Legal Sports Betting Sites for US Residents
Welcome to the number one resource for finding online sportsbooks that are legal for USA players which will also educate readers about the sports betting laws in the U.S. By having a clear understanding of the laws, it will then equip visitors with the tools needed to identify exactly what to look for when choosing a legal sports betting site, and even safe land-based sports betting locations too. There are many things to keep in mind, such as making sure an online sportsbook has a gaming license and a solid reputation before you choose one versus another.
USALegalSportsbooks.com will not only show readers how to find legal places to bet online, but it's also going to give all the most pertinent data about their recommended legal sports betting sites for US players. This website will point out which online sportsbooks are proven to be safe, as well as breakdown what bettors should be concerned about when looking for in a land-based venue. By the time we're done here, readers will have a complete understanding of the legal ramifications surrounding important betting laws and how those laws impact the average person wagering on their favorite team, if they have any impact at all. In fact, we'll start there before showing you the best places to bet sports online.
The short answer is yes, but it all depends on where the sportsbook is based. The only US states that are able to host online sportsbooks are Delaware and Nevada. However, these books are for residents of those specific states only. This is why 99% of American sports bettors use the legal online sportsbooks. While no laws affect the bettor, it is still worthwhile to know about the federal regulations that are in place.
No, as long as you make sure you are of legal age to bet, you will not get in any trouble. As we previously mentioned, there is no law to prevent US citizens from using an online sportsbook. There has never been a single case of any American citizen being fined or arrested for using a legal online sportsbook. Again, no sportsbooks we recommend break any laws. These sites have millions of members, and there’s no way that would be possible if the sites were doing anything nefarious.
The important thing to know about sports betting laws in the U.S. is that the federal government has most of the say as to what is allowed within the United States. When you read about these laws below, this will become evident, however it's not as cut-and-dry as you might think. We invite readers to learn more about the three main betting laws on this page, and to get a further, more in-depth understanding of what they say, what they mean, and how they are applied in our full page write ups.
The Wire Act blocks the transfer of currency or wager-related data from state to state. This is an old law that originally was created to battle organized crime in America. Now it only means that there are very few online sportsbooks in the states. This is why the overseas sites that serve US residents are the best and only options for most of us.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) doesn’t allow land-based sportsbooks in most states. It IS legal, however, to use an online sportsbook based outside of the US. Thankfully, there is no law that says an American citizen can’t use one of these sites. They are how the majority of US residents get their sports betting kicks, and they are completely safe. Check out our sportsbook laws page for more in depth information.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) prevents operators of wagering sites from sending funds to bettors via credit/debit cards, which is why you won’t find an option like that at any online sportsbook. Luckily, the methods that we have listed above are available and are safe and fast. Remember, you CAN deposit using a card, you just have to choose a different method to withdrawal, such as Western Union, a check in the mail, or one of the other great options that these sites offer.
We’ve established that it is legal to use a sports betting site that is based outside the United States. There are many options available, and we’ve discovered some great ones. All of the sites we recommend are legal sportsbooks that are trusted by millions of well-informed bettors. They follow every facet of the law, and you can rest assured that you will not get in any legal trouble if you use the sites we recommend. One of the reasons that these sites retain their millions of members is because they follow the rules, and they are safe. There has never been a better time than now to join a legal online sportsbook for US residents.
More - Land-Based Sportsbooks
One of the most popular and respected online sportsbooks is Bovada. Do a quick search for online sportsbooks and Bovada frequently comes up as number 1. There is a good reason for this. Bovada offers more sports to bet on than any other sites. You don’t even have to bet on sports. You can bet on politics and entertainment awards shows if you like. Bovada offers the highest quality customer service, and the most extensive list of bonuses and promotions that we have ever seen.
Bovada accepts players from all states except New Jersey, Nevada, Delaware, and Maryland. This is because these states either already have sports betting options and Bovada doesn’t want to compete, or these states have legal grey areas regarding sports betting. Either way, there are plenty of alternatives if you are in these states, just check our other reviews. Bovada allows players from all other states that over 18. However, it is wise to check our state betting age requirements. If your state requires you to be over 18, then it is best to wait until you are that age to join Bovada.
