Best Internet Betting Sites
Horse betting sites online display one of the oldest sports on the planet. Horse betting has always been considered the sport of kings and nobleman. Luckily, nowadays, betting on horses is much more accessible to people who are not members of royal families. Placing wagers on horses participating in races is today much easier than it used to be only a few years ago, since you no longer have to actually be present at the racing field. You may now bet on your favorite horse from the comfort of your own home through a horse race betting website and enjoy the show online – broadcasted live on your wide screen TV.
Only top rated horse betting sites on the internet can provide you with a guarantee that your money is in good hands. Don’t limit yourself with betting on horses competing only at your local racetrack. There are hundreds of competitions worldwide worth betting on, so it will be much more convenient for you to find a sports betting.
Horse Betting Sites for 2021
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Of course, when it comes to putting real money at stake, you cannot simply trust the first sports betting website that you stumble upon. To get an extra security that your wagers are safe, you need to look for an online betting company with a proven reputation. Only top rated horse betting sites on the internet can provide you with a guarantee that your money is in good hands.
Don’t limit yourself with betting on horses competing only at your local racetrack. There are hundreds of competitions worldwide worth betting on, so it will be much more convenient for you to find a sports betting online platform that you can use to place wagers internationally.
Unfortunately, when you have that many opportunities you may easily get confused while choosing the best online horse betting sites. In order to help you get a secure access to all the major tracks for horse betting on a global scale InternetBettingSites.org has created a Top 5 ranking to rate the most trusted and fair sports gambling sites. The following list is created on the basis of thorough online research as well as bettors’ reviews and recommendations. It serves to display only loyal online betting companies. Choosing one of these web casinos will certainly boost your positive sports gambling experience.
Horse Race Betting Page Summary
If you want to know more about horse betting sites and finding a secure way of doing it, you will certainly find the following information worth reading. Here are just a few of the things that will be discussed in the following paragraphs:
- Horse Betting bonuses
- The criteria used to rate the quality of international horse betting or other sports gambling websites
- Why do you need to go for a recommended online horse betting platform
- Horse racing event types
- Major global horse racing events in 2017
- Bonus and deposit withdrawal policies
Reading the following information may not guarantee you the jackpot but it will certainly help you select a decent sports gambling website. It should also aid you create a successful winning strategy for the horse racing events in the year to follow.
On What Basis Are These Horse Betting Websites Regarded as Excellent?
Having so many horse betting sites nowadays is both an advantage and a drawback for the full-time sports game bettors. Having a wider choice is definitely a plus but it can also be quite disturbing to pick the right site when there is “so much fish in the sea”. Unfortunately, the gambling website quality control has been neglected recently and online betting fans have started complaining from scam companies. Luckily, InternetBettingSites.org came into play to present a list of fully checked and reviewed horse betting sites which have been considered by many visitors to be reliable and easily accessible. We are not just another company oriented towards offering gambling services ourselves but a team of dedicated bettors gathered to create rankings aimed at helping the global online gambling society.
We are constantly creating new top lists and updating our current selection of rankings in order to boost your positive sports gambling experience. Our team helps the betting community discover fair gambling opportunities that pay off well at horse betting sites.
In order to win our trust, online betting sites and casino websites need to have an established reputation, access to a wide amount of racetracks, lucrative promotions and many more competitive advantages. Here are the factors that we usually go for when searching for top web gambling sites to rank:
- Reliability and customer oriented loyalty
- Wide range of money deposit opportunities
- Rewarding bonus systems
- Website ease of use
- High chances for winning real money
- Excellent customer care service
The Benefits of Choosing a Trusted Top Ranked Horse betting Website
Although many people believe that the site through which they place real money horse betting wagers is of no importance, it’s actually quite the contrary. Choosing a trusted website can certainly take your gambling experience to a whole different level. Most companies offer an average customer care experience, decent graphics, an HD live race broadcasting, and a well-organized site navigation menu. But is that all that you are really looking for? When searching for a gambling website to deposit your money in, you’d better be extra cautious and demanding.
