NBA Betting FAQ: Spreads, Odds, Taxes, and Legality Explained

NBA betting is legal in more than 38 states as of early 2025, and the core mechanics — spreads, moneylines, totals, props — take only a few minutes to learn. Below we answer the questions our readers ask most often, with plain numbers and no filler.

Is it legal to bet on the NBA in my state?

The Supreme Court struck down PASPA in May 2018, opening the door for states to legalize sports betting individually. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and dozens more now have legal, licensed online sportsbooks. Utah and Hawaii have no legal betting of any kind, and Texas, California, and Georgia had not enacted online betting laws as of early 2025.

Minimum age is 21 in most states; New Hampshire and Wyoming allow betting at 18. Check your state regulator's site — for example, the PA Gaming Control Board — before you sign up anywhere.

What does -110 mean in NBA betting?

It means you risk $110 to profit $100. That extra $10 is the sportsbook's commission, called the vig or juice. At standard -110 juice on both sides of a spread, the implied return to player per bet is roughly 90.9%, with the house holding about 4.55%.

Moneylines work the same way but with bigger swings. A -160 favorite requires a $160 wager to win $100, while a +135 underdog returns $135 profit on a $100 bet.

How does the NBA point spread work?

The spread handicaps the favorite. If a team is -6.5, they must win by 7 or more points for spread bets on them to win. Win by exactly 6 and those bets lose; the underdog at +6.5 covers. If a spread lands exactly on a whole number — say -7 and the margin is 7 — the bet is a push and stakes are refunded.

For a deeper look at how individual books price these markets, see our best NBA sportsbooks ranked guide, which tracks spread juice across the major operators.

What is a same-game parlay (SGP) and is it worth it?

An SGP combines multiple props and lines from a single NBA game into one ticket — all legs must hit for the bet to pay. FanDuel popularized the format, and DraftKings and BetMGM both offer it widely. The tradeoff: the house edge is higher and less transparent than on a standard spread bet, and parlays compound that edge with every leg added. RTP on large parlays can fall to 60–80% or lower.

SGPs are useful for adding interest to a specific game, but relying on them as a core strategy hands the sportsbook a significant mathematical edge. Our FanDuel vs DraftKings NBA side-by-side comparison examines how each platform prices SGPs differently.

Do I have to pay taxes on NBA betting winnings?

Yes. All sports betting winnings are taxable federal income, reported as "Other Income" on IRS Form 1040, regardless of the amount won. A sportsbook must issue a W-2G when a single winning is $600 or more and at least 300 times the wager; at that threshold, 24% automatic federal withholding applies. State income tax rates vary widely — New York's reaches 10.9%.

You can deduct gambling losses up to the amount of your winnings, but only if you itemize on Schedule A. Net losses cannot be claimed by casual bettors. IRS Publication 525 covers the full rules on taxable gambling income.

Which sportsbook has the best NBA odds?

FanDuel is the NBA's exclusive US odds display partner, and DraftKings holds NBA authorized gaming operator (AGO) status alongside BetMGM and Caesars. Line shopping — comparing the same market across two or three books before placing — is the single most practical way to improve expected value over a season. Even half a point of spread difference or five cents of moneyline juice adds up across hundreds of bets.

For props specifically, check our best NBA player prop bet sites roundup, which compares points, rebounds, and assists markets across licensed platforms.

How do NBA betting promos actually work?

"Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets" and deposit-match offers are the most common welcome promotions. Key terms to know: bonus bets pay out winnings only — the stake itself is not returned if the bet wins. Most bonus bets expire within 7–14 days, carry minimum-odds restrictions (typically -300 or better), and require an explicit opt-in before you place the qualifying bet. Promotions in New York are sometimes reduced due to the state's high operator tax rate.

Our NBA betting promos ranked by actual value page breaks down the current offers and cuts through fine-print traps so you know exactly what you're getting.

How do I get started betting on NBA games?

1. Confirm sports betting is legal in your state.
2. Create an account at a licensed sportsbook; have a government-issued ID and the last four digits of your SSN ready for KYC verification.
3. Deposit using a debit card, PayPal, ACH, or another supported method. Note that credit card deposits may be declined by your bank under UIGEA.
4. Opt in to any welcome promo before placing your first bet.
5. Navigate to the NBA section and select a market — moneyline, spread, total, or prop.

For a full operator comparison before you decide where to sign up, start with our NBA Bet Hub home page, which ranks licensed sportsbooks on odds quality, payout speed, and available markets.

Must be 21+ (18+ in NH and WY). If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, available 24/7.