Is sports betting in the US Legal?
2018 was a breakthrough year for US sports betting enthusiasts after online betting sites for sports became legal. Individual states were now free to chart their own course regarding whether to greenlight sports betting or not.
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To take you back a bit, a Federal law was passed under The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 prohibiting sports betting in most US states. Fast forward, things took a turn on May 14, 2018, after the US Supreme Court overturned the ruling and declared it unconstitutional. Now, the legality of sports betting depends on the state in which you reside. States like New Jersey allow casino and sports betting, while Washington doesn’t allow any form of gambling.
The legal gambling age varies with each state as well as the type of gambling you want to engage in. Generally, you must be 21 or older to participate in sports betting and casino gaming activities. On the other hand, 18 is the legal age for horse betting and daily fantasy sports, but there are variations.
In the past, bettors could state their location and start betting, but some punters were blurring boundaries. As a result, states like Nevada passed laws that required online new betting sites to verify if user bets are being placed within the state lines. Bookies, in turn, use geolocation software to pinpoint a punter’s betting request within a range of meters before they approve or deny it.
Gambling winnings are fully taxable in the US, so you can’t keep every penny following your win. The percentage varies from 8% to around 50%, depending on the jurisdiction. For instance, New Jersey imposes a 15% annual tax on gross gaming revenue. New York sets it at 51% on gross gaming revenue for sports wagers.
🏪 Retail vs Remote Registration
States like Nevada require punters to present their IDs in person at physical casinos to create their online accounts. States such as New Jersey save you a trip and gas money by letting you create an online account directly at the state-licensed sports betting sites. Provided you upload your ID and follow verification measures.
To obtain a betting license in the US, sports betting sites must prepare a business plan, pick a jurisdiction, round up the collected paperwork, and apply. The licensing fee differs from state to state. Case in point: a New Jersey sports betting license costs an initial fee of $100,000. The first yearly license costs $300,000, while you pay $150,000 for renewal.
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All Sports Betting Brands in the US:
| Brand Name |
Year Founded |
Status |
Further Information |
| Action 24/7 |
2019 |
Active |
Action247 is a legal betting brand which focuses completely on Tennessee. |
| Bally Bet |
2021 |
Active |
Available in NY, AZ, CO, IA, IO, MD, VI and NY. This brand was recently relaunched. |
| Bet America |
2008 |
Merged into TwinSpires |
Merged with TwinSpires in 2021. The brand merged when TwinSpires online sportsbook and casino launched in Michigan. |
| Bet365 |
2000 |
Active |
A global betting brand which has a strong dominance in Europe. |
| Betfred Sports |
1967 |
Active |
Live and legal in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia In PA, the brand is known as Wind Creek Bethlehem Sportsbook. |
| BetJack |
2021 |
Active |
Only available in Ohio - BetJack was approved a license just before Christmas in 2021. |
| Betly |
2020 |
Active |
Available in Tennessee, West Virginia and Arkansas - Betly came to the market in 2020 and is a relatively popular local betting website. |
| BetMGM |
1980 |
Active |
BetMGM is a stalwart of the national gambling landscape - but has developed a compelling online product over the recent years. |
| BetMonarch |
2019 |
Active |
Only available in Colorado - BetMonarch forms part of the Monarch Casino Reposrt Spa group. Fully licensed and able to operate. |
| BetPARX |
2021 |
Active |
Available in Maryland, Michigan, NJ and PA; BetPARX offers a wide variety of bets on very niche sports. |
| BetRivers |
2019 |
Active |
One of the major online betting brands in the US — BetRivers is a highly trusted online betting brand. |
| BetSafe |
2006 |
No Longer Available |
Owned by Swedish gambling giant Betsson - they pulled the Betsafe product out of Colorado on the 30th September, 2024. |
| Betway |
2006 |
Inactive in the US |
Not presently active in the US - though the group attempted to enter the US market in a somewhat lacklustre fashion, closing its online presence in Q2, 2024. |
| BetWildwood |
2019 |
Dormant |
While not presently active online, Betwildwoodextra.com is promising a brand new online sports betting app. Only time will tell. |
| Betr |
