Where to Bet in Ohio
#1
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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). Fees 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 10/19/25. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/
#2
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Must be 21 or older and physically present in OH. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,059. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start.®
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
#3
Terms and Conditions
New customers only. Deposit min. $10. Place first bet of min $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
21+ and present in OH.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
21+ and present in OH.
College basketball betting is fast-paced, exciting, and full of opportunity—if you know what you’re doing. With hundreds of NCAAB games throughout the season and more ways to wager than ever, it’s a great time to get in the game. You can bet on spreads, moneylines, OVER/UNDERs, player props and of course, March Madness odds.
This guide will walk you through the most popular ways to bet on NCAA basketball, along with expert tips to boost your edge—whether it's the regular season or March Madness.
Terms and Conditions
New customers only. Deposit min. $10. Place first bet of min $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your bet wins.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
21+ and present in OH.
NCAA Basketball Betting Options
From point spreads to March Madness futures, there are plenty of ways to bet on college hoops. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular NCAA basketball bets, plus tips to help you make smarter plays.
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is simple: pick the team that wins the game. The score margin doesn’t matter. For example, if you bet Duke to win and they do, you cash your ticket. Don’t overlook underdogs—college hoops is full of surprises. For example, Chattanooga quietly went 10-4 SU as 'dogs, winning over 70% of those games.
Point Spreads
Now, a point spread does rely on a score margin. If Kentucky is a -8.5 favorite over Vanderbilt, they need to win by 9 or more to cover. Vanderbilt at +8.5 can lose and still cover, as long as they keep it within 8 points. You can also bet alternate spreads with different point margins and adjusted odds. Underdogs can bring serious value against the spread. For example, Robert Morris went 26-8 ATS as underdogs in 2024, helping them earn its first March Madness appearance in a decade.
Totals (OVER/UNDER)
You can wager the OVER/UNDER which is a bet on the combined score of both teams. If the total is set at 150.5, you win the OVER if the final score is 151 or more. UNDER wins at 150 or fewer. Alternate totals are available with varying odds.
Terms and Conditions
Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer per user. Additional terms apply.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
21+ and present in OH.
Player Props
Player props are bets on individual player performance, like scoring OVER/UNDER a set number of points, rebounds, steals or assists. Some props combine stats, for example, betting on P.J. Haggerty’s total points plus rebounds. Some states restrict these bets for college players, so availability varies.
Game Props
These bets focus on specific game moments rather than overall player stats. Examples include “Race to 10 points” or “Will both teams score in the first two minutes?” Some, like the first basket scorer, offer quick results and can be fast payouts.
Futures
Futures bets predict long-term outcomes like the NCAA Tournament winner or a team making the Final Four. Odds are best before the season or tournament starts. Patience is key with these.
Parlays
Parlays combine multiple bets into one ticket with higher payouts. Every leg must win for you to cash. You can mix props, spreads, totals and moneylines—even across sports!
Same Game Parlays (SGPs)
Same game parlays bundle bets from one game, like a player’s points + team to win. Some sportsbooks allow SGPs from multiple games, too.
Live Betting
Live betting (in-game betting) lets you wager on odds that shift as the game unfolds. You can bet spreads, totals, moneylines and more after tip-off—ideal for capitalizing on momentum swings. You'll notice betting sites offer live betting boosts frequently to increase your payout, too!
Terms and Conditions
Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer per user. Additional terms apply.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
21+ and present in OH.
College Basketball Betting Tips And Strategies
College basketball betting isn't easy, but the tips below can give you a big leg up on those who aren't reading this article right now.
Shop Around
Really, this is a betting tip no matter what sport you’re betting. It’s always best to have more than one sportsbook so you can always compare odds across books before placing a bet. Even a half-point difference can turn a loss into a win. If you’re in the market for an additional college basketball sportsbook, click here.
Monitor Trends
As the college basketball regular season rolls along, trends begin to build for each team. Some teams are much better at home than on the road and some teams especially struggle especially in conference games. Trends involving ATS records and OVER/UNDER percentages can be helpful too. Don’t blindly follow trends though. Oddsmakers aren’t dummies and they’re aware of trends too. But utilizing trends along with other pieces of key data can be helpful.
