Bet on the Final Four in These States with Legal Prediction Markets

With the Final Four matchups now set, Illinois faces UConn while Arizona and Michigan will slug it out in an exciting last stretch of March Madness tonight.

For those of you located in a region where US sports betting apps are already legal and live, you can lean on those to make your wagers in the Final Four round. But if you happen to live in other states that don’t have access to legal sports betting apps such as California, Georgia, and Texas — you still have options.

Those options come in the form of prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket, which you will be able to use on tonight’s Final Four action.

What Are Prediction Markets and How Do They Work?

While traditional online sports betting is not available everywhere in the United States because of individual state laws, prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket are able to operate under a different set of rules.

Functioning similarly to traditional sports betting, prediction markets allow you to purchase “yes” or “no” contracts on major event outcomes like the Final Four. For example, you can purchase a “yes” contract on whether you think Arizona will beat Michigan. It feels similar to sports betting with a little stock market twist on it.

Prediction markets also open up more possibilities for people in non-legal sports betting states like California, Georgia, and Texas to get in on the action when it comes to the Final Four. You won’t have to hang around and simply watch from the sidelines, prediction markets will give you the option to be part of the wagering public in a different way.

Can You Legally Bet on the Final Four in Your State?

If you’re not located in a state where sports betting is legal, prediction markets might be able to serve your needs as a prospective user in the following states:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• California
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Minnesota
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah

While the states served can vary depend on the prediction market operator, it’s pretty clear that they’re serving more states than traditional sports betting.

Pros & Cons of Prediction Markets for the Final Four

✅ Pros

• Available in Every State: Platforms like Kalshi let you trade on Final Four outcomes nationwide — including states like California and Texas where March Madness betting isn’t otherwise legal.
• Legal Way to Bet on March Madness: Because Kalshi is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, it offers a compliant alternative to sportsbooks for Final Four markets.
• Simple “Yes/No” Betting Format: Instead of comparing odds across books, you can take a clear position like “Arizona to reach the championship” or “UConn to win the title.”
• Strong for Futures Markets: Prediction markets are especially useful for Final Four and championship winner bets, where pricing can sometimes offer better value than traditional sportsbooks.

❌ Cons

• Fewer Markets for Individual Games: If you’re looking to bet spreads, totals, or player props for specific Final Four matchups, prediction markets are much more limited.
• Different Experience Than Sportsbooks: No parlays, live betting, or traditional odds, so it may feel less engaging for experienced bettors during the games themselves.
• Liquidity Can Impact Prices: Some Final Four markets may not have heavy trading volume, which can affect pricing compared to major sportsbooks.