2022 |
Active |
A fantasy sports betting app fronted by social-media maverick Jake Paul. |
| Betsson |
1963 |
Active (B2B) |
Active as a B2B supplier - but no longer offering betting services. |
| Borgata Sportsbook |
2003 |
Active |
One of the most popular land-based casinos and based in New Jersey - this brand also offers online betting options. |
| Caesars Sportsbook |
1966 |
Active |
Again, a much-respected land-based establishment; Caesars also offers a wide range of online betting and casino products. |
| Circa Sports |
2019 |
Active |
A beast in the world of Las Vegas sportsbooks - Circa Sports also offers a sports betting app. |
| ClutchBet |
2022 |
No Longer Available |
Left the market on the 16th September, 2024. |
| Crab Sports |
2021 |
Active |
Based in Maryland, Crab Sports is one of the newest sports betting sites to have launched in the state. |
| Desert Diamond Sports |
2019 |
Localized in Arizona |
A tribal casino and sportsbook based in Arizona - Desert Diamond Sports offers a wide range of gaming products to AZ residents. |
| DraftKings Sportsbook |
2012 |
Active |
One of the 'big two' - the other being Fanduel. DraftKings entered the market as a DFS product, but quickly expanded into sports betting and casino. |
| DRF Sportsbook |
2021 |
Active |
Available in Iowa, DRF sportsbooks offers markets on a wide range of sports. |
| Eagle Casino & Sports |
2021 |
Active in Michigan |
A local Michigan book - while offering a wide range of betting markets, there is a lack of promos and has a less-than-great product design. |
| Elite Sportsbook |
2018 |
Active |
Available in Colorado and Iowa, Elite Sportsbook is a safe and legal option for residents in these states. |
| ESPN BET |
2023 |
Active |
ESPNBet, with ESPN of course being a household name, has seen a dramatic rise in popularity due to its reputation. |
| FanDuel Sportsbook |
2009 |
Active |
Alongside DraftKings, FanDuel has arguably made the most progress in terms of becoming a household name for DFS and sports betting. |
| Fanatics Sportsbook |
2021 |
Active |
A relatively popular betting site with a wide range of markets on offer and is certainly a challenger against the bigger US names. |
| FireKeepers Sportsbook |
2020 |
Active |
A smaller, Michigan-based online sportsbook - FireKeepers offers daily odds boosts, but seemingly focuses only on popular sports. |
| Four Winds |
2018 |
Active |
Another smaller Michigan-based sportsbook - again, much like FireKeepers has a limited odds offering and sadly no bonus offers. |
| Fubo Sportsbook |
2021 |
Shut Down |
Closed down in 2021. |
| Golden Nugget Online Sportsbook |
2020 |
Active |
Available across Arizona, Michigan, West Virginia and New Jersey - Golden Nugget Online Sportsbook is a solid mid-tier betting option. |
| Hard Rock Bet |
2018 |
Active |
Leveraging the popular Hard Rock brand, Hard Rock Bet has become one of the larger and most popular sportsbooks in the US. |
| LetsBetMD |
2024 |
Localized in Maryland |
A niche, Maryland-based sports betting site, and a relative newcomer - will be exciting to see how this one develops. |
| MaximBet |
2021 |
No Longer Accepting Bets |
Has ceased trading since 2022 due to challenging economic conditions. The future of this brand is unknown. |
| Maverick Sports |
2020 |
No Longer Active |
Maverick has ceased offering bets in Colorado - its only active state. |
| MVGBet |
2021 |
Active |
MVG is, again, one of the smaller betting brands in the US - but has seen some solid gains in the last year within the Ohio gambling scene. |
| PlaySugarHouse |
2018 |
Active |
A PA-only sports betting brand - but being affiliated with Rush Street has certainly helped them maintain a foothold in the state. |
| PlayUp |
2014 |
Shut Down |
Closed down. |
| Prime Sportsbook |
2021 |
Active |
PlayUp shut down in 2023 after a turbulent time in the US market - with its application for an NJ licensed 'revoked for various reasons'. |
| Prophet Exchange |
2020 |
Converted to Sweepstakes |
Once a solid NJ bookmaker - Prophet Exchange has recently switched into the sweepstakes vertical (a now very lucrative US market). |
| Q Sportsbook |
2021 |
Active |
Available in just Iowa, Q Sportsbook is a decent product but has been somewhat criticised for its limited betting markets. |
| Resorts Casino |
2013 |
Now Just a Casino |
Tried its hand at sports betting, but decided in the end to stick to what it knows best - casino. |
| Resorts World Bet |
2019 |
Active in New York |
An active and prominent sportsbook in the New York scene - and one of the state's favourites. |
| Sahara Bets |
2020 |
Dormant |
