NFL draft betting rules explained: In which states can you gamble?
For NFL bettors seeking offseason action, they don't have to look further than the draft.
Unlike a game, however, the draft is an information (or misinformation) market. That makes it difficult for oddsmakers to set lines and offer a variety of bets other than "who will go No. 1 overall?"
"It’s all on opinion," Caesars lead college football trader Joey Feazel told USA TODAY Sports. "These are human beings who are going to choose a person in the NFL draft."
The markets, then, must react to supposed information leaks – even if bettors take action on anonymous Reddit posts. The odds for Will Levis, a projected first-round quarterback, underwent a major shift Tuesday morning following a post on the site saying Levis was telling family and friends the Carolina Panthers were taking him first overall.
"Anytime we get a flood of money or a flood of bets coming in, we have to assume that information has some sort of value around it," Feazel said.
Where can you bet on the NFL draft?
Even in jurisdictions where sports betting is regulated, the state may not offer wagers available on the draft. Of the states where sports betting is legal, NFL draft bets are not permitted in:
- Connecticut
- New York
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
It comes down to what the state's sports gambling governing body considers a competition.
The rules vary state-to-state, with deadlines and bet limits differing across certain borders.
NFL draft betting rules by state
Arizona: Markets must close before the start of the first round (8 p.m. ET Thursday).
Iowa: Markets must shut down 24 hours before the draft begins and can't reopen during the event.
Massachusetts and Michigan: Bets connected to the entirety of the draft must be placed prior to first pick announced. Round-specific wagers must be placed before said round begins, and pick-specific bets must be made before the selection announcement for the two picks before.
- Example: Wagers on who will be selected seventh must be made before the fifth pick is announced.
Nevada: For wagers involving a specific player, must be placed 24 hours before draft starts. Round-specific bets close before said round begins.
