- Draftkings legal states map
- What VPN works with DraftKings in 2026?
- How to play DraftKings in a restricted state
- How to use DraftKings in Florida
- How to use DraftKings in California
- How to use DraftKings in Texas
- How to use DraftKings in Nevada
- How to use DraftKings in Washington
- How to play DraftKings in Louisiana
- Conclusion
- FAQ
DraftKings is a popular online sports betting and fantasy sports platform. However, its services are restricted in many US states due to local gambling laws, which limit access based on your geographic location. For example, DraftKings Sportsbook isn’t available in 25 US states, including Florida, California and Texas. Meanwhile, DraftKings Casino is restricted in even more states – only a few like New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania allow full access.
Fortunately, you can use a VPN to bypass DraftKings’ location restrictions. By connecting to a VPN server in a state where DraftKings is legal, you’ll receive a new IP address that makes it appear as if you’re physically located in that state. This allows you to unblock DraftKings and access its full range of sports betting features – even from a restricted location.
Keep in mind, that DraftKings uses strict location verification tools, including a plugin called GeoComply, to ensure you’re within a state where betting is legal. That’s why a truly reliable VPN is essential. Based on my experience, NordVPN is the best VPN for DraftKings – it reliably bypasses GeoComply, offers fast US servers, and works smoothly for both DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino.
- Choose a VPN with servers in states where DraftKings is legal. I recommend NordVPN, which has 1,970+ US VPN servers.
- Download and install the VPN app on your preferred gambling device.
- Connect to a VPN server in a legal DraftKings state, such as Jersey, Colorado, or Ohio.
- Open the DraftKings app or website and continue betting without any restrictions or block
Draftkings legal states map
DraftKings is restricted in 23 US states, but the exact limitations depend on the product – Daily Fantasy Sports, sportsbook, or casino. This is due to varying state laws regarding online gambling and what products are legally allowed to operate in each market.
For example, while the DraftKings DFS is available in most US states, you cannot use it in Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington. The restrictions are even more confusing in states like Louisiana, where DFS is only permitted in parishes that have voted to approve it, and New York, which allows DFS provided certain tax and other regulations are adhered to.
Meanwhile, DraftKings Sportsbook is available in 25 US states, including New Jersey, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts, plus Washington D.C. DraftKings Casino on the other hand is only operational in 5 US states: Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, offering table games, slots, and live dealers.
Below, you can find more information about states where DraftKings is legal and the products that are available to you.
Where is DraftKings casino legal?
As of 2026, DraftKings Casino is available without restrictions in the following US states:
- Connecticut
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
In these states, DraftKings Casino is licensed and regulated by the respective state gaming authorities, ensuring a secure and compliant gaming environment. For instance, in Pennsylvania, it operates under the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, while in New Jersey, it’s regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement .
In other states where online casino gaming is not yet legalized, such as California, New York, and Texas, DraftKings Casino is blocked. There are also states such as Rhode Island and Delaware that allow casino gaming, but in which DraftKings has not yet established operations.
Where is DraftKings Sportsbook legal?
While DraftKings Casino has limited availability in a small handful of US states, DraftKings Sportsbook legal states make up more than half of the country. Currently, you can access DraftKings Sportsbook legally in 25 US states, plus Washington D.C. If you’re located in one of these states, you can place bets through the dedicated mobile app or on the website – so long as you remain physically located in the state when you place the bet.
✅States where DraftKings sportsbook is legal:
Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
❌States where DraftKings Sportsbook is not legal:
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Note that in some of the states where DraftKings does not operate, you may still find retail sportsbooks under tribal or state-run operations.
If you’re located in a restricted state, a VPN can help you access DraftKings Sportsbook or Casino by masking your true location. Based on my testing, VPNs like NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN provide fast speeds, strong privacy, and reliable connections to servers in legal states, making them the best options for bypassing DraftKings restrictions.
What VPN works with DraftKings in 2026?