Don’t just randomly sign up at the first horse betting sites that you come upon. Always trust only the top recommended ones in order to avoid an eventual disappointment. The safety of your betting funds depends on your initial decision. Attractive odds and generous sign up bonuses may attract you to scam online gambling sites but you should also pay attention to other factors and take the time to read some customer’s reviews for the respective company before you commit to it.
Always compare at least 2 or 3 recent customer’s reviews to get an up to date picture that reflects the current quality of the services provided by these respective websites. Some online gambling companies that used to offer competitive service quality and bonuses may now be substituted by better ones. Even though that type of research may take an extra hour, the reward that you get for investing it is definitely worth the time. What’s more, you can always count on websites like InternetBettingSites.org that have already done the research for you and have created various top rankings to assist you find the right sports betting website in your area.
Horse Racing Betting Apps
Working with some of the best online horse betting sites guarantees you a high investment return, especially if you use horse betting apps for a positive gambling experience, fair cash-out policy, excellent customer care service, and much more. Try horse racing betting apps once, and you will never want to return to your old online gambling routines!
Horse Betting Online – What Are the Different Types of Horse Racing That You Can Bet on?
Horse racing is a sport with a great history that dates back from the Ancient times. The first official data about horse racing competitions is related to the Greek Olympics in the 7th century B.C. This noble sport has been practiced by many nations all over the world which added supplementary rules or excluded some of the existing ones. That’s why, this sport has undergone a big evolution through the centuries. Now racetracks around the world host different types of horse races. Here are a few of the main ones you can find on horse betting sites:
- Thoroughbred horse racing. This type of racing is popular predominantly in England, Australia, and the US but its popularity is rising all over the world. In fact, this is currently the most common type of horse racing that you can enjoy via traditional or DFS sports gambling websites. Thoroughbred horses are professionally trained race horses and they have a long breeding history. The competition is run at a distance between 5 and 12 furlongs. There are two main types of Thoroughbred horse racing: Flat racing and Jump racing.
- Flat racing. This type of racing as suggested from its name is taking place on flat surfaces like turf and dirt. Despite Britain, international races of this type nowadays take place in Japan, Dubai, as well as in other big Asian countries.
- Jump racing. This type of racing involves jumping over obstacles, including wooden and metal fences, ditches, as well as hurdles. In some areas, it is also known as hunt racing and is times more hazardous than flat racing. The countries where this type of horse racing is traditionally practiced are:
- Harness racing. This type of racing is not as popular as the other ones since it involves racing by a two-wheeled cart. The name of this type of cart is sulky. The most popular races of this kind are held in France and respectfully enjoyed mostly by French online gamblers.
- Point to point racing. This is an amateur horse hunt racing competition held primarily in Great Britain, Wales and Ireland. The horses used for these games are not necessarily thoroughbred and can be at the end of their racing career.
- Endurance racing or Arabian horse racing. This is a specific sport which requires the participating horses to have excessive stamina. These types of races vary from short sprints to long distance competitions with a race track length of more than 100 miles. There is an International Federation that supervises this sport.
The types of horseback races may also vary according to the countries where they are held. US and Australia, for instance, classify and group races in a different way. Not to mention that the required particular race-horse conditions are usually contrasting.
Which Are the World’s Top Horse Racing Events This Year
If you have been long enough into the business of horse racing betting sites to develop gaming skills, you already know that international competitions from the professional league can bring you much higher return on investment. If you are looking for an opportunity to win big money by simply placing a wager from the comfort of your home, then you definitely need to know a lot about the global racing event calendar. Although most of the horse betting sites on the internet offer a complete list of the annual racing events worldwide, our team has decided to summarize and mention the most important ones here.
- The American Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing held in the USA annually in May and June. This event includes three races in Kentucky, Maryland and New York.
- The US Breeders’ Cup Classic. This is one of the most prestigious races worldwide. Each year, the championship is held at different racetracks around the United States of America.
- The British Classics at the Epsom Derby Festival. Held in early June every year, this event attracts sports bettors from continents. It encompasses 5 imposing races and engages a big number of professional online gamblers.
