Betting on MLB Spring Training Baseball? Keep it legal, safe

Key Points 

• Spring Training is highly unpredictable. Rotating rosters, changing lineups and varied motivation levels make betting even riskier than the already-difficult regular season.

• If considering betting on Spring Training, understand that it is more about roster configuration and player development than it is about the team winning. 

• Not all states allow betting on MLB Spring Training. Check local regulations and use licensed sportsbooks.

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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 legal, sustainable and healthy manner if they choose to wager on the event. 

Although February is synonymous with “harsh winter” for many in the United States, the back half of the month also signals baseball and the looming spring season. MLB Spring Training is a time-honored tradition that takes place from late February to late March, bringing fans closer to their favorite teams before the intensity of the regular season begins. 

Rookies fight for roster spots, and veterans tune up their game in sun-soaked ballparks. Between the Cactus League in Arizona and the Grapefruit League in Florida, the 30 MLB teams are evenly split up:

Cactus League

• Arizona Diamondbacks

• Athletics (will play in Sacramento in 2025 – moving to Las Vegas in 2028)

• Chicago Cubs

• Cincinnati Reds

• Cleveland Guardians

• Colorado Rockies

• Chicago White Sox

• Kansas City Royals

• Los Angeles Angels

• Los Angeles Dodgers

• Milwaukee Brewers

• San Diego Padres

• San Francisco Giants

• Seattle Mariners

• Texas Rangers

Grapefruit League

• Atlanta Braves

• Baltimore Orioles

• Boston Red Sox

• Detroit Tigers

• Houston Astros

• Miami Marlins

• Minnesota Twins

• New York Mets

• New York Yankees

• Philadelphia Phillies

• Pittsburgh Pirates

• St. Louis Cardinals

• Tampa Bay Rays

• Toronto Blue Jays

• Washington Nationals

The 2025 season introduces one of the biggest changes yet: the continued testing of the Automatic Balls and Strikes (ABS) challenge system. After extensive trials in Triple-A, MLB has expanded the use of this technology during Spring Training. Under this system, pitchers, catchers and batters can challenge a ball/strike call by tapping their head. Each team gets two challenges per game, and if the challenge is upheld, they retain it. 

While ABS won’t be in effect for the 2025 regular season, success during Spring Training could pave the way for its full adoption by 2026. This experimental approach adds an extra layer of intrigue for bettors, as rule changes can significantly impact game outcomes.

Which states allow sports betting for MLB Spring Training?

As of 2025, 38 states – plus the D.C. and Puerto Rico – have legalized and launched sports betting in some form. Missouri has also passed legislation but will not be operational until late-2025. 

Unlike the MLB regular season, not every state that permits sports betting allows wagering on MLB Spring Training games. This is because Spring Training games are classified as exhibition games, so some states impose restrictions on betting for non-competitive or entertainment-based sporting events, which can include Spring Training matchups.

Before placing a bet, check your local regulations to ensure you’re betting legally. Some states only permit in-person wagering, while others allow mobile and online betting. Licensed sportsbooks provide betting lines for Spring Training games in jurisdictions where it’s legal, including:

• Connecticut

• Illinois

• Louisiana

• Maryland

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Maine

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• North Carolina

• Ohio

• Ontario (Canada)

• Oregon

• Vermont

• Wyoming

• Washington 

• Washington. D.C.

Never use offshore sportsbooks or bookies

It’s critical to avoid offshore sportsbooks and illegal bookies when betting on MLB Spring Training, or any sporting event. These unauthorized operators pose significant risks.

The name implies it, but offshore books operate outside U.S. regulations. Offshore sportsbooks operate outside U.S. regulations and draw individuals in with betting options that are not available in regulated markets, and odds that can stray from mainstream, licensed sportsbooks. 

