As explained under the PASPA section, state sports betting laws in the United States are set on the state level. This can cause very different industries offered despite states being neighbors to each other. For example, bettors in Rhode Island can begin wagering at 18, while those in New Jersey must be 21 to get started. Likewise, bettors in Iowa are not permitted to wager on prop bets involving collegiate athletes, while a state like Oregon allows for betting on any collegiate sport, depending on which sportsbook in the state you use. Finding out these differences can be a challenge but we have designed this entire page for your benefit. Use them as your reference but as always, consult a legal professional about your current situation if you are unsure.
One major thing to understand is that, while some restrictions are placed on the sportsbooks (for example, Iowa's rules against prop betting), some restrictions are placed on you (for example, legal gambling age). The restrictions that are placed on the sportsbooks can be resolved by using a sportsbook outside of the US, but the restrictions that are placed on you cannot be resolved. Using those examples, if you wanted to bet on college prop bets in Iowa, you could use a sportsbook located outside of the US, that was not subject to those restrictions. However, if you wanted to bet before you turned 21 in New Jersey, you cannot do that regardless of where the sportsbook you are using is located.
Legal Sports Betting Across The Nation
As of 2020, there are 23 states in the country that have some form of state-sanctioned legal sports betting. More states are in the process of trying to legalize industries of their own since PASPA was overturned in 2018. But, with or without a legal sportsbook presence in any state in the nation, gambling on sporting events is still legal. How? With the use of offshore internet sportsbooks. These sports betting sites have been in business for decades and are available nationwide for a safe, legal, and regulated sports betting option for the people of the United States. Regardless of where a state lies on the issue of wagering on sports matchups, these platforms will always be legal for sports bettors to use for gambling on sports.
Legal Sports Betting Age In The United States
No matter what state you live in, you must adhere to the legal sports betting age in the United States. While most people think this is generally set at 21, they would be incorrect. Most states do permit players to enter casinos and other gambling establishments at age 21 to bet on sports, but there are a handful of states that allow players as young as 18 to gamble. It doesn't matter whether the sports bettor is using a mobile device or visiting the land-based facility, the sportsbook age is set by the state.
In Michigan, sports gambling became legal in March 2020. In the usual style, both Indiana and Michigan gave their first set of mobile betting licenses to local casinos. However, they plan to provide more licenses in the future, including to foreign brands interested in operating in local jurisdictions. Nearly two years after the US Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on legal sports betting, nearly 75% of US states have either legalized sports wagering or introduced legislation to do so.
This includes when players use offshore betting sites for their gambling needs. Nearly every sportsbook will allow those who are 18 to sign up and begin wagering at their sites but it is up to the player to determine their own legality. If one is betting on horses, they would legally be permitted to wager at 18, however, those who are attempting to bet on sports should wait until they are following the local laws. Despite being able to wager, those who are 21 and caught underage sports betting will have their account terminated and potentially may have their winnings confiscated as well.
How Old Do I Need To Be To Play NCAA Tournament Bracket Games For Cash?
Playing bracket games or Super Bowl squares may come off as gambling and, in a technical sense, it is. For those playing for smaller prize pools and are entertaining a group of friends, it is unlikely that anything will happen to you when setting up and playing these types of games. Nobody's going to call the feds on your office pool. Even if large prize pools are involved, the state can determine the game to be considered gambling. However, in most cases, these setups are considered social gambling, where states may limit how much a buy-in or how much the total winner can collect from the game.
Texas holdem hands high to low. The basic rule is that as long as the house isn't taking a cut, there should be no issues when looking to play NCAA tournament bracket games for cash. Similarly, there are plenty of online sportsbooks that offer NCAA tournament bracket games, and those sportsbooks are generally legal to use. When it comes to age, you'll want to be above the legal gambling age in your state. If your state does not define that age, assume it to be 21. Most states do have a defined legal gambling age, however, and it is usually either 18 or 21. If you're older than 21, you're good - just make sure you're obeying the law.
Federal Wire Act And The Effect It Has On Internet Sports Gambling
The Federal Wire Act was put into law in 1961 and is one of the biggest issues in the sports betting industry today. As the law was established in the 1960s, it is quite outdated, yet the US government still uses it to crack down on gambling establishments. In short, this law prevents sportsbooks from accepting a wager from those who are not physically located within the state – and this includes the use of mobile betting.
