Sports Betting Regulations
For many of us in the good ole U.S. of A., sports betting is considered a national pastime. Fans of every competitive event have been putting money down on them for centuries. We are here to tell you about the best sportsbooks in the US, of which there are many. However, you also need to know about the laws that surround them. Much has changed since the days when you could find a legitimate bookie in every corner store. Much of this has to so with the escalation of mafia activity in the gambling world throughout the mid-20th century. Certain laws were created to debilitate their evil-doings, but these restrictions also limited the number of legal spots for us to place bets.
This page is going to give you a full understanding of what you can and cannot do in the states. Rest assured, millions of Americans are betting on sports every day because they know where to find legitimate books. After reading this, you will be one of them. Some unfortunate and probably illiterate people have spread misinformation about the legality of bookmaking and sports betting in the US. You may have heard some of this conjecture, but we will banish any trepidations you may have about entering the profitable and legal world of playing the odds in America.
Ever since criminal syndicates took interest in the gambling industry, the federal government has had to crack down. We are going to take a look at the three big laws that have to do with sports betting in America. Once you understand these regulations, you will understand where and how you can get in on some safe wagering action.
The Wire Act
The Wire Act was a direct response from our government to the increasing problems posed by organized crime. The law restricts the use of wire communication devices involved with betting. This was one of the mafia’s biggest tools for money laundering. These days, the Wire Act only affects sportsbooks by disallowing them to transfer information across state lines. It has no effect on the online books that you will be using, because the fall out of the Act’s jurisdiction.
The Professional And Amateur Sports Protection Act
This law, as you might’ve guessed from the name, is directly involved with sports betting. In 1996, the federal government deemed wagering on games a hindrance to the players and the bettors. PASPA resulted in the elimination of regulated land-based bookmaking in all but two states, Delaware and Nevada. This leaves most players out of luck that don’t live in or near those states. Luckily, the online books that we review here usually accept residents of all 50 sports betting states. They are your answer if you don’t feel like travelling to Nevada every time you want to drop a wad on the Celtics.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
The last law you should be aware of is the UIGEA, which only affects you in the slightest of ways. While it basically makes online sportsbooks extinct in America, it does not have any effect on the overseas sites. The only time the UIGEA comes into play is when you are requesting a payout. Since the site will be sending money into the states, it will come back into the jurisdiction of federal law. This only means that you cannot withdraw using a credit or debit card. However, these sites offer numerous US sportsbook payout methods that are just as safe, fast, and legal.
State Laws For Using Online Sportsbooks
Here is where you will find some more good news. Since the federal government has its foot planted so firmly in the U.S. sports betting industry, the individual states don’t need to create any laws or restrictions. While some states do have laws that restrict bookmaking, none of them specifically restrict anyone from using a legal sportsbook. Therefore, as long as you aren’t taking bets from people, and you are using a trusted sports betting site, you will be fine.
One thing you will want to be aware of is your state betting age, if it has one. Some states do require players to be 21. Check your local laws, because most online sportsbooks accept anyone over 18. If your state requires a different age, it will be wise to make sure you are above it
Now that you are up to speed on what you can and can’t do, it is time to take a look at the best legal online sportsbooks in the world. We have handpicked these sites through a process of elimination. They reflect years of experience using online bookmakers, and we have saved only the best that we have come across. Join any one of these sites today, and you can thank us later… when you are rich.
Bovada is a sports bettor’s sportsbook. Meaning the long-time aficionados choose this site over the rest. This has to do just as much with the industry-best odds as it does with the ease of use and amazing US sportsbook bonuses. The site is historic in the online bookmaking world. Established in 1992, Bovada has steadily accumulated a massive following worldwide. The site accepts bettors from every state in the US except for Delaware, New Jersey, Nevada, and Maryland. If you are in any of these states, there are plenty of sites that will accept you, just check the rest of our reviews.
Bovada has an amazing $250 welcome bonus that can add some juice to your bankroll. Make a first deposit of $50 or more and you will be in for some extra cash. There is a 5X rollover requirement for this promotion, meaning you will have to wager the bonus amount five times before it becomes available to withdrawal. Still, if you are as big of a sports nut as me, it shouldn’t take you any time at all to meet this requirement.
There are plenty of sites that have been doing this for a long time, but some of them degenerate into da-old bread pretty quick. BetOnline is not one of these sites, and they have only gotten better with age, like fine wine. The sportsbook is massive, offering odds on everything from the NFL to pro wrestling. You can even find lines on entertainment events and political competitions. The options are endless at BetOnline, and we know you will find something to love no matter what you are in to.
Your first stop after joining BetOnline should be the cashier. This is where you can choose from a slew of US sportsbook deposit options to get your account funded quickly. Browse the various methods and then take a look at the promotions page. You will see a whopping 25% welcome bonus that can earn you up to $1,000 bonus bucks. Just enter the code "FIRST" when you make you initial deposit, and you will be on the road to riches.