Can I Legally Bet On Sports?
One thing that is very important in the world of gambling is its legality, which is why many ask if they can legally wager on sports. For many years the legality of sports betting was determined by the federal government, but this is no longer the case. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) banned sports gambling across the majority of the USA until it was struck down by the Supreme Court on May 14th, 2018. There are, however, still certain federal laws that impact the industry.
The federal Wire Act was enacted in the 1960s, back when racketeering was a serious issue in the United States. The Wire Act prohibits gambling operators within the U.S. to accept sports wagering information via wire communications, including the internet. This law, paired with the now-defunct PASPA, kept US-based sportsbooks out of the market for decades. Now that PASPA is no longer an issue, and the Wire Act specifies that it only applies to states where sports betting is illegal, states with regulated sports betting can legally use the internet to take sports bets – just as long as their bettors are located in-state (or in some cases in the casino).
Another law that deals specifically with online gaming is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act or the UIGEA. The UIGEA has complicated the whole affair of online gambling, and it has even given players the impression that the games are illegal. All the UIGEA did, however, was make it illegal for banks and payment processors to make payments into and out of online gambling sites by effectively making them inherently difficult - though not impossible. Calling up the sites cashier or customer service will remedy any situation you make come across such as a declined credit card transaction. The UIGEA has, and we have to stress this, not made it illegal for players to participate in the games. You do not need to worry about anything if you stick to the stick to the right legal online sportsbooks - those who accept American residents without any hang-ups.
After the Patriots went to (and won) another Super Bowl, it’s no surprise they are one of the favorites to win Super Bowl 54 this year too. Along with the Pats, the Chiefs, Rams, and Browns (crazy right? – I guess Odell Beckham Jr makes a huge impact or something?) are the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 2020. All jokes asides, betting action can be taken all over the country.
With about a quarter of the entire country permitting land-based sports betting, you can always go to a local sportsbook to place a wager. However, if you want better odds, more prop bets, and the possibility of getting extra money from promotions and bonuses, you should consider switching to an offshore betting site. Whether you choose Bovada, SportsBetting, BetOnline, or 5Dimes, you are sure to find a reputable and safe site. Keep in mind that a few states do not permit the use of Bovada. The list is changing but their terms and conditions page will outline the rejected states.
No, going to jail as a result of betting on sports online is highly unlikely. In fact, some states are even regulating their own sports betting sites for local residents to use. But all bettors are able to place legal wagers online at offshore sports betting sites where players from the U.S. are accepted. This is not against federal law and is legal to place real-money wagers. Those in the U.S. who operate an illegal sports betting website would potentially face jail time. As long as you aren't doing that, you will be fine.
Bovada offers its users some of the best betting lines on the market, and we can assure you that will never face legal complications from betting. The sportsbook at Bovada.lv is one of the best on the market, providing players all over the United States with some of the best games on the market. If you join up with Bovada, expect a free 50% match bonus good for up to $250. Visa in several forms including debit/bank + prepaid cards as well as methods like MoneyGram and Western Union are the main sportsbook deposit options are readily available to facilitate funding Bovada accounts. They have provided their players with one of the largest sets of betting lines, covering nearly every team sport and many individual sports. Bovada is simply one of the best betting sites, and they are totally legal.
Another sportsbook that is licensed outside of the United States in order to provide players with a legal experience is SportsBetting.ag which used to formerly be found with a dot com suffix. This betting site provides users with a number of different options for betting, covering as many sports as a Vegas-style sportsbook. They offer their users bets on the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and much more. There is nothing they have left out of this experience. SportsBetting has a 25% match bonus which is good for up to $1,000 on each deposit made for the life of the player's account. Just use the code FORLIFE when depositing. We trust this site and want readers to know that it is one of the most reputed online sportsbooks, giving players a location that is backed by complete integrity. Not many other sportsbooks can provide a betting experience that is as advanced as what is found here, so keep this in mind when you go to join.
The legal age to bet sports in the U.S. is decided at the state level and not by the federal government. The result is the potential for bettors to place legal wagers in some states where they wouldn't be old enough in others. States do not fluctuate all over the map in terms of age though. Some choose to allow bettors 18 years or older to wager, while others will limit the betting age to 21 years old. Check out our “Legal Sports Betting States” pages for more information about your state.