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Best Sportsbooks US / Betting Guide / Is Betting Illegal?

Is Betting Illegal?

Publish Date: 30/03/2022

Is betting legal in your state right now, or is betting illegal? It’s a complex question with no simple answers, since the laws are constantly changing and evolving. But we’re on hand to help you make sense of them!

No matter where in the US you’re based, we can answer all of your questions about the legality of online betting. So whether you’re asking ‘Are betting apps legal in my state?”, or you’re wondering which are the safest and most reputable operators to sign up to, we’ve got the answers right here!

Our reviews give you the facts you need to know

As enthusiastic bettors ourselves, we bring all of our knowledge and expertise to the table when we prepare our in-depth sportsbook reviews. After all, it’s only when you’re in possession of the full facts about each betting operator that you can make fully informed decisions about which ones to sign up to.

We check for valid licenses and security protocols

Every state has its own laws surrounding online gambling, and that makes it incredibly confusing for sports betting enthusiasts to know which are the sportsbook legal states. Where a state doesn’t permit legal online gambling sites to operate, offshore gambling sites often crop up to offer sports betting opportunities, and that can lead to major problems. Sign up to an unlicensed, unregulated betting site and there’s no guarantee that your sensitive personal data – or your financial information – will be safe. And that’s not a scenario we want for any of our site visitors!

One of the first things we do, when faced with an online gambling operator, is to check that it’s properly licensed, by a leading industry regulator. We ensure we thoroughly cover all aspects of betting companies that allow US players, from top to bottom!  We’re very well aware that some regulators will quite happily issue a license to any sportsbook operator prepared to pay the necessary fees, and needless to say, those operators don’t make it onto our website! We only review safe, reputable and legitimate operators, so you can take your pick from any of the ones featured on our website.

We look for a great user experience

When you sign up to an online betting operator, you’ll need to be able to find your way around easily, so clear and intuitive site navigation is non-negotiable. After all, there’s no point in signing up to an all-singing, all-dancing sportsbook site if it’s impossible to find your way around to the parts of the site you need to be!

We check out the site’s overall design too, along with any sports betting apps, but it’s important to note that this is very much a matter of personal preference. What suits one bettor perfectly might not be such a good fit for someone else, which is why it’s so important to narrow down the options that you like the look and feel of.

We give you all the important info

From deposit and withdrawal methods, withdrawal processing times, customer service options, rewards and loyalty programs, and even if the site has a betting sites odds and spreads calculator, our reviews leave no stone unturned. We don’t like jargon either, with betting terms explained fully, you can make much more informed betting decisions about the operators you’d like to sign up to.

Our top five essential tips for finding your new betting operator

We’ve got a wealth of experience when it comes to online betting, so you’re in safe hands when you browse through our operator and bonus reviews. We understand exactly what sort of information you’re hoping to find, and we go out of our way to make sure we provide it! We leave nothing to chance when preparing our insightful reviews, so they make the ideal starting point for finding a betting operator that you’ll enjoy visiting on a regular basis.

Of course, choosing your perfect operator is a matter of personal choice, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But our reviews make an ideal starting point, simply because they’re so crammed full of all the details you want to know. And these five points will help you to find the operators that are perfect for your requirements:

Examine each operator’s service provision

In addition to asking, is betting legal, or is betting illegal in your specific state, you need to be very clear in your mind about the type of betting opportunities you’re hoping to explore. We can certainly answer the question, “Is betting on sports legal?”, no matter which state you’re in, but you’ve probably got some specific sports and events in mind when considering your wagering opportunities.

Of course, it goes without saying that any operators you choose need to offer plenty of betting options on the matches, fixtures and ones that give you the best free bets today that you will enjoy the most. That’s certainly something we can help you with, but nothing beats taking a close-up look at a provider for yourself. We recommend you use our reviews as a starting point to narrow down a shortlist of operators, which you can then examine in more detail.

Check out your deposit and withdrawal options

In addition to asking, “Is betting legal in my state?”, you’ll also need to consider your payment options for depositing and withdrawing funds. Although many states are now relaxed about allowing online casinos and sportsbooks to operate, financial institutions can sometimes try to put a block on any online gambling activities. So if you’re planning on fuelling your wagering using a debit or credit card, you might find that some payment options will be declined by your preferred operator.

We examine all the payment options accepted by operators featured on our site, and we report back on our findings. That makes it exceptionally easy for you to pick out the sportsbooks that allow eWallet payments, for example, or the online casinos that accept bank transfers and ACH checks. But we also tell you about withdrawal processing times too, so you have the complete picture before signing up.

A friendly and accessible customer support service is essential

When you sign up to an online betting operator, you’ll be hoping that everything will always go smoothly and that you’ll never run into any problems. But of course, wherever technology is involved, there’s always the potential for something to go wrong, and if that happens, you’ll need to know there’s someone you can turn to.

As part of our comprehensive operator reviews, we examine the customer support options, including the operating times. If you’re a late-night bettor, for example, it’s important to know that help is at hand when you need it the most, so you’d be advised to seek out an operator offering round-the-clock support.

Bonuses and loyalty programs

If the answer to the question “Is sports betting legal in my state?” is “Yes”, then you’ll be in line for a tempting introductory bonus offer. We’re here to explain what to expect, including how to claim it and how to put it to good use. But we’ll also tell you about ongoing sportsbook promotions and bonuses that increase the reach of your bankroll. If you’re looking for loyalty and VIP programs, we can point in the right direction for those too, giving you a whole lot of extra bang for your buck!

