Who can legally bet on the NCAA College Football Playoff?

The 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff (CFP) marks a historic shift in the sport with the debut of a 12-team playoff format. This expansion adds new layers of excitement, and with that, more publicized betting opportunities. The new playoff structure seeds 12 teams, with the top four conference champions receiving first-round byes. Fans will witness more high-stakes college football games than ever before, starting Friday, December 20, 2024 and leading up to the championship game on January 20, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Here’s a quick overview of the matchups and key dates:

First Round:
#9 Tennessee vs. #8 Ohio State at Ohio State (12/21, 8 PM ET, ABC/ESPN)
#7 Notre Dame vs. #10 Indiana at Notre Dame (12/20, 8 PM ET, ABC/ESPN)
#11 SMU vs. #6 Penn State at Penn State (12/21, Noon ET, TNT/Max)
#12 Clemson vs. #5 Texas at Texas (12/21, 4 PM ET, TNT/Max)

Quarterfinals:
Rose Bowl: #1 Oregon vs. Tennessee/Ohio State (1/1/25, 5 PM ET, ESPN)
Sugar Bowl: #2 Georgia vs. Notre Dame/Indiana (1/1/25, 8:45 PM ET, ESPN)
Fiesta Bowl: #3 Boise State vs. SMU/Penn State (12/31, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN)
Peach Bowl: #4 Arizona State vs. Clemson/Texas (1/1/25, 1 PM ET, ESPN)

Semifinals:
Orange Bowl: #2/#3 side of the bracket (1/9/25, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN)
Cotton Bowl: #1/#4 side of the bracket (1/10/25, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN)

With first round games being hosted by the higher seed, and the following rounds being hosted by the most prestigious and historic bowl game locales, college football enthusiasts around the world are eager to see how this format shakes out. With so much college football to experience and enjoy, new and seasoned bettors alike will want to get in on the action, but who can legally participate? Let’s break it down. 

Legal betting states for the 2024-25 College Football Playoff

As of December 2024, sports betting is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C., with Missouri set to join as the 39th in 2025. Some states offer both mobile and in-person sports betting, while others only offer in-person. Here is a breakdown of how you can bet in each state:

States with Legal Online Sports Betting:
Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri (pending), New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wyoming.

States with Retail-Only Sports Betting:
Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.

Note: in Mississippi, mobile betting is allowed on casino property. Mississippi has three licensed apps usable exclusively on casino grounds.

Age considerations

Regardless of how you can bet in each territory, the majority of states require bettors to be 21+ years old. There are, however, 8 legal states that permit betting at the age of 18. This list includes: Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington D.C., Wyoming.

Where are Player Props banned for the College Football Playoff?

While betting on player props (predicting player statistics like passing yards, rushing yards, a player to score a touchdown, etc.) is immensely popular, the NCAA has been vocal against this form of wagering. Some states have either cut bettors from wagering on in-state teams or have banned this form of wagering on college sports altogether due to concerns about integrity and exploitation of amateur athletes. The following states prohibit college player props: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

Beware of offshores, bookies and sweepstakes

Why offshore sportsbooks are risky

Even if they may offer college football player props, using offshore sportsbooks is not worth the risk. They frequently operate without proper licensing, oversight or consumer protections. This means players risk losing their money to fraud, facing denied payouts and having no recourse if issues arise. Additionally, untaxed winnings from these platforms can lead to legal and financial consequences.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) recently investigated Bovada for allowing Michigan residents to gamble on its site, which violates state law. A cease-and-desist letter was issued to Harp Media, Bovada's owner, in May 2024, marking the seventh state to take action against the platform. Shortly after, Connecticut followed suit, further demonstrating a united stance against unregulated operators. By the end of 2024, it appears 15 states and Washington, D.C., will have banned Bovada.

Sweepstakes Betting: Loopholes and state crackdowns

Sweepstakes betting platforms operate outside traditional gambling regulations, meaning many lack independent testing, responsible gaming protocols and consumer safeguards. States also lose out on tax revenue that regulated sportsbooks provide.

In Delaware, the Division of Gaming Enforcement ordered Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) to halt online sweepstakes operations in the state. In Georgia, Idaho and Washington: Similar notices were sent to VGW, demanding they cease operations. In Connecticut, the Department of Consumer Protection ruled that operating without a proper gaming license constitutes illegal gambling. In Michigan, regulators have issued cease-and-desist letters to VGW, PredictionStrike, and Stake.us, reinforcing the state's commitment to regulated gaming.

College Football betting: Responsible Gaming tips

The excitement of the new College Football Playoff will inspire a lot of betting action by countless fans, but keeping oneself grounded in responsible gaming practices is essential. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Set a Budget: Determine a fixed amount to wager on the CFP, ensuring it doesn’t interfere with essential expenses.

2. Avoid Chasing Losses: Stick to your budget and avoid doubling down on the next CFP game to recover losses.

3. Know Yourself: Are you a loyal college football fan or an expert? Are you just trying to capitalize on the gravity of these games? If college football betting is not your forte, be cautious with how many wagers you are placing and how much money you are risking. Gambling triggers dopamine release, similar to other addictive behaviors, so it’s important to be mindful.

4. Understand the Rules, Odds and Bet Types: Key college football rules differ from those in the NFL. For example, sacks in college football count against the quarterback’s rushing yards. If you are eager to place a bet on Cade Klubnik’s rushing yards but fear the Texas defensive line, you may want to reconsider. Educate yourself on college football’s rule differentiations and understand that it is a higher variance sport than the NFL when it comes to spreads, money lines and point totals. 

5. Take Breaks: The new format is meant to be fun for fans, not stressful. Don’t let gambling ruin this exciting new playoff format for you. Take breaks to maintain perspective.