Legal Sportsbooks in the U.S.
The United States has long been known as a melting pot of different cultures and traditions, and a look out your window can reassure you of that every day. It's no surprise then that with all different groups and regions thrown together, that we host one of the biggest and most diverse sports communities in the world. With a nation of avid sports fans, it's a shame that most U.S. residents are unaware that there are several ways to enjoy a legal and safe sports betting hobby when using legal sportsbooks for USA players. Instead of wishing you had a way to put money on sports games, or even worse, seeking out ways to wager that can put you and your money in danger, turn to the same place millions of Americans do each year...the Internet.
Here at LegalUSSportsbooks.com, our goal is to provide our readers with trusted sports betting sites that will accept them, while educating them about why wagering sports online is perfectly safe to do. Along the way we'll discuss betting laws on not just the Federal level, but also how the laws change from state to state. Ultimately, we want all who visit this site to leave with a better understanding of the best and safest way to place a wager once you've made the decision to bet. All of the information within this site comes from years of first-hand experience and is meant for reference purposes only. Let's get started with the question we get asked most:
The first thing most U.S. residents want to know is the legal status of placing a wager on a sports event. Why is it possible to make a wager online when there is so much information to the contrary is floating around?
The answer generally stems from a poor understanding of the Federal laws that affect sports betting here in the States. While there are three major laws that affect the legality of sports betting you can read more about in our “legal” section, the essential thing to know is that there is no law against placing a wager on any sports event. The laws in play merely affect the facilitation of sports betting and not the participation in it. This means that while bookmakers and business owners in the United States who will take, organize, and stand to make a profit off betting without placing any wagers on it themselves may be punished by law, an honest citizen who puts money down on a sports game is safe from legal prosecution.
How then, are the sportsbooks we recommend able to operate as legitimate businesses? As overseas operations, none of these betting sites are held accountable by U.S. Federal betting laws, and are therefore free to operate as legitimate businesses free from the laws that may restrict or forbid stateside betting.
Learn More: Is Sports Betting Legal?
Those looking for the most trusted name in American online sports wagering go to Bovada. Over the years, the Bovada name has become synonymous with sports betting, endorsed by major news networks like CBS Sports and the USA Today. This sports betting site has worked hard to build up its reputation as one of the most American friendly sportsbooks in the world, and they aren't willing to give that up just to cheat a player out of a payout. Unfortunately, Bovada's online sportsbook is closed to five (5) U.S. states: Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Nevada. If you happen to fall into this category, don't fear because there are plenty of acceptable replacements further down this page.
Once you've made the decision to register with Bovada, your account will not only grant access to one of the most user-friendly, well formatted sportsbooks on the market, you will start up a relationship with a company that truly values your business. To show this, Bovada is set to match each user's initial deposit by 50% for up to $250 in freeplay...a great deal by any standard. This bonus has one of the lowest wagering requirements found anywhere, and deposits as low as $20 qualify. This sportsbook also has similar promotions for its existing users, so the bonuses really never stop
BetOnline is another terrific sports betting site for U.S. players that will offer you a 25% bonus with your deposit – for life. That's right, as long as you hold an account with BetOnline, you are entitled to lifetime 25% bonus in free play for every single deposit you make. That's up to $1000 in free money for every single deposit that you make. That's on top of the high standard of service BetOnline usually provides, offering a diverse set of props and betting lines that put even the sportsbooks in Las Vegas to shame.
If this sounds like a good fit then you will be happy to know that BetOnline welcomes new players from all 50 U.S. States. As long as you are at least 18 years old, or the minimum age to gamble in your local jurisdiction, you will be able to register for a free account without having to provide any financial information. Payment details will not be required until the user decides to proceed with wagering real-money and makes a deposit into their account; sign up and proceed to BetOnline's cashier for more details.