Check out what other users have to say

Our reviews make a great starting point, and we tell you absolutely everything you need to know, but we can’t account for personal taste. So it’s worth examining what other bettors have to say, as that might help you make up your mind. Read up on what bettors just like you are saying about an operator, and it could just help to sway your opinion about your betting choices.

Our reviews simplify the process of choosing your new operator

Our operator reviews are designed to put all the necessary information front and centre, making it easy to narrow down your options. By covering all the information you need to know, we empower you to make better choices. We also draw your attention to operators that you might not have been aware of previously, so there’s a lot to discover!

Use our reviews to help you create a shortlist, then pay each site a visit to find out whether it’s suitable for your needs. You can rest assured that we’ve done all the necessary research to ensure that all the operators we recommend go above and beyond to keep your data safe, and they’re all appropriately licensed too, so that’s one less thing for you to have to worry about!

Our top sportsbook picks

BetMGM
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Players from Virginia accepted
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DraftKings
2.
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Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
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Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel
3.
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4.8/5
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets + 3 Months of NBA League Pass
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
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Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet365
4.
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4.7/5
$1000 in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
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Place your first cash bet up to $1,000, and if the bet loses, you will have your wager refunded in Bonus Bets. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetRivers.com
5.
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4.6/5
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayNearMe
Bank Transfer
VIP Preferred
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 21+

Our editor’s top recommendation

Is betting legal in your state? If it is, there’s a very good chance that FanDuel will be one of your options, and it’s an operator that comes highly recommended, particularly by us! That’s because FanDuel is a well-known and well-respected global sportsbook brand, complete with all the necessary licenses in place, so you can be sure of a safe, legitimate and closely regulated sports betting experience.

You’ll find a vast array of sporting fixtures to bet on at FanDuel, with plenty of betting options too, including live betting! You’ll find moneylines, spreads, parlays, teasers and props. And there’s up to $1,000 available in the FanDuel risk-free first bet offer, as well as loads of other regular promotions to help your bankroll go even further.  Why not check it out to see if it could be a good fit for you?

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Our top tips for finding your perfect operator

As we’ve mentioned already, finding your perfect operator is very much a matter of personal taste, so although we’ve recommended FanDuel as our preferred option, it’s certainly not going to be right for everyone. Try following these tips to narrow down your options and be sure of selecting a sportsbook that’s right for you.

Decide what sort of wagering experience you’re looking for

Whatever your favorite sporting events, it’s important to check that they’re covered by your preferred operator before signing up.

Consider what payment options you’d like to use

You’ll need a payment and withdrawal option that’s quick and convenient to use, whether that’s bank cards, bank transfer or an eWallet payment system.

How much do you intend to wager?

Bettors with a modest bankroll need to pick out a sportsbook operator offering the sort of odds and spreads that suit their gambling funds. But remember to only ever bet money you can afford to lose!

Is your operator safe, licensed and regulated?

Our reviews tell you all the important facts about safety and security, so you can decide which operators to sign up to once you’re in possession of the full facts about each one.

Is betting legal where I live? Is there a sportsbook near me? Is online betting legal whilst online casinos are up and running? That’s something we’re ready and waiting to help you with, as we’ve got the full facts about all types of betting across the US. Once you’ve established the position in your neck of the woods, you can set about finding your perfect operator. And if you’re wondering, “Are betting apps legal in my state?”, we can help you with that too!

Read our insightful reviews and bonus comparisons and start narrowing down your betting options, so that you can pick out the operators, betting deals and bonuses that will offer the best potential returns. We’re here to help you make the most informed betting choices, so be sure to use our information to help you pick out your ideal betting operators.

Awesome offers to boost your bets

BetMGM
1.
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4.9/5
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
Go to BetMGM
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T&Cs apply, 21+
DraftKings
2.
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4.9/5
Bet $5 Get $150 Instantly
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $5
Go to DraftKings
Get Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel
3.
Favicon
4.8/5
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets + 3 Months of NBA League Pass
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
Go to FanDuel
Get Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet365
4.
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4.7/5
$1000 in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
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Place your first cash bet up to $1,000, and if the bet loses, you will have your wager refunded in Bonus Bets. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetRivers.com
5.
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4.6/5
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
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T&Cs apply, 21+

Is betting illegal? FAQ

✋ Is betting illegal in the US?

Every state throughout the US can make up its own mind whether to permit online betting, and the situation is changing and evolving all the time. So if you’re wondering “Is betting illegal in my state?”, that’s something we can help you with right now. Come and check out our operator reviews and bonus comparisons to find the combination that’s right for you.

❔ Is online betting legal across all states?

You want to know, is betting legal in the US, but there’s no simple answer to that question. Each state has its own rules, but more and more states are relaxing their online gambling laws – and yours could be one of them! Come and find out the current state of play, and we’ll guide you towards the legal betting operators you can sign up to, all of which have been tried and tested by us!

📱 Are betting apps legal in my state?

Federal laws don’t ban online gambling, but every state has its own laws on the subject, making for a complicated situation across the US. But we’re on hand to guide you through the maze, explaining what’s legal, what isn’t, and which are the legitimate and reputable operators to sign up to right now. We’ve got some useful bonus info to show you too, so don’t miss out!

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FanDuel
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FanDuel
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Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

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