States that have approved mobile sports betting will geolocate a user's phone before accepting their wager and there is literally zero way around this law. The Wire Act does not target the gambler, so those who are attempting to wager from outside of state lines should not worry, but instead, it focuses on the sportsbook itself. This law was established to prevent mobsters and underground sports betting operations from hiding their money and transferring it across state lines. While this is not the issue that the law control today, it still holds true and may inhibit your ability to bet on sports. As for the offshore betting sites, this US law has zero jurisdiction over the overseas sportsbooks, so they will accept bettors from anywhere within the US.
Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act
Perhaps the most important law in the sports betting world, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) seemed like the end of the gambling industry in the country. This law (in order to protect the integrity of professional and collegiate sports) made it that states could not offer a state-operated sports betting industry. States like Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana were exempt from this law, as they already had sports betting laws on their books and were grandfathered in. However, as Nevada was the only state that accepted single-game wagering and not a parlay style game, it quickly became the sports betting monopoly it is known for.
Now that PASPA has been repealed (May 2018), states have the right to facilitate their own sports betting laws and regulate their own industry how they see fit. With PASPA gone, many states were quick to legalize sports betting and a handful more are researching the best methods to bring the industry into a tax contributing necessity. This law being repealed is the only reason why the sports betting market has continued to grow immensely since 2018.
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) may seem like a law that prevents sports betting from happening but it couldn't be further from the truth. Designed to scare bettors, this law worked for many years until sports bettors realized just exactly what the law entailed. Despite the strong wording in its name, UIGEA only prevents US banks from knowingly processing payments to offshore gambling sites. This includes sports betting sites as well as horse racing betting sites and even online casinos.
UIGEA may be a deterrent for sports bettors but there are many ways around it. To know if you have been a victim of UIGEA is quite easy, as your credit card will be declined when you attempt to deposit with one of our recommended sites. Don't worry, your card will still be operational and nobody will be coming knocking on your door. Instead, call up the desired sportsbook and they will explain their various deposit (and withdrawal) methods that are welcomed without a bank being the middle man. Methods like Bitcoin, Money Orders, and other possibilities exist, as the sportsbook and the gambler can make their connection and get you, the sports bettor, started.
State Sports Betting Laws In The United States
Is Sports Gambling Legal In South Dakota
As explained under the PASPA section, state sports betting laws in the United States are set on the state level. This can cause for very different industries offered despite states being neighbors to each other. For example, bettors in Rhode Island can begin wagering at 18, while those in New Jersey must be 21 to get started. Likewise, bettors in Iowa are not permitted to wager on prop bets involving collegiate athletes, while a state like Oregon allows for betting on any collegiate sport, depending on which sportsbook in the state you use. Finding out these differences can be a challenge but we have designed this entire page for your benefit. Use them as your reference but as always, consult a legal professional about your current situation if you are unsure.
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Online sports betting in the US is regulated at a state level. It hasn't always been that way—the Supreme Court provided leeway for states to authorize betting in 2018 by striking off the PASPA Act of 1992.
Under PASPA, only a handful of states could host sportsbooks. Post PASPA, at least 18 states have legalized sports gambling. How many of them allow online betting? Fifteen states permit mobile betting. Below is an overview of these states, allowed wagering markets, and how to choose a suitable sports book.
Nevada and Delaware
Nevada and Delaware were both exempted from PASPA. However, they've since adjusted their laws to allow online betting and expand betting markets in the case of Delaware. Precisely, the Diamond State no longer limits punters to football parlays alone.
They can wager on money line, totals, spreads and props bet types. And not just football—they could also wager on soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing and athletics.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania
New Jersey and Pennsylvania are home to America's best online sportsbooks. You see, Nevada mainly permits land-based bookmakers to offer their services online. It seldom welcomes brands that only focus on mobile betting.
In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, land-based sportsbooks compete with Internet-based brands for betting licenses. As a result, there's a wider range of bookies in these states than in many jurisdictions countrywide.
Colorado and Illinois
Both Colorado and Illinois legalized sports betting in 2020. In Colorado, the first sportsbook went live on May 1, a time when many sports leagues had suspended game over COVID-19 fears.
Illinois permitted online sports betting back in March. However, the Land of Lincoln plans to license land-based casinos first before allowing mobile betting. Either way, punters in Illinois can rest assured their state are taking care of their needs.
