States With Sports Betting in the USA
If you want to know where to find all the best sportsbooks in the US, you have come to the right page. Betting on sports has a long and complicated past, sometimes being cast as the hero and the villain. Things are rapidly changing for bookmakers, with lobbyists, politicians, and the public clamoring for legalization on a federal level. Whether you are an avid fan or just a curious potential risk-taker, things are changing to make the life of a sports bettor much easier and way more profitable.
Federal law at this point prohibits the establishment of a sportsbook in most states. However, four states have the option to have betting venues, but only two have actually used it. Delaware and Nevada both have land-based books, although these venues are limited in convenience and betting availability. Online sports betting sites can be the legal equivalent, with all the benefits and then some of a local casino.
In this article, we will go more in depth about the things I just mentioned above, as well as where and how you can bet on sports in your state. We will cover the state laws in context to wagering, and what the federal guidelines are and how you can avoid breaking them. I will also include some reviews for online books that have proven to be trustworthy and reputable within the gaming community.
You can certainly bet on sports in your state. However, each state has different regulations and restrictions, so you will need to check what the requirements are. I mentioned federal law briefly, so now I will elaborate. PASPA, or the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, is the mandate that restricts the owning or operating of a sportsbook domestically in the US. After this law was passed, four states were allowed to keep their exempt status. Only two states opened betting to the public though, although New Jersey is fighting right now to use its exemption status to open a book or two of its own.
So, if you do not live or have the means to travel to either Nevada or Delaware, I am afraid your options for local sports betting is very limited. If you want the convenience and least amount of limitations on your bets, you should consider an offshore online betting venue like one of the many presented here. Many of the books that are on this website accept all US players as long as they are 18 years old or over.
State Laws Regarding Sports Betting
With PASPA in place, most of the states do not have specific laws regarding sports betting, but some are strict when it comes to wagering of any kind. For instance, states like Utah, Washington, and Hawaii have tough restrictions on any type of betting; even bingo is banned. Do not let this put a damper on things though, because you can still wager with offshore online sportsbooks.
There are no state laws that say that US players cannot bet on an overseas site. This all might sound complicated, and it is in some ways. However, not so much that you should have anxiety over using one of these sites. The venues presented here welcome everyone, and have just as much if not more than land-based books have to offer.
Federal Laws Regarding Sports Betting
One of the earliest of federal mandates passed regarding betting was the 1961 Wire Act. This act made it unlawful to transmit betting information using wire telecommunication from state to state. The original intent of this law was to keep criminals from influencing sporting events, officials, and athletes. Now it mostly just hinders responsible bookmakers from operating legitimately within their state. This is the main reason that local betting is not an option, because in order to operate a venue they could not transfer any information over state lines.
Another piece of legislation is the UIGEA or the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which does not affect bettors, but the way a wagering domain can pay its members. When you request a payout with a US sportsbook, it is prohibited for them to pay you with a credit card. This is the only restriction at this time that this mandate imposes. All of the federal laws regarding sports betting only affect the book or bookmaker, not the player or bettor. You will not get into trouble for wagering with an online book, only if you operate one in America. If you would like to know more check out our federal laws page.
Some of the best sportsbooks in the US are linked right here on this site. Each of the domains that we review and feature are unique and offer something different to new and potential bettors. These sites are all regulated in their countries, and hold licenses. They are also audited regularly to ensure fair gaming and security practices, this is to confirm that members are safe and that their information is protected. Millions of members have already joined these betting venues, and have reaped the benefits for years, now it is your turn.
In this review, I am going to tell you why 5Dimes is a well-established and respected sportsbook within the gaming community. Launched in 1996, this site has been in good legal standing for almost 20 years. Fully licensed and accredited it is no wonder it is held in such high esteem. 5Dimes accepts memberships from all 50 states, and only requires that you 18 to join.
Signing up with this illustrious site is free and once you have made your first US sportsbook deposit, you can redeem a special 50% new player bonus. This bonus is can increase your bankroll up to $520 in free play rewards. That means you will have more opportunities to make more money! They also have the reduced juice reward that reduces the industry standard intake by half. You are not obligated to take any of these great sportsbook bonuses, but if you do make sure that, you read all of the requirements. 5Dimes offers tons of other great bonuses and rewards, as well as features you just cannot get at an ordinary sports betting venue. Sign up free and find out more!
BetOnline will be the subject of this review, and we will go over the many fantastic reasons this site is the sportsbook for you. BetOnline welcomes bettors from all states, and lets you sign up for free. This book carries over a thousand betting options; from the big four leagues, to golf, to the Olympics, and even entertainment and politics. You will never run out of things to look forward to with this books constantly updated game, money, and bet lines.
Just like with sports options, you can expect to have the most in wagering types like teasers, special teasers, pleasers, futures, reverses, etc. Not to mention, that this book has great rewards like its 25% welcome bonus that can increase your account by $1000. You do not have to take this reward, but it will certainly help you out. They also offer a $50 mobile betting bonus that you can get for just using their mobile betting app! Mobile betting is one latest trends to keep you connected to your betting venue, this lets you manage your account and place wagers all from your phone. Join BetOnline to learn more about this new feature.