As with the US presidency, House seats, and Senate seats, governorships are also on the line in 2024. There are 11 state governorships up for election this year, and only one of those seats is term-limited (Montana). The re-election rate for governors is not quite as high as those for members of Congress, which means that bettors will have the opportunity to wager on most or all of these 2024 gubernatorial elections.
If you want to bet on governors, of course, the only place to do so is at an offshore sportsbook that offers election betting odds. These sites are safe and legal to join, and you can win real money wagering on each candidate that is running for their state's highest office. To learn more, our Gubernatorial election betting guide has the goods, so read on and cast your "vote"!
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Is Political Gambling Legal In The United States?
Yes! However, there's a caveat: You can only legally bet on politics at offshore sportsbook sites. No domestic sports betting operator offers political betting odds, and it's explicitly illegal in many states for them to do so. But even in states where election betting markets would be legal to offer to American gamblers, no sportsbook currently does.
Whether or not any US-based book will eventually get into political wagering remains to be seen. Still, offshore operators offer dozens (if not hundreds) of US election and political lines from which to choose. Betting on the 2024 gubernatorial elections will be available at these sites as the races approach their November 5 election date.
2024 Gubernatorial Elections
On November 5, 2024, 11 state gubernatorial races will be held. Eight governors are either retiring or term-limited, ensuring new leadership in most states that are up for grabs.
The following states will be holding gubernatorial elections in 2024, and you should be able to bet on all or most of them soon when sportsbooks post their lines.
Delaware
Delaware Democratic Governor John Carney, Jr., is term-limited. Bethany Hall-Long, the current Lieutenant Governor, is running but is trailing Matt Meyer in some polls.
Indiana
Eric Holcomb (R) is term-limited. US Senator Mike Braun is the Republican nominee for 2024. He will face Jennifer McCormick (D), who switched from the GOP to the Democratic Party in 2021. Braun holds a strong lead on McCormick in the polls.
Missouri
Term-limited Governor Mike Parson (R) will exit office in January 2025. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe will represent the Republican Party in MO. State Senator Teresa Quaid is the DNC nominee. Missouri has elected two GOP Governors in a row, and there is a strong likelihood the state will remain red.
Montana
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) is running for re-election against Ryan Busse (D), a businessman who made his fortune in the firearms industry. MT has a history of flip-flopping, and Busse will intrigue gun owners who traditionally vote Republican.
New Hampshire
NH Gov. Chris Sununu (R) is a popular political figure in the state, but he is retiring from office and not seeking reelection in 2024. The primaries have not happened yet. The Democratic side appears to be a battle between Joyce Craig and Cinde Warmington. The GOP nod will likely go to either Chuck Morse or Kelly Ayotte. Despite candidates not being chosen, the odds already favor NH to flip blue.
New Hampshire Gubernatorial Odds
- Democrats -200
- Republicans +150
North Carolina
NC Governor Roy Cooper (D) will exit after this term as he is prohibited from running for reelection. However, in the Tar Heel State, it isn't a matter of which party will win but how much the Democrats will win by. The odds overwhelmingly support an outcome where North Carolina remains a blue stronghold. Current Attorney General Josh Stein is the favored GOP candidate who will go up against sitting Lt. Governor, Mark Robinson.
North Carolina Gubernatorial Odds
- Democrats -1000
- Republicans +550
North Carolina Governor Odds For Democrat Victory Margin
- 0-4.99% +200
- 5.00-9.99% +200
- 10.00-14.99% +350
- Lose +550
- 15.00-19.99% +750
- 20% or Higher +1000
Utah
Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) is one of the few sitting Governors running for reelection this year. The polls indicate a strong lead over the Democratic candidate, state Congressman Brian King. A Republican has held the office of Governor in UT since 1985, and the polls suggest that trend will continue in 2024.
Vermont
Republican Phil Scott is the current governor of VT and is running for his fifth consecutive term. Vermont is unique in that its Gubernatorial terms are only two years in length. The DNC will be represented by Esther Charlestin, a relative unknown in the political arena. Scott is expected to coast to victory in 2024.
Washington
Current WAS Gov. Jay Inslee is retiring at the end of this term, opening the door for fresh leadership in the Evergreen State. The next Governor of Washington will be either Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) or US Congressman Dave Reichert (R). Washington is historically liberal, and Ferguson is expected to win the 2025 election.
West Virginia
Gov. Jim Justice (R) is term-limited and running for the US Senate. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) and Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D) are the two candidates who will battle to take his place. West Virginia has leaned Democrat for most of this millennium, but Gov. Justice's popularity could carry over for Morrisey and reward him with victory come November.
