Can I bet on the NFL Hall of Fame Game? Preseason begins Thursday

The Hall of Fame Game marks the official start of the NFL preseason, taking place one week before the debut slate of preseason openers for the other 30 teams. It’s an event that gets football fans excited as it signals the return of professional football after the offseason. Many fans wonder if they can bet on this game and the answer is yes, in many states across the U.S. betting on the NFL Hall of Fame Game is legal.

If you are a fan of either team competing in the NFL Hall of Fame Game — the Chargers and Lions this year — or you are just a football junkie and eager to place a bet on the first action after a long offseason, be sure to read through this article. Not only will you gain more context on the event, but you will be able to employ responsible betting practices and understand the potential dangers of NFL preseason betting. 

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. 

What is the NFL’s Hall of Fame Game? When is it?

The NFL Hall of Fame Game is an annual exhibition game that kicks off the NFL preseason. It takes place in Canton, Ohio at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and coincides with the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The game often features two NFL teams with notable past players as inductees in that year's Hall of Fame class. This year, the Los Angeles Chargers take on the Detroit Lions and the game will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, kicking off at 8 PM ET on NBC.

Who can bet on the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game?

Sports betting laws vary by state, but as of now, most states that have legalized sports betting do allow bets on NFL preseason games, including the Hall of Fame Game. Here’s a breakdown of where you can legally bet on the NFL Hall of Fame Game:

States with Legal Online Sports Betting: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri (PENDING LAUNCH ON DEC 1), Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming

States with Legal In-Person Sports Betting: Delaware, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin

States Without Legal Sports Betting: California, Texas, Idaho, Utah, Minnesota, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alaska, Hawaii

Age Requirements for Betting

To legally bet on the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game, you must meet the age requirements set by the location you are in. Most jurisdictions require bettors to be 21 years old. However, there are exceptions where the legal betting age is 18:

• Kentucky

• Montana

• New Hampshire

• Rhode Island

• Washington D.C.

• Wyoming

It's important to note that even if a state allows betting at 18, some sportsbooks may still require bettors to be 21.

Dangers & risks of betting on NFL preseason

Betting on NFL preseason games, including the Hall of Fame Game, can be particularly risky. While every front office, coaching staff and team would prefer to win their preseason games, winning is not the primary focus like it is every week of the regular season. The preseason is for player evaluation, sorting out position battles and deciding who will make the 53-man regular season roster. Star players and surefire starters only play a handful of drives or snaps to loosen up before the real action gets going. In some cases nowadays, you won’t see a star player at all in the preseason. On top of these factors, coaches will use the preseason to test out varying strategies.

Because of these factors, NFL preseason games are notoriously unpredictable. The quality of a team’s performance can shift from drive to drive with new players constantly subbing in. This unpredictability increases the risk for bettors who may not have all the information they need to make informed bets.

How to bet on the 2025 NFL preseason responsibly

For the risks details above, responsible betting is crucial, especially during the NFL preseason. Here are some tips to help you bet responsibly:

• Set a Budget: If you wish to dip your toes in on the NFL Hall of Fame Game or preseason in general, decide on a reasonable amount of money you can afford to lose over the course of the preseason and stick to that budget.
  
  

• Do Your Research: Look into the depth of team rosters, past years’ preseason coaching strategies and any available information on how teams plan to approach the game.  
  
  

• Avoid Emotional Betting: Don’t let your support for a particular team cloud your judgment, especially during a time where your favorite team is focusing on roster evaluation more so than winning. 

• Don’t force betting action on preseason games to quench your thirst for NFL wagers.
  
  

• Use Legal, Regulated Sportsbooks Only: Only bet through licensed and regulated sportsbooks to ensure fair play and secure transactions.
  
  

• Take Breaks: Avoid continuous betting sessions to prevent making impulsive decisions.

Sports betting addiction treatment and resources

Betting responsibly on the NFL Hall of Fame Game is important, but if you find yourself struggling with a gambling problem, there are resources available to help. Birches Health provides online treatment from specially trained, licensed professionals. Here are some ways to get started with Birches Health:

• Book an Appointment 

• Call 833-483-3838

• Email help@bircheshealth.com