Sports betting is legal in some places, but not in others. If you’re looking to place a bet on a sporting event, you have to check first where you can and cannot do so. Before making your wager, it’s important to know the rules and regulations surrounding sports betting in your area.
Where Can I Bet?
Just because something is legal does not mean that you have to be able to do it. Many states and local governments have passed laws limiting the locations where you can bet. You may be able to bet in whatever place you like, but they will not be able to stop you. There are however, certain places that you cannot bet in. This usually comes with a fine or jail time, so it’s important to know the rules before you start betting just for fun.
You’ll find information about the legal status of sports betting on websites, blogs, and forums dedicated to the subject. You’ll also find plenty of places to bet online, including offshore betting websites. However, if you want to place a bet in person, you have to check first where you can and cannot do so. Luckily, there are plenty of places where sports betting is legal, including most of the states in which professional sports teams play. The following are some of the more prominent locations where sports betting is legal:
Arizona
Arizona is home to some of the most popular sports teams in the country, including the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, and Diamondbacks. It also has one of the most active college sports fanbases. As a state, it is pretty liberal when it comes to sports betting. You’ll find nearly every major sport playing there, and it is legal to place bets on all of them. However, like most places, they have restrictions regarding where you can place your bet. You cannot bet outside of state borders or in certain locations where gaming is prohibited. In addition, the odds of winning on any given wager are dictated by the government. For more information, check out the Arizona Gambling Act. (Wikipedia)
California
Legalized sports betting in California is limited to a few locales. You’ll find it mainly in counties where there is a large population of Asian Americans. It is also legal to bet on the Superbowl in California. The odds of winning on any given wager are fixed by the state, so the payout will be the same as any other legal gambling option in the state. However, the location of your bet must be disclosed to state officials, so if you are ever questioned about it, you must be able to provide proof that you were following the rules. If you are in California and want to place a bet, consult with a local attorney first.
Florida
Sports betting is legal in Florida, but only in certain locations. The chances of winning on any given wager are determined by state officials, and it is strictly prohibited for any business to offer, promote, or promote betting on sports events. It is also against the law to bet on sporting events that are being held within the state. Finally, it is against the law to use an online or mobile device to place bets in Florida or to offer to take bets from there. For more information, check out the Florida Gambling Act. (Wikipedia)
Michigan
Michigan is home to the Detroit Lions, the favorite football team of this writer. However, it is also the place where you cannot legally bet on sports. Although there are some exceptions for pre-season and regular season NFL games, it is still illegal for anyone to place a wager on a sporting event in Michigan. It is important to note that some states and localities in Michigan do allow for legal online poker and online casino gambling. If you want to place a bet in person, you’ll need to look for a location where it is legal, or you’ll have to travel outside the state to do so. (Wikipedia)
Nevada
Las Vegas is the place that most people think of when they think of sports betting. It is home to some of the most prominent sports teams in the country, like the Raiders and the Nuggets. It also hosts the annual NCAA college basketball tournament, the Final Four. It is one of the few places that allow betting on all major sporting events, not just professional sports teams. Some locations in Nevada allow for sports betting, but it is still heavily restricted. The legal page on the Nevada Gaming Control website explains the various forms of gambling that are allowed there. (Wikipedia)
New York
Sports can be legal in New York, but it is still somewhat of a grey area. However, you can bet on sports events in certain locations. It is still illegal for any business to allow or promote betting on a sporting event or to receive bets from New York. It is a violation for any resident of that state to travel to another location and bet on a sporting event. However, if you are in New York and want to place a bet, look for a Sportsbook that is officially licensed. (Wikipedia)
Texas
Like many other states in the south, sports betting is legal in Texas, but it is still restricted in some places. It is open throughout the state, but you cannot bet on sporting events that are being played at an organized stadium. Certain areas of the state, like Dallas, allow for legal betting on all major sporting events, but you have to be a resident of that city to do so. If you want to place a bet in person, you’ll need to look for a legal sportsbook that is open to the public, rather than trying to wager on a sporting event at a private residence or business.
Washington
Like most places, sports betting is legal in Washington, but only in certain locations. You cannot bet on sporting events that are being played in front of an audience or that are held at an organized stadium. If you want to place a bet in person, you’ll need to check with the nearest sports bookie to find out where and what rules and regulations apply. In addition, it is still illegal for an individual to bet on a sporting event in Washington. However, if you are in the state of Washington and want to place a bet, you’ll need to check with a local attorney first to see what legal options you have.
Above, you’ll find a map outlining the various states and localities where sports betting is legal. If you want to place a bet in person, you’ll need to check first where you can and cannot do so. Just remember, it is still illegal for any business to promote or allow betting on a sports event, and it is still against the law for anyone to accept bets from a location other than that located in the same state as the sporting event. However, if you want to place a bet on the Superbowl or the NCAA tournament, then you can do so in most states. Just make sure that you are following the rules and regulations surrounding sports betting in that area.