How to play DraftKings in a restricted state
If you live in a state where DraftKings Sportsbook or DraftKings Casino is restricted or banned, you have two main options: travel to a state where DraftKings is legal or mask your location online. Since traveling isn’t always feasible, using a VPN is the easiest and most reliable way to access DraftKings from anywhere in the US.
A VPN hides your real IP address and routes your internet traffic through a server in a state where DraftKings is fully legal. This makes it appear as if you’re located in that state, allowing you to use the DraftKings app or website without restrictions.
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN Provider
First, choose a reliable VPN provider that’s proven to overcome DraftKings geo-blocks. I’ve tested 20+ VPN services and found NordVPN to be the most secure and reliable VPN at overcoming these restrictions in any state or country. It’s also the fastest VPN, providing the connection speeds needed to livestream sports if you want to track your bets.
Step 2: Install the VPN App on Your Device
Next, download and install the VPN application on your preferred mobile or desktop device by visiting the App Store or Google Play Store, or going directly to the official website. For example, Android users can get a 7-day NordVPN free trial by downloading the app from Google Play – but it’s widely available for a range of devices.
Step 3: Connect to a Server in a Legal DraftKings State
Now, open your newly installed gambling VPN software and connect to a VPN server within a US state where DraftKings Sportsbook or DraftKings Casino is legal. If you choose a state like New Jersey, you’ll be able to access both products without restrictions as neither is restricted in these states.
Step 4: Clear Your Browser Cache and Disable Location Services
Before heading to the DraftKings website, first clear your browser’s cookies and cache to ensure that it isn’t storing any location services data that could expose your location. On mobile devices, switch off GPS or use a GPS spoofing feature – Surfshark VPN for example offers location spoofing, but it’s not available on iPhones.
Step 5: Log In to DraftKings and Start Playing
Finally, visit the DraftKings website or open the app on your mobile device. Now that your VPN is active and your true location hidden, you should have full, unrestricted access to DraftKings products including the casino and sportsbook features. You’ll be able to place bets and play casino games as if you were located in a legal jurisdiction.
How to use DraftKings in Florida
DraftKings is not completely legal in Florida – DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports is available and unrestricted, but the company does not have the required license to operate sportsbook or online casino features. Currently, sports betting within the state is legal through the Hard Rock Bet application and at casinos owned by the Seminole Tribe. This tribe has exclusive rights to offer sports betting within the state. However, if you’re located in Florida and would still like to use DraftKings, you can do so with a VPN.
- Get a reliable VPN like NordVPN, which performed best in my tests.
- Connect to a server where DraftKings is not blocked. I suggest Michigan (Detroit).
- Go to DraftKings’ website or the dedicated app to play without restrictions.
How to use DraftKings in California
DraftKings Sportsbook is not currently licensed for sports betting within California, which means that you can’t legally place real-money bets through their website or app while physically located in the state. Despite numerous movements to try and legalize sports betting in California, no attempts have been successful so far. This is in part due to disagreements between gambling entities and Native American tribes that have exclusive rights to provide specific types of online gambling in the state. That said, DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports is legal within California. What’s more, while DraftKings Sportsbook is not legal in California, you can still access and place bets through the platform by using a reliable VPN like NordVPN.
- Choose a trusted gambling VPN. I recommend NordVPN, which easily unblocks DraftKings.
- Connect to a VPN server in a DraftKings legal state like Michigan (Detroit).
- Go to DraftKings’ website or the dedicated app to play without restrictions.
How to use DraftKings in Texas
DraftKings Sportsbook is not legal in Texas as part of a wider ban on online and mobile sports betting. Under Texas law, residents of and travelers to the state can’t bet on the outcomes of contests or games. However, much like other US states, the Daily Fantasy Sports product is still available because it is not categorized as a typical form of gambling. The situation regarding sports betting could change in Texas, as the Texas Legislature convenes every two years; however, attempts to change the law in 2023 and 2025 both failed. While this process means that the situation could change in 2027, in the meantime you can access DraftKings in Texas by using a VPN:
- Choose a VPN such as NordVPN and install the software.