- The Grand National Jump Race in the UK. Although it is held in Britain, it is believed to be the most famous horse racing competition on the Earth, followed by the Cheltenham festival race, also held in the UK.
- The Melbourne cup. This race has a history of over 50 years. It is held in November and is celebrated as a national holiday.
- The Dubai World Cup. Although this horse race cannot boast with a long history and traditions, it is quickly gaining popularity due to its wealthy and well-healed jackpot. Its prize fund has reached $10 million which makes it an attractive target for most experienced sports gambling specialists.
Of course, these are only a few of the major global championships. There are plenty of other horse races that you can place your wagers on. You may be lucky to win the prize at a small-scale local competition. The substantial thing that you need to do in order to cash-in your money, however, is to discover the best online betting sites for horse racing in your area and stick to them.
What Are the Options When Depositing Real Money into Horse Betting Sites
To credit your betting account after you have chosen the sports gambling site that you like, you can either use your credit card or perform a direct cash transfer. Almost all online casinos support both options. Unfortunately, bettors from the United States may sometimes have a problem inputting their first deposit through their credit card. In that case they can transact money in cash through Money gram or other platforms. In fact, non-US citizens are far less limited in their money transaction options. European bettors, for example can take advantage of various e-Wallets like PayPal, Skrill, Stripe, WePay, Payoneer, etc.
Actually, what makes a gambling website reliable is not the option to deposit money through various ways, but to cash out your winnings successfully whenever you want. If the online casino that you have used to place sports bets on, is not responding quickly to your prize withdrawal requests, then this should ring the bell that you may not have chosen the right online betting partner.
Horse betting sites with an established reputation and an extensive list of satisfied users are the sites which can transact your winnings to your bank account whenever you need them. This process should be easy, if the website you are using is reliable. The most trusted web casinos offer a free reward cash-out. This free withdrawal processing, however, is usually not available more than once a month. If you would like to cash-out money more frequently, you may have to pay a small transaction fee.
Keep in mind that no matter how loyal and solid an online casino is, it may have its very own financial policy. In order to make sure that your investment is in good hands and that you can confide your funds to that respective sports betting company, you’d better double check the terms and conditions of the site in advance. To get instant answers to all of your questions without losing too much time navigating through the website, you may contact the customer support agents of the company. Most decent horse betting sites have a landline or a live chat that you can use to reach a customer care agent 24/7.
A helpful customer care team is one of the key factors to determine whether an online casino should be trusted or not when comes to horse races. Of course, bonus systems, and the ease of website navigation should also not be underestimated. The balance between those factors can actually illustrate how a decent sports gambling website should look like. If you want to be 100% certain that you have made the right choice, don’t forget to also check the rankings for horse betting sites created by InternetBettingSites.org. Our team is here to serve you when you need to quickly elect a trusted local web casino!
Horse Racing Info-Links
- 10 Tips for Horse Racing – Form Study (Improve Your Strike Rate)
- Horse Racing Analysis and Form Study (South Africa’s №1 Tipster)
It has been more than two years since the Supreme Court of the United States struck down PASPA. That move opened the door to legal sports betting in the US as the justices effectively handed the legislative decision over to individual states.
Since that point, we have seen a flurry of activity. Many states are now completely up and running with legal sports betting. Other states are still sorting through legalization, and more are expected to follow.
While some states have retail, mobile and online options, others require bets to be placed only in-person. There are also restrictions in place to ensure that users are within state lines while placing bets via mobile devices.
The landscape has changed dramatically in a short period of time.
Legal US sports betting apps
Not all states that allow legal sports betting will choose to use online or mobile wagering platforms. Some have rules that allow online and mobile wagering anywhere within state lines, while others require bets to be placed inside a casino.
Just because you download a sports betting app that is legal in one state doesn’t mean it will work in another. Smartphone apps will verify your location within a legal betting area before allowing you to wager. You will be rejected from betting if outside the legal borders.
Where can I place a legal online sports bet?
The list of legal online sports betting states continues to grow. Currently, it’s up to 14 states and Washington, DC, but the official launch is still pending in some spots.
