Is It Legal To Bet On Sports?
Many people wonder if sports betting is legal in the USA, and we aim to answer that question. The short answer is yes, there are many ways to play, such as the legal online sportsbooks that accept US players. That being the case, it is a good idea to get a decent understanding of the laws before making a foray into the sports wagering world. This page will explain what constitutes a legal sportsbook, and we will go over the federal and state laws that are associated with sports betting. We will also show you one of the best legal US sportsbooks on the web.
The sports betting industry in America is somewhat complicated, but the most important thing to understand about the U.S. sports betting laws is that they only target the bookmakers, never the mere bettors. While there are plenty of legal USA sports wagering sites, the land-based options are less apparent as the laws get very restrictive towards bookmakers who set up shop in the US. This is why online sports betting operations set up shop outside of the country. Let’s look at the laws that dictate sports betting.
Wire Act - The Federal Wire Act of 1961 restricts sportsbooks from transferring data between states. The Act originally passed in order to battle organized crime by criminalizing wire communication devices involved in wagering, but now the Act only affects sportsbooks. This is why there are very few online sportsbooks located inside the US. However, the best legal sports wagering sites that accept US residents function overseas, and millions of people use them every day. These sites fall outside of the jurisdiction of the Wire Act, and are safe to use.
PASPA - The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 affects land-based operations. The PASPA concludes that bookmakers may only operate in Delaware, Nevada, Montana, and Oregon. This is why the many legal online sportsbooks for USA residents that function offshore are the best options for most people in the nation.
UIGEA – The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 creates rules for how an online sports book can send funds to members. Instead of sending payouts directly to your credit card account, the legal US sports wagering sites use a variety of safe and fast payout methods such as checks and bank wire transfers. This allows the sites to function legally under the federal laws.
State Sports Betting Laws - State laws follow the lead of the federal laws in most cases. Almost all states exclude sports betting from their legal language, and they let the federal courts predict what kinds of sports betting events are able to take place. For instance, the PASPA only allows land-based sports betting in four states, Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. The online world, however, is available to residents from every state in the nation. The many legal sports wagering sites for USA residents are safe to use as long as the site accepts members from your state. You should also keep in mind the legal betting age in the state. Sports betting ages are not regulated by the federal government, and therefore can vary from state to state. It will always match whatever the legal casino age for the state is.
| LEGAL SPORTS BETTING | Details | BONUS REWARDS | Find Out More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Sportsbook | review | Collect Up To $250 / 50% Match | |
| BetOnline Sportsbook | review | 25% Match Up To $1,000 - "FIRST" | |
| SportsBetting | review | Bonus To $1,000 / 50% Match - "SB50" |
No, you will not. These sites function in accordance with the law because they operate overseas, and because they utilize safe and innovative payout methods such as checks, wire transfers, Bitcoin, and many more. These legal sportsbooks sites are safe to use, with millions of Americans betting for real money every day.
As long as the site accepts your state (most sites accept members from all fifty states), you can sign up and play legally. The only thing to keep in mind is gambling age. While most of these sites require players to be 18 or older, many states demand residents to be 21 to wager. If you state betting age is 21, then it is wise to wait until you are 21 to sign up for a site.
Read More: Are Online Sportsbooks Safe For USA Players?
The sportsbooks that we review all have stellar reputations for safety. These sites have been around for decades, and have millions of members. One of the main things that keeps a legal US sports betting site alive is the safety that it offers its members. The sites that use lackluster security software and fall behind on their transaction methods quickly lose their members and subsequently go out of business. As long as you choose a site with a well-established track record and a populated lobby, you will be in good hands.
One of the many benefits of using a site that specializes in legal USA sports betting is that you will be conducting transactions with the site alone. You control all of your funds, how much you want to bet, and you can’t bet more than you can afford to lose. There is no bookie or intermediary to go through, making these sites infinitely safer than the shady bet-takers you find in your local pub.
Safety, fast, legal sportsbook payouts, profitable bonuses… these are the things that make a legal US sports betting site great. We have chosen a select few sites that stand tall above the competition. These sites offer unparalleled sports betting action along with impenetrable safety software and encryption protocols. Major US media outlets back these sites because they are leaders in the industry. We will review a site that stands out as superior in an ocean of mediocrity. This is our favorite legal US sports betting site.
If you are looking for a deep and sophisticated sportsbook, SportsBetting.ag is the place to be. This site accepts residents of all fifty states, and offers unbeatable odds on all major sports and leagues. From Baseball to Wrestling, SportsBetting.ag is one of the largest sportsbooks in the industry. The site employs current security software and encryption techniques to protect your money and your identity, and there has never beens a breach of information since the sites’ conception. This is where you want to be if you want safe and secure sports betting action.
The site treats loyal members to a slew of great rewards such as the Bonus for Life. This bonus takes down an extra 25% on every qualifying reload, 24/7, 365 days a year. This is worth up to $1,000 in free plays, giving you great freedom to explore the entire sportsbook without taking a hit to your bankroll. There has never been a better time to jump aboard the SportsBetting train.
Bovada's online sportsbook is the destination of choice for sports fans all over America. The sportsbook holds opportunities for wagering on all major sports, as well as less popular events. In addition to game lines from every sport, league and game imaginable, the sportsbook now even hosts odds for political, entertainment, business, and e-sports. The expert odds update hourly, and you will not find faster line at any other online sportsbook. Because some states offer sports betting of their own, Bovada does not accept residents of New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, or Maryland. If you are in any of these states, check out our other sportsbook reviews to see which sites accept members from all fifty states.
Bovada now offers a tremendous new feature called Mobile Betting. This will allow you to access the entire sportsbook from your iPad, iPhone, Tablet, Blackberry, Smartphone, or any other device that connects to the internet. There is no software to download or extra sign up costs. Just sign in to your Bovada account from your mobile device and you will automatically redirect to the mobile version of the site. You can access your entire account from your mobile device, and you can even make deposits and withdrawals. This innovative feature allows players to get in on their favorite games from anywhere.