As of the end of 2024, 38 states plus Washington, D.C. have some form of legal sports betting — which means golf betting, as part of any licensed sportsbook's sports menu, is available to a large share of US adults. Whether you can place a bet on the Masters or the US Open from your phone depends entirely on where you're standing when you try.
Which States Have Legal Online Golf Betting?
States with fully legal statewide online and mobile sports betting include AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY, and DC, among others. North Carolina launched online sports betting on March 11, 2024, and Vermont went live on January 11, 2024 — both among the most recent additions to the legal map.
If you're in one of these states, you can open the app of a licensed sportsbook, navigate to the golf section, and place an outright bet or a Top 10 or Top 20 finish wager from your couch. No casino visit required.
What States Have Notable Restrictions?
Not every "legal" state gives you full mobile access. Mississippi allows app-based sports betting only while you are physically on a licensed casino property — attempt to bet from home and the geolocation check will reject you. Montana limits betting to lottery terminals and a state-authorized app at approved retail locations; it is not a true statewide mobile market.
Vermont is fully mobile but has its own wrinkle: the state licensed exactly three operators — FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics — and prohibits wagering on in-state college games unless those games are part of a national tournament.
Which States Have No Legal Sports Betting at All?
As of early 2025, Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah have no legal sports betting framework. Residents of those states have no licensed options — onshore or otherwise — for golf wagering.
| State | Legal Status | Mobile Available? | Key Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | Legal | Yes — statewide | None notable |
| Mississippi | Legal | On casino property only | Must be physically at a licensed casino to use mobile app |
| Vermont | Legal | Yes — statewide | Only three licensed operators; no in-state college game betting outside national tournaments |
| Texas | No legal framework | No | No licensed operators available |
| California | No legal framework | No | No licensed operators available |
How Do You Know Which Sportsbooks Are Licensed in Your State?
State gaming regulators publish lists of approved operators. The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Michigan Gaming Control Board, and Colorado Division of Gaming each maintain those records on their official sites. BettorSafe.org also aggregates licensed operator lists by state in one place, which saves time when you're checking multiple books.
Only use sportsbooks that appear on your state regulator's approved list. Unlicensed operators have no oversight, no consumer protections, and no legal accountability if a withdrawal is delayed or denied.
What's the Minimum Age to Bet on Golf?
Most legal states set the minimum age at 21. A smaller number — including New Hampshire and Wyoming — permit 18+. Always confirm the age requirement for your specific state before creating an account. Misrepresenting your age violates the operator's terms and your state's regulations.
Ready to Place a Bet Once You Confirm You're in a Legal State?
Once you've verified your state has legal mobile betting, the next step is picking a book and understanding the markets. The step-by-step walkthrough for placing your first golf bet covers account setup, deposit mechanics, and how to read a golf betting slip from scratch. If you're comparing operators on market depth and golf-specific features, the full breakdown of US sportsbooks with the best golf betting markets runs through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, and others side by side.
Understanding how golf odds work in American moneyline format is also worth a few minutes before your first wager — odds like +1200 or +320 carry specific math that affects every payout calculation. And before you settle on a single book, read up on line shopping for golf bets; the same player can be listed at +2500 on one sportsbook and +2800 on another, a difference that adds up fast on long-odds markets.
Must be 21+ (18+ in select states). If gambling is becoming a problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG.org for resources.