The expansion of esports and new technologies have led to the creation of a whole new industry: online sports betting. Although most states have banned this form of wagering, there are a handful of states where it’s legally available. Here’s a look at which ones.
New York
New York is home to the headquarters of DraftKings, a reputable esports betting company, and it also has the widest legalization of online sports betting in the country. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to wager on sports in NY. You must register with the state as an agent or principal and pay taxes on your winnings, which are considered ‘prize money.’ In addition, you must keep your personal winnings under $10,000. Those are the rules in New York, anyway. More information regarding legal sports betting in New York can be found on the department’s website.
California
In 2014, California passed Proposition 64, which legalized sports betting for professional sports teams and horse racing tracks. This led to an explosion of online wagering and daily fantasy sports. Just last year, the state legalized online poker and fantasy sports leagues. These new laws ushered in a new industry: online sports betting. Although it’s legal to bet on sports in California, it’s still considered ‘sporting’ and only available at pari-mutuel wagering locations. But you must be 21 years old to play at these types of betting facilities, and you also have to be physically present to make a bet. Those are the rules in California.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to the largest casino in North America, and it also has some of the most restrictive regulations regarding online sports betting. First of all, it is against the law to even offer sports wagering online from within the state. It’s also against the law for businesses to advertise online sports betting services. But the good thing is that if you are registered as a sports agent in Pennsylvania, you can get registered to participate in and conduct sporting events. You just have to fill out a simple form and pay a fee. Those are the rules in Pennsylvania.
Nevada
Nevada is home to the biggest and the busiest sportsbook in the country, The Las Vegas Sportsbook, which opened in 1966. This book has a total of 2,400 sportsbooks, making it the largest sports betting venue in the USA. You’ll find all the major sports, including football, baseball, and basketball, as well as racing and other types of betting. Although online sports betting in Nevada is legal, you must have a physical address corresponding to your online identity. You also cannot use VPNs or similar tools to conceal your identity while placing bets. Those are the rules in Nevada.
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is the hometown of Tiger Woods, and it’s also the preferred residence of many professional athletes. This is largely due to the fact that the area is home to many professional sports teams, such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Online betting in Tampa Bay is legal, but you must be at least 21 years old to place a bet. You also cannot use VPNs or similar tools to conceal your identity while wagering. Those are the rules in Tampa Bay.
Boston
Last but not least, we have Boston. This is the home of the Boston Red Sox, one of the most popular professional sports teams in the country. They’ve won 11 World Series titles, and the city is also the home of numerous other professional sports teams. In addition to the Red Sox, Boston is also the home to the Boston Celtics, who are also one of the most popular basketball teams in the country. Like Tampa Bay, Boston also has some of the strictest regulations regarding online sports betting. You must be at least 21 years old to place a bet and be physically present to make the wager. You also cannot use VPNs or similar tools to conceal your identity while wagering. Those are the rules in Boston.
As you can see, there are various different regulations regarding online sports betting in different parts of the United States. It’s still quite difficult to wager on sporting events worldwide due to varying state regulations. But for the time being, at least there are options for those who want to place a wager online.