Indiana and Michigan
Indiana welcomed its first sportsbooks in September 2019. It permits betting on college and professional sports. But it prohibits the wagering of high school sports and eSports in general. In Michigan, sports gambling became legal in March 2020.
In the usual style, both Indiana and Michigan gave their first set of mobile betting licenses to local casinos. However, they plan to provide more licenses in the future, including to foreign brands interested in operating in local jurisdictions.
Iowa and New Hampshire
In Iowa, nearly all local casinos were prepared to provide sports betting immediately it became legal in August last year. In all fairness, Gov. Kim Reynolds had already signed the necessary papers three months earlier.
In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununo placed the first legal sports bet in the state on Dec, 2019. You can wager on both college and professional sports. The only exemption is wagering on games for colleges based in New Hampshire.
Tennessee, Oregon and West Virginia
Tennessee has interested sports betting laws. It prohibits in-person wagering but allows online sportsbooks since Nov 1, 2020. Oregon legalized the industry in December last year, permitting both in-person and mobile betting.
In West Virginia, all forms of online gambling are legal. That means not only can you bet on sports online; but you could also play slots, blackjack, poker and roulette. There are not many casinos and sportsbooks in WV, though, only five.
How to Choose a Sportsbook in the US
The best way to find a reliable online sportsbook in the US without wasting time is by reading reviews. They do they hard work of evaluating various betting companies and then rank the best sites for you.
If you live in one of the online betting friendly states we mentioned above, visit betting.us to discover the best sportsbook for you. The site breaks down sports betting laws by state. And it also includes some helpful guides on how to find bonuses.
If you want to know how to find a reliable bookmaker on your own, use these tips:
Check for a Valid License
In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, there are too many betting sites that you can't know all their names. In these cases, check the license numbers at the bottom of their websites. NJ betting companies have licenses from the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).
PA sportsbooks have licenses from the Gaming Control Board (PGCB). To be clear, click valid license numbers are linked to the official DGE and PGCB websites.
A User Friendly Website and App
A bookie's app or website design is important for one obvious reason. It is where you place your bets. If it's neat, fast and user-friendly, you'll feel comfortable betting at your convenience. If it crashes often, it could make you lose money.
Against that backdrop, compare several websites before you create an account at one of them. You don't have to deposit money at the sites. Navigate through their interfaces to observe web page loading speeds, features and performance.
Free Bets and Bonuses
So, you want to bet on sports without using cash? Claim free bets online. Not every sportsbook is generous enough to let you bet for free. So, shop around to find a top-rated bookmaker with bonuses.
Crucially, these bonuses come with caveats. For example, there might be conditions on the types of odds to target, whether to bet on LaLiga or Premier League games, the maximum you can withdraw and wagering requirements.
Competitive Odds
Many new sports punters pay little attention to odds when choosing a sportsbook. Yet, odds are the things that determine how much you win from bets. If the odds are competitive, you win decent amounts.
Is Sports Gambling Legal In South Dakota
As explained under the PASPA section, state sports betting laws in the United States are set on the state level. This can cause for very different industries offered despite states being neighbors to each other. For example, bettors in Rhode Island can begin wagering at 18, while those in New Jersey must be 21 to get started. Likewise, bettors in Iowa are not permitted to wager on prop bets involving collegiate athletes, while a state like Oregon allows for betting on any collegiate sport, depending on which sportsbook in the state you use. Finding out these differences can be a challenge but we have designed this entire page for your benefit. Use them as your reference but as always, consult a legal professional about your current situation if you are unsure.
Legal Sports Betting Sites
| Legal Sportsbooks | New U.S. Player Bonus | Go To U.S. Betting Site |
|---|
| Review | 50% Up To $250 |
| Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! |
| Review | 50% New Member Bonus! |
| Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! |
| Review | 100% Up To $300 |
| Review | 100% Up To $500 NEW! |
Online sports betting in the US is regulated at a state level. It hasn't always been that way—the Supreme Court provided leeway for states to authorize betting in 2018 by striking off the PASPA Act of 1992.
Under PASPA, only a handful of states could host sportsbooks. Post PASPA, at least 18 states have legalized sports gambling. How many of them allow online betting? Fifteen states permit mobile betting. Below is an overview of these states, allowed wagering markets, and how to choose a suitable sports book.
