Sports Betting In The States
Many sports fans throughout the nation are probably wondering what kind of legal wagering options are available in their state. The good news is that there are viable sports betting establishments available for everyone in America; all you need to know is where players from your state are allowed to safely bet on sports. This sounds easier said than done, because not every state's residents are welcome at certain places, but trust us, there is hope!
That’s why we are, to help you figure out your options and get a better understanding of the laws that affect sports betting. On this page, USAOKSportsbooks will cover whether or not states regulate sports betting, along with other key factors that apply when betting on sports while in a specific state. Article will also touch on federal laws, and show you where to get in on some safe and legal land-based and online sports betting, no matter where you live. Get ready to make your favorite games more exciting by wagering real money in your state, because that's what is in store if you keep it clicked right here.
The quick answer to this is “not in most states,” because the situation is a little more complicated than that. Most individual U.S. states do not specifically have laws against sports wagering, because the federal government does this for them with laws that dictate which states can allow regulated bookmaking within their borders; this renders the need for state-by-state stipulations null and void. Because of this, the states don’t have a reason to put any language into the law regarding sportsbooks.
The other side of this comes when talking about the states that are allowed to have regulated sports betting. Being allowed to regulate sports betting under the federal sports betting laws is just the first step for a sports betting state; the actual regulation of bookmaking is a step that must be taken by the states. So, in states that have sports betting, there will be state-level laws that say what is, and what isn't allowed, along with any penalties for breaking those laws.
If you're looking for more information about the federal laws that regulate state-based sports wagering, or to find out which states currently regulate sports betting, keep reading this page as it will be covered in detail.
In 1991, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks held public hearings on Senate Bill 474. Congress decided that sports betting was a “national problem”, and needed to be heavily regulated. This was because illegal bookies and organized crime had a firm foothold in the sports wagering industry. The PASPA resulted in all but for states losing the right to host land-based sports betting events. The four states that can allow it were grandfathered in to the law because they each had sports betting establishments before the PASPA passed. These states are Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon.
At first glance, the PASPA makes it sound as though 46 states are out of luck when it comes to sports betting. This is far from the truth, as PASPA does not regulate online sports wagering for USA players. This means that, as long as a sports betting site accepts players from your state, you can use them legally and safely. Most of the reputable online sportsbooks that we review accept members from all 50 states, so everyone has a way to access a great sportsbook. To learn more about PASPA and other federal laws that regulate betting in America, check out our federal sports betting law pages.
As we mentioned earlier, the PASPA only allows land-based sports betting in four states. Unfortunately, only two out of these four actually offer any real sports wagering opportunities. Nevada and Delaware are the only two states where you will find live action, and Delaware is very limited in what they offer. In Delaware, residents can wager on fixed parlay cards with $2 minimums, and $100 maximums. They also limit the types of games you can bet on, so you will not find odds for a soccer or MMA event in the state. This is not a problem for real sports fans in Delaware, as there are many online sportsbooks that will allow you to wager on any professional or semi-professional game in the world.
This leaves Nevada as the only state with true land-based sports betting action in America. Nevada is the gambling hub of the nation in general, so it seems fortuitous that they would be the only state to allow a full sportsbook for the public. If you live, or are vacationing, in Nevada, you will definitely want to check out the live sports betting action because it can’t be beat. If you are anywhere else in the nation, the online sportsbooks offer even greater opportunities than Nevada, so we highly recommend checking them out.
Since individual states do not have sports betting laws, and the PASPA only deals with land-based events, everyone in the U.S. can use an online sportsbook as long as the site accepts members from your state. Most of the USA online sportsbooks that we review do accept every state, but there are some rare exceptions. Some sites do not accept members from states that already have some form of sports wagering. This is because the states don’t want to have to deal with the competition of a successful online sportsbook. Most of the sports betting sites offer incredible features and incentives that the stateside sportsbooks can’t contend with.
We suggest checking out our USA online sportsbook reviews to see what is out there, and why these sites beat the pants off the land-based competition in every way. Even if you are in a state that allows some form of sports betting, we still recommend placing a few bets at an online sportsbook. You will discover that these web-based wagering sites have much more to offer, and better odds.
As you have read, individual states do not regulate sports betting for the most part. The PASPA dictates which states can allow land-based sports wagering, and out of those, only Nevada offers the real deal. It is because of this that so many Americans turn to sports betting sites that accept U.S. players like the ones we've highlighted below. We know our recommendations to be reputable, safe, and offer the best action in the industry. Let’s take a look at a few of the best USA betting sites that welcome players from your state.
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Operating out of the Republic of Panama, BetOnline is a sport bettors dream come true. Not only does this site accepts members from all fifty states in the nation, they also host a powerful, industry-leading sportsbook. You will find odds on everything from basketball to professional wresting at BetOnline, and you can wager from the comfort of your own home. There is a reason U.S. media giant such as ESPN and FOX Sports continually praise BetOnline, they trump the competition in every respect.
Signing up at BetOnline today will grant you access to a handsome Welcome Bonus that will add some serious weight to your bankroll. Just for signing up and making a first deposit, the site will add an extra 25% to your account. This bonus, worth up to $1,000 in sports free plays, will allow you to take advantage of the entire sportsbook and place some initial wagers without damaging your bankroll. Anyone in American can join BetOnline, the place where dreams come true.
The legal betting age varies by state. In most cases, the age will be 18 or 21. Make sure you are of age when participating in a sports betting event, as the legal ramifications for underage wagering can be harsh. The best USA sports betting sites also have signup age restrictions. Most sites require members to be at least 18. When signing up for a site, it is a good idea to check out your state law and follow that. If a site asks you to be over 18 to join, but the state requires you to be 21, it is always best to go with the state law. Underage wagering at an online sportsbook can result in account cancellation, forfeiture of funds, and even legal trouble, so just wait until it's your time.