Legal Online Sports Betting States
Welcome to GamblingStates.com, your resource for finding everything you need to learn about all US states with gambling available. When you consider that gambling in the USA brings in billions of dollars each year, there is no question that Americans love to gamble. There are several different forms of gambling that exist in the U.S. and there are large markets for each. Sports bettors wager more than $4.7 billion on the Super Bowl alone, and horse racing betting brings in over $3 billion annually. The amount spent at casinos is even greater, easily surpassing $100 billion each year. Even though gambling in the USA is undoubtedly big business, there are still questions concerning which states offer specific types of gambling. That is where our helpful guide comes in.
Legal Online Gambling. The 1990s brought internet gaming to Americans, making it convenient to play at home. Online casinos offer all the classics, like roulette, craps, blackjack, poker, slots, and video poker. Only a handful of states have legal online gambling regulated at the state level. Expansion of Online Gambling Laws Throughout the States. The Tennessee state legislature approved a sports betting bill in the spring of 2019 that will only allow betting online and on mobile apps. The state expects to launch its gambling operations no. US States With Legal Online Casino Gambling. Michigan joins the list of US states that have legalized gambling. Let’s take a look at what wagering activities are allowed in each state. The state-approved online sports betting in 2020, but internet casino gamblers must still use offshore sites.
If you want to learn more about gambling in the United States, continue reading. We will not only provide you with details on the land-based gambling options in different states, but also go over online gaming options as well. Sports bettors, horse enthusiasts, bingo players, casino gamers, and those who play the lottery can all find valuable information regarding statewide gambling options across the country.
Quick State Gambling Statistics
States With Casinos: 43
States With Poker: 40
: 2
States With Bingo: 48
States With Parimutuel Betting: 43
States With Lottery: 44
States With Daily Fantasy Sports: 13
Facts About The USA Gambling Industry
The gaming industry has had a positive impact on the United States economy in several ways. Casinos, suppliers, manufacturers, and other gaming entities account for 1.7 million American jobs according to the American Gaming Association (AGA). These jobs provide more than $74 billion in income to workers across 40 different states. While casino dealers and hosts may come to mind, a report by Oxford Economics cited more than 200 unique careers that the gaming industry provides. The workforce is also more diverse than the national average – 5 percentage points higher to be exact.
On a global scale, the gambling industry in the United States contributes $240 billion to the national economy. This includes tribal and commercial casino revenues, tax payments, property taxes, and impacts on other businesses. U.S. casinos account for the largest contribution, with $81.2 billion, followed by payments to suppliers which accounts for $60 billion. The $38 billion in tax revenues help to pay for various services that benefit Americans, such as education, healthcare, and retirement programs.
Why States Should Regulate Online Gambling
States should regulate online gambling in the USA because the benefits far outweigh the risks. If states were to regulate gambling sites, they would be able to tax the gambling revenues that are generated by operators. New Jersey is a perfect model of how imposing an online gambling tax can stimulate the local economy. Since NJ legalized online gambling in 2013, regulated online casino and poker operators have generated more than half a billion dollars in revenue. The operators have paid more than $51,358,216 in taxes as of April 2017. If legalized, it would also open the door for existing sites to move operations to the US, creating more jobs to help lower the unemployment rate in the nation.
Statewide regulation of gaming sites could also help with identifying problem gambling early on. About 3% of U.S. adults suffer from a gambling disorder. Offshore gambling sites do offer resources for problem gambling, but since they are located overseas it is impossible to have a hands-on approach. If states were to take the reins they would perhaps be able to conceptualize additional safeguards and implement more aggressive treatment programs.
Billion In Tax Revenue Per Year
The gambling industry as a whole paid out $38 million in taxes. If the US government would regulate online gambling, then you would see that number multiplied by several. There is over $100 Billion in illegal gambling each year in the USA, and that money is not taxed.
Million Jobs Created In Gaming Industry
According to the latest research, there are currently more then 1.8 million people working in the gambling industry in the USA. That number would more then double if they would let the states decide if they want to regulate gambling both online and land based.
Of Workforce Are Minorities
The gambling industry is well known for giving minorities jobs that range from the bottom to the very top. Minorities make up 45% of the workforce in the gambling industry and this includes job titles such as casino managers, pit bosses, and other great gaming jobs.
