Sportsbook Usa Legal

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?

Online sports betting is legal in the United States, and it is fully regulated in a few states so far (i.e. Nevada, New Jersey, West Virginia). This aspect is naturally taking longer to roll out than most states’ brick-and-mortar sports betting ventures. Sports' Leagues Stance on Legal Sports Betting After the ban on sports betting was lifted in May 2018, many sports leagues representatives were fighting tooth and claw to reinstate the ban, as it was their belief that it's unethical for sportsbooks to make money off of their players' work. Legal sports betting sites on the web are not only safer than actually going to a legal land-based sportsbook but they are infinitely safer than an illegal land-based sportsbook like a back-alley bookie. With any of the online sportsbooks found here on LegalOnlineSportsbooks.com, you will invariably find a safer experience for wagering on sports.

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?

Legal Sportsbook In Usa

Bovada Sportsbook

Sportsbook Usa Legal Services

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.

SportsBetting Sportsbook

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.

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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.

Funding Accounts + Receiving Payouts

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.

Legal Sportsbooks In New Jersey

Why Go Online To Wager?

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.

While many think there are no legal sports betting USA sites, this is simply not the truth. Online sports betting sites function all around the world but not that many of them actually allow players from the U.S. to bet there. Does that mean they're not legal? Absolutely not, and LegalSportsBettingUSA.com is here to tell you why, plus point you in the direction of several sports betting sites that are legal for US players based upon the current legislation and the enforcement, or lack thereof, of those laws.

We're going to kick things off by answering the million dollar question that you all want to know. Before we jump into that, we first want to say that the information presented on this website is simply for information. Do not be fooled as none of us are legal professionals. Furthermore, if we were, it's unlikely we'd be familiar with the laws in your state. We always recommend consulting with a lawyer licensed in your state if you doubt what you read here. The staff here does know more than most, and we do use these betting sites ourselves, but peace of mind is something you should definitely have when venturing into the world of online sports gambling.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In The U.S.?

Under the current laws in the United States, online sports betting is not actually illegal. Sports gambling operations are prohibited from being established in the USA. This does not mean that offshore gambling sites are prohibited from offering their services to those who reside in the U.S. Many of the sportsbooks we are referring to operate out of Costa Rica, the Netherlands Antilles, or even the United Kingdom. Each of these online bookmakers are legally licensed in the countries they call home, and accept players from many parts of the world as well as the United States.

If you are a resident of the U.S. (you likely are if you're reading this website), and have surpassed the legal age to gamble in your state, you can join at most sportsbooks that allow Americans to bet legally. Joining an online betting website is as easy as entering a little bit of personal information and verifying your email. Depositing so that you can bet for real-money is a bit more involved, but we'll get more into that later because you must first decide which sportsbook intrigues you.

Finding trusted sports betting sites that are legal for U.S. players used to be somewhat difficult but has become easier over time as the idea of legalized online gambling has come to the forefront of politics. As we said earlier, most legal sports books for USA players generally hail from Costa Rica, so this can be one of your initial indicators that this is one you could use.

Luckily for you, we've taken all that tedious research out the equation and have isolated the best sportsbooks which permit U.S. players to join. You can see the reviews of those recommended websites directly below as we present our top options. Know that there is no commitment until you decide to deposit... registering for an account is always free.

Best Legal Sports Betting Sites For USA Players

US Players ONLY! - 50% to $250 New Player Bonus!

Above all others we point Americans to Bovada even though they are closed to new registrations from three states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, or Nevada. With the exception of that, Bovada is one of the best betting sites that USA players can join and bet on all their favorite teams. Registration only takes a minute and there is nothing to download unless you want to try their poker room or online casino.

As for the sportsbook itself, Bovada is very flexible and multiple betting types that include traditional straight betting options but also include parlays, teasers, pleasers, round robin bets and more. And, the odds at Bovada can't be beat as users love betting on sports, but also bet things like reality TV shows and on the latest celebrity gossip which are things Americans love to talk about.

On the financial end, Bovada has several easy deposit methods that include VISA plus Western Union or MoneyGram cash wire transfers. Do note that VISA debit and VISA gift cards (international) will also be capable of sending funds into your account. Upon making that first deposit, Bovada will match it by 50% all the way up to $250 which is money you can use to make more or larger wagers. With a low rollover, it won't be long until you're taking advantage of the easy and fast payout methods offered here!