- Locate and connect to a server in a US state with no DraftKings blocks.
- Go to DraftKings’ website or the dedicated app to play without restrictions.
How to use DraftKings in Nevada
You cannot currently legally use DraftKings Sportsbook in Nevada to place sports bets, nor can you access the Daily Fantasy Sports product that’s available in many other states. In Nevada, you must register for an online account within a physical casino before you can place sports bets on the internet. Since DraftKings is an online-only platform that lacks any physical establishments, the company is unable to meet these requirements. What’s more, Nevada’s licensing requirements mandate that a gambling operator has a full gaming license in order to offer DFS products – something else that DraftKings is currently lacking within the state. To access any DraftKings products within Nevada, you’ll need a VPN:
- Get a reliable VPN – NordVPN can bypass DraftKings blocks.
- Connect to a server in a state like Michigan (Detroit) where all DraftKings products work.
- Navigate to DraftKings’ website and you’ll be able to play.
How to use DraftKings in Washington
Washington legislation forbids sports betting unless it is owned and operated by tribal casinos – so you can only use DraftKings Sportsbook if you’re physically located within tribal territory. Throughout the rest of the state, online and mobile betting is prohibited. This also applies to DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports, which are classed as a form of gambling under Washington law. Fortunately, you can place sports bets if you use a VPN to change your location to a legal state such as New Jersey, where both DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino are legal:
- Install a gambling VPN such as NordVPN, which easily bypasses DraftKings blocks.
- Connect to a server in New Jersey or another DraftKings legal state.
- Open the DraftKings’ website or app to place sports bets without restrictions.
How to play DraftKings in Louisiana
You can legally access DraftKings Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Sports within the state of Louisiana – but only in parishes that have voted to approve gambling legislation. Since January 2022, these products are legal and available in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 state parishes. However, you cannot place any bets or engage in DFS within Caldwell, Catahoula, Franklin, Jackson, La Salle, Sabine, Union, West Carroll, and Winn.
While you can legally use DraftKings in most of Louisiana, a VPN alone won’t bypass parish-level restrictions. The website also uses geolocation services beyond your IP address in this state to verify your location within Louisiana. In other words, you’d need both a VPN and a GPS spoofing tool. If you’re an Android user, you can try using Surfshark – GPS spoofing is only available on Android devices, but you can get a 7-day free trial of Surfshark to try it out for yourself.
Conclusion
DraftKings Sportsbook and DraftKings Casino are blocked in numerous states across the US. Sports betting is only available in 25 US states plus Washington D.C., while the casino product is only available in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. These restrictions are due to complicated gambling regulations that differ on a state-by-state basis.
However, you can play DraftKings out of state by using a VPN, which changes your IP address and unblocks the website and mobile app from anywhere in the world – even countries that are ordinarily blocked. NordVPN performed best during my in-house tests and could easily bypass DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino blocks, while delivering high-speed connections for gaming and streaming big sports matches.
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FAQ
First, choose a reliable VPN that works on the iPhone – NordVPN performed best during my in-house tests. Next, download the dedicated VPN app from the Apple App Store. Finally, connect to a server in a DraftKings-friendly state like Colorado, New York, or Ohio. Now, you’ll be able to use DraftKings on iPhone from anywhere in the US or worldwide.
To use NordVPN to unblock DraftKings, make sure you’re connected to a VPN server in a location where the website is available. Choose a server in a state without DraftKings blocks like Detroit, Michigan, where both DraftKings Casino and Sportsbook are available. Then, go to the dedicated DraftKings app or website and play without restrictions.
Yes, you can withdraw from DraftKings while out of state or outside of a permitted jurisdiction in general. You’ll still be able to log in and view your placed bets, as well as withdraw funds – you just won’t be able to place any new bets until you return to a state in which DraftKings is legal or reactivate your VPN connection.