Billion Into The Economy
If you add up all the money that is brought into the economy because of gambling, you will come up with $240 billion a year. This comes from research from the American Gaming Association and would grow tremendously if online gambling were legalized and regulated.
States That Have Legal Gambling
As gambling proponents who believe that every state should have some form of gambling, we hate to say that this is not quite the case. While the majority of states will have horse racing betting or a state lottery, other types of gambling such as sports betting are not as prevalent. Though online gaming makes all types of gambling in the USA more accessible, it is still worth knowing what the gambling landscape looks like on a national level. You will find that the lottery and bingo are the most common land-based options, while horse racing betting and poker rooms are not as widespread as you would initially think.
Right now there are commercial casinos in 24 states and tribal casinos in 28 states. Some other states have casino cruises or other types of small casino gambling, but there is only 24 states that have true commercial casino gaming. In total, 43 US states have casinos in some shape or form. For the most part, you can be to a casino in less then 8 hours in most parts of the country.
As far as sports betting goes, there is only one state that has legal sports betting in it’s full capacity, and that is Nevada of course. The other is Delaware, who lets you do parlay bets with NFL football. If you want to have legal sports betting available to you, then you have to look into online sportsbooks.
States that have poker rooms are alot more numerous with a total of 37 states offering land based poker rooms. Most of the poker rooms in the USA are located inside of casinos or race tracks, but there are a few states with stand alone locations.
States That Have Legal Online Gambling
There are three states that currently offer legal online gambling in the USA- Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey. Delaware was the first state to legalize online gambling with the passage of the Delaware Competitiveness Act of 2012. All three states have regulated online poker and casino sites, however, the rules differ slightly. Nevada and Delaware have entered into an interstate agreement where residents of both states can play online poker against each other. New Jersey has no such agreement in place, meaning only residents of the state can use the regulated online gambling sites.
Just as there are states that have legalized online gambling, there are also states that have expressly forbid it. In Washington, the penalty for using the internet to gamble can range from a misdemeanor to a felony. In Utah, it is considered a class B misdemeanor to participate in online gambling. Louisiana also has strict anti-online gambling laws as well. These are the only three states that have internet gambling laws that directly target bettors instead of just online operators. If you reside in any other state, offshore online gambling sites are free game as there are no laws to indicate otherwise.
All the states with legal online gambling have its own laws regarding what types of land-based gambling residents can and cannot participate in. Some states are much stricter than others when it comes to betting. Online gambling is a little different, and thankfully, most US residents are able to use online gambling sites to bet on what they want, when they want. To find out exactly what states you can gamble in, we’ve put together a network, detailing the gambling laws in each and every state in the US.
Is Online Gambling Illegal
No, gambling in and of itself is not an illegal activity. There are certain state and federal laws which restrict the locations you can gamble, as well as how you are able to place those bets, though. This is why certain states are able to have casinos or poker rooms while others don’t. The same goes for racetracks where you can bet on the horses, and sportsbooks.
Some states are stricter than others and have tried to go after online gambling as well as land-based gambling. But when the websites are based in other countries, they fall outside of the jurisdiction of those laws, making them a viable gambling alternative when the state has banned everything else. You can find individual state laws on the corresponding legal gambling state pages. Below, we’ll go over the federal laws that govern gambling in the United States.
States With Legal Sports Betting
In the USA, there are two states with land-based sports betting – Nevada and Delaware. Nevada is a paradise for sports bettors, being the only state where single-game wagering is permitted. In 2016 alone, Nevada sportsbooks raked in $219.17 million in revenue. Delaware is a bit limited when it comes to sports betting, allowing residents to wager on NFL parlays. No straight wagers are permitted, but the huge potential payoffs make parlay betting extremely popular. Though Montana and Oregon can legally offer land-based sports betting, neither state currently operates sportsbooks.
States With Legal Online Sports Betting
Legal online sports betting can be done from any state in the US through offshore sportsbooks. These are sports betting websites run by businesses that are located in other countries. The sites that we recommend on this page all accept American bettors and are based in Panama, Costa Rica, and Canada. Legal online sports betting sites will allow you to wager on any of your favorite sports, and usually, have lines on events well in advance so that you can have the best possible payout. Choosing any one of the legal online sports betting sites recommended on this page will ensure that you have a spectacular betting experience, every time.