When you simply can't decide, just go with your instincts! That's the idea behind SportsBetting...make it extremely simple to understand what their website is all about. While simple is usually better, don't think this is just another online sportsbook accepting U.S. residents...this sports betting site excels in all marks of quality. Besides accepting players from all 50 states (18+), SportsBetting is primarily known for accepting fans of many different types of sports and wagering. As diverse as they come, this sportsbook is first class when it comes to betting on NFL but is still aware of sports like soccer, rugby and others, which are very popular in certain parts of the world.
Not only will SportsBetting provide users with a great deal of game lines and odds to bet on, but they will also provide customer service is second to none – from sportsbooks to internet providers to the U.S. government – in the world. In addition to support via phone or email, SportsBetting will give you access to a web chat service that can connect you with a live human being that is ready to help you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whenever you have a question related to your account, be it about a deposit, withdrawal, a bet, or anything in between, you will have access to a live human being. Very few companies will ever match that level of dedication.
Though we've explained that it is not against the law for a bettor to place a wager, many still are curious about the Federal sports betting laws in the U.S. What do the laws say? Do they apply to all Americans the same way? Why is land-based sports betting only allowed in Nevada and Delaware? Well, we've got a section devoted to the topic where readers will find the answers to these questions and more.
Follow along and LegalUSSportsbooks.com will take you through the ins-and-outs of the laws including the Federal Wire Act of 1961, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. Additionally, there will be sports betting laws at the state level, mainly the age to wager, which will be talked about as well.
Once you open an account with any of these reputable and established sportsbooks, you'll need to know how to get your money safely and legally flowing in and out of them. If you paid attention in our legal section here, you may have gathered that it's not always as easy as simply loading up your overseas account via your bank card and then withdrawing. Although in many cases you will be able to add funds to your U.S. online sportsbook account simply using your bank or credit card, sportsbook withdrawals can sometimes be more complicated. You may be asked to take your payout in the form of a mailed check, a loaded gift card, or a third party wire transfer. This can be stressful for new users, but rest assured that these legitimate overseas businesses have been in operation for years, and have always managed to get the proper amount of money owed to their valued clients.
The good news about deposit and withdrawal methods is that many of the best sportsbooks for United States residents recognize that the process is a bit of a hassle, and will do their best to help you along. You'll find that a lot of these businesses will offer perks, such as cutting you a check of your winnings for free once a month, or giving a 24 hour turnaround on a gift card withdrawal. These betting sites value your business, and just like all the best casinos in Las Vegas, want to ensure you stick around to bet with them by offering all kinds of incentive programs and perks that you can read more about in our “rewards” section.
If you have further questions about funds moving in and out of your account, be sure and check our sportsbook deposits pages that are dedicated to funds transfers where there will be a more detailed overview about adding and removing funds to and from your favorite online sportsbook.
Just like the casino sportsbooks in Vegas have promotions to keep you wagering with them, online sportsbooks have the same, if not better. All of the sports betting sites listed on our pages are setup with a "Welcome" bonus which is granted whenever new users decide to make their first deposit into the sportsbook. Usually these bonuses are worth hundreds, or in some cases thousands of dollars, and can be used to make even more free money by increasing the amount or frequency you wager...that's just for starters!
Check out all the different ways that online sportsbooks reward their users in our guide to sports betting bonuses. Everything from the biggest welcome/sign up bonuses are covered, in addition to the sports betting sites that have loyalty programs, reload bonuses, and other special opportunities to increase your bankroll. Don't be afraid to make your choice based on promotions; many Americans go for the sportsbook that can offer the most bang for their buck.
With all of the perks that the high grade sports betting sites for American citizens offer, it's no wonder that most bettors, from the casual to those who make betting their primary means of income, have come to prefer betting online. Not only are you able to do it from the comfort of your own home no matter which state you live in, the full legality and legitimacy of the businesses offers the bettor the most freedom when it comes to placing their wagers. State laws in Delaware and Las Vegas can make land based betting a real hassle, but they can be easily worked around by betting online. Join the millions of U.S. residents who have an account with an online sportsbook today, and see what all the fuss is about.