Which states allow betting on the 2025 NFL Draft?

Key Points:

• NFL Draft betting is legal in many states, but specific rules vary – some states that have legalized sports betting actually ban wagering on the NFL Draft, others limit it to in-person only, and a handful restrict live Draft betting.

• 29 states and Washington, D.C. allow NFL Draft betting, with the most flexibility in states like New Jersey, Illinois and Colorado.

• States like New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia ban all NFL Draft betting, despite having legal sports betting.

• Responsible Gaming is key because the NFL Draft is unpredictable, misinformation is common. Bets should be made cautiously and for entertainment purposes only.

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Throughout the exciting new 12-team College Football Playoff, some NFL Draft prospects emerged, some cemented their draft status, others rose or fell on draft boards. The extended playoff format dominated millions of TVs at the end of December and well into January. 

Now, we have reached NFL Draft week, and the stars of college football are set to become professionals, with the first round scheduled for Thursday, April 24, at 8 PM ET. The second and third rounds follow on Friday, April 25, and rounds 4-7 take place on Saturday, April 26. 

The 2025 NFL Draft takes place in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This year's edition is uniquely exciting, due to all the immense talent along the defensive line and running back position groups. With that comes the question that is asked a lot this time of year: is it legal to bet on the NFL Draft? And which states allow it? Let’s dive in.

Which states allow NFL Draft betting?

It is legal to bet on the NFL Draft in some locations, as rules for betting on it are set on a state-by-state basis. While the legalization of sports betting has become possible in Hawaii and Minnesota, as it stands in April of 2025, 39 states, plus Washington D.C., have legalized sports betting. However, Missouri doesn’t have a launch timeline yet, 30 states (plus D.C.) provide online sports betting, and 8 states offer retail betting only.

States that allow NFL Draft betting without specific restrictions:

• Arkansas

• Colorado

• Florida

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Louisiana

• Maine

• Maryland

• Nebraska

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• North Carolina

• Oregon

• Tennessee

• Washington, D.C.

• Wyoming

In these states, individuals can bet on when a player will be drafted, which team a player will be drafted by, plus many other betting options. 

States that allow NFL Draft betting without live or “in-play” betting on it:

• Arizona

• Iowa

• Nevada

States that allow NFL Draft betting but have additional rules for live draft betting: 

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• North Carolina

• Tennessee

States that allow NFL Draft betting ONLY in-person at tribal casinos:

• Nebraska

• New Mexico

• Washington 

• Wisconsin

States that allow sports betting but BAN betting on the NFL Draft:

• Connecticut

• Kentucky

• New York

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• Vermont

• Virginia

The reason for most of these states is similar – they do not consider the NFL Draft a sporting event. New York states: “The NFL draft does not fit into the definition of sports wagering as defined by statute.” Pennsylvania is similar since the state defines a sporting event as “The business of accepting wagers on sporting events or on the individual performance statistics of athletes in a sporting event or combination of sporting events by any system or method of wagering, including over the Internet through websites and mobile applications.”

In all, twenty-nine states and Washington, D.C. have wagering available for the 2025 NFL Draft, with some having specific restrictions in place.

States that do NOT allow sports betting:

• Alabama

• Alaska

• California

• Georgia

• Hawaii (legislation efforts in final stages, but will NOT be available for 2025 NFL Draft)

• Idaho

• Minnesota

• Missouri* (legislation passed; launching later in 2025)

• Oklahoma

• South Carolina

• Texas

• Utah

Dangers and risks of betting on the NFL Draft

One thing to be mindful of with regard to the NFL Draft is misinformation. Organizations will do anything they can to draft the player they desire, which means teams can purposely share incorrect or misleading information to the media in hopes a player will fall to them or disguise their evaluations or throw others off their scent. If you buy into what you hear and track drastically changing odds of a pick, you may find yourself placing a bet based on false info. 

Longtime NFL agent Mike McCartney of Vayner Sports said this about the NFL Draft, "This is the time of year for subterfuge. It’s just the way it is in this league. You’re going to get misinformation.”

It’s also important not to rely too much on NFL mock drafts. Although it may be respected analysts creating these projected drafts, it is still just their best guesses, which may be based on purposely shared misleading info. Nobody truly knows what’s going to happen during the NFL Draft because of misinformation, leaked info, unforeseen changes, trades, and because some front offices keep their cards close.

The NFL is the most-bet-on sport in America, and with the draft, it’s fans’ first taste of the sport in a couple of months. For some minds, an NFL event equals a betting opportunity, and the draft inspires that thinking. Even folks who haven’t been dialed into draft analysis may be eager to take a stab at who their team will draft or who they think will go where. If you’re out of the loop, it’s probably best to avoid betting on an event that does not have universal betting parameters. 

Also, as with all betting, you need to be mindful to never bet more than you can afford to lose. Some sportsbooks in certain states offer hundreds of betting markets for the Draft, which is dangerous since the more markets that are available, the more angles you can find to risk money. Remember – the NFL Draft is unpredictable, and even if you think you have a strong sense of what will happen, things can (and do) change drastically just about every year.

Responsible Gaming tips for the NFL Draft

The NFL Draft is a multi-day event. That means, if you do bet on this event, it’s important you separate yourself from it at times, stay grounded and keep yourself accountable with this checklist of responsible gaming tips:

• Set a Budget, and Stick to It: Decide how much money you're willing to risk before the picks start.

• Treat the Draft like Entertainment, Not Potential Income: Draft bets should add to your enjoyment and get you excited for the NFL, not create financial pressure. 

• Avoid Impulsive Betting: It’s easy to get caught up in the moment with live markets, trades and surprises. Take a breath. Think before you bet.

• Know the Odds and the Market: Understand how props work and check multiple sportsbooks for lines before placing a bet. 

• Set Time Limits and Check in with Yourself: It’s easy to lose track of time during long coverage windows, so plan ahead with dedicated times away from the Draft to ensure balance with other parts of life. 

• Use Tools and Limits: Most sportsbooks offer tools to set deposit or spending limits, so be sure to use them to help keep your betting at a responsible level. 

• Watch with Friends or Family: Talking through bets can help keep things fun and grounded. It’s also a great way to share the Draft experience.

• Don’t Bet Under the Influence: Stay sharp and avoid betting if you’ve been drinking or using substances that impair judgment. You need a clear mind for proper decision-making and risk assessment. 

Gambling Addiction Treatment and Resources

Whether it’s a result of betting on the NFL Draft or another event, there is help available if you or someone you know may be struggling with a gambling addiction. A convenient online option is Birches Health, which helps treat gambling addiction from the comfort of your home. Birches provides support through a team of trained professionals with years of experience. Plus, all meetings are completely confidential, and 90% of patients feel an increase in quality of life within the first few sessions.

Help is just a call or click away. If you think Birches could be a good option for you or another person you know, you can reach out today:

• Book an appointment 

• Call 833-483-3838

• Email help@bircheshealth.com