Sports betting is a billion-dollar industry in the United States, where players bet on professional sports teams and athletes. At the federal level, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was designed to prevent banks from processing transactions involving illegal wagering. This legislation was meant to prevent criminals from using financial institutions to launder money. The UIGEA doesn’t apply to sportsbook operators because it does not address online gambling. The act also has an exemption for small businesses that offer internet gambling services to US citizens as long as they are located outside of Nevada or New Jersey. However, the law does prohibit states from legalizing such activities. If you reside in one of these states, then you can still enjoy casino games at your local land-based casinos, but you cannot access other types of gambling websites.
Looking Into Legal Sports Betting Online
We’ve compiled a list of the best online sportsbooks where you can place bets on major sporting events like football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, and more. These are great places to get action on all your favorite sports including NCAA college football, NFL picks, NBA odds, NHL picks, college basketball picks, pro football lines, fantasy sports, and more! Check out our top legal sportsbooks below!
Intertops
USA’s #1 Online Sports Book & Casino since 2018, Intertops offers quality customer service, an excellent mobile app, and huge bonuses up to $1000 FREE. Their sports selection varies widely and internationally, offering betting on everything from UFC fights to rugby matches. They’re licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada, which means that their software adheres to strict Canadian standards.
BetOnline
With over 5 years in business, BetOnline has established itself as a leading online sportsbook with a wide variety of markets available for each sport. Although their main focus is offering sports betting, they have a solid lineup of casino games, live casino, poker, and bingo options. The site also features a unique loyalty program where you earn points after every successful transaction, and can exchange those points for free plays and cash prizes.
William Hill
A UK-licensed bookmaker, William Hill is renowned for its extensive sports betting offerings and large array of in-play betting markets. Offering multiple deposit methods including bank transfer, credit card, Bitcoin, ePayments, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, PaySafeCard, Sofortbanking, MoneyBookers, Ukash, Instadebit, Trustly, Entropay, WebMoney, EcoPayz, Zipcash, Click2pay, Paysafecard, Yandex Wallet, and Wire Transfer, this reputable company offers users a generous welcome bonus worth up to £50 when they open an account. They also give away free bets daily via their ‘New Customer Bonus’ promotion.
Paddy Power
Ireland’s largest sports betting operator, Paddy Power offers customers plenty of value through a number of different promotions. For example, new depositors receive a 100% matched bonus up to €100, while existing clients can claim a 25% match up to €250. To help win big, they provide a range of lucrative In-Play betting markets including Horse Racing, Cricket, Soccer, Tennis, Boxing, Rugby, and Motorsports. Other popular sports include UFC, Formula 1, MotoGP, and WWE wrestling. US players are plenty welcome, too, as Paddy Power is licensed and regulated by the Irish government.
888sport
If you want to play the latest games and tournaments, then look no further than 888sport. With a strong line-up of tennis, eSports, horse racing, MMA, cricket, golf, and boxing competitions, they cater to all levels of players. You can either use their desktop version or download their Android / iOS app, both of which come highly recommended. Users will need to register for an account before placing any bets. Once registered, there are numerous rewards and incentives for regular activity.
Betway
The home of some of the biggest events in world sporting history, BETWAY has been operating in Australia for close to 20 years now. As one of Australia’s leading online gambling companies, they offer a broad spectrum of exciting games, including Bingo, Live Casino, Table Games, Slots, Poker, Scratch Cards, Skill Based Games, and much more! Australian players may choose between playing at their online or land-based locations. New players get a 150% Welcome Bonus (Free Spins + Deposit) plus lots of Free Bets. They offer players all the way in the US a great choice of products like Sports Betting, Live Casino, Virtual Sports, and other exciting games.
The Benefits of Virtual Sports Betting
There are many benefits to virtual sports betting that make it so appealing to gamblers:
- Access to hundreds of real-time matches from around the globe on desktop and mobile devices.
- No travel expenses or time commitment is required to attend physical matches.
- Online access allows bettors to place wagers anytime day or night.
- Bettors can bet on their favorite teams or athletes without having to be physically present.
To Wrap Up
Virtual sports betting is growing at a rapid rate, and online services like Bet365 are helping to spread the love of sports betting wherever people are. Whether you’re interested in fantasy football or college basketball, there are countless ways to enjoy your favorite sport(s). With more and more sports variants and upscaling, we have only scratched the surface here. We hope this guide has helped you find the best sportsbook online. If you know of any others that should be added to our list please let us know!