Sports Gambling Laws
In 2018, the US Supreme Court rendered a decision that allowed for each state in the USA to enact their own sports gambling laws and regulate domestic sportsbooks within their borders if regional lawmakers desire to do so.
Since that time, US states with legal sports betting have spread like wildfire. Current sports gambling laws do not prohibit offshore sportsbooks sites from accepting bets over the web from US customers, creating a situation where American bettors have access to the best land-based and online options.
These two components combine together to provide many opportunities for American sports bettors, and this guide to US gambling laws provides a roadmap for how to proceed within the legal guidelines currently present.
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Is Sports Betting Legal In The United States in 2024?
Yes. In 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), thus allowing each state to decide their own fate when it comes to sports gambling laws.
Many states have enacted laws allowing for in-person, online, and/or mobile sports betting, and more are expected to follow.
Another interesting scenario regarding sports betting laws in the USA is that there is no language in place that disallows sportsbook sites operating inside of an International location from accepting bets in the United States over the web.
The offshore sportsbook sites featured in the section above are legal for USA bettors to become a member with and place an online wager on the NFL, NCAA College Football, or just about any other major sport or contest occurring around the planet.
In the United States, the following states have passed sports gambling laws that allow for in-person sportsbooks to operate within their borders.
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida (Coming Soon!)
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana (Coming Soon!)
- Maryland (Coming Soon!)
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina (Coming Soon!)
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota (Coming Soon!)
- Washington (Coming Soon!)
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
While several states have opted in on brick-and-mortar sportsbook locations, not as many have been keen on including online sports betting options. The following states offer legal online sports betting, and are reaping the benefits with much higher tax collections than states that limit to in-person only.
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Many territories have passed legislation allowing for mobile sportsbook apps to enhance their in-state sports betting options. The following states have already debuted mobile sports betting applications and are available for download now.
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York (Coming Soon!)
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
Sports Gambling Laws For Offshore Sportsbook Sites
Despite the massive number of online sportsbook sites that operate in International jurisdictions and accept members from the United States, there are no laws in place that prohibit them from doing business in the USA over the web.
The following states have passed laws prohibiting all online gaming, but as an odd side note, many of the offshore online sports gambling sites we recommend on this page accept members from these states.
- Washington
The same can be said for mobile sports betting applications offered by sportsbook sites located outside of the USA. These are not traditional downloadable apps, as they are accessed by mobile browsers and do not require a download.
Sports Betting Laws in the United States
As mentioned earlier, the 2018 repeal of PASPA by the SCOTUS opened the door for each state to decide if they want regulated sports betting. Despite this decision passing the authority to down to the state level, there are still some federal sports gambling laws to be aware of.
UIGEA - Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006
Passed during the Bush administration, UIGEA targets illegal gambling operators and hits them where it hurts, their bankroll. UIGEA allows for the US government to monitor financial transactions and prevent any that are directed toward an illegal gambling operation.
This act targets the operators and does not focus on the bettors.
The Federal Wire Act
When the Federal Wire Act was first issued in 1961, it was intended to curtail interstate betting activities occurring over the telephone.
Today, the act is used mostly to prohibit electronic financial transactions that are intended for gambling in a state where the gambler is not located.
The Federal Wire Act now enforces that gamblers must not partake in any real money betting at a sportsbook operating from another US state or territory.
PASPA - Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992
No longer in effect following its 2018 US Supreme Court repeal, this act was viewed as unconstitutional as it only allowed a small handful of states to participate in legal sports betting.
Following the repeal of PASPA, many states have decided to take advantage of domestic sports wagering and the large amounts of tax dollars that it provides.
The Legalization Of Sports Gambling In The United States
Since the repeal of PASPA, states in the USA are falling like dominoes, with more regions legalizing sports betting each year.
While some states are staunchly opposed to all forms of gambling, many long-term holdouts now have favorable stances toward legal sports betting.
Some territories have approved of in-person sports betting laws, leaving the doors open for offshore sportsbook sites to dominate the online market, and more importantly, capture those dollars.
Other states in the USA see no difference between online, mobile, or in-person in regard to gambling laws, and have approved of all three methods.
Ultimately, we believe that most US states will legalize some form of sports wagering, and it will happen soon. As states pass sports betting legislation en masse, regions that have not legalized sportsbooks will find themselves surrounded.
This scenario is currently present in states like Alabama and Ohio, and their legislature are now considering legal sports gambling bills as of this writing. The reason? Travel to a nearby state is too convenient, so regions opt in on sports betting to keep those dollars in-house.
How To Bet On Sports Online Legally in 2024
If you are located within a state that has legalized sportsbooks through the means of in-person, online, or mobile sportsbook applications, you can visit one of these venues and place a wager as long as the minimum age requirement is met.
There is also the option of offshore betting sites that operate overseas and take bets from US customers over the web. Most of these international online sportsbooks accept members at the age of 18, and typically offer betting odds on more sports than their domestic counterparts.
Also, overseas sportsbooks are able to accept cryptocurrency. Bitcoin betting has many advantages over using the US Dollar, including transaction speed, cybersecurity, and the ability to secure the fastest sportsbook payouts on the web.
What Is The Minimum Age For Sports Gambling In The USA?
Depending on where USA sprots bettors decide to do their business will determine what the minimum age requirement is.
In almost all circumstances, the minimum age to bet on sports in the USA will be either 18 or 21 years old. Each state, and each offshore online sportsbook, is able to set their own age minimum.
Some states allow in-person sports betting at the age of 18, but local casinos may require a minimum age of 21 to enter because they serve alcohol. We advise checking online or calling ahead before traveling to a domestic sportsbook location.
Most offshore sportsbook sites allow for 18 and over bettors, but not all. Be sure to investigate the terms and conditions of membership prior to joining or placing a wager.
What Sports Can I Gamble On In The USA in December, 2024?
Both international and domestic sportsbooks provide game lines, prop bets, and futures odds on the following sports:
NFL Odds
NBA Odds
MLB Odds
NHL Odds
MLS Odds