There is currently much debate as to whether or not sports betting is a game worth participating in. With the legalization of cannabis and a variety of new products designed to enhance one’s experience while gaming, there has never been a better time to be a part of the betting world.
The legality of sports betting varies from country to country. In some states and countries, it is completely prohibited while in others it is fully legalized. It is also worth noting that the legality of sports betting can vary depending on how you play. For example, in some places it is only allowed to bet on professional sports teams and events while in others it is legal to bet on any game or activity that you can find a price for.
Despite the varying regulations regarding sports betting, one thing is for sure: the ability to bet on sporting events is here to stay.
This is largely thanks to the proliferation of online platforms that allow for mobile sports betting as well as land-based sportsbooks that have adapted to the digital age. Even the most ardent supporters of betting bans will have to admit that technology has marched on, and today sports betting is as prevalent (if not more so) than it has ever been before.
If you are interested in entering the world of sports betting, then it’s important that you are aware of the various legalities involved. This article will discuss some of the most common gray areas surrounding the legality of sports betting. It will also touch on what you should know and be prepared for if you are to successfully enter the sports betting world.
Online Vs. Land-Based Sportsbooks
It is important to note that while the legalization of sports betting varies from country to country and within some countries, there is still a great deal of variation as to how gambling on sporting events is administered. This is largely due to the different regulations that exist between land-based and online sportsbooks. With land-based sportsbooks, the primary manner of gambling is through the use of physical cards while online sportsbooks rely on the use of specialized software to facilitate gambling. For the most part, online sportsbooks are much more convenient as you can access your account at any time and place you please as long as you have an Internet connection.
Fixed Matches
One popular pastime among sports fans is the betting on various sporting events, particularly those involving teams from the United Kingdom. One of the most popular sportsbooks to emerge in the UK in recent years is BetVictor. On their website, they proudly boast of having one of the largest selections of sports events to bet on, including Football and Cricket. So for anyone who is looking for a place to get a UK sports fix, BetVictor is a safe and convenient option.
International Gaming
Another area that often raises questions about the legality of sports betting is international gaming. Since gambling is illegal in many countries, those seeking to engage in high-stakes gambling often resort to online casinos that have international locations. The best-known example of an international online casino is 888 Casino. Founded in 1997, this casino giant is licensed to operate in Europe, the US and the Asian Pacific Rim.
Illegal Gaming
While the majority of online casinos are legally-operating entities based in legitimate countries, there are still many that operate in less-than-legal environments. The most notable example of an online casino designed for the practice of illegal gaming is BetVictor. With roots in the United Kingdom, the company is still subject to that country’s gambling laws. As a result, they are not permitted to operate in the UK and all of their games are officially classified as ‘void where prohibited’.
The impact of illegal gaming is significant. Not only does it offer those looking to engage in high-stakes gambling a place to do so, but it also presents a significant drain on revenue for the smaller, more-legitimate online casinos that are restricted by law from accepting real-money bets from residents of the UK.
Cashless Wagering
Another area of contention regarding the legality of sports betting surrounds the use of cashless wagering. A cashless wager is one in which you place a wager with the hope that the outcome will be favorable and which the bookmaker does not require you to use actual money (i.e. credit/debit card) to settle the wager. There are a variety of accepted methods for settling a wager involving cashless wagering, including online wallets (Mage/PayPal) and credit cards.
Depositing & Withdrawing
In most countries, it is generally illegal to withdraw money from a casino or betting establishment (with some exceptions). For the most part, casinos and betting shops are funded through profit made from gaming activity and, as a result, they have little tolerance for people trying to cheat the system. This can be particularly damaging to those seeking to make frequent deposits as they will quickly find themselves blacklisted by most casinos and betting shops.
Gambling on Stakes Above Certain Levels
In some countries, there is also considerable debate as to whether or not it is legal to bet on odds that exceed certain levels. For example, in Ireland it is legal to bet up to a certain degree, however, you cannot select the result of a horse race or football match; the bookmaker has the right to deny your bet if they feel the event is too farcical to be considered as a sport.
Mobile & Tablet Betting
With the development of mobile technology, the gambling industry has responded by creating various mobile-friendly sportsbooks. In the past, the only option for placing a wager on a mobile device was to go to a land-based sportsbook and access it through a web browser. Nowadays, thanks to the innovative work of the sports betting industry, there are numerous mobile-optimized sportsbooks that can be accessed through a variety of different apps. Some of the more popular apps include:
- iCandyShop
- Bet365
- BetVictor
- BetChain
- Mr.Green
- Racing UK
- Waxportal
These apps make it easy to place a wager from any location at any time and on any event, as long as you have an Internet connection. Thanks to the rise of mobile apps and mobile gaming, the world of sports betting is completely mobile-native now.
Risk Assessment
As a prospective sports bettor, it is important that you understand the various risks that you are taking on. For the most part, the risks associated with sports betting are comparable to those of other consumer-facing gambling activities, with the exception of credit /debit card fraud. Since credit /debit card fraud is often associated with online gaming, it is a risk that is shared with online casinos. This makes sense as there is a shared interest in ensuring that the funds you deposit are real money and will be paid back if you lose. In the case of credit /debit card fraud, there is also a shared interest in ensuring that the card provider’s database is not breached as this could lead to identity theft or financial hardship.
Know Your Customer
Prospective bettors should also be aware of the various risks that they are taking on. As a part of their due diligence, online casinos and sportsbooks that want to engage in real-money gaming should thoroughly investigate the customers that register with them. This involves looking into their background (including previous gambling history), analyzing their gaming habits, and ensuring that the bank that they use is of adequate size and has sufficient liquidity. While all of this may seem rather daunting, it is an essential step that should not be overlooked.
Betting Outside Your Home Country
It is also worth noting that while there is considerable variation in the way that sports betting is regulated worldwide, there is still a great deal of variation as to where you are allowed to bet. This is particularly the case for those looking to place bets in countries where gaming is illegal. Thanks to the work of the International Gaming Authority (“IGA”), it is now possible to gamble online in a variety of jurisdictions with most countries now allowing for some form of online gaming.