Offshore Gambling Legal
Due to US federal law, sports betting is illegal in all but four states. Because of this ban, American bettors interested in sports gambling have turned to offshore gambling sites. These legal offshore gambling sites present a viable, convenient and legal sportsbook option for Americans. This page is dedicated to providing information concerning the laws relevant to sports gambling in the US, the legality of these offshore sportsbooks, how these sportsbooks function (including financial aspects) and what types of wagering options and betting lines are available. You will find that there are multiple venues available to US players when it comes to legally sanctioned gambling sites located outside of the United States.
Is Offshore Sports Betting Legal For USA Residents?
The Legality of using Offshore Sportsbooks from the US. Gambling in the US has undergone many law changes over the years and this has led to the assumption that online gambling is actually illegal. However, many offshore sportsbooks are more than happy to accept customers from the US and the industry is thriving. Currently, legal online gambling sites only run within a few state borders including New Jersey, Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, to name a few. These sites are all licensed by casinos or racetracks, which have brick-and-mortar operations and technology partners that run the sites. As long as the bets are placed through legally sanctioned sportsbooks that are legitimately licensed and subject to regulatory oversight from a respected government, then yes, offshore sports betting is indeed legal for players in the United Sates. Any sportsbook that doesn’t meet these qualifications would be considered illegal. Offshore betting is neither legal or illegal as sports offshore betting legality varies by jurisdiction. In many countries, it is fully regulated, in other areas, it’s expressly illegal. The reason to ask yourself as an online sports bettor is if placing a bet as an individual may be a problem for you within your country or region.
As long as the bets are placed through legally sanctioned sportsbooks that are legitimately licensed and subject to regulatory oversight from a respected government, then yes, offshore sports betting is indeed legal for players in the United Sates. Any sportsbook that doesn’t meet these qualifications would be considered illegal. While there are US federal laws in place that prohibit US based sports betting across most of the nation, there are none that restrict US bettors from placing wagers with legal offshore sportsbooks. Neither PASPA nor the Federal Wire Act prevent US players from legally enjoying offshore poker gaming for real money. There are no state laws that restrict betting with legal offshore gambling sites except for Washington, where they have deemed all types of online gambling are strictly prohibited. You can find more information on the laws surrounding sports betting in our guide to understanding offshore gambling laws.
Legal Offshore Sportsbooks for US Gamblers
Best Offshore Gambling Sites
With the number of offshore sportsbooks, it can be daunting to try and figure out which ones are legitimate. Our team of industry professionals have sorted through lots of these offshore sportsbooks to put together a list of the best options for American bettors in terms of legality and safety. The sportsbooks listed in the table below all have the proper legal licensing, premium betting options, high-quality security profiles, additional features and more. Click the links provided to begin browsing the sportsbooks for yourself.
| Logo | Site Name | Bonus | Rating | USA | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Sportsbooks | |||||
| Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $250 | Visit Site | |||
Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Online Sports Betting For American Residents
Are US Friendly Offshore Betting Sites Legitimate?
These offshore betting sites are only legitimate if they are legally licensed and regulated by their presiding government. These laws operate outside the jurisdiction of US federal law, but they also need to operate within a country that permits legal online gambling. With legal licensing comes an expectation of quality. The same can be said about regulation, especially from a respected government. In alignment with legal licensing and regulation, these sportsbooks maintain high ethical standards and practices because they are held accountable by their regulators. US bettors can be confident in wagering with one of the legal offshore sportsbooks we’ve recommended.
Are Offshore Gambling Sites Legal
What Kinds of Sports Are Covered in the Betting Lines At Offshore Sportsbooks?
You will find betting lines for all kinds of sports on these legal offshore sportsbooks. For American bettors, you can place bets on games in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and even the NCAA. Special events like the NCAA March Madness tournament bring a whole slew of betting lines with it. There are betting lines for international leagues and sports, including soccer, cricket and more. You can even bet on boxing/MMA matches and horse and stock car racing. These sportsbooks constantly update their betting lines according to which sports are in season and with domestic and international sporting tournaments.
What Types of Wagering Options Are Available at Offshore Sports Betting Sites?
There are several different wagering types available to bettors on these offshore sportsbooks. This includes point spread bets, money line bets, over/under bets, parlays, prop bets, future bets and more. The number of wagering options gives bettors plenty of options when it comes to sports gambling. They give American bettors a glimpse into the Las Vegas sportsbooks who otherwise wouldn’t get the opportunity due to US federal law.
Do Offshore Sportsbooks Offer Any Bonuses or Promotions?
Yes. These legal offshore sportsbooks have bonuses for their customers. Bonuses are essentially “free money” in the form of percentages that are added to your sportsbook account. There are bonuses offered throughout the year, giving bettors plenty of chances to take advantage of the additional funds. For example, most sportsbooks have a Welcome Bonus that is most often structured as a match deposit bonus. This means that the sportsbook will match a specific percentage of your deposit up to a maximum amount. There are often seasonal bonuses when major sports events take place, such as the NCAA’s March Madness tournament, that incentivize bettors to keep placing wagers.
Offshore Gambling Sites Legal
How Do I Deposit and Withdraw Money if a Sportsbook is Located Outside of the United States?
All of our recommended sportsbook brands offer US friendly banking options. Some of these options include credit cards, debit cards, Bitcoin and money transfers. Each sportsbook has different banking options depending on the county you’re betting from, so be sure to check with their Terms of Service.
Do I Have to Worry About Currency Conversion at Offshore Sports Betting Sites?
No. All of the legal offshore sportsbooks we recommend will process transactions in USD. The US Dollar is one of the most common currencies circulating around the globe and hence is honored at most premium online sports betting sites.
Will I Find Live Betting Options at Online Sportsbooks Operating Offshore?
Yes. Our premium legal offshore gambling site options have live betting as one of their offered features. Live betting is an exciting way of getting more engaged with your favorite sport, as betting lines and wagering types are offered in real time throughout the game. Sportsbooks have their own policies regarding live betting, including different rules for different sports, and you can find that information in the Live Betting section of their site.
Can I Place Sports Bets From My Mobile Phone at Offshore Sportsbooks?
Yes. These offshore gambling options have mobile betting as another feature. All you have to do is type in the site’s URL into your mobile phone or tablet and you will be taken to their mobile version—you don’t need to download an app. The mobile sites offer all the same betting lines, wagering types, security features and bonuses that come with the web version. The mobile version is also designed to work across a variety of carriers and devices.