Ever wanted to bet on your favorite UFC fighter? Maybe you feel confident about a knockout win or a slick submission—and you’re hoping to win a few bucks while you watch. You’re not the only one.
UFC betting is getting more popular every year. But there’s a big question a lot of fans still ask:
“Is it actually legal to bet on UFC where I live?”
The answer? It depends on your state. That’s right—sports betting laws in the U.S. aren’t the same everywhere. Each state makes its own rules. Some have full legal online betting. Others allow it only inside casinos. And some still haven’t legalized it at all.
In this guide, I’ll break everything down clearly. You’ll learn:
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Where UFC betting is legal right now
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Where it’s not legal yet
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How to place your first bet
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What to watch out for (and some smart tips too)
Let’s keep it simple and helpful—so you can bet safely and legally, no matter where you live.
Why It’s Complicated: Every State Has Its Own Rules
For a long time, betting on sports (like UFC) was legal only in Nevada. But that changed in 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court gave each state the power to decide for itself.
Since then, many states have jumped in. They saw a chance to collect taxes and give fans something extra during games and fights. The result? Some states allow full online betting. Others still don’t. And a few are somewhere in between.
So if you want to bet legally, the first step is simple:
Check if your state has made it legal.
Where You Can Bet on UFC Legally
Here’s some good news: Most states where sports betting is legal also allow UFC bets. That means you can bet on Pay-Per-View cards, Fight Night events, and even early prelims—just like you would with football or basketball.
There are two main ways to bet:
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Online Betting Apps
This is the most popular method. You download a sportsbook app (think DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN Bet, etc.) onto your phone or tablet, sign up, deposit funds, and you’re ready to bet from virtually anywhere within state lines. -
Retail Sportsbooks
These are physical locations, often found inside casinos, race tracks, or dedicated sports lounges. You can place bets at a counter with a teller or use self-service kiosks.
States Where UFC Betting is Legal
Here’s a quick list of states that allow legal UFC betting right now . This list is always changing, but here’s where things stand today:
Northeast & Mid-Atlantic
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Connecticut – Online and retail
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Delaware – Retail mostly, limited online
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Maine – Online betting is live
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Maryland – Online and retail
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Massachusetts – Online and retail
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New Hampshire – Online (via DraftKings) and retail
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New Jersey – One of the best for online and retail
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New York – Massive online market, plus retail
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Pennsylvania – Online and retail
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Rhode Island – Online and retail (via state provider)
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Vermont – Online launched in early 2024
Midwest
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Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio – All have both online and retail betting
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Nebraska – Retail only (online likely coming soon)
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Wisconsin – Retail betting at tribal casinos; limited online.
Southern States
The South has been catching up quickly with legal sports betting. Here’s where you can legally place UFC bets in this region:
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Arkansas – You can bet both online and in person. Most apps are linked to local casinos.
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Florida – Betting is allowed only through Hard Rock Bet, which is run by the Seminole Tribe.
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Louisiana – Online and retail betting is available in most parts of the state (called “parishes”).
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Mississippi – Sports betting is legal, but here’s the catch: You can only bet online if you’re inside a licensed casino.
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North Carolina – Online betting launched in 2024, and retail betting is also available.
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Tennessee – This state is online-only. No in-person sportsbooks.
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Virginia – Same as Tennessee—online only, but you’ve got good sportsbook options.
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West Virginia – Offers both online and in-person betting at casinos.
Western States & Territories
Now let’s move out west. Many western states offer UFC betting, but a few still have some limits.
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Arizona – Online and retail betting are both live. Many sportsbooks are partnered with tribal casinos.
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Montana – You can bet only at certain bars or restaurants using a state-run app.
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Nevada – This is where it all started. Retail sportsbooks are everywhere in Vegas, and mobile apps work too—but you may need to sign up in person.
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Oregon – Betting is available through the state lottery’s app.
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Wyoming – Online betting only.
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Washington D.C. – You can bet online, but it depends where you are in the city. Retail is available too.
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Puerto Rico – Legalized both online and retail betting.
The Golden Rule: If you’re in one of these states, you’re in good shape! You can usually download a regulated sports betting app, sign up in minutes, and securely place your UFC bets. These platforms are held to high standards for security, fair play, and responsible gambling.
❌ Where UFC Betting Isn’t Legal (Yet)
Some states still haven’t legalized sports betting, including UFC. If you live in one of these, you won’t find legal sportsbooks online or in casinos (yet):
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Alabama – Betting bills have been discussed but never passed.
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Alaska – No progress toward legalization.
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California – Huge market, but still no legal betting. Two proposals failed in 2022, and it may take years.
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Georgia – Bills have come close, but no success so far.
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Hawaii – Strong anti-gambling laws, no betting expected.
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Idaho – No movement toward legal betting.
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Minnesota – Efforts have stalled in recent years.
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Oklahoma – Tribal gaming rules make things tricky.
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South Carolina – No clear path toward legalization.
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Texas – Some progress, but faces major political roadblocks.
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Utah – One of the strictest states on gambling. Betting is not expected to be allowed here.
⚠️ States With Very Limited or In-Person-Only Betting
These states allow sports betting in very limited ways. You may be able to bet—but only in person, or only in specific places.
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Mississippi – You can bet online, but only while inside a casino.