Though a key player in the Arizona betting scene, Sahara Bets is somewhat in limbo since Alex Meruelo announced plans to abandon the inactive Arizona hocket franchise - leaving the brand (licensed in partnership with it) without the right to operate. |
| SBK Sportsbook |
2019 |
Active |
A social sports betting website available in Colorado and Indiana. One of the US's smaller betting partners. |
| SI Sportsbook |
2021 |
Inactive |
Potentially another victim of 'being the small guy', SI Sportsbook was 'squeezed' out of the Colorado online betting market (one of seven this year) in September, 2024. |
| Sky Ute Sportsbook |
2019 |
Shut Down |
Owned by the Sky Ute Tribe, the brand has offered mobile-only sports betting to Colorado residents since 2019 - but is presently attempting to sue the Colorado governor for attempting to regulate the tribal sports betting market. Shut down in 2023. |
| Sporttrade |
2018 |
Active |
Active in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, New Jersey, and Virginia - Sporttrade is a betting exchange offering market-leading moneyline and spread odds. |
| SuperBook Sportsbook |
2021 |
Shut Down |
Shut down on the 19th July, 2024. |
| Tipico |
2004 |
Shut Down |
Operated for some time until being acquired by LeoVegas - which then shut down in 2024 |
| TwinSpires |
2011 |
Shut Down |
TwinsSpires shut down its online operations in January 2023 and now focuses on horse racing. |
| Underdog Sportsbook |
2022 |
Active |
A relatively new DFS platform that is making solid traction against stalwarts DraftKings and FanDuel. |
| Wagr |
2021 |
Shut Down |
A social betting app that was acquired by Yahoo in 2023 and was then shuttered. |
| WynnBET |
2018 |
Shutting Down |
While having a solid start, WynnBet is closing up its operations in the US. |
What you can bet on in the US
Even though sports betting is legal, other betting options are off-limits. Here is a quick rundown of what you can bet on:
| What you can bet on in the US | Description |
What you can’t bet on in the US
What you can’t bet on in the US depends on the state. Here are a few examples:
| What you can’t bet on in the US | Description |
US sports betting pros and cons
No doubt, sports betting is a popular way to have fun. But like any gambling activity, it has its risks and rewards.
US Betting: Pros & Cons
- Boosts enjoyment when watching sports
- It’s legal in many US states
- You have a variety of sports and events to wager on
- Online sports betting lets you wager in the convenience of your home
- Requires time to master the basics
US sports betting history
It has been a long and interesting journey for US sports betting sites dating as far back as the 1800s. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the legal sports betting history that has shaped the US betting scene today:
US sports betting updates
Soon after PAPSA was overturned, it didn’t take long for dozens of states to legalize gambling in the following years. New Jersey, Mississippi, and West Virginia were at the forefront. Some states are still moving to have active sports betting bills. Below is a quick update on what has been happening in different jurisdictions:
- Missouri:
Sports betting bills are stalled in 2024, but a recently approved ballot initiative allows voters to have a say on the matter at the November polls.
- Nebraska:
Senator Bostar has introduced a constitutional amendment to expand sports betting in the state. Currently, sports betting is only permitted at retail locations.
- California:
A ballot effort to legalize sports betting failed in 2022, drawing support of less than 20% from voters.
- Georgia:
Several bills came close to being passed in recent years but fell short due to political pressures. A push did go through the Senate in 2024 but the House couldn't reach an agreement when the March session concluded.
- Texas:
A bill to regularize sports betting was passed in the House in 2023 but was stalled in the Senate. It can only be picked up in 2025 when the legislature convenes.
How to sign up for sports betting from the US
You’ll be pleased to know that registering with US sportsbooks is pretty straightforward, as shown below:
- Visit the sportsbook’s website and click “Sign Up” or “Join Now”.
- Complete the registration form that pops up by providing information like your name, date of birth, email address, and password.
- Fill in a bonus code if available and accept T&Cs.
- Locate the
responsible gambling tools
section of the site. Apply any deposit limits, betting limits, and time alerts to your account.
- Proceed to the banking section and deposit funds.
- Go over the list of sports and pick one. Selections are displayed for each betting market alongside the odds.
- Make a selection, and it’s automatically added to your bet slip.
- Enter the amount you wish to wager and confirm the bet.
