The 2026 NBA Draft is set to take place on Tuesday, June 23rd and Wednesday, June 24th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The first round will be broadcast live on ABC and ESPN starting at 8pm ET on June 23rd, with the second round airing on ESPN the following night.
On this page we explain the options Americans have for betting on the NBA Draft, look at the odds and betting options for the draft, and finish with a step by step guide to getting started.
Where Can Americans Bet On The NBA Draft?
Your options depend on where you live. Here are the main ways to bet on the NBA Draft in the United States.
Licensed Sportsbooks
Sports betting is legal in more than 35 states plus Washington, D.C., where licensed sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM offer odds on the NBA Draft. You must be 21 or older in most states and physically located in a state where the sportsbook is licensed.
Prediction Markets
Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket let you buy and sell contracts on the outcome of the NBA Draft. Instead of betting against a sportsbook, you trade with other users, and the price of a contract reflects the market’s view of how likely an outcome is. These platforms operate under federal oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rather than state gambling law, which is why they are available in most states, including states without legal sports betting.
Offshore Sportsbooks
Offshore sportsbooks are licensed outside the United States and accept bets from across the country. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, which means Americans who use them have no state regulator to turn to if there is a dispute over a bet or a withdrawal.
NBA Draft Betting Odds
Let’s take a look at the odds for some of the different betting options available for the NBA Draft. The odds below are from June 18th.
First Overall Pick Odds
The Washington Wizards won the 2026 Draft Lottery and hold the first overall pick. BYU wing AJ Dybantsa is the runaway favorite to be their selection. Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are the only other prospects the odds give a realistic chance of hearing their name called first.
Second Overall Pick
The Utah Jazz are on the clock at number two. With Dybantsa expected to come off the board first, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are the two favorites to be the second name called, with Peterson holding a slight edge in the odds. Caleb Wilson and Darius Acuff Jr. round out the market as longer shots.
Sportsbooks also post specific pick betting lines for the third through tenth selections in the draft, along with odds for each player to be a top 10 pick.
Player Draft Position
You will also be able to wager on the draft position of some of the bigger names heading into the draft. Here is an example using Keaton Wagler, the Illinois guard who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and is projected to go inside the top 10.
The over/under on Wagler’s draft position is set at 7.5. The -250 on the under indicates the odds see it as more likely than not that he is selected with one of the first seven picks.
Draft position props were available for around 20 players last year, and I expect a similar amount this year.
Bet On The NBA Draft In The United States – Step By Step
Whichever option you choose, the process of getting started is similar. Here’s a general guide.
Step 1. Choose Your Option
Decide which type of platform fits how you want to bet. Licensed sportsbooks in states that allow draft betting offer the widest range of draft props, while prediction markets let you trade contracts on picks like the first overall selection. Review the options above before signing up.
Step 2. Check The Age and Location Rules
Every platform has its own eligibility requirements. Most prediction markets require you to be at least 18, while licensed sportsbooks require you to be 21 in most states and physically located in the state where they are licensed.
Step 3. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Regulated platforms are required to verify your identity, so you may be asked for the last four digits of your Social Security number or a photo of your ID.
Step 4. Fund Your Account
Deposit using one of the platform’s payment methods, which commonly include debit cards and bank transfers. Check how withdrawals work, and how long they take, before you deposit.
Step 5. Find The Market and Place Your Bet
Navigate to the NBA Draft section, select the market you’re interested in, and choose your position. Before confirming, check the price or odds and how much you stand to win, using the bet types explained above as a guide.
Step 6. Set Limits
Decide on a budget before the draft starts and stick to it. Most regulated platforms let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, help is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
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