Which States Allow College Basketball Tournament Betting in 2026 and Which Operators to Bet With Including DraftKings, FanDuel and More

Which States Allow College Basketball Tournament Betting in 2026 and Which Operators to Bet With Including DraftKings, FanDuel and More

With the college basketball postseason approaching, fans across the country are gearing up to wager on one of the biggest events of the year.

But betting rules vary widely from state to state - especially when it comes to college sports. Some states allow full wagering, others restrict bets involving in‑state schools, and a handful still prohibit sports betting altogether.

To help you navigate the landscape, we’ve compiled a simple, state‑by‑state breakdown showing which states allow college basketball tournament betting in 2026, along with guidance on where you can legally place your wagers, including major operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, and others.

College Basketball Tournament Betting by State (2026)

Best Sportsbooks for Betting the College Basketball Tournament

Below are the top legal betting apps offering major bonuses ahead of the tournament.

DraftKings Promo: Bet $5, Get $200 Instantly

See below how to claim $200 in Bonus Bets for the College Basketball today:

Step One: CLICK HERE or head to DraftKings and register a new account.

Step Two: Deposit $5 or more into your DraftKings account.

Step Three: Place a $5 bet on any market at minimum odds of –500 or longer.

Step Four: If your wager wins, you will receive $200 in Bonus Bets instantly.

How the NCAA Tournament 100% Profit Boost Works

Along with the $200 in Bonus Bets, DraftKings gives every qualifying user a 100% Profit Boost Token for an NCAA Tournament Winner bet.

Here’s how it works:

• The Profit Boost applies only to an NCAA Tournament Winner bet
• Maximum bet amount: $10
• The boost doubles your winnings (profit only - not the stake)
• Token expires April 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
• All other bet types are excluded

BetMGM: Bet $10, Get $150 (MI, NJ, PA, WV Only)

This is a straight “bet and get” bonus for new users in select states:

Step One: Visit BetMGM’s website to register your account.

Step Two: Deposit $10.

Step Three: Place your first $10 bet on any market.

Step Four: If that bet wins, receive $150 in Bonus Bets in addition to your cash winnings.

This version applies only to: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia

BetMGM First Bet Insurance Up to $1,500 (All Other States)

For all other legal betting states:

Step One: Visit BetMGM or click the widget and enter bonus code OCMAX1500 if prompted.

Step Two: Deposit $10–$1,500.

Step Three: Place your first qualifying wager (straight, parlay, SGP, etc.).

Step Four: If your bet wins, you keep profits + stake.

Step Five: If it loses, BetMGM refunds your stake as Bonus Bets (up to $1,500).

FanDuel Promo Code: Up to $300 Back in Bonus Bets Every Day for 10 Days

Step One: CLICK HERE or download the FanDuel Sportsbook app and create your account.

Step Two: Make a minimum $5 deposit.

Step Three: Receive your first No Sweat Token automatically, then check daily for nine more.

Step Four: Toggle on your token before placing any CBB wager up to $300.

Step Five: If your bet loses, receive Bonus Bets equal to your stake within 72 hours.

Bet365 Bonus Code CHECK: Get $365 in Bonus Bets

Step One: CLICK HERE or Go to Bet365’s website or click the widget below (New Customers Only).

Step Two: Register using bonus code CHECK.

Step Three: Deposit $10 and wager $10 on any market.

Step Four: Whether your wager wins or loses, you’ll receive $365 in Bonus Bets.

College Basketball Tournament FAQs

How many teams compete in the national postseason tournament?

The men’s national postseason tournament features 68 teams, including automatic qualifiers from conference championships and at‑large selections chosen by the committee.

How are teams selected?

A selection committee evaluates teams based on record, strength of schedule, quality wins, and overall résumé. Automatic bids go to conference champions, while the remaining spots are filled with at‑large teams.

How are teams seeded?

Teams are ranked from 1 to 68 and placed into four regions. Each region contains seeds 1 through 16, with matchups designed to balance competitive fairness.

What are the play‑in games?

Before the main bracket begins, eight teams compete in four opening‑round matchups to determine the final entrants into the field of 64.

How is the bracket structured?

The bracket is single‑elimination. Teams advance by winning each round, with the field shrinking from 64 to 32, then 16, then 8, then 4, and finally the last two teams competing for the national title.