The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight, Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, and bettors across the country are looking for the best way to get action down before Round 1 begins.
If you’re wondering Where Can I Bet On The 2026 NFL Draft?, several major sportsbooks offer draft markets, but availability depends on where you live and how your state regulates wagering on draft outcomes.
This NFL Draft primer breaks down where you can bet, how to bet, and the rules that determine what’s allowed in each state.
Where Can I Bet On The 2026 NFL Draft?
If you’re asking Where Can I Bet On The 2026 NFL Draft?, you’ll find markets at most major online sportsbooks in legal betting states.
The best NFL Draft betting promos include:
If you’re still wondering Where Can I Bet On The 2026 NFL Draft?, the answer comes down to your state and whether regulators allow draft-specific markets.
How to Bet on the NFL Draft
If you want to place a wager on tonight’s NFL Draft, sportsbooks make the process simple.
- Choose a Legal Sportsbook – Pick a licensed operator in your state, such as Fanatics Sportsbook or BetMGM.
- Find NFL Draft Markets – Navigate to football or special events sections and look for draft betting menus.
- Choose Your Bet Type – Sportsbooks offer several options, including:
- First overall pick
- Player draft position totals
- Position group totals
- Team-specific selections
- Place Your Bet Before Markets Close – Most sportsbooks close NFL Draft markets shortly before Round 1 begins, especially on high-volume betting nights like tonight.
These fall under NFL Draft prop bets, which remain the most popular way to bet the draft.
NFL Draft Betting Rules by State
NFL Draft betting rules vary widely across the country. Some states allow full markets, while others restrict or prohibit draft wagering entirely.
States Where NFL Draft Betting Is Not Allowed
These states allow online sports betting but do not permit betting on the NFL Draft:
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Kentucky
These states allow betting on the NFL but restrict draft wagering due to integrity concerns tied to insider information and non-game outcomes.
States With NFL Draft Betting Restrictions
Some states allow NFL Draft betting but limit timing or availability.
- Massachusetts – Sportsbooks may close markets before each round or at regulator-set cutoffs
- Michigan – Draft markets often close the day before the event
- Iowa – Betting typically ends 24 hours before Round 1
- Arizona – Markets usually close before the draft begins
These restrictions help regulators limit late-breaking information that could impact outcomes.
States Where NFL Draft Betting Is Fully Allowed
Most legal betting states allow full NFL Draft markets with no special restrictions.
- New Jersey
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Louisiana
- Tennessee
- Ohio
- Kansas
- Nevada
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Maine
In these states, sportsbooks typically offer full menus of NFL Draft prop bets, including player selection markets, position totals, and draft order futures.
If you still ask Where Can I Bet On The 2026 NFL Draft?, this group of states offers the widest access.
NFL Draft Betting Markets and Popular Props
The NFL Draft offers some of the most unique betting markets of the year.
Popular options include:
- First overall pick odds
- Player draft position over/unders
- Team selection props
- Position group totals
- Head-to-head player matchups
Bettors also track rising storylines like Ty Simpson odds, Fernando Mendoza NFL Draft odds, and Jeremiyah Love NFL Draft odds as the draft approaches.
Some sportsbooks even offer matchup-style markets such as Sonny Styles vs. Caleb Downs or Arvell Reese vs. David Bailey, depending on availability.
All of these fall under the broader category of NFL Draft prop bets, which continue to grow each year.
Alternative Options for NFL Draft Markets
Some users searching Where Can I Bet On The 2026 NFL Draft? may not have access to sportsbooks in their state.
Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket offer alternative ways to participate in draft outcomes.
These platforms do not operate as sportsbooks. Instead, they function as prediction markets where users trade contracts based on event outcomes, including NFL Draft results.
You can use them to take positions on outcomes like:
- First overall pick
- Quarterbacks drafted in Round 1
- Specific player landing spots
However, these platforms operate differently from traditional sportsbooks and follow separate regulatory frameworks.
For most users, traditional sportsbooks remain the simplest way to bet on the NFL Draft where it is legal.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still asking Where Can I Bet On The 2026 NFL Draft?, the answer depends on your state, your sportsbook access, and how quickly markets close before tonight’s 8 p.m. ET start on ABC.
Sportsbooks like Fanatics Sportsbook, BetMGM, and bet365 offer the most complete NFL Draft betting menus, but state rules ultimately determine what you can access.
With the first round set to begin tonight, bettors should act early before markets tighten or close.