- Appropriate funds are deducted from your account.
Sign-up at these top sports betting sites for the best start
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3.
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Popular payment methods at US sportsbooks
Understanding the different payment methods available at US sportsbooks is crucial for your overall sports betting experience. Each method has pros and cons regarding transaction speeds, availability, and fees, letting you pick the best one for your needs.
Debit and credit cards
Debit and credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover remain some of the most popular payment methods at US online betting sites. They pack a lot of benefits, from sophisticated security features to superb availability. However, speeds can be slower compared to other payment methods.
eWallets
eWallets are a great option for regular bettors who value convenience and fast payouts. These platforms help you keep your gambling funds and normal finances separate. Moreover, you don’t need to share your sensitive banking information to transact. PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are punters' favorites. You may have to watch out for additional transaction fees with platforms like Neteller.
Cryptocurrencies
Most US sportsbooks don’t necessarily accept cryptocurrencies, but several trailblazers are fast changing that status quo. Granted, the method might be complicated for bettors not familiar with the ins and outs of crypto, but you can’t deny the numerous perks.
For one, cryptocurrencies are renowned for their rapid transactions, where payouts are processed in minutes. In addition, cryptocurrencies are anonymous, which is a huge plus if you’d like to keep your identity under wraps while betting. Popular options include Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum.
Betting markets for US bettors
Betting markets are plentiful, with some US sportsbooks carrying hundreds of bet types for a single game. With so many to pick from, it’s necessary to get familiar with all or at least the most popular ones to maximize your betting experience. Below are the most popular types:
US bookmaker live sports betting options
In contrast to pre-game wagers submitted before a contest kicks off, punters can place wagers while a game is in progress at sports betting sites. Referred to as live betting, this is any bet placed between the first and final plays of a game. It has several perks, starting with the sheer thrill it offers.
Moreover, live betting odds tend to be much more interesting than pregame odds, especially within the first few minutes of the game. You’ll benefit more from live betting if you watch the games as you wager. That way, you can make quick decisions based on what’s happening currently.
Best bonuses at US bookmakers
US sportsbooks offer some of the
sportsbook promos and bonuses, but not all of them are created equal. We’ve included the best ones to try out below.
Bet Get Offers
Bet Get offers are a great way to incentivize new bettors to sign up and test-drive the bookie. With this bonus, the sportsbook compensates you for betting a certain amount, which can be $5 or $10. What we like here is that sports betting sites give you a bonus whether you win or lose.
Bonus Bet
How this bonus type is structured depends on the sports betting sites. Other sites offer a Second Chance bonus bet where you’re refunded in bet credits if your first wager loses. If you win, nothing happens. Then you’ll find some bookmakers rewarding you with a bonus bet after you make your first deposit
Match Deposit Bonus
This is another popular bonus at US online betting sites, where you get a bonus for loading money onto your sports betting account. Typically, the amount you deposit is matched by the bookie dollar for dollar up to a certain amount (i.e. deposit $10, get $10 in bonus credit).
Odds Boosts
Top US sportsbooks understand the need to keep existing punters engaged and enhance odds for specific games. The idea is to allow you to enjoy more rewards from a winning wager.
Poplar sports to bet on in the US
As a sports betting-loving nation, the US is filled with all sorts of sports and leagues you can bet on. Have a look at the most popular sports and leagues covered by most US sportsbooks.
Football is king in the US, with the NFL being the most popular league to wager on. A regular season has 272 games, giving punters loads of betting options. Recent surveys reveal that 61% of Americans bet on the
NFL betting sites. What makes the NFL more popular in the USA is the Super Bowl, which is the most wagered-on single event in the country.
Basketball betting is another popular occurrence in the US, particularly the
NBA best books, and 58% of Americans participate. 30 teams compete for the championship title and play 82 games to get there. The top teams to look out for include the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics.
Sitting in third place with 51% of bettors is the MLB, one of the oldest professional baseball leagues in the world. 30 teams battle for the number one spot with 162 games played in a regular MLB season. The World Series is another of America's most wagered-on a single event.
With a 42% bettors participation, boxing also has its loyal band of followers. The US is responsible for producing some of the industry greats including Mike Tyson, Mohammed Ali, and Floyd Mayweather. The high-profile matches at the best betting sites in the USA are a hit among bettors who especially like to place live wagers and bonus bets on the sport.