While these factors may entice some, it’s important to remember that some of these platforms lack consumer protection measures, while also leaving bettors with no legal recourse if a dispute arises. Financial and personal information is at risk when using unregulated betting platforms, many offshore sportsbooks have a history of refusing to pay winnings or delaying payouts for weeks or months and illegal betting platforms can result in fines or legal trouble, depending on state laws.

Bookies and their commonly used pay-per-head sites are also unregulated and run a bevy of risks for bettors. First of all, no oversight means a bookie can “ghost” bettors seeking payment for their winnings. And, although the IRS has taken measures to regulate digital payment services, many bookies use digital payments to facilitate transferring funds from their illegal bookmaking operations. If you or they were found to have illegally earned income without reporting it, those involved could be charged with tax evasion.

Stick to licensed sportsbooks in your state to ensure a safe and secure betting experience.

Betting on MLB Spring Training baseball RESPONSIBLY

Betting on regular season baseball is already difficult enough and requires next-level knowledge and commitment. Spring Training games present a whole new set of unique challenges for bettors. 

The primary goal of Spring Training for any organization is roster configuration and player development. Sure, teams want to win because that’s a testament to the players in their system, but it’s more so about figuring out what you have, where you stand and knocking the rust off starters while keeping healthy. Spring Training rosters also change frequently, adding another layer of difficulty to predicting outcomes. 

With all that said, here are a few Responsible Gaming tips to keep in mind if you do decide to bet on MLB Spring Training games:

• Set Limits and Stick to a Budget – Preseason games are unpredictable, so avoid betting large sums. Consider lower-risk wagers to account for the volatility.

  
  

• Use sportsbook apps’ Responsible Gaming tools like deposit and time limits, which can act as an extra set of guardrails to ensure that you don’t overextend with too much risk. 

  
  

• When it comes to responsible gambling, a major rule of thumb is never chasing losses, especially in MLB Spring Training. 

  
  

• Don’t bet while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They can negatively impact your decision-making and risk-assessment abilities, which are critically important while betting.
  
  

Gambling Addiction treatment and support

MLB Spring Training offers a first glimpse at the upcoming season. For avid fans who have been waiting to bet on baseball, or casuals looking for something to bet, it’s important to remember that due to the unpredictable nature of these games, it’s essential to approach betting with caution, discipline and a focus on responsible gambling.

By sticking to legal sportsbooks, understanding the risks, and practicing smart betting habits, the action can be enjoyed while your finances and well-being remain intact. 

If gambling stops being fun or starts affecting your daily life, professional help is available. Birches Health is a specialized provider of gambling addiction treatment, offering virtual care nationwide. Treatment can be covered by insurance, helping make it more affordable for those in need.

You can connect with Birches Health in multiple ways:

• Book an appointment 

• Call 833-483-3838

• Email help@bircheshealth.com

Dangers of MLB betting

We’ve already mentioned that regular season MLB betting is difficult as is, even for seasoned bettors. Let’s get into the reasons why:

Unpredictability & Variance
With so many variables – pitching matchups, bullpen usage, weather conditions, and even ballpark dimensions – outcomes can be wildly unpredictable. The odds, or "juice," often make it difficult to turn a long-term profit, even when betting on the best teams. With a 162-game season, even the best teams lose 50-70 times. Betting day-to-day or game-to-game can be more difficult in baseball than in any other sport.  

Sheer Volume of Games
Between the 30 teams, there are 2,430 games in the regular season alone, and MLB offers endless betting opportunities. Teams play nearly every day, sometimes for 10 days straight, meaning bettors can always find a game to wager on. While this may seem like a good thing, it can also be a slippery slope, as constant action can lead to overbetting, reckless decision-making, and ultimately, significant losses.

Lineup Uncertainty
Unlike other major sports, baseball lineups change daily. A team’s best hitter may get the day off, a struggling pitcher might be inserted into the rotation or a manager may adjust the lineup based on pitching matchups. Bettors who don’t stay on top of these changes risk placing wagers based on outdated or incomplete information.