Will I Go To Jail For Sports Betting?
This is the question that tends to receive the most confusing answers when one is researching sports betting. This is because many people are unaware of what is and is not legal. Tests have shown that, when asked a question they don’t know the answer to, a large majority of people will answer anyway, pretending that they know. This unfortunate fact has caused many rumors to spread regarding the safety and legality of sports betting.
This page will show you where to wager on your favorite sports without fear. There are plenty of sportsbooks available for everyone of legal age in the USA. The fact is, you will not get arrested unless you do something that is against the law. After reading this article, you will know exactly what you can and cannot do.
The answer to this question is yes, as long as you are talking about a regulated sportsbook. The act of “sports betting” is technically legal everywhere, as there are no laws out there that target the player, which is you. Of course, there are always caveats. There are three main laws that regulate sports betting in America. These are the Wire Act, the PASPA, and the UIGEA. When you combine these three federal laws, you come away with two facts: sportsbooks physically exist in only two of our fifty states, and, sports fans in all of the other 48 states are betting on sports legally every day. You might wonder how that latter fact is true.
This is where we come to the difference between land-based and online sportsbooks. You see, federal laws such as the PASPA only allow sportsbooks to function in a handful of states. However, the legal online sportsbooks that we are talking about are all based overseas, where these laws do not have any jurisdiction. Since none of these laws affects a player’s right to use a legal sportsbook, anyone can use these sites (because they function legally on the lands where they reside). This is why players outside of Nevada and Delaware, the only two states that allow sportsbooks, are able to bet legally. To learn much more about the laws that govern sports betting, check out our sportsbook laws page.
Since there are no laws against using a legal sportsbook, the answer is no. If the question were reframed as: “Has Anyone Ever Been Arrested For Illegally Betting On Sports?”, then the answer would be yes. You see, there are plenty of criminal bookies and underground sports betting rings out there. If you make the dangerous decision to pursue one of these routes, then you will open yourself up to legal repercussions. However, if you stick to legal and reputable online sportsbooks, or the land-based venues in Nevada and Delaware, then you will be A-OK in the eyes of Johnny Law.
The only people that have ever been arrested for legal sports betting are those that are either underage, or being a public nuisance. Always make sure you are following your state betting age when using an online sportsbook. This information can easily be found online. Furthermore, if you are at a land-based establishment, conduct yourself like a respectable adult and you will be fine.
More - Will I Get Tossed In Jail for Sports Betting?
Now that you are aware that you will never get in trouble for using a legal USA sportsbook as long as you are of age and not a psychopath, it is time to find out where to get in on the action. You will have trouble finding a legal land-based sportsbook unless you are in a certain few states. This is because of a federal law called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). You can learn a lot about this law at our sportsbook laws page, but the short of it is that PASPA bans all but four states from offering sportsbooks. Out of those four, only Nevada and Delaware offer anything. Delaware sportsbooks are very limited; they are only open during football season, and they only allow certain wager types.
Nevada is really the only place to go to get a full-fledged land-based sports betting experience. Numerous casinos and hotels offer sports betting for players 21 years or older. These lavish venues offer great amenities, food, booze, and sometimes free rooms if you’re on a hot streak. These are the advantages of a land-based sportsbook vs. online. However, the online sportsbooks have many advantages too, and being open to everybody is just one of them. Visit our land-based sportsbooks page to learn more about the greatest places to play.
Finding a legal online sportsbook can be as simple is doing an internet search. However, there are tons of mediocre sites out there, so sifting through the debris for that piece of gold can be tough. That is why we are here, to show you the best US sports betting sites on the web. There are many advantages to using legal sports betting sites over a land-based venue. First of all, most of these sites allow anyone over 18 to join, and that fact alone makes them infinitely more attractive than the pitiful amount of real-world options. Secondly, there is the uber-convenience of betting on your favorite teams from the comfort of your own home. While heading out to a fancy casino to bet on sports can be a great occasional treat, if you like wagering often, that type of thing just isn’t feasible (or easy on the wallet), even if you live in Nevada.
You have learned that there are no laws that target you, the bettor. The only ways you will ever get in trouble are betting underage, conducting yourself like a crazy person, or betting through illegal means (such as a bookie or an underground sports ring). This is why joining a reputable online sportsbook with a great track record is of utmost importance. We have been online wagering fanatics for years, and we know what to look for.
Finding a great online sports betting site that accepts U.S. players is sometimes better than sex. At least that’s true if you are as big a sports fan as I am. Bovada may not turn you chaste, but it will definitely fulfil all of your sports betting needs, and then some. This beautifully designed site makes everything easy, from signing up, to making a parlay bet and collecting your winnings. It also helps that Bovada has a gaming license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and a certificate of good standing as well. This is as legit as it gets folks, so sign up today if you are serious about wagering. Bovada currently excludes residents of New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada and Maryland; if you live in one of those states then please check out another sportsbook such as BetOnline.
Bovada Sportsbook is now offering a stupendous welcome bonus worth up to $250. This “getting to know you” offer will generously pad out your initial bankroll, allowing you to go a little hog-wild in the sportsbook without risking too much of your own money. There are rollover stipulations, meaning you will have to bet a certain amount before withdrawing your bonus. This is still a no-brainer if you bet as often as I do. Check out Bovada today, you won’t regret it.
.