You’ve probably heard of the practice of legalized sports betting, but do you really know what it means? If not, then this article is for you. We will inform you of the various forms of sports betting available in the US and how to find out which states offer each form of the gaming activity.
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At the moment, six states offer traditional legal sports betting, but it’s the states that enable online betting that hold the most allure. One of the largest and most popular online betting sites in the US is definitely the New Jersey-based industry leader, Resbet, which has been around since 1992. Resbet’s platform is available in more than 20 different countries, yet the majority of their US customers are in New Jersey. That’s because the website offers a uniquely American experience, catering to sports fans from all over the country.
Other states that offer online betting are: Kentucky, Mississippi, Delaware, and West Virginia. It should come as no surprise that most of the online betting sites that operate in the US have chosen to set up shop in these states, given that they offer the most favorable gaming laws. Online betting is also prevalent in states where there is a high concentration of college students, such as Florida, due to the sheer volume of traffic that the larger, more established sports betting sites attract.
However, even in these ‘friendly’ states, it’s not always legal to bet on sports. For instance, in New Jersey you cannot bet on football, despite the fact that the state is well-known for its vibrant football culture. The same goes for college basketball in North Carolina. If you want to place a wager on a basketball game, then you’ll have to do so illegally, outside of the state of North Carolina, where it’s still considered ‘prohibited gaming’.
Live In-House Betting
Although it’s not quite as exciting as going to the casino and placing your wager on live sport, having betting available at the flick of a button is still incredibly popular. You don’t have to sit through any boring game to see your preferred team win or lose, as the action occurs right in front of you. There are several countries that operate live in-house betting, including Malaysia, Costa Rica, and the Philippines, yet the majority of live in-house betting games are offered in the Caribbean, where gambling is legal. St Barts and Jamaica are the biggest names in the industry, with several thousand games being offered on each island, every week.
However, not every state allows for live in-house betting, so you’ll have to check the regulations before hand. In Nevada, for example, residents cannot use wireless devices, such as laptops and tablets, in establishments that offer sports betting. So if you’re in Nevada and want to bet on a game that’s being played elsewhere, then you’ll have to go to a physical, land-based casino.
Mobile Betting
Mobile betting has been around for years, with people placing wagers from their smartphones. Several companies have sprung up, taking the hassle out of going to a land-based casino and increasing the odds of winning. With most mobile networks now offering ‘data roaming’, enabling users to connect and place wagers from abroad, the industry has exploded.
However, not every state has recognized the industry’s growth, with some countries, like New York, still banning the activity. Nevertheless, as long as you’re not operating within the state’s borders, then you’re good to go. You can place a bet on the Super Bowl, World Cup, or NCAA Basketball Tournament from anywhere in the world via mobile, with several companies offering specialized apps for this very purpose.
International Wagers
If you’re traveling abroad, then it’s definitely worth looking into the option of placing bets on sporting events. The process is often easy and requires little to no paperwork, as long as you have an Internet connection and a credit card. You can usually find all the information you need online, and some online betting sites even allow you to make a quick and easy deposit, in the form of a credit card, using a world-class money transfer service.
However, even though online betting is perfectly legal abroad, you should still consider what country you’re in. In some countries, such as the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand, betting on sporting events is only permitted in specific locations, such as sports books or race tracks. If you’re not in an area where sports betting is legal, then you’re best avoiding the activity altogether. The same goes for countries that ban online betting, such as Germany, which truly is a lost opportunity for those of us who love a good bet.
In addition to the above-mentioned forms of sports betting, some online betting sites also offer a wide variety of games, such as poker, blackjack, and slots. If you like the feeling of sitting at a real-life casino, but the convenience of being able to place your wager from the comfort of your home, then you can opt for a site that offers both land-based casinos and online gaming. Although it’s difficult to determine the exact number of people who play online poker recreationally, it’s certainly a multibillion-dollar industry. Not many people play for big stakes these days, due to the high risks involved, but individuals still love to play poker online from the comfort of their homes.
Checking out which states offer sports betting, and which ones don’t, is not very difficult. All you need is an Internet connection and the know-how to perform a quick, simple search. While some states still ban the activity, others have actually adopted a more welcoming stance towards the burgeoning industry. If you’re interested in placing a wager on a game, then visit the state’s gambling website or contact the state’s sports league, directly, for clarification.