If you are an American and are trying to find legal online sportsbooks, you’ve probably noticed that there aren’t many around. Most likely, you live in a state other than Nevada or Delaware, in which case you will not find any land-based sportsbooks. The reason for this is that United States law is pretty strict when it comes to wagering. This page will examine all of the legal business involving sports betting in America. It will cover specific laws, safety issues, and age. It will tell you a bit about your land-based options and will even provide some good information on specific online betting sites that you can trust.
Yes, but there is a lot of legal red tape that you need to be aware of. The bottom line is this: it is legal for an American to use an online sportsbook as long as it is based in Nevada, Delaware, or outside of the United States. We know that seems strange, so let us elaborate. In 1992, a law called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was passed into law. PASPA made it unlawful for sportsbooks to operate in most states. Since Nevada and Delaware already allowed sports betting, these two states were given time to construct their own state laws regulating sports betting. The other states were given no such special privilege, much to the chagrin of many state lawmakers.
Even though anyone in any state can drive to Nevada and place a bet, you have to be a Nevada resident to use one of their betting sites. The same goes for Delaware. However, since there is no law preventing US citizens from joining an online sportsbook, you can join one as long as it is based outside the US, where the PASPA doesn’t apply. It may seem silly to have to go to such lengths just to bet on sports, especially since Nevada and Delaware residents get a free pass. However, the reason for the law has nothing to do with punishing law-abiding citizens who like to wager on sporting events. It was designed with organized crime in mind, and the law primarily exists to stop underground mob-related bookmaking activities.
What Are The Main Laws That Pertain To American Online Sportsbooks?
We already mentioned PASPA, so there’s no reason to beat a dead horse. There are, however, a few other laws that work in conjunction with each other in order to make sure sports betting stays out of America. The first of these laws is the Wire Act, which dates back to 1961. This is the time in which underground mob activity was starting to become a big problem. The Wire Act forbade the transfer of wagering information from one state to another via wire communication devices. It is a law that has been revised and revamped several times in the ensuing decades, most recently just last year. The Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA) seeks to criminalize all forms of online gaming, including that which is found in Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey. It is unlikely, though, that RAWA will pass into law. The Wire Act is controversial as it is.
The other law that you should be aware of is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which outlaws certain monetary transfers between internet betting sites. This law does not really affect whether sportsbooks can legally function in the United States. For our intents and purposes, it really only affects payouts and withdrawals from online gaming sites. Because of the UIGEA, you cannot legally use credit or debit cards to make sportsbook withdrawals. This is nothing but a minor niggle though, as the overseas sports betting sites that you will be using all offer a myriad of legal alternatives for withdrawing your winnings.
Even with these laws in place, some great online sportsbook options exist. They are legal because they do not operate on US soil, and safe because they are established businesses that have been operating for decades. The fact that these sportsbooks function overseas shouldn’t scare you, though, because these are some of the most reputable sites you’ll find. They all have valid licenses and are regulated by gaming commissions, and many of them have won awards and certificates of good standing from their home countries. These sites have millions of members, and they take customer satisfaction very seriously.
Bovada is one of our very favorite sites, an online sportsbook with panache, pizazz, class, and just the right amount of sass. For years, sports betting fans have been flocking to Bovada en masse. The site is known to pay out winnings very fast. If you want a sports betting site that is safe, legitimate, and packed with fun features, Bovada is at the head of the class. Their sportsbook is comprehensive and easy to use, and their wager and odds types are varied. Bonuses abound at Bovada, as do cool features like mobile and live betting.
Bovada has been around for a very long time. It is one of the original betting sites. Even twenty-plus years down the road, Bovada is continuing to improve and evolve, offering their customers the very best in interactive online gaming. You can choose from about two dozen sports and games, a dozen or so wager types, and more bonuses than you will find at just about any other site. Our favorite bonus for new players is the $250 welcome reward, which is good for your first American sportsbook deposit. The rollover is only 5x, which is pretty low for a rollover (this just means that you have to spend five times the amount of your bonus/deposit before you can use it). All you have to do is let the cashier know that you want to take part, and you are ready to roll!
At BetOnline, you can play the odds like nobody’s business. It’s the perfect set for the high-rolling betting professional. BetOnline has been around for 25 years now. To be in business that long, they must be doing something right. Based in Panama City, Panama, BetOnline is geared toward American players. It is completely legal as long as you are at least 18. You don’t have to pay any money to sign up, and you’ll even get a bonus for doing so!
The 25 percent welcome bonus is the perfect introduction for new players. This American online sportsbook bonus is tailor-made for those that want to start wagering fast, and with some extra financial padding. In order to claim it, use the promo code “FIRST”, and email it to the site when you make your first deposit. This bonus works for deposits between $50 and $1,000. There is a rollover requirement of 10x, which means that you are required to spend ten times the amount of the bonus/deposit before using it. Another bonus that we really love is the 50 percent reload bonus, which gives you half of your plays free for every deposit between $50 and $1,000. This is similar to the welcome bonus, only it actually a lifetime reward, meaning you can use it every time you make a deposit and it never goes away.
Yes, American online sportsbooks are very safe. We’ve been through all of the legal stuff, so we don’t really need to cover any more of that. But, how do you know that your money and personal information is safe? That’s easy. Each of the sites that we vouch for uses only the best and most current security features. This includes encryption, sometimes known as ciphertext, which takes the site information and turns it into a coded digital language, which is indecipherable without a special key. Firewalls prevent intrusion from outside members. Traffic in and out of the site is monitored 24 hours a day to prevent hackers from stealing your information. All of these sites have gaming certificates and are highly regulated by the gaming industry, so you have nothing at all to worry about.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Bet On Sports In America?
This all depends on what state you live in. The bare minimum is 18. If you live in one of the states (and there are a few) that do not have any age laws or the law is vague, 18 is the standard set by the sites themselves. Most states, however, set the age a bit higher than that (usually 21). There are a few states that specify the age as “somewhere between 18 and 21,” in which case your best option is to contact your local representative in order to find out exactly how old you have to be. Also, make sure that your password is strong so that your kids or other peoples’ kids can’t easily figure it out and log onto the site. The important thing here is to cover all your bases and just use your head.
All of the land-based sportsbook options are in Nevada and Delaware (although Delaware is pretty limited). Las Vegas and Reno are two sports betting meccas, featuring some of the glitziest and most larger-than-life casinos, many of which have their own sportsbooks. Land-based sportsbooks are definitely fun and cool, and probably should be experienced at least once. The party-friendly atmosphere, good food and drinks, posh hotels, shows and entertainment options, etc. all make Las Vegas a veritable betting destination. Casinos such as the MGM Grand, Caesar’s Palace, El Dorado, the Grand Sierra and the Atlantis are all pretty spectacular. However, if you don’t care so much about the glitzy lights and neon atmosphere, you might as well stay home and join an online betting site.
In the end, it all just comes down to what sort of experience you want. If you don’t care to be social and would rather do your thing from the comfort of your home, online sportsbooks are the way to go. However, if you are the type of person who values an overall experience (of which sports betting is merely a part of), then definitely go have fun in Nevada. You just have to be careful not to blow all your money in a weekend (believe me; this happens to a lot of people). If you don’t have the means to drop a roll of Benjamins on Vegas weekend, you’d be better off joining an online site. Online sites are awesome, by the way. In some ways, they are actually better than land-based sportsbooks. While you don’t get the neon essence of Sin City, you will get bonuses that will end up saving you a ton of money. You can also use mobile betting and live in-game play to bring a whole new level of portability and interactivity to your wagering experience.