States With Land Based Casinos
The states with land-based casinos have dramatically increased since the early 20th century, with 43 states now offering some form of casino gaming. There are more states with Indian gaming than commercial casinos, the distinction being that tribal casinos are independently operated by federally-recognized tribes. There are also some states, such as Louisiana, that have riverboat casinos with a variety of table games and slot machines. The U.S. casino gaming market revenue was $71 billion in 2016, and this number only increases each year. Casino tax revenues serve as a big benefit to local economies, and the growth of the industry also increases employment opportunities in the USA.
States With Legal Online Casinos
For American bettors, the top casinos aren’t going to be found in Las Vegas or Atlantic City – they’re going to be found on your computer. The Best USA online casinos are legal online gambling websites that can be easily accessed through your favorite browser or downloaded to your computer. These sites use the latest betting software in order to bring you better games and more tables than you would ever be able to find at a land-based casino. Below is just a small list of the best USA online casinos.
States With Land Based Poker Rooms
The states with land-based poker rooms constantly changes, but as of this writing, there are 38 states. Whether you are looking for low stakes poker or consider yourself a high roller, there’s a good chance that you will be able to find a seat at one of the 596 poker rooms in the United States. Poker tournaments of all varieties take place at casinos and card rooms all over the nation. You can play No Limit Hold’em, Omaha, Seven-card Stud, and just about any other variation that you can think of. Not only is the game fun, but depending on where you play it can also have a positive social impact. Many poker rooms use a portion of revenues to support local organizations to make a difference in the community.
States That Have Legal Online Poker
If you want to play poker with the best of them, and not be weighed down by low table limits or a poker room that doesn’t offer exactly what you’re looking for, try our guide to states with legal online poker. This is a legal gambling alternative available to US residents who are looking for bigger, better options. At an online poker room, you’ll be offered more bonuses, have more tables to choose from, and higher limits to contend with. Some online poker rooms even have no-limit, high-stakes tables. All of the classics like Texas Hold’Em, 7-Card Stud, and Omaha can be found at legal online poker sites. We’ve compiled a list of all the states with legal online poker below.
US States With Legal Horse Betting
Of the 50 states in the nation, there are 22 states with land-based horse racing betting. America has a longstanding history with betting on horses, with events such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes garnering national attention. There is nothing more exciting than betting on the next potential Triple Crown winner. Tracks around the nation have their own live racing schedules and various betting opportunities. There are also off-track horse betting locations where horse enthusiasts can bet on horse races that are simulcast from tracks all over the nation.
States With Legal And Regulated Online Horse Betting
Horse racing betting can be done in a number of ways. You can attend a racetrack in your state, or place your bets at a licensed off-track betting location. Another legal horse racing betting option is using an online racebook. At these websites, you can bet on more races and have access to more wager types, like quinellas and superfectas. Horse racing betting online is legal, safe, and incredibly fun. Instead of waiting for the horse racing circuit to make its way to your neck of the woods, now you can instantly be where the action is, no matter what time of the year. Below are some of the best legal horse racing betting sites available to US residents in all 50 states.
States That Have Land Based Bingo
All but two states in the USA offer land-based bingo halls – Hawaii and Tennessee. That means the majority of bingo enthusiasts can find a bingo hall at a local casino, church, Elks Lodge, or other facility. Depending on the state, you will be able to find either charitable or real money bingo games. The game of chance is actually more popular than NASCAR in the U.S., with more than 60 million bingo players participating in more than 1 billion games yearly. The billion dollar industry benefits plenty of charitable organizations and also helps line the pockets of players. States with land-based bingo will oftentimes offer variations of the popular game to make playing even more fun.
States With Legal Online Bingo
You’ve come to the right page if you’re looking for legal online bingo sites. Here, we only recommend top gambling sites, and we take our bingo seriously. No matter which states have legal online gambling they offer a legal game of online bingo. If you want to play a simple nickel game, or partake in a high-stakes round of 90-ball bingo, we’ve got the sites for you. Betting bingo online is legal in all fifty states. At legal online bingo sites, you’ll also be able to play video poker and slots, as well as a few rounds of keno if you want.