Why Wager On Governor Betting Odds?
Betting on the 2024 gubernatorial elections is a great way to get involved in the political wagering market. While most betting sites have the majority of their lines on the Presidential election and related proposition bets, betting on governor's races is attractive because almost all of those races should be offered at offshore politics betting sites.
Only a select few of the 435 US House elections being held in 2024 will be covered by sportsbooks, and the same is true for the Senate elections in 2024. However, there's a good chance that all 11 governor elections for 2024 will have betting lines, as each race has high stakes and high interest from bettors and voters alike.
Betting Strategies For The 2024 Governor Race Odds
Numerous factors influence political betting lines, which must be considered when betting on gubernatorial elections. However, because these votes are statewide, it can be tricky to identify the trends that matter most. Regional elections, like those for US House reps, can be easier to gauge. That said, only 11 governorships are being contested in 2024, and the following list describes a few things to look for to help you make the most informed election bets:
- State congress makeup
- Popularity polls
- Previous election margins
- Support for/against the sitting President
- Crisis control
- Disaster response
Of all the above factors, political bettors are likely most interested in the crisis control ratings for the candidates in question. That said, none of the governors up for reelection in 2024 have made headlines for overbearing coronavirus lockdowns or lax responses to riots and looting, which are boosts for each.
However, every US state has experienced depression-like economic impacts from these ongoing events, and there is potential for blame, particularly from opposing candidates.
Overall, though, the best indicator of a governor's reelection chances is their popularity, which is not all that difficult to pin down. Indeed, there isn't a single candidate on the list that seems like a lock to lose.
Frequently Asked Questions
If political betting is unavailable in my state, how can I place legal bets on election odds?
You can use online sportsbooks to place legal political bets as long as those books are licensed and hosted offshore. There are no federal laws barring this activity. Nearly all US residents can wager at a licensed offshore sportsbook, except for residents of Washington or Connecticut, as both states bar all online gambling (though these laws are historically unenforced).
Which states have legalized domestic political betting?
You cannot bet on politics, elections, or even entertainment odds (i.e., reality TV, awards shows, etc.) at any US-based sportsbook. You will have to use one of the reputable offshore sports betting sites listed here for all these markets.
Are There Political Betting Apps?
Yes, but as noted previously, these markets are only offered by offshore gambling sites. Any sportsbook we recommend is also mobile-friendly because they can be pulled up on web browser apps like Safari, Opera, and others. You can bet on any political odds that they offer online using smartphones and tablets created by Apple or supported by Android operating systems.
How long is a governor's term?
This varies by state. Most US states have governorships that last for four years. However, VT and NH governors only serve two-year terms. In states where governors serve longer terms, bettors might have a harder time assessing exactly where each incumbent's popularity stands. Four years, after all, is a long time, and what starts as a promising tenure can sour at any moment.
On the other hand, those states where governors serve two-year terms have different paradigms in place. Namely, these governors never leave the campaign trail, which means they're under a more constant microscope and are easier to handicap from a political betting perspective.
How many terms can a governor serve?
This also varies by state. 38 states have term limits of various length, and several states have term limits that apply only to consecutive terms. A few states have no term limits whatsoever. Each state is different, and this is something bettors need to research when deciding whether or not to put money on a particular candidate. If a governor has grown long in the tooth (and short on meaningful action), a change might be inevitable. Generally, American voters don't like dynasties, and this is borne out at the voting booth.
What does a governor do?
What is a governor's job? Well, that depends on how seriously each one takes theirs. Nominally, the governor is – for lack of a better comparison – the "President" of his or her state, serving in the same capacity statewide as the US President serves federally. They are in charge of the executive branch of the state government, sign passed legislation into law (or veto it), propose legislation via their outspoken platforms, issue executive orders as needed, and generally run the show.
Can a governor be impeached?
Yes, a governor can be impeached, and the process is similar to Presidential impeachment in most states. Impeachment is established and tried in the state legislature, as it is at the federal level, though states my have different specific governor impeachment procedures depending on their individual constitutions.
Is it possible to recall a governor?
Yes! And if this ever seems likely to happen, or even successfully gets put to a public vote, you can bet there will be betting lines for it. Right now, a few US governors are facing potential recall challenges, including Gretchen Whitmer of MI, who has come under intense scrutiny for her coronvirus and riot responses over the last several months. That said, only two governors have ever actually been removed from office via recall.