US Sports Betting Laws
Sports betting is a long-standing tradition throughout the world. From the chariot races and gladiator blood sports of ancient Rome, to the more sophisticated sports of today, people have always put money on their favorite athletes. The internet has spawned the dawn of a new era for sports betting, and there are now many legal sports betting sites that accept US residents.
This article will explain the way the laws function in America, and show you exactly why you can play legally at many of the great online sportsbooks. We will cover the federal and states laws, as well as the betting age; and we will introduce you to some of the best sportsbooks functioning today.
The most important thing to understand about all of these laws is that they only target the bookmakers who facilitate sports betting, never the players. No US resident will face prosecution for merely betting on sports, but a good understanding of these laws can help you find a legitimate and legal enterprise with whom you may place bets.
Wire Act - The Federal Wire Act came about in a time when sports betting was in turmoil. Organized crime had a prime foothold in the wagering world, and the federal government felt they needed to do something about it. In 1961, the Wire Act came in to being. The Act bans electronic wire communication devices in conjunction with sports betting. This does not affect players that use the many legal sports betting sites in the USA. These sites actually operate outside of America, but serve millions of US players, which is why they can function legally.
PASPA - The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 applies to land-based sports betting only. According to the PASPA, the only states that can host sports betting events on land are Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. This is good information to know, but has no effect on players that want to use a legal USA online sportsbook.
UIGEA - The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006 is the last federal law you will want to know about before signing up for a legal sports betting site that accepts US residents because it is of little importance, and poses little more than an inconvenience to prospective bettors. The UIGEA only affects the way a sports betting site can send funds to a member. The UIGEA does not allow sites to send money directly to players’ bank accounts, but the sites make up for this with a variety of legal sports betting payout options. Check out our “payouts” page to learn more about all the ways players can collect their winnings.
The state laws that govern wagering do not carry restrictions for legal US online sportsbooks. This means that, if the site accepts your state, you can join and play for real money safely. Most of the leading sports wagering sites accept players from all 50 states that have legal sports betting, but a few disallow certain states from joining. As long as the site accepts players from your state, you can play legally.
If you are looking for a land-based sports betting event, the options are quite limited. The PASPA only allows grounded sports betting in Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. If you are outside of these states, finding a legal land-based sports betting establishment will not be possible. This is why we recommend sticking to the excellent online venues, because almost anyone can join them, and they offer better sportsbooks than the land-based competition.
Legal Betting Age - While state laws do not get involved in legal online sports wagering in the US, the state betting age is something to keep in mind. Many sites only require players to be 18 to sign up, but some states require you to be 21 to wager. When looking at a site, always follow the state guidelines regarding age. Underage gambling is a serious offence, and you don’t want to conflict with the law for something so easily avoidable.
Sports fans are very lucky right now. There are some great legal sports wagering sites for US players that offer unbeatable betting options. The federal laws allow sports betting sites to function as long as they operate overseas, and send payments through methods other than directly to a credit card account. The state laws do not weigh in on the matter, and most sites accept players from all fifty states.
We cherry-picked our favorite sports betting sites for US residents, and will review them below. These legal US betting sites all offer something that the competition is lacking. Whether it be amazing bonuses, lightning-fast payouts, a deep and engrossing sportsbook, or all three, these sites rule the game right now.
Read More: Are Online Sportsbooks Legal For USA Players?
This site creates an atmosphere that is ripe for indulgence. The sportsbook is so well laid out that it is hard turn away from the action. New odds and lines appear hourly, and the expert predictions give players an upper hand. As of now, Bovada does not accepts members from New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, or Maryland. If you are in any of these states, there are still many great online sportsbooks out there, but Bovada is not the one for you. If you reside anywhere else in the nation, join up now, this is the greatest sportsbook in existence.
Bovada is offering a 50% Welcome Bonus to new members right now. This generous extravagance will add up to $250 to your bankroll. You can use the bonus money to bet on all your favorite sports, and the rewards don’t stop there. Bovada keeps creating new and profitable bonuses for loyal members.
BetOnline is an amazing legal online sportsbook for US players that can always deliver unparalleled wagering action every day of the week. This site accepts players from all 50 states, so you can sign up from anywhere. The sportsbook is quintessential top quality stuff. The site offers expert odds on every major sport, as well as smaller competitions such as darts and cricket. What this site lack in decorations, it makes up for in power. This overhauled sportsbook keeps on rewarding players for coming back.
If you have ever have been stuck on a long commute or even a beautiful beach, and wished you could bet on your favorite game, now you can! BetOnline's sportsbook has a great new mobile sports betting app that will let you get in on the actin from your iPhone, iPad, Tablet, or any other device that connects to the internet. Check out BetOnline for some of the best action in the business.