States With Legal Daily Fantasy Sports
Currently, 13 states have legalized daily fantasy sports contests. Even with debate over whether or not DFS constitutes gambling in the USA, more and more states are pushing to regulate the contests. Daily fantasy sports operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings bring in millions each year, and the states that regulate DFS are able to benefit from these numbers. Between upfront licensing costs, renewal fees, and taxes, states can benefit from both immediate and long-term income. For players, daily fantasy sports are more widely accepted than sports betting, the contests are fun, and there is less of a time commitment than with season-long fantasy sports. Once you have developed the right strategy, there are plenty of chances to win real money playing DFS.
States With A Lottery
There are currently 44 states with a lottery in the United States as of 2017, along with the District of Columbia. Each state is able to operate their own lottery, giving the local government control over how revenues are allocated. Some of the programs supported by lotteries include public safety, health, education, and infrastructure improvement. With more than 70 billion dollars generated each year from ticket sales, there is no denying that lotteries have a huge economic impact. De facto national lotteries such as Mega Millions and Powerball offer a much larger prize pool, with life-changing jackpots. Though six states have opted not to operate lotteries, there is no doubt that playing the lottery is one of the most popular ways to gamble.
Federal Gambling Laws
Federal gambling laws are acts that have been put into effect by Congress. When it comes to gambling, there are only three laws you really need to know. Below, we go over in detail what these laws entail and how they affect gambling on a national level and how they affect states with gambling.
The Wire Act was instituted in 1961, by then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. In an effort to stem the flow of money from fixed bets to organized crime rings, Kennedy urged congress to pass a law that would make interstate gambling illegal. The Wire Act states that no one is allowed to take a wager over a wire of communication. This successfully stopped bettors from being able to phone in their bets to someone in another state, mainly Nevada, where gambling was legal.This law did what it was supposed to do – it ended betting across state lines. It did this by going after the person who takes the bets, rather than the person placing the bet. This is because the Wire Act doesn’t make gambling illegal. It just required people to make their transactions face to face. The Wire Act has been updated throughout the years to include different forms of communication, like the internet. The Wire Act prevents players from using US-based online sportsbooks. As a US law, the Wire Act does not have jurisdiction over companies based overseas.
By the early 90’s, sports betting in one form or another had been legalized in four states, with several more states working on making it legal. Many of the commissioners of professional and college sports in America were afraid that if sports betting was made legal throughout the country, it would open many players and teams up to shady characters who might try to fix a game in order to win a bet. Bringing their concerns to Congress, these commissioners and owners were the driving force behind the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).PASPA was signed into law in 1992 and effectively eliminated land-based sports betting in 46 states by banning individual states from regulating their own sports betting operations. The four states that are exempt from PASPA are Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. Three of these states have limited sports betting capabilities, as they had only legalized one or two forms of sports betting before PASPA got signed into law. Delaware can offer NFL parlay cards with three or more teams per card during football season. Oregon offers NBA parlay cards. Montana is allowed to offer betting squares contests at Bars. Only Nevada can offer the full range of sports betting.
This federal law is another example of the federal government limiting where and how you can gamble. But, it does not actually outlaw the act of gambling. PASPA cannot prevent American bettors from using online, offshore sportsbooks.
The most recent federal law that was passed in regards to gambling is the UIGEA, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. This law was passed in 2006 and the verbiage is confusing, to say the least, due to the rushed nature under which the bill was passed. What the UIGEA sought to do was extend the Wire Act. This law stipulates that owners of online gambling websites are not allowed to accept payment from US bettors and that banks were not allowed to process transactions between US bettors and overseas gambling businesses.There was a two-fold result to this law. Almost immediately, the country of Antigua and the European Union accused the US of violating their free-trade agreement, requesting that they repeal the UIGEA. When they didn’t, the World Trade Organization got involved, siding with Antigua when it sued the US for trying to enforce US law on businesses in other countries. Antigua won its case, and the portion of the UIGEA that banned gambling sites from accepting US players was nullified.
