You’re sitting on your couch, phone in hand, ready to back your team, only to hit a "restricted location" wall. It’s frustrating. Honestly, the map of where you can and can’t use DraftKings feels like a moving target. Since the Supreme Court tossed out the federal ban on sports betting years ago, states have been sprinting—or occasionally crawling—toward legalization.
As of early 2026, the landscape is a patchwork of rules. You might be legal for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) but totally blocked from the Sportsbook. Or maybe you're in a state that allows sports betting but treats online casinos like they’re radioactive.
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Basically, if you’re trying to figure out where you can actually put money down, you need to look at which "version" of DraftKings you’re talking about.
The 2026 DraftKings Sportsbook Map: Where Can You Bet?
The big one is the Sportsbook. This is the real-money, point-spread, "I-hope-this-parlay-hits" side of the app. Right now, DraftKings Sportsbook is live and legal in 26 states plus Washington D.C. Missouri is the newest heavy hitter to join the club, officially opening its doors to mobile betting after a long legislative slog. If you’re physically inside the borders of these states, you’re usually good to go:
- Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, and Illinois.
- Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, and Kentucky. (Kentucky allows sports betting at 18, which is a rare outlier).
- Louisiana (but only in specific parishes; don’t try it in Winners or Franklin).
- Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
- Missouri (The new kid on the block for 2026).
- New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and North Carolina.
- Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
- Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
It’s a long list. But notice who is missing? California and Texas.
Texas is a tough nut to crack. Despite massive pressure from sports teams and DraftKings itself, the Lone Star State is still sitting on the sidelines in 2026. California is even more complicated. The power struggle between tribal gaming interests and commercial operators like DraftKings has led to a stalemate that might not resolve until 2028.
The DFS Loophole: Why You Can Often Play Fantasy but Not Bet
This is what confuses people the most. You’ll see a guy in Florida or Georgia playing a DraftKings Daily Fantasy contest and think, "Wait, I thought it was illegal there?"
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Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legally distinct from "sports betting." Under federal law (UIGEA), fantasy sports are generally viewed as a game of skill. Because of that, DraftKings DFS is available in nearly every state—roughly 44 of them.
You can play DFS in Texas, Florida, and California right now. The only places that strictly forbid it are Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada (ironically), Oregon (for mobile), and Washington.
Then there’s DraftKings Pick6. It’s their newer, peer-to-peer player prop game. It’s legal in about 30 states, including some places where the Sportsbook is banned, like Georgia and Minnesota. It’s a clever way for them to get into markets that haven’t fully embraced traditional betting yet.
The "Big Three" States Everyone Asks About
If you live in one of these three, your DraftKings experience is... unique.
1. Florida
Florida is essentially a monopoly. The Seminole Tribe has a lock on sports betting through Hard Rock Bet. DraftKings tried to fight it, spent millions on ballot initiatives, and basically lost. In 2026, you can use DraftKings for DFS in the Sunshine State, but if you want to bet on the Dolphins' spread, you aren't doing it on the DraftKings app.
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2. New York
New York is the king of handle. It’s fully legal, but the tax rate is 51%. What does that mean for you? It means the promos and odds in NY are sometimes a little "stingier" than what you’ll find in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
3. Missouri
After years of residents driving across the bridge to Illinois or Kansas to place bets, Missouri finally went live. If you’re in St. Louis or KC, you no longer have to play the "border-hopping" game.
The Online Casino: A Much Smaller Club
If you’re looking for slots, blackjack, or live dealer games, the list of DraftKings legal states shrinks significantly. Online casino gaming (iGaming) is way more controversial for state legislators than sports betting.
Currently, you can only play DraftKings Casino in:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- West Virginia
- Connecticut
That’s it. Even "progressive" betting states like New York and Arizona haven’t pulled the trigger on online casinos yet. There’s a fear it cannibalizes brick-and-mortar casino revenue, though the data from Jersey suggests otherwise.
Age Requirements: It’s Not Always 21
You’d think the age would be 21 across the board. Nope.
In Kentucky, New Hampshire, Wyoming, and Washington D.C., you only need to be 18 to use DraftKings Sportsbook. Everywhere else, it’s 21+.
If you’re 19 and trying to bet in New York, the app’s geolocation will shut you down faster than a bad parlay. Also, don't try to use a VPN. DraftKings uses some of the most sophisticated geofencing tech on the planet. If they catch you spoofing your location, they won't just block the bet—they’ll likely freeze your account and keep your balance. It isn't worth the risk.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Bet
If you’re planning to travel or sign up, here is exactly how to handle the "legal state" headache.
- Check the "Green" Map: Before you travel, open the app. If the "Sportsbook" tab is replaced by "Fantasy," you’re in a restricted state for betting.
- Verify Your Identity: You’ll need to provide the last four digits of your SSN. It's a federal requirement for anti-money laundering. If a site doesn't ask for this, it’s an offshore, illegal site—stay away.
- Withdraw Before You Leave: If you win big in a legal state (like NJ) but live in a restricted state (like GA), you can still withdraw your money from home. You just can't place new bets.
- Watch the Legislative Calendar: Keep an eye on Georgia and Minnesota in late 2026. They are the most likely "next" states to flip.
The map is always changing. What’s legal today might have been a felony three years ago, and by this time next year, we might finally see movement in the holdout states. For now, just make sure you’re standing on the right side of the state line before you hit "submit" on that bet slip.