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Because BetOnline is open to all 50 U.S. states, we generally put them high on our list... but that's not the only reason. This sportsbook is backed with years of experience and is geared towards satisfying the customer. That combined with the other options we're going to cover makes this a bookmaker that must be considered when first joining a sportsbook.

Like most other legal USA betting websites, BetOnline is stocked with more than just sports gambling as they also have a poker room and an online casino. But since the focus of this site is sports betting, let us tell you that almost no one beats BetOnline to the punch when it comes to getting odds up on their board. This sportsbook is probably one of the best for overnight betting lines which is important when betting on sports that have a lot of regular-season games such as the NBA or Major League Baseball. Outside of that bettors love wagering on the NFL here because they usually have slightly different lines than other books which may be in your favor.

In very little time at all, you can get registered for an account at BetOnline. The sign up process is extremely easy and quick. Plus, depositing is also a breeze as BetOnline welcomes many varieties of VISA, and they accept American Express. Players have the option of mailing a money order or sending wire transfers through Western Union and similar services. Having a multitude of methods is always crucial which is why BetOnline exceeds minimums in this area.

More About....

We've already talked about a few of things you're going to need to know besides which sportsbooks allow Americans such as deposits. We're going to cover those things a little more in depth below and talk about why they're important. Many of these directly correlate to online betting laws in the U.S. for which we'll have some information on those as well.

Depositing Into Online Sportsbooks - USA Sportsbook Deposit Methods

Americans should know that funding accounts is probably where most problems will exist. You will more than likely be making deposits through the use of a credit card, but credit cards do sometimes fail. If your credit card fails, you will have to turn to e-wallets or other cash options. Generally, if your credit card (bank cards too) allows international purchases, you will have no problem. But because of the UIGEA which places restrictions on banking methods, those cards which do not permit overseas transactions will not work when sending funds to an online sportsbook.

While it's not the end of the world, it does make things slightly tougher but there are options. Options like wire transfers (Western Union / Moneygram), sending a money order, or purchasing a prepaid online voucher are all feasible methods, many of which work almost as quickly as a credit card does. If you want to get more information about these options, we'll have it all broken down in our deposit methods section.

Sportsbooks Payments - USA Sportsbook Payout Methods

Say that you've won your bets and are ready to cash out some or all of your money. Congratulations is in order but you also need to be prepared to do a little bit of work. As we briefly touched on earlier, some sportsbooks will require identification verification before you will be granted your request for payment. Usually this only needs to be done once and it really only applies when using a credit card to deposit (all other deposit methods verify identity up-front). Most websites allow you to download or print the form, then scan + email or fax the form back to them. Once done, your payment will be processed right away.

Best Legal Sportsbooks

Because the aforementioned UIGEA makes transactions difficult, the easiest payment options are usually off the table. Typically, Americans cannot receive funds back to their cards but some sportsbooks have innovated their own debit system which players can access from any ATM, or make direct charges at retailers. If that's not an option, betting sites could send you a cash wire or even a bank draft. And in some cases, players can even have funds wired directly back to their accounts. We've got all the info on getting paid and the key details about the methods commonly used in our section that is dedicated to legal sports betting payouts and withdrawal methods.

What The Future Holds For Legalized Online Sports Wagering In The U.S.

Keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of online gambling, and online sports betting in particular, in the U.S. is going to be a challenge for the next few years. Many U.S. states have seen the error of their ways when it comes to the online form of gambling and are now making pushes to regulate the industry. Of the big three online gaming types, sports betting will probably be the last to become 100% legalized because of other laws in place like PAPSA and the Federal Wire Act. If you'd like more info on any of those laws, there are several great resources online or you can consult our detailed pages about the matter.

Sportsbook usa legal services

Thanks for stopping in and we always encourage you to return, even if you've found a betting site you love. There are more options coming online all the time, many of which are open to players living in the United States. We'll have those options (if they're worthy) listed here and will probably do full-length reviews as well. Hope to see you soon! Check out www.usaonlinesportsbooks.com for an updated list of legal sports betting sites that accept USA players.

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