The banking side of this act, however, still stands. Banks are not able to process transactions between US bettors and online gambling sites because of the “trouble” they were having with verifying payments. Because of this, credit cards and bank wires are occasionally denied when used to fund an online account. It’s not every time, but it does occasionally happen. There are quite a few legal and reliable ways to fund your account without having to use credit cards now. The important thing to take away from this, however, is that the UIGEA does not make online gambling at overseas sites illegal. It just blocks a couple of popular banking methods.
Right now, this is the only bill that looks like it may actually help Americans that want to bet on sports or gamble online. There has been a big time change in opinion when it comes to legalizing sports betting by some very important people, and this bill likely has something to do with that. Companies like the NFL, MLB, and the NBA have all recently changed their thoughts on legal gambling and the NHL now has a hockey team in Las Vegas.
What To Do If You Have A Gambling Problem
What States Have No Gambling?
Can You Place Bets Online At Nevada Or Delaware Sportsbooks?
Are Online Gambling Sites Regulated And Safe?
Why Was My Credit Card Declined At A Gambling Site?
Is Bitcoin Safe To Use For Online Gambling In The USA?
Welcome to the best resource on the web to find legal online sportsbooks and learn about legal sports betting. We developed LegalOnlineSportsbooks.com to teach budding U.S. sports bettors about the legal landscape of online sportsbooks, and for experienced bettors to brush up on their knowledge. You might be unaware about how many safe and legal options there are out there, so we will review some of our favorite sportsbooks so you will know which sites to join.
To say that sports betting is popular is a bit of an understatement as it grows by leaps and bounds every year, especially when it comes to betting on the athletes that hit the gridiron every Saturday, Sunday and Monday during Fall. This is where legal betting sites come in to play, allowing players from all over the U.S. to wager on their favorite games. This page will reveal how these sites function legally, and which ones are currently offering the best action.
Best Legal Online Sportsbooks For 2020
Bovada Sportsbook
Bovada is one of the best legal online sportsbooks. Having been operating for several years, Bovada is home of the 50% match bonus which will give first-time depositors as much as $250 as a welcome bonus.
Users will have no limitations on which betting lines you can play with this bonus. You can deposit with VISA credit, debit or gift cards as well as through wire transfers like Rapid Transfer, Western Union and Moneygram.
Bovada has one of the most extensive lists of betting lines, covering every major sport, most minor sports, and most of the betting lines available. Bovada is one of the best legal online sportsbooks and they are here to serve all your wagering needs.
SportsBetting.ag
SportsBetting.ag is another of the leaders of online sportsbooks. Their sportsbook is one of the easiest to use. No matter what betting type you wanna place you should be able to do so with the utmost simplicity and ease.
This sportsbook applies an unlimited bonus good for up to $1,000 thanks to a 50% match that all deposits receive at this site. Even rebates on losses can be retrieved through SportsBetting.ag.
As one of the top online sportsbook, SportsBetting.ag is also one of the safest of all of the legal online sportsbooks. By accepting players from all over the United States and the world, SportsBetting.ag is currently offering players around the globe with an opportunity to bet on sports.
5Dimes Sportsbook
5Dimes is one of the longest running and most trusted legal online sportsbooks. They give players the opportunity to bet on any number of sports and betting lines.
Legal Online Sports Betting Statesville
Straight bets, spread bets, total score wagers, parlays, pleasers, teasers and more can all be found through 5Dimes Sportsbook.
A free 50% match bonus can be collected upon signing up. This welcome bonus gives players up to $520 in free cash when maximized. Reload bonuses are also offered periodically, so there will always be free money available through this legal sportsbook.
A poker room and a casino has also been established through 5Dimes and Americans have access to them all with just one account..
BetOnline Sportsbook
Another of the best online betting sites that are legal for Americans, BetOnline is among the best due to their overwhelming generosity.
They give players a 50% match to $1K dollars, which you can use on a multitude of betting lines. BetOnline is also in the business of giving frequent reload promotions.
Players will be able to collect big money on many of their deposits. BetOnline, by accepting a variety of deposit methods, ranging from credit cards and bank options to e-wallets, makes it easy for players all over the world in order to benefit players.
Additionally, BetOnline offers numerous withdrawal methods that are friendly for players living in the U.S. that need quick access to their funds.
