Betting the Masters golf tournament legally, smartly, responsibly

Key Points 

• The Masters is a major golf tournament and betting event with wide appeal, but legal wagering options vary by state.

• Only place bets through licensed, regulated sportsbooks to help ensure safety, security, transparency and fairness.

• Avoid offshore sportsbooks, unregulated bookies and sweepstakes-style platforms.

• Practice responsible gambling: set a budget, avoid emotional betting and use sportsbook tools.

• If gambling feels overwhelming, reach out for help – specialized support covered by insurance is available through Birches Health.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Birches Health is a specialized provider of gambling addiction treatment nationwide. Care is available virtually from the comfort of home and is covered by insurance. Knowing how to bet responsibly is critical in aiming to reduce the chances of developing a gambling problem. The goal of this article is to help potential bettors do so in a smart, sustainable and healthy manner if they choose to wager on the event. 

Every April, after the MLB season gets underway and March Madness wraps, the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club draws the interest of millions of golf and sports fans eager to witness history and see who will wear the green jacket. For many fans, the Masters isn’t just one of the four major golf championships, it’s the golf event of the year, and with its iconic green and yellow colors, logo, historic grounds and the time of year its played, it’s instantly recognizable. 

Across the country, the Masters gets a level of “big event” treatment that not only drives betting action from avid fans but from casual fans who frequently bet. The tournament begins on Thursday, April 10, so no matter which camp you’re in, it’s important to understand how to bet legally, smartly and responsibly on the Masters if you choose to do so. 

Which states allow sports betting for the Masters golf tournament?

Whether or not you can legally bet on the Masters depends entirely on where you live in the United States and how old you are. As of April 2025, sports betting is legal in 38 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. However, each state sets its own rules around whether betting is available online, in person, or both.

If you live in states like Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey or New York, you can legally bet on the Masters through mobile apps or websites. But in other states, like Nebraska or Mississippi, your options may be limited to in-person betting only. And, notably, in states like Georgia, Texas, and California sports betting remains illegal.

That’s right, if you are attending the Masters this upcoming weekend, you should understand you cannot legally bet in The Peach State, regardless of whether you’re in person or betting online. 

Here’s a quick reference of states where you can place legal wagers on the Masters in some form:

Online + Retail:
Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Retail Only and Location-Specific Options:
Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington

Online Only:
Maine, Tennessee, Vermont

No Legal, Regulated Sports Betting:

The states that have not yet legalized any type of sports gambling include: Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah. 

If you bet on the Masters, use legal regulated sportsbooks only

When betting on the Masters, always use legal, licensed sportsbooks that are regulated in your state. These platforms, such as BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel, are required to follow strict consumer protection policies. That means you’re much more likely to have an experience where your funds are safe, your information is secure and your bets are handled transparently.

Avoid these risky alternatives:

Offshore Sportsbooks
Tempted by offshore odds? Think again. These websites aren’t regulated by U.S. authorities, meaning your money and personal data aren’t protected. Withdrawals may be delayed, or denied entirely, and you have little legal recourse if something goes wrong. Bovada, BetUS, MyBookie, BetOnline are just a few of the offshore names that have gained plenty of popularity but also more legal scrutiny recently. Easy to access from anywhere? Sure, but you will regret attaching yourself to one of these platforms should a problem arise. 

Bookies
Betting with a local bookie may seem convenient or familiar, but it’s also unregulated and very risky. There are no guarantees of payment, as new stories of bookies “ghosting” users pop up every day. Where legal sportsbooks are required to pay out its customers, bookies can cut off contact with bettors or suddenly declare that they won’t pay out an individual, citing any number of excuses. 

Sweepstakes Platforms
Some platforms operate under sweepstakes laws to create gray-area products that mimic sports betting. While they argue that they are technically legal in many states thanks to being “No Purchase Necessary” and using a dual-currency system, some jurisdictions are moving to close this loophole altogether, with legislation aiming to classify these products as illegal gambling.

Prediction Markets (e.g., Robinhood, Kalshi, Crypto.com)
Platforms like Robinhood are now offering “sports prediction markets,” which allow users to “trade contracts” based on game outcomes in sports. These platforms traditionally operate under federal financial regulations, not state gaming laws. With Robinhood offering prediction markets for 2025 March Madness and Kalshi offering prediction markets on all sports, including the 2025 Masters, five states – Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois and Maryland – have now issued cease-and-desist notices to Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com, while Massachusetts and Connecticut are actively investigating. 

Betting on the Masters responsibly

Whether you're backing Rory McIlroy to complete his career grand slam, hoping for a breakout performance from Joaquín Niemann or locking in Collin Morikawa, betting on the Masters should enhance the fun, not lead to regret of financial difficulties. Here’s how to help keep your wagering healthy and sustainable:

1. Set a Budget and Stick to It
Determine how much you’re willing to lose before the tournament begins. Stick to that limit, even if your bets don’t go your way. A recommended guideline is to wager 1-4% of your total bankroll per bet. 

2. Avoid Chasing Losses
Losing streaks are part of gambling. Increasing your next bet to try to get even is never the answer. Instead, accept losses as part of the game and stay within your budget.

3. Don’t bet under the influence
Decision-making skills and risk-assessment abilities are critically important for sports betting, so be sure to only wager with a clear mind.

4. Use Sportsbooks’ Responsible Gaming Tools
Legal sportsbooks offer helpful tools like deposit limits, wager caps and time outs. Take advantage of these features if you find yourself slipping into unhealthy patterns.

5. Never borrow to bet
Don’t ever wager using money that you don’t currently have. Betting on credit or borrowing funds from someone else to gamble is never a good idea.

Gambling addiction treatment and resources

If you or someone you know may be struggling with sports betting, it’s okay to ask for help.

Birches Health offers virtual, confidential treatment for gambling addiction, tailored to your needs and covered by most insurance plans. Birches’ mission is to support individuals and families navigating gambling-related struggles with compassion and evidence-based care.

If ever needed, here’s how to get started with Birches Health:

• Book an appointment 

• Call 833-483-3838

• Email help@bircheshealth.com