If you are considering placing a bet through a website, you need to be aware of the legality of the operation. There are certain states where sports betting is completely legal, while in others, it’s largely prohibited. If you are placing a wager on sports events that take place in one of these states, you are most likely breaking the law. If you do decide to go ahead and place a wager, be sure that you are doing so legally and safely.
Check The License And Registration
One of the first things you should do before placing a wager is to ensure that the website through which you are placing the bet is properly licensed and registered with the state government. You can find the required documentation on the site’s About page, in the legal notice at the bottom of the page. You can click here to be taken to the site’s license and registration page.
If you are in the state of New York, where the Buffalo Bills are, and you want to watch their games, you will have to go through several layers of legal documentation before being able to place a sports bet. First, you need to have a sports account set up with a bookmaker, which is commonly found in the state. Then, you need to ensure that the website you are using to place your wager is legally licensed in the state of New York. Fortunately, this can be easily verified by clicking on the state’s website and searching for either the name of the sports team or the individual player you are supporting. In some instances, you may have to search a little bit more to find the sports betting law in New York.
Look At The Terms Of Service
Another thing you should check before placing a wager is the terms of service agreement the website has with the bookmaker or sports team you are betting on. This is where you will find the rules and regulations regarding wagering on sporting events, as well as any applicable fees and charges. It is also where you should look out for any promises of rewards or special bets that may entice you to place a wager when you would otherwise not do so. You will also find the terms of use agreement on the site’s About page, in the legal notice at the bottom of the page.
For example, if you are in Michigan and you visit thenfl.com, you will see the following terms of service agreement:
- NFL games are subject to change
- Fantasy Football is encouraged but not required
- Playoffs are excluded
- Payouts vary based on jurisdiction
- Void where prohibited
- Data provided ‘as is’, and NFL has no responsibility for any damages or losses
If you click on the “Terms of Service” link in the legal notice, you will be taken to a page that breaks down the specifics of the agreement:
- Fantasy Football
- State law prohibits sports betting
- Checking account $5 minimum deposit required
- Void where prohibited
- Data provided ‘as is’, and NFL has no responsibility for any damages or losses.
Use A VPN To Stay Ahead Of The TRUTH Act
One final thing you should do before placing a wager is to use a virtual private network (VPN) to keep your activity private. The United States enacted the Sports Internet Protection Act (Sports Internet Act) in 2018. This is a piece of federal legislation that was enacted in order to crack down on the issue of online sports gambling. Any website that offers online sports betting, regardless of whether it’s legal in the jurisdiction or not, will be legally bound by the provisions of the act. In other words, the government can now seek to prosecute websites that offer online sports betting services.
If you are in the United States and you visit a website that offers online sports betting, you should assume that you are being watched. Even if you are using a VPN, the government may still be able to track your activity. This is why it is essential that you use a reputable and legal sportsbook when placing your wagers.
By following these guidelines, you will ensure that your activity is conducted in accordance with the law and that you are protected from prosecution should the government decide to crack down on online sports gambling. When placing a wager, whether it’s legal or not, you should follow these steps to stay safe and keep your activities private.