Horse racing has been popular in the US since the 1600s and still garners massive attention, especially for sports betting. By the late 1800s, more than 300 race tracks were functioning in the country. Post PAPSA, horse racing betting still has over 35% of bettors punting on popular events like the Belmont Stakes and Kentucky Derby.
Top-notch betting on-the-go
Most sports betting action in the US happens on sports
betting apps. The best sports betting sites have designed native apps that are reliable, responsive, in-depth selection of sports, betting lines, and overall top-notch user experience. However, most bookies only allow gaming using apps with geolocation to confirm if punters are indeed betting from within the respective state borders.
Those without apps also adapted their websites for mobile betting on Android and iOS devices. Punters can access the online Sportsbook in the USA directly from their mobile browsers to start conveniently betting on the go.
Other types of gambling in the US
Each state has the mandate to determine the kind of gambling it approves within its borders, where the gambling can take place, and who can participate, these things players need to check before making their
WNBA predictions. Have a look at the different types of gambling permitted in the US.
Casino
While over 30 states have regularized sports betting, around 8 have legalized online casino gaming. These include Connecticut, Delaware, and Michigan. States like New York, Indiana, and Maryland are working to legalize online casinos soon. For example, Maryland lawmakers wrapped up their 2024 legislative session with a bill to regulate online casinos.
Poker
If you’re a poker lover, you won’t have any issues playing poker legally in 8 US states. Currently, Nevada, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have regulated poker. Even though states like Kentucky continue to pass bills, no other states have legalized poker since 2023.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Should you exhaust your
MLS futures, presently, most US states have made Daily Fantasy Sports betting legal. States like Arizona allow both Traditional and Pick ‘em contests and some only one type. Traditional DFS are salary cap contests where you pick a lineup, enter contests against other users and the house gets a cut. Pick ‘em style involves betting against the house, not other users.
Horse racing
As mentioned, horse racing has been prevalent in the US for a while now. It’s no wonder it’s legal in around 32 US states. However, a handful of states, such as Alaska, have outright banned the activity.
The new kid on the block: Prediction betting and sports event trading
Latest since Kalshi became the first fully regulated platform to offer legal election betting in the US, event trading became increasingly popular. For this years superbowl Kalshi opened up to trade opinions on the biggest sports event. Also other platforms like crypto.com have something in stock for "The Big Game". So you don't miss out on the action, we prepared some insights into how prediction betting works and did a deep-dive on Kalshi, being the pioneer for everything event trading.
Conclusion - legal sports betting is widely available across the US
On a federal level, sports betting is very much legal in the US, and individual states are responsible for its sports betting laws. This has seen close to 40 states approve sports betting, with more to join.
Naturally, the growth of sports betting across the US comes with many US sportsbooks gunning for a piece of the pie. You, therefore, need to sift through the lot and pick a licensed site with several sports, betting markets, payment methods, and attractive bonuses.
Don't miss our selected bookies
1.
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
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Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
2.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
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Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
3.
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Must be 21 or older and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. See Caesars.com/promos for Full Terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY,KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s New Orleans),ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia):If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visitmdgamblinghelp.orgor WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT- STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF.©2024, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER MA: CALL1-800-327-5050 or visitgamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text Hambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the UOPENY (467369)
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To be eligible, the Player must be at least 21 years old, physically located in Virginia, and not on any exclusionary lists in Virginia. To be eligible all personal and contact data associated to your account must be verifiable. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
5.
Bet $5 Get $250 in Bonus Bets IF YOU WIN
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Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ and present in select states. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Sport betting FAQs
⚖️ Is sports betting legal in the US?
Yes, sports betting is legal in the US after the Supreme Court passed a ruling in May 2018. Whether or not it's legal in your state depends on the respective state laws.
💻 Are online sportsbooks legal in the US?
Yes, online bookies are legal in the US provided they hold the betting license required by the state they wish to operate in, so enjoy your
NFL live bets.
⚽ What popular sports can I bet on?
Football betting sites
are one of the most popular platforms now for placing your bets in the US, followed by basketball, baseball, and hockey.
💳 Can I use PayPal at American Sportsbooks?
Some US bookies let you make sports betting payments using various eWallet options, including PayPal.
🎮 Can I bet on esports in the US?
Yes, you can bet on esports, depending on the state you’re in. Oregon and Illinois are some of the states that allow you to wager on esports.
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