* Pending launch
Colorado sports betting sites
Legal sports betting was approved by voters in Colorado in 2019. The official online and mobile rollout took place on May 1, 2020, with DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers and BetMGM all going live on the same day. Several other operators have since gone live in the state.
Illinois sports betting sites
Legislation was also passed in Illinois in 2019 with the official launch taking place in March 2020. Initially, only retail betting was allowed, with in-person registration required for online and mobile players. That provision has been suspended for the time being because of the COVID-19 pandemic. DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet and BetRivers are among the available options.
Indiana sports betting sites
Sports betting was legalized in Indiana in 2019. The rollout happened quickly, with retail options opening up in September of that year, followed by online and mobile launch in October. DraftKings and BetRivers were the first sites available, followed by FanDuel a month later. The list of available options continues to grow.
Iowa sports betting sites
Iowa was also among the states that both legalized and went live with sports betting in 2019. Legislation was passed in May, with the retail and mobile launch coming in August. Through the end of 2020, online and mobile users have to register in-person at a casino that offers sports betting. DraftKings, PointsBet and William Hill are among the operators that are live in Iowa.
Michigan sports betting sites
Best Online Betting Sites Football
Sports betting was signed into law in December 2019 in Michigan. Retail sportsbooks opened up in March 2020 and mobile sportbook apps became legal for sports betting in Michigan in January 2021.
Nevada sports betting sites
Nevada’s days as the only option for legal US sports betting are over. Not much has changed for the state since the SCOTUS ruling. While more known for in-person wagering at casinos throughout Las Vegas such as Westgate and Caesars, the state also has online and mobile options available from operators like William Hill.
New Hampshire sports betting sites
Sports betting officially debuted in New Hampshire in December 2019 after being approved by the state Legislature earlier in the year. The approval covered both retail and mobile, but the situation is unique in NH. DraftKings is the exclusive provider of online and mobile wagering in the state and also the operator of the lone retail shops.
New Jersey sports betting sites
The Garden State was one of the first to act after the landmark Supreme Court ruling. Retail sports betting rolled out in June 2018. DraftKings was the first online option in August, followed by PlaySugarhouse and FanDuel. There are now more than a dozen options NJ sports betting apps on the market.
Oregon sports betting sites
Oregon legalized sports betting in August 2019. Retail wagering was introduced at one of the state’s tribal casinos the following month. In October, the Scoreboard sports betting app was launched. Run by the state lottery, this is the only mobile option available for sports bettors in Oregon.
Pennsylvania sports betting sites
Pennsylvania was among the states that moved quickly in the wake of the PASPA ruling. Retail sportsbooks opened for business in November 2018. The official online launch took place in May 2019. SugarHouse was the first site to go live, and it was soon joined by sister property BetRivers and others including DraftKings and FanDuel.
Rhode Island sports betting sites
Rhode Island sports betting legislation was approved in 2018, but it was initially for retail only at the state’s two operating casinos. The following year, a new bill was approved that gave the green light to mobile wagering with an in-person registration requirement, which has since been removed. The Rhode Island Lottery oversees things, with William Hill handling operations.
Tennessee sports betting sites
Tennessee approved sports betting in April 2019. It’s a unique situation as there are not expected to be any retail sportsbooks in the state. Sports bettors are now able to place mobile wagers as of November 2020.
Virginia sports betting sites
Sports betting was legalized in Virginia in April 2020 and officially launched its first sportsbook in January 2021. According to state law, there will be a minimum of four and as many as 12 mobile options available.
Washington, DC, sports betting sites
The city council gave its approval to sports betting in 2018, but the bill wasn’t signed into law until the following January. GambetDC, an offering run by the lottery and powered by Intralot, is the sole online and mobile option for bettors since its launch in 2020. A William Hill retail sportsbook has since opened for business at the Capital One Arena.
West Virginia sports betting sites
West Virginia also sprang into action following the Supreme Court ruling. Retail sportsbooks opened up in September 2018. BetLucky was available for a short time as a mobile option, but it shut down the following year due to a technology dispute. DraftKings and FanDuel went live in WV soon thereafter and have since been joined by other operators.
