How to Bet While Traveling to Legal Sports Betting States for Thanksgiving: Your Complete Holiday Guide

As Thanksgiving approaches, many people find themselves traveling to states where online sports betting is legal, even if unavailable in their home state. If you are a new sports bettor heading to a legal online sports betting state this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, you may have questions about how to bet while traveling to a legal sports betting state, and what rules apply when you make bets outside your home state.

Sign up now using the modules below or continue to reading for more info on these Thanksgiving sportsbook promos.

Updated on 12/15/25

bet365

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Updated on 12/15/25

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Updated on 12/15/25

BetMGM

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The core rule is simple: it is possible to place bets in any legal betting state as long as you are physically located within that state’s borders. Your permanent residence does not matter. You can live in a state without legal online sports betting and still sports bet while traveling to a legal sports betting state for Thanksgiving.

This sports betting guide walks you through the essentials for anyone spending Thanksgiving in a state with legal online sports betting. The two most widely available online sportsbooks are FanDuel and DraftKings. Register now to claim your welcome bonus bets today.

Updated on 12/15/25

FanDuel

Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!

Bonus Code

No Code Needed

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New players only, 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Available in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY only. Full T&C apply.

Updated on 12/15/25

Caesars

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Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add'l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, Washington, D.C., KS, LA , ME, NC, PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF. ©2024, Caesars Entertainment

Can I bet in a legal betting state if I’m not a resident?

Yes, you can bet in a legal online sports betting state, even if you are not a resident of that state. Residency has no impact on your ability to place sports wagers. As long as you are physically in a legal sports betting state and meet that state’s minimum age requirement, you can sign up and bet today.

Most states set the minimum age at 21 years old, but a few, such as Kentucky, allow bettors as young as 18 to sports bet. Note that only DraftKings and bet365 Sportsbook accept 18-year-old users in Kentucky; most other sportsbooks still require you to be 21.

Updated on 12/15/25

DraftKings

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!

Bonus Code

No Code Needed

Claim $200

21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 1/11/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: http://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos . Ends 1/4/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Updated on 12/15/25

bet365

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose!

Bonus Code

LABS365

Claim $150

Deposit Required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customers Only. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. 21+ (18+ in KY). Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Available in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA only. Bet $5 and Get $150 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Minimum odds -500 of greater.

For example, if you live in Missouri but are going to a state like Kansas, you can register a new account in KS and bet online while there. Missouri sports betting is also going live on Dec. 1, 2025, so claim those welcome offers now for enhanced bonuses.

Is it illegal to bet if I live in a state without legal sports betting?

No, you can bet in a legal online sports betting state while traveling, even if your home state, such as California, does not have legalized sports betting.

The only requirement is that you must be physically located in a legal betting state at the time you place your bet.

Which states allow online sports betting?

Many states offer legal online sports betting, but their rules differ. Broadly, they fall into four categories:

1. Register online, bet online: These states offer the most convenient setup. You can sign up and wager from anywhere within the state.
2. Register online, bet online (limited sportsbooks): Online registration and betting are allowed, but the number of approved sportsbooks is smaller.
3. Register in person, bet online: You must visit a casino to complete registration. After that, you can place bets online.
4. Register in person, bet in person: All activity occurs at a physical casino. This option is less convenient for holiday travel but still available.

Legal online sports betting availability

Here is a full breakdown of the status of sports betting in all U.S. states:

• Alabama – no sports betting
• Alaska – no sports betting
• Arizona – full online sports betting
• Arkansas – limited online sports betting
• California – no sports betting
• Colorado – full online sports betting
• Connecticut – limited online sports betting
• Delaware – in-person sports betting
• District of Columbia – limited online sports betting
• Florida – limited online sports betting
• Georgia – no sports betting
• Hawaii – no sports betting
• Idaho – no sports betting
• Illinois – full online sports betting
• Indiana – full online sports betting
• Iowa – full online sports betting
• Kansas – full online sports betting
• Kentucky – full online sports betting
• Louisiana – full online sports betting
• Maine – no sports betting
• Maryland – full online sports betting
• Massachusetts – full online sports betting
• Michigan – full online sports betting
• Minnesota – no sports betting
• Mississippi – in-person sports betting
• Missouri – sports betting launches Dec. 1 (claim MO pre-reg offers above)
• Montana – in-person sports betting
• Nebraska – no sports betting
• Nevada – in-person sign-up
• New Hampshire – limited online sports betting
• New Jersey – full online sports betting
• New Mexico – in-person sports betting
• New York – full online sports betting
• North Carolina – full online sports betting
• North Dakota – in-person sports betting
• Ohio – full online sports betting
• Oklahoma – no sports betting
• Oregon – limited online sports betting
• Pennsylvania – full online sports betting
• Rhode Island – limited online sports betting
• South Carolina – no sports betting
• South Dakota – in-person sports betting
• Tennessee – full online sports betting
• Texas – no sports betting
• Utah – no sports betting
• Vermont – limited online sports betting
• Virginia – full online sports betting
• Washington – in-person sports betting
• West Virginia – full online sports betting
• Wisconsin – in-person sports betting
• Wyoming – full online sports betting

Should I use my real address to bet while traveling?

Absolutely, use your real address. Always enter your real residential address when you register with a sportsbook, even if you’re traveling to a legal sports betting state and spending the holidays away from your home.

Online sportsbooks use this information to verify your identity. If you list the address of the place you’re staying, such as a hotel or a family member’s home, the verification will fail. This creates issues that require customer support intervention and may delay your ability to place bets, especially during busy holiday periods.

Can I withdraw my money after returning home?

Yes, you can withdraw funds even after you leave a legal online sports betting state. For example, if you visit Arizona on Thursday, place NFL wagers for Sunday, and return to California on Saturday, you can still withdraw your winnings when the bets settle.

You can also check odds, deposit funds, and cash out from non-legal sports betting states. The only action restricted is actually placing a sports bet.

Which sportsbooks should I choose?

There are several strong sports betting options among online sportsbooks highlighted in this Thanksgiving betting guide. Now that you understand how to bet while traveling to a legal sports betting state, we recommend signing up at bet365, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings today. That nets you thousands in bonus bets for Thanksgiving NFL games today.

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