
Wyoming
Yes, online sports betting rules in Wyoming permit wagering on the draft.