If you’re looking for a state-of-the-art online sportsbook with all the latest features, consider BetOnline. Its sportsbook is enormous, the betting lines are the fastest, and the bonuses will save you lots of money. It offers the best in mobile betting technology, and the live/in-game play feature gives you a hand-on, interactive experience.
BetOnline is packed with bonuses galore. When you join, you will be offered a welcome bonus of 50% on your first deposit. This bonus is good up to $1,000. You won’t find a bonus this generous anywhere, and they don’t stop there. Other sportsbook bonuses include the Live Betting $25 Free Play, Industry Best MLB Dime Lines, and the Mobile Betting $50 Free Play. With savings like that, why wait any longer? Sign up today and watch your earnings grow.
Millions of players agree that SportsBetting is one of the most awesome sportsbooks on the block. It has a certified gaming license and has been touted by many mass media giants as one of the best values on the net. You can bet on all the best sports, and with mobile betting, you can place a wager from anywhere you want. SportsBetting’s bonuses are generous, its deposit and payout methods bountiful, and its security and safety features are as modern and up-to-date as possible.
When you join SportsBetting, you’ll never have to worry about your safety being compromised or your personal information being accessed. SportsBetting is one of the biggest sports betting sites out there, with millions of members. This means they take security protocols seriously. SportsBetting’s site is outfitted with high-tech encryption software that makes the place inviolable. If you ever do have any questions about SportsBetting’s security features, you can always contact their customer service department. With these kinds of safety guarantees, you know you can trust SportsBetting's online sportsbook.
There are many reasons to choose an online sportsbook as your sports wagering hub. The convenience of playing from your favorite chair, or even on your mobile device, is a great plus. The ease and safety of deposits and payouts is unparalleled in the online wagering world. You can put money in to your account in a matter of seconds, and withdraw it just as fast. There are also some incredibly profitable bonuses that these sites offer. The next few sections will go over some of these great features.
The legal online sportsbooks of today are able to take advantage of the latest deposit methods. With so many great options available, you will never be at a loss to find ways to fund your account. If you have a credit or debit card, you can use it to make a deposit. The maximum will vary depending on the site and the card you use. Credit cards don’t take very long, and the fees are low to nonexistent. Another way you can make a deposit is through MoneyGram or Western Union. This method is called person to person, or cash wire transfer. Or if you want to try something a bit different, give Bitcoin a whirl. It’s a money exchange service that turns cash into e-currency. The way it works is you create a bitcoin address which you give to whoever you want to make a transaction with. Other methods include money order and gift cards.
It’s very important to choose a site that has a lot of different sportsbook withdrawal methods that are legal and reliable. If you can’t easily get your money out of your account, what’s the point? Well, never fear. The best legal online sportsbooks offer some really convenient options. Person to person/cash wire transfer is one of the most common ways to withdraw. You can choose to make a cash wire transfer using either MoneyGram or Western Union. It takes no longer than 48 hours, usually less. Fees and limits vary depending on the site and amount withdrawn. Cashier’s check is another popular way to get your money out. Since the maximum withdrawal amount is usually fairly high, check is a good method to use if you have a large amount to withdraw. Alternate methods include bitcoin and gift cards.
The only land-based sportsbooks are in Nevada and Delaware. This is due to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which disallows most states from having land-based sportsbooks. PASPA made exemptions for Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana, because these states had previously allowed sports betting before PASPA was passed. However, only Nevada and Delaware took the necessary steps to pass legislation allowing sportsbooks.
Nevada has many options. Las Vegas and Reno both have sportsbooks that anyone can use. Delaware, on the other hand, has very few. Unless you live in or close to Nevada or Delaware, your options are pretty limited. This is why legal online sportsbooks are so popular. As an added incentive, online sportsbooks have bonuses and promotions that land-based sportsbooks do not offer. Check out our land-based sportsbooks page, or our pages about legal state sports betting to learn more about the situation where you live, and find the best option for betting money on sports whether it be online or in one of the regulated sports betting states.