Legal Online Sportsbooks

Welcome to the page that is going to teach you everything you need to know about legal online sportsbooks for U.S. players. The online betting world is much different from its land-based counterpart, and different laws regulate each of them. There are probably more legal online options than you are aware of, and less land-based options than you might think.

This page is going to highlight the legality of online sports betting in America, and show you what your options are in this technological age. There are more opportunities out there than you might realize, and by the end of this, you should be aware of just how easy it can be to place some wagers online. We will help you out by reviewing one of our favorite sports betting sites, giving you the opportunity to experience a first-class sportsbook from the comfort of your own home.

Best Legal Online Sportsbooks In The U.S.

There are many factors to keep in mind when searching for a U.S. online sportsbook. Primarily, you want to know that it is a reputable establishment that functions legally. All of the sites we review do this, but we have a few picked out that stand above the rest as far as features and user-friendliness go. There are many worthy contenders out there, but we feel that the site we are about to review does everything right. We are big sports fans ourselves, so we know what to look for. Check out the review below, and then take a look at our other review pages to see what is out there for you.

SportsBetting Sportsbook

There is no better named site than SportsBetting. This place does what just the domain name suggests, delivers top-tier sports betting action for U.S. players from all fifty states. The site functions legally out of the Republic of Panama in sunny Panama City, where owning and operating a sports betting site is safe and legitimate. You can wager on all professional sports here, as well as many minor leagues and even entertainment props. This place is as sports fans dream come true, and we come back every day because there are always loads of new features on display.

One of the great features at SportsBetting is the live betting section. This area allows you to wager on games as they are happening. This means that you can jump in the middle of a game, or even play through the whole thing, and wager on all aspects as the odds update in front of you on your computer screen or mobile device. This is the newest and most exciting way to wager on sports, and SportsBetting utilizes the feature beautifully.

Bovada Sportsbook

The incredible power of Bovada is tough to convey in words. Looking at the site will reveal a masterfully designed hub of betting for players of all skill levels. The poker rooms, virtual casino, and racebooks are in the top of their class, but the Sportsbook is where Bovada really shines. Offering the fastest lines on all major and semi-pro sports, as well as live in-game and mobile betting, this site has all a sports fan could want and more.

If the astounding sportsbook doesn’t sell you on Bovada, the bonuses will. Just for joining, you will be privy to a $250 welcome bonus. That is free money the site will give you on top of your first deposit, all you have to do it opt for it. This is an amazing deal that everyone should take up, there is nothing to lose!

BetOnline Sportsbook

BetOnline is a premier online sports book that accepts U.S. residents from all 50 states. This is a godsend in this day and age when finding a regulated sportsbook in America is like searching for a needle in a haystack. The best part is, BetOnline is legal and safe, and has been in the game for over a decade. This site has earned its stellar reputation because the sportsbook is one of the best we have ever used. Millions of U.S. players agree with that sentiment as well.

If you have not experienced the ease of mobile betting, it is about time you join in. BetOnline offers one of the best mobile betting options in the business, letting you access your account, the sportsbook, and the funding methods for no extra charge or irritating download. All you have to do is sign in to your account from your mobile device, and the entire site is available in the palm of your hand.

5Dimes Sportsbook

Very few online sportsbooks that were created during the early days of the internet are still functioning today. This is because many of them failed to keep up with the constant advancements in technology and social media. 5Dimes is one of the exceptions, and is stronger today than ever before. This site has members that have stuck around since the early days because they know that the sportsbook is unparalleled. If you are searching for a site with astonishing graphics and slick interfaces, you might want to look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for an unbeatable sportsbook, 5Dimes is your best bet.

5Dimes has a feature called reduced juice, and sports bettors are raving about it. This unique bonus saves you money on each bet you make by reducing the amount of juice (aka vigorish, or vig) on every bet. Juice is the interest the tacked on to a bet, wherein usually you will risk $110 for every $100 you might win. 5Dimes cuts this in half, having you risk $105 for the same possible win amount. This adds up over time, and we love it.

Are Online Sportsbooks Legal in the U.S.?

Yes, there are many legal online sportsbooks for U.S. residents that are functioning today. The laws that define the way sportsbooks can function are not as harsh as many people think. In fact, there are only two federal laws that involve themselves with online sports wagering, and individual states don’t have and stipulations about it. The federal laws that you should know about are the Wire Act and the UIGEA. Each of these laws contains certain conditions that a sportsbook must adhere to in order to operate for U.S. residents.

What Is The Wire Act?

In the first half of the 20th century, gambling became very popular, and organized crime took over most of the industry. The federal government decided to do something about this in 1961 by creating the Wire Act. The Act managed to cut down on a significant amount of crime by criminalizing the use of wire communication devices used for moving gambling information between states. This law is now very dated, and there have been many ratifications to the language.

The Act now only adheres to sports betting, but it is still true that a wagering site cannot send information between states. The way the best online sportsbooks for U.S. players get around this is by operating overseas, in places like the Republic of Panama and Canada. As long as a site is outside of the U.S., there Wire Act doesn’t affect it, and anyone can use it as long as it accepts members from your state. Most of the sportsbooks we review accept members from all fifty states.

What Is The UIGEA?

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 is a controversial law that limits online gambling activity by creating certain rules about regarding funding. The UIGEA was hastily added to the SAFE Port Act in 2006, and no one in Congress even read it before it got signed in. This has many people up in arms about the whole situation, and one day soon the UIGEA might be changed radically or even abolished. As of now, it doesn’t really mean much for you anyway, since many sites are able to function in spite of the UIGEA’s rules.

The UIGEA only affects online sportsbooks that operate overseas by limiting the way they can send money to players. As long as a site uses a method other than directly to your credit card, then they are not in violation of the UIGEA. These premier online sportsbooks use many fast and efficient methods such as checks, cash wire transfers, money orders, bank wires, gift cards, cash cards, bitcoin, and many more methods to pay you quickly.

Are Online Sportsbooks Legal In My State?

Every American citizen is in luck because there are numerous sites out there that accept players from all fifty states. State laws do not bother themselves with online sports betting regulations since the federal government does a good enough job for them. This means that, as long as a site accepts people from your state, you can use it legally. There are some sites that don’t accepts all fifty states because some states do allow sports betting, and they don’t want to deal with the competition. Check out our full-length sportsbook reviews to see if the site you want to join accepts members from your state.

Legal Online Sportsbooks: Let's Recap

As you can see, the there are many safe and legal online options out there for American sports fans. We have shown you our favorites, and we know at least one of these sites will fulfill your betting desires. You now know how a sportsbook can serve legal betting US action and what laws regulate them. Now that it has been explained in plain English, the legal landscape is actually quite simple to understand. The time has come for you to start betting and reaping the rewards.