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Montana – Betting must be done inside licensed bars using the state lottery app.
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New Mexico – Some tribal casinos allow retail betting, but there’s no legal online option statewide.
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North Dakota – Tribal casinos offer retail betting, but no online betting yet.
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Washington State – Some tribal casinos offer betting, but it’s not statewide or online.
What If UFC Betting Isn’t Legal in My State?
If you live in a state where sports betting isn’t legal yet, you’ve probably seen websites that still let you bet. These are called offshore sportsbooks.
They’re based outside the U.S., in places like Curacao, Costa Rica, or Panama, and they accept American players—even in states where local laws say no.
You might be wondering:
“Are these safe to use?”
Well… they can be. But there are things you need to know.
✅ Why Some People Use Offshore Sportsbooks
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They work in almost every U.S. state
Even if your state doesn’t allow betting, these sites still let you create an account and place UFC bets. -
They offer lots of betting options
Some offshore sites let you bet on everything—UFC, politics, the Oscars, and even pro wrestling outcomes. -
They accept crypto payments
You can often use Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies to deposit and withdraw money. This makes it fast and private. -
They compete hard on odds
To win customers, offshore sites often offer better odds than local sportsbooks. That can mean bigger payouts.
⚠️ But Be Careful: Offshore Comes with Risks
Even though many offshore sportsbooks are reliable, they don’t follow U.S. rules. That means:
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No U.S. license = less protection
If something goes wrong—like a delayed payout—you don’t have a U.S. government agency to report it to. -
Mixed reputations
Some offshore sportsbooks, like Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie, are well-known and trusted. Others aren’t. Always research before you sign up. -
Payment issues can happen
Sometimes your credit card may be blocked by your bank. In those cases, crypto or peer-to-peer transfers (like Zelle or Venmo) are common alternatives. -
You still owe taxes
Just because the site doesn’t report your winnings to the IRS doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. You’re still legally required to report gambling income.
✅ The Bottom Line on Offshore Sites
If you live in a state with no legal betting options, offshore sportsbooks can be a workaround. But you need to be smart.
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Stick to well-reviewed brands with good customer feedback.
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Use safe payment methods, like crypto or e-wallets.
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Start small, and test the withdrawal process before going big.
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And always read the terms—especially around bonuses and cashouts.
Want help choosing a solid offshore site? Let me know—I can walk you through the most trusted ones used by U.S. players.
How to Place Your First UFC Bet (Step-by-Step)
Once you’ve picked a legal sportsbook—or a trusted offshore site if you live in a restricted state—placing your first bet is pretty easy. Here’s a simple guide to help you start:
1. Pick the UFC fight you want to bet on
Look for the upcoming event (like UFC 304). You’ll see matchups listed with odds like this:
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Conor McGregor -150
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Michael Chandler +130
That means McGregor is the favorite. If you bet $150, you’d win $100. Chandler is the underdog—a $100 bet on him would win you $130.
2. Choose your bet type
You can go beyond just picking who wins. Here are a few fun options:
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Over/Under Rounds: Will the fight last more or fewer rounds than a set number?
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Method of Victory: Will the win come by knockout, submission, or decision?
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Round Betting: What round will the fight end in—and how?
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Parlay Bets: Combine multiple picks (more risk, bigger reward).
3. Place your bet
Click on the odds you like. Enter your bet amount (called your “stake”). You’ll see your possible payout before you confirm. Hit “Place Bet,” and you’re in!
4. Watch the fight and enjoy the action
Now sit back, grab some snacks, and enjoy the fight. If your pick wins—you get paid!
Smart UFC Betting Tips (For Beginners & Beyond)
Want to make better picks? Here are a few simple tips I follow when betting on UFC fights:
Do Your Homework
Look at fight stats: takedown defense, reach, striking volume, cardio. Websites like UFCStats.com give you all the numbers.
Styles Make Fights
A strong wrestler might shut down a striker. A good striker can stop a sloppy grappler. Think about how their styles match up—not just who’s more popular.
Don’t Always Pick the Favorite
Sometimes the odds don’t tell the full story. Underdogs with solid matchups can win—and pay more!
Shop Around
Different sportsbooks offer different odds. It’s smart to compare a few before locking in your bet. A small change in odds can mean a bigger payout.
Keep It Small (At First)
Start with small bets. Get comfortable with the platform and learn how odds work. Only bet what you’re okay losing.
Track Your Bets
Keep a simple record of what you bet, how much, and the outcome. This helps you learn and improve over time.
What’s Next for UFC Betting in the U.S.?
The future looks bright. More states are working to legalize sports betting. By the end of 2025 or early 2026, we could see states like Missouri, Minnesota, and Georgia go live.
Apps are also getting smarter. Some now offer:
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Live streaming of fights
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Live betting with real-time odds
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Custom bet suggestions using AI
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Even social features like group parlays
That means betting on UFC isn’t just about winning money. It’s becoming part of the full fan experience.
✅ Final Thoughts
If you’re in a legal state, betting on UFC is as easy as downloading an app and picking your fighter. If you’re not, there are offshore options—but be cautious and always choose trusted platforms.
Bet smart. Learn as you go. And enjoy the ride—because in UFC, anything can happen.
Good luck, and may your bets land as clean as a head kick!