Use Odds Shark’s NCAAB Tools
The tools above are fantastic resources for any college basketball bettor. I particularly love the the NCAAB database which can help answer questions like, “What was the point spread the last time UConn beat Purdue?” The ATS Standings and Betting Records page is a great way to find teams that oddsmakers have been sleeping on or thinking a little too highly of.
It’s Not The NBA
Some NBA bettors who are less familiar with NCAA hoops struggle with the transition to betting college games. There are lots of differences between the two games to be aware of. For instance, college students are more likely to struggle with a hostile road crowd and sportsbooks are less familiar with each college team than they are each NBA squad which can create opportunity for bettors.
Live Betting Opportunities
People who trade crypto currencies are familiar with the term, “buy the dip.” It basically means “buy low” and get a discounted price when a commodity you’re eyeing loses steam. This principal can be applies to live betting college basketball games because you can get a great price on a team after they’ve found themselves in a hole. Just remember, live betting isn’t for everyone because the vigorish is typically higher and it’s harder to make a rational decision in the heat of the moment.
Terms and Conditions
Bonus bets expire in 7 days. One new customer offer per user. Additional terms apply.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
21+ and present in OH.
March Madness Betting Strategy
The NCAA Tournament is a different beast. Underdogs get hot, favorites fall apart, and public money floods the market. Every year we update out March Madness betting hub to help you to navigate the chaos and find value in Cinderella stories.
Below are some March Madness betting tips to consider before filling out your bracket.
Use Analytics
Late in the season, college basketball data is even more valuable because it’s so rich and consists of a larger sample size. Websites like KenPom.com and BartTorvik.com have free information that can be extremely helpful for March Madness. For more information about KenPom, click here and for more information about BartTorvik, click here.
Home/Road Splits
Some teams struggle away from home and neutral courts feel like road games for both. Before betting on March Madness, check how each team has performed on the road this season.
Look for wins in tough environments—big arenas and loud crowds. Teams that struggle in those spots might let you down in high-pressure games.
Rollover Method
The “Rollover Method” means betting a team’s moneyline each round, rolling your winnings into the next bet as they advance. If you keep it up to the championship, it can often beat a pre-tournament futures bet.
It’s not always more profitable, so consider which option works best. Our odds calculator can help. Plus, with rollover betting, you can cash out anytime if you lose confidence or a key player gets hurt.
Experience Matters
A team with a bunch of starting seniors vs. a team of mostly freshmen and sophomores often has a major advantage. Consider fading teams who have no players with experience in NCAA Tournament vs. a team with guys who have handled the pressure before.
Also, March coaching resumes matter too. Coaches like Dan Hurley and Tom Izzo have tournament experience and they’ve proven that you should at least be cautious about fading them.
Foul Trouble
Before a game begins, have a sense of how deep or shallow each team’s bench is. If a team has a weak bench and a couple of their starters get into foul trouble early, there could be a great opportunity to fade that team with a halftime bet or in-game wager.
Bankroll managment
Believe it or not, professional bettors typically spend no more than 3% of their bankroll on each wager. By sticking with this philosophy helps manage the inevitable bad luck stretches that make us want to throw chairs like Bob Knight. Don't have your entire bankroll on the line on Day 1 of the tournament and don't put all your eggs in one basket. Check out this article for more advice on properly managing your bankroll.
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How To Bet On College Basketball FAQ
How Do You Bet On A College Basketball Game?
There are several ways to bet on a college basketball game. To get started, make sure you have signed up and deposited with a reputable sportsbook, go to their NCAAB odds and find the right bet for you. You can place bets on a number of things, such as the moneyline, point spread, OVER/UNDER or live betting.
Can You Gamble On NCAA?
Yes, you can gamble on NCAA sports as long as you live in an area where sports betting is legal. Different regions have varying laws and restrictions in regard to sports betting. This ranges from the types of bets you can place to how much you can wager. This applies to professional sports as well as amateur sports like NCAAB. NCAA student-athletes are not allowed to gamble on NCAA games.
Where Can I Bet On The NCAA?
There are a multitude of sportsbooks online that allow you to bet on the NCAA. On Odds Shark’s college basketball betting sites page, you can get the top-rated sportsbooks available and find the one that best fits your needs. Compare sign-up bonuses, welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses and more.