Nevada and Delaware
Nevada and Delaware were both exempted from PASPA. However, they've since adjusted their laws to allow online betting and expand betting markets in the case of Delaware. Precisely, the Diamond State no longer limits punters to football parlays alone.
They can wager on money line, totals, spreads and props bet types. And not just football—they could also wager on soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing and athletics.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania
New Jersey and Pennsylvania are home to America's best online sportsbooks. You see, Nevada mainly permits land-based bookmakers to offer their services online. It seldom welcomes brands that only focus on mobile betting.
In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, land-based sportsbooks compete with Internet-based brands for betting licenses. As a result, there's a wider range of bookies in these states than in many jurisdictions countrywide.
Colorado and Illinois
Both Colorado and Illinois legalized sports betting in 2020. In Colorado, the first sportsbook went live on May 1, a time when many sports leagues had suspended game over COVID-19 fears.
Illinois permitted online sports betting back in March. However, the Land of Lincoln plans to license land-based casinos first before allowing mobile betting. Either way, punters in Illinois can rest assured their state are taking care of their needs.
Indiana and Michigan
Indiana welcomed its first sportsbooks in September 2019. It permits betting on college and professional sports. But it prohibits the wagering of high school sports and eSports in general. In Michigan, sports gambling became legal in March 2020.
In the usual style, both Indiana and Michigan gave their first set of mobile betting licenses to local casinos. However, they plan to provide more licenses in the future, including to foreign brands interested in operating in local jurisdictions.
Iowa and New Hampshire
In Iowa, nearly all local casinos were prepared to provide sports betting immediately it became legal in August last year. In all fairness, Gov. Kim Reynolds had already signed the necessary papers three months earlier.
In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununo placed the first legal sports bet in the state on Dec, 2019. You can wager on both college and professional sports. The only exemption is wagering on games for colleges based in New Hampshire.
Tennessee, Oregon and West Virginia
Tennessee has interested sports betting laws. It prohibits in-person wagering but allows online sportsbooks since Nov 1, 2020. Oregon legalized the industry in December last year, permitting both in-person and mobile betting.
In West Virginia, all forms of online gambling are legal. That means not only can you bet on sports online; but you could also play slots, blackjack, poker and roulette. There are not many casinos and sportsbooks in WV, though, only five.
How to Choose a Sportsbook in the US
The best way to find a reliable online sportsbook in the US without wasting time is by reading reviews. They do they hard work of evaluating various betting companies and then rank the best sites for you.
If you live in one of the online betting friendly states we mentioned above, visit betting.us to discover the best sportsbook for you. The site breaks down sports betting laws by state. And it also includes some helpful guides on how to find bonuses.
If you want to know how to find a reliable bookmaker on your own, use these tips:
Check for a Valid License
In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, there are too many betting sites that you can't know all their names. In these cases, check the license numbers at the bottom of their websites. NJ betting companies have licenses from the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).
PA sportsbooks have licenses from the Gaming Control Board (PGCB). To be clear, click valid license numbers are linked to the official DGE and PGCB websites.
A User Friendly Website and App
A bookie's app or website design is important for one obvious reason. It is where you place your bets. If it's neat, fast and user-friendly, you'll feel comfortable betting at your convenience. If it crashes often, it could make you lose money.
Against that backdrop, compare several websites before you create an account at one of them. You don't have to deposit money at the sites. Navigate through their interfaces to observe web page loading speeds, features and performance.
Free Bets and Bonuses
So, you want to bet on sports without using cash? Claim free bets online. Not every sportsbook is generous enough to let you bet for free. So, shop around to find a top-rated bookmaker with bonuses.
Crucially, these bonuses come with caveats. For example, there might be conditions on the types of odds to target, whether to bet on LaLiga or Premier League games, the maximum you can withdraw and wagering requirements.
Competitive Odds
Many new sports punters pay little attention to odds when choosing a sportsbook. Yet, odds are the things that determine how much you win from bets. If the odds are competitive, you win decent amounts.
Is Sports Gambling Legal In Us States
What's more, competitive odds increase your profits over time. If the football odds are poor, you win less money than people at other betting apps. This is something you should avoid.
Banking Options
What payment methods does a sportsbook support? If you like credit cards, fin a website that supports Visa or MasterCard. If you're an e-wallet person, choose a site that supports PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, or Paysafe.
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Still on banking; look at the policies provided. For example, how much does the company charge in withdrawal fees? What's the maximum you can withdraw?
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