Land-Based Sportsbooks Legal For US Players
It is true that we here at USALegalSportsbooks.com tend to promote online sportsbooks over land-based sportsbooks, but that is simply because more people have access to web-based betting, and is in no way representative of the services offered by brick-and-mortar bookmakers. Even though they are limited, there are plenty of land-based options that provide a great atmosphere and a fun, one-of-a-kind experience. Traditional sportsbooks, typically found within larger casinos, offer glitz, glamour, great food, spectacular shows and cool concerts.
If you want to learn more, stay here as this page is going to inform readers about why only a few certain states are allowed to offer regulated sports betting, before we cover the best land-based sports betting options currently available to those living in the United States. We'll start with the basics, and present you with all the options for making a sports wager in person, but we'll also present alternative options (online sports betting sites) in case placing your wager with a land-based sportsbook just isn't possible. Stick to the info within and we guarantee that you will find someplace willing to take your bet!
If you’re trying to find a legal sportsbook in your town, you will most likely be disappointed. You won’t find anything unless you live in Nevada or Delaware. Even in Delaware, you might have a hard time finding a sportsbook. Your best option is Nevada. If you live close enough to the Nevada border, like California, for example, you can just take a few hours and drive to Reno or Las Vegas. If you are lucky enough to live in or near Nevada, Las Vegas and Reno both have amazing sportsbooks, usually located in casinos or hotels.
You can thank your wise and benevolent leaders in Congress for that. In 1992, Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, also known as PASPA. This law made it so states could not regulate their own sportsbooks. PASPA effectively outlawed sportsbooks in 46 states. Congress did, however, make an exception for a few states that had previously sanctioned sports betting: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana. These states were given a one-year timeframe to put in place legislation making sports betting legal. Delaware and Nevada were the only states that secured this legislation. PASPA has been criticized by many legislators who feel the law is unconstitutional, and moreover, hypocritical. Nevertheless, unfortunately the law is the law, and is the reason why the only legal sportsbooks exist in Nevada and Delaware.
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It depends on what state you live in. Some states are more likely to eventually have sportsbooks than others. New Jersey, for example, could possibly be the next state to legalize sportsbooks. Atlantic City is a gaming mecca, but you still can’t find a sportsbook there. New Jersey lawmakers have been trying to challenge PASPA in court, claiming the law is unconstitutional. PASPA has been heavily criticized as hypocritical because it allows a few states the privilege of having sportsbooks. Critics also maintain that the federal government is intruding on states’ rights, and that states could benefit from the extra revenue that could be generated by legal sports betting.
Unfortunately, you won’t find too many good sportsbooks in Delaware. They do have sportsbooks, but they are limited. You can only bet on certain sports during certain seasons, and you can only use certain betting types, with low limits. Nevada is the only state that has quality land-based sportsbooks. In Las Vegas, the Bellagio, the MGM Grand, and Caesar’s Palace are all well-known sports betting giants. In Reno, the Silver Legacy, the Peppermill, and El Dorado are all excellent options. All of these offer great action, as well as a fun atmosphere. Even though online sportsbooks are convenient and offer great benefits, they can’t compete with the social experience of betting at a land-based casino: free drinks, hotel suites, lively social atmosphere, etc. All of these things do add to your enjoyment when you are playing the odds.
There are many amazing and legal online sports betting sites to choose from. Online betting is perfect for anyone who doesn’t mind eschewing the social atmosphere or aesthetics of a real casino. With online betting, you can take advantage of all the great features of a land-based sportsbook without having to deal with parking or large crowds. In some way, online sportsbooks are actually better than land-based options. For example, online sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions that land-based sportsbooks do not. They also are infinitely more convenient, letting you wager from the comfort of home, or even from your mobile device. And best of all, the sites we recommend are safe and legit. These sites are legal because they function outside of the United States and are out of reach of PASPA and other US laws.
We have explained some of the basics pertaining to land-based sportsbooks. We have told you how to find a legal land-based sportsbook. We have also explained why there are so few land-based options. You’ve learned about PASPA and how it affects land-based sportsbooks. Lastly, we have illustrated the difference between land-based and online sportsbooks, explained why in some cases online sportsbooks might actually be your best bet. Without a land-based sportsbook available, it makes sense that most Americans choose legal online sports betting sites. We’ve explored every inch of the online sportsbook world and found a few really superb, safe sports betting sites for US players.