Best sports betting apps in the US
The list of options for users in legal sports betting states continues to grow. Here are some of the top options available in multiple states.
DraftKings app
The daily fantasy sports giant was among the many operators awaiting the Supreme Court ruling in 2018. The company was the first online and mobile option available in NJ. DraftKings has since expanded to a number of other states, with plans for further expansion in the works. It’s known for having a slick platform and live betting feature.
DraftKings Sportsbook is legal in: VA, MI, NJ, PA, CO, IN, WV, NH, IA, IL, & TN
FanDuel app
FanDuel was also ready to go soon after the SCOTUS ruling. NJ was the first point of entry for the company in sports betting, but the platform has since been unveiled in several other states. FanDuel is known for being visually appealing and user-friendly, with features like single-game parlay offerings.
FanDuel Sportsbook is legal in: MI, NJ, PA, IN, WV, CO, TN, IA, IL & VA
FOX Bet app
Launched as a tag-team effort from media giant FOX Sports and The Stars Group, the platform receives great visibility throughout FOX Sports programming and has a steady stream of promotions tied in with network personalities. FOX Bet is somewhat geared toward newer bettors and is working toward launching in additional states.
FOX Bet Sportsbook is legal in: MI, NJ, PA & CO
BetMGM app
Originally known as playMGM upon its launch in NJ, the site and app have since been rebranded. BetMGM has been making a lot of headway with its entry into multiple states and various deals with teams and media entities. The company is one of several with designs on becoming one of the top sports betting destinations across the US.
BetMGM Sportsbook is legal in: VA, MI, NJ, CO, TN, WV, NV, PA, IN & IA
PointsBet app
Australia-based PointsBet debuted in NJ in 2019 and has since opened its doors in other states. The site is geared toward sports bettors and features a unique betting option known as PointsBetting. The company captured a good deal of attention with its recent deal with NBC Sports and continues to aggressively pursue market share.
PointsBet Sportsbook is legal in: MI, NJ, IL, CO, IA & IN
William Hill app
The UK bookmaker has had a retail presence in Nevada for some time. It has since expanded into other states both physically and via online and mobile offerings. The platform itself is easy to use and filled with features. William Hill has made some headway in the US in a short period of time and appears poised to continue on that path.
William Hill Sportsbook is legal in: NJ, MI, CO, WV, IL, RI, NV
BetRivers app
BetRivers comes our way from Rush Street Gaming, which is also the parent company of sister site PlaySugarhouse. The company also has a retail casino presence in several states. BetRivers has come to be known for having a solid offering and good loyalty program.
BetRivers Sportsbook is legal in: VA, PA, IN, CO, IL, IA & MI
Other legal sports betting apps
The overall list of legal sports betting sites is a lengthy one. Here’s a look at a few more that have debuted in multiple states to date.
BetAmerica Sportsbook
Horse racing fans are familiar with BetAmerica, an offering from Churchill Downs International. The sportsbook is now up and running in three states, while users in NJ and PA can also access casino games right from the same site.
BetAmerica Sportsbook is legal in: NJ, IN, PA
Caesars Sportsbook
The iconic Caesars name is well-known to both online and brick-and-mortar casino patrons. The sportsbook has launched in a trio of states to date. It’s a basic offering, but all of the bet types and sports you could ask for are available.
Caesars Sportsbook is legal in: NJ, PA, IN
SportsBetting.com
This is a newer offering that has made its debut in the Colorado market. The company also has its sights set on entering the New Jersey, Indiana and Iowa markets as soon as possible. As the name implies, the site is solely focused on sports betting.
SportsBetting.com is legal in: CO
Unibet Sportsbook
Unibet is an international operator that has a big presence on the global scene. It’s now up and running in select states in the US with plans on entering more soon. This is a basic offering without a lot of bells and whistles, but solid for just getting down to business.
Unibet Sportsbook is legal in: NJ, PA & IN
Which states are most likely to launch sports betting sites next?
The following states have passed legislation for retail sports betting at tribal casinos, but the official launch hasn’t happened yet.
- North Carolina
- Washington
Plans call for retail only in both states, but the fact that sports