Legal Sportsbook Reviews | Try Sportsbook | |
|---|---|---|
| Bovada Review | Up To $250 In Free Play With 50% Match | VISIT |
| SportsBetting Review | 50% Up To $1,000 Each Deposit | VISIT |
| BetOnline Review | 50% Deposit Bonus Worth $1K On All Deposits | VISIT |
| 5 Dimes Review | 50% Bonus To $520 | VISIT |
Other Features Found At Legal Online Sportsbooks
Now that you have a good grasp of the legal aspects and safety protocols, it’s time to learn about the amazing features that await you at a U.S. online sportsbook. These sites come up with new and innovative ways to play almost every week, so the features are constantly changing and upgrading. Some super convenient features such as mobile betting and live wagering are mainstays, and add some serious fun to your sports betting experience.
Mobile betting allows you to take the entire sportsbook with you wherever you go. All of the sites that we review offer the mobile option, and there is usually no download required. Simply sign in to your account on your mobile device, and you will have access to the sportsbook, your account, deposits, payouts, and everything else. Live betting is another feature that many sites now offer at all times. This allows you to wager on a game as it is happening, while the odds update in real-time right in front of your eyes. This is definitely the most exciting way to wager, and there is no limit to the amount of bets that you can place during a game.
There are plenty of other features besides mobile and live betting, but we don’t want to ruin all the surprises. Check out any of the legal online sportsbooks that we review to see what other exciting benefits are awaiting you. It is free to sign up, and there is nothing to lose.
Are All Legal Online Sportsboks + Sports Betting Sites Safe?
As long as you choose a reputable site, such as the ones we review, you can be sure that it is safe. Most of these legal online sportsbooks have been in operation for decades, growing in professionalism and in numbers of members. Along the way, these sites have accrued numerous accolades from giants in the US sports media world, including ESPN and FOX Sports. Online sportsbooks don’t receive this kind of praise from multi-billion dollar conglomerates without being safe.
No member of any of the prestigious sportsbooks we review has ever been a victim of identity theft, stolen or lost funds, or any other kind of cyber-attack. Sites that allow security breaches are promptly taken down because, once one member hears about such a thing, all of the rest of the players cancel their accounts. The unsafe sites then fade away quickly. This means that signing up at a reputable site that has been around for a while is the best idea. These sites keep their security software up-to-date, and can afford to use the absolute best programs that are available. You can be sure that choosing any of the sites we review means choosing a safe and prestigious online sportsbook.
State And Federal Sports Betting Laws
There are three laws that govern legal sports betting in America. These all happen to be federal laws, meaning that individual states do not generally have anything to say about sportsbooks. This is a great thing because, as long as an online sportsbook is okay federally, anyone in America can usually use it. The federal laws that you should know about are the Wire Act, the PASPA, and the UIGEA.
The Wire Act was invented way back in 1961 in order to battle organized crime that pervaded the wagering world. These days, the truncated law only affects sportsbooks by restricting the transfer of wagering information between states. Since none of the legal sportsbooks that you will be using operate in America, they are not affected by the Wire Act.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 is a federal law that decides which states are able to offer sports betting events. You may wonder why you can’t find a legal sportsbook in your town, and the PASPA is reason why. This law only allows four states to offer their own sportsbooks, these states being Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon. Out of them, only Nevada and Delaware actually take the PASPA up on its offer. Luckily, the legal online sportsbooks all operate outside of America, where the PASPA has no jurisdiction. There is no law against using these sites, which is why millions of Americans wager on their favorite teams every day.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is the last law that you need to know about. Despite the gloomy title of the Act, this law has little effect on online sportsbooks. The UIGEA only regulates funding methods. All this amounts to is that you will not find a sports betting site that offers credit/debit payouts. You can, however, use a card to make a deposit; it’s only withdrawals that are affected. This is not a problem because these sites offer many fast and efficient payout methods that millions of members use every day. That’s it, those are the three laws to know about. As you can see, online sportsbooks that operate outside of the U.S. and offer alternative payout methods are legal and safe for you to use.
Is It Legal To Bet Sports Online In The US? Will I Get In Trouble For Internet Wagering?
Determining the legal status of an online sportsbook + online sports gambling on the while must be looked at in two parts:
First of all, players or visitors should see that all of the legal online sportsbooks have the proper licensing and accreditation from the country in which they hail. All of the legal online sportsbooks have received licensing in order to operate legally - at least in their country of origin.
