The holiday season often aligns with travel to another state. Whether you're visiting family for Christmas, taking a winter getaway, or simply seeing friends, if you’re traveling to a state with online sports betting, this guide tells you all you need to know about how to bet legally during the holidays.
With the NFL and NBA taking center stage on Christmas Day and the College Football Playoff on New Year’s, learn how to bet when you travel to a legal sports betting state today. Sign up with top sportsbooks including bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, and theScore Bet in all legal sports betting states now.
| Top Sportsbooks | Sportsbook Promos | Sign-Up Link |
|---|---|---|
| bet365 | $150 Bet-and-Get Promo | TOPACTION |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | $2,000 No Sweat Bets | ACTION |
| BetMGM | $1,500 First Bet Offer | TOPACTION |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins | Click Here |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets if You Win | Click Here |
| Hard Rock Bet | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win | Click Here |
| Caesars Sportsbook | $250 Bet Match | TANMAX250BM |
| theScore Bet | Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets If You Win | Click Here |
If you’ve never used an online sportsbook before, this holiday season is the time to place bets legally, as long as you’re physically located in a state that allows it. Read this guide on how to bet while traveling to a legal sports betting state safely and responsibly during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and bet on the NFL, NBA, or college football bowl games this holiday season.
Do I Need To Be A Resident To Place Bets While Traveling?
You don’t have to live in a state to place bets there. The main requirements are:
- Being physically present in a state with legal sports betting
- Meeting that state’s minimum age requirement
Most U.S. states require bettors to be 21 or older, though a few allow 18-year-olds to bet at select sportsbooks.
Example: If you live in California, but are visiting Maryland for Christmas, you can bet on the Cowboys vs. Commanders game as long as you are within Maryland state lines. This is a key example of how to bet while traveling to a legal sports betting state, even for a short holiday trip.
Why Using Your Real Address Matters When Signing Up?
Sportsbooks require a verified home address to confirm your identity. Using a hotel or friend’s address could prevent verification and delay your ability to place sports bets. This can be especially frustrating during high-demand holiday games in the NFL and NBA for Christmas 2025.
Use your real address to ensure a smooth sign-up process and make NBA Christmas Day picks, NFL Week 17 betting, and even use these as College Football Playoff betting promos. Following this rule is an important part of how to bet while traveling to a legal sports betting state.
Pro Tip: The most popular sportsbooks for easy holiday registration include bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings.
Is It Legal To Wager If My Home State Prohibits Sports Betting?
Yes, it is legal to place bets in a state where online sports betting is legal, even if your home state doesn’t allow it.
Example: A California resident travels to New York or New Jersey. They can legally bet on any Christmas Day game today. This doesn't break any laws because you are physically present in a legal sports betting state. Understanding this is essential for anyone learning how to bet while traveling to a legal sports betting state.
How Do Sportsbooks Verify Your Location During Travel?
Sportsbooks use geolocation technology to confirm that you are physically within legal sports betting state lines. On mobile devices, this involves accessing GPS data. Trying to bypass this with a VPN or other methods won’t work, as sportsbooks block anyone who attempts to place wagers from unauthorized locations. Knowing this is another key piece of information for betting while traveling to a legal sports betting state.
Pro Tip: Sports betting apps like Hard Rock Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, and theScore Bet are great for new sports bettors due to their welcome bonus offers.
Understanding Which U.S. States Allow You To Place Bets
Not all sports betting states allow wagering in the same way. Some states allow online registration and betting while others have in-person registration at a casino before you can online sports bet. There's also only in-person registration and in-person betting in select states as well.
State-By-State Breakdown
- States With No Legal Sports Betting: Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah
- States With Retail Only Betting: Delaware, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin
- States With Limited Online Sports Betting: Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, District of Columbia
- States Without Restrictions on Sports Betting: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming
Sign up with top sportsbooks like bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, Caesars Sportsbook, and theScore Bet to make the most of your holiday betting bonuses.
Can I Withdraw My Winnings After Leaving A Legal Betting State?
Once you place bets in a legal betting state, you can withdraw funds from your sportsbook account after returning home, even if your home state prohibits sports betting. You can also check odds and manage deposits on the app from anywhere, but you can only place bets if you are physically located in a legal betting state.
Top Sportsbooks To Sign Up With During This Holiday Season
We recommend all of the sportsbooks on this page as Christmas betting options today. Claim up to $5,000 in bonus bets now:
Sign up with multiple online sportsbooks to secure thousands in bonus bets and shop for the best odds on Christmas Day NFL and NBA games. We hope this guide has taught you all you need to know about how to bet while traveling to a legal sports betting state.