Another requirement that must be met is the possibility of legal sports betting in the jurisdiction from where you are playing. If online sports betting is illegal in your country, state, or province, or municipality, you may not want to jump into the sports betting. Be sure to consult your local laws before you make a decision before you start to bet on sports online.
Once you feel comfortable with the idea of betting online, we encourage you to choose any of the sportsbooks we have listed below as we know the service they bring to the table and the product they offer very well. We have taken a few moments to put together some short sportsbook reports on these sites so you can learn more about what each can offer plays that seek a safe and legal atmosphere for making wagers on sports.
Legal Sportsbook Deposit Methods For U.S.A. Players
Besides the obvious place to start which would be signing up for an account, players in the U.S. need viable ways in order to get funds into their betting accounts if they want to actually win money when they win their bets.
Without the ability to deposit, Americans would be better off using sportsbooks to reference current betting lines for whatever event and then write their picks down on a piece of paper... however, that could only make you mad because you are almost guaranteed to win 90% of your practice wagers.
Unfortunately, sports betting is where most of the attention falls when it comes to the discussion of online gambling and therefore sportsbooks are perhaps even more limited in deposit methods than other forms of gambling like casinos and poker rooms. Still, there are methods that work for all players and all scenarios for which you can learn more about below:
Credit Card Sportsbook Deposits - Major credit cards are typically accepted from Americans because most U.S. residents have at least one or access to one. Of these major cards accepted VISA leads the way followed by American Express followed by MasterCard. These offer players a chance to make instant deposits which are why Americans turn to their plastic before the other sports betting deposit methods that follow.
Wire Transfer Sportsbook Deposits - Using a wire transfer to deposit into a sportsbook is a great way for players in the U.S. to send payments to their betting accounts with cash when the transfer is sent in-person. Americans can also send wire transfers online through the use of a credit card but know that deposit fees are higher when using this method.
Checks + Money Order Sportsbook Deposits - If bettors find that electronic methods fail to meet their needs or just will not work, they can always turn to the mail by sending a bank draft to the website in order to fund their account. This method does have one drawback and that is the fact that it does take a little bit of time for the money to arrive, clear the sportsbook's bank and be credited to the depositor's sports betting account.
e-Wallet Sportsbook Deposits - Also known as an electronic wallet, using this method is similar to how you would pay for something on eBay using PayPal. While the industry giant cannot be used to fund betting accounts thanks to current sports betting laws, there are other services out there that work very similar to PayPal that have many of the same great features that have made the aforementioned e-wallet a leader in the online payment industry.
Other Sportsbook Deposit Methods - There are other options out there for bettors that are trying to make a deposit but they generally involve having an account with funds at another sportsbook or knowing a bettor that has funds in their account at the sportsbook you are using. By allowing users to send funds between sportsbooks and between accounts, sports betting sites make their books more accessible to the bettors that really know the business.
More About Legal Sports Betting In The U.S.
The prospect of online sports gambling in the United States has always been a subject of heavy debate. Like marijuana laws in Amsterdam, online sports betting is a somewhat confusing prospect. It is illegal to operate an online sportsbook in the USA and it is illegal for payment processors to make transactions but it is not illegal for players to enjoy the sports betting sites located offshore.
What States Allow Online Betting
As a player you can never get in trouble for betting on sports over the Internet. As such, American players have no worries what so ever when it comes to betting for or against their favorite teams. While some states do still turn a harsh eye toward online sports betting, you shouldn't have a problem as long as you stick to the few that are trusted among US players. The trick is to stay away from all the small bookmakers that have little to no financial backing which couldn't sustain a big hit like sportsbooks have been known to take.
The fact is that there are plenty of legal online sportsbooks for players in the United States. It can be taken as a safe fact that if an online sportsbook takes US players, then it is open to be used by players all over the world. Some of the less democratic nations in the World may restrict access to these betting sites , but in short, you should never be completely unable to find an online sportsbook.
Legal sports betting sites on the web are not only safer than actually going to a legal land-based sportsbook but they are infinitely safer than an illegal land-based sportsbook like a back-alley bookie. With any of the online sportsbooks found here on LegalOnlineSportsbooks.com, you will invariably find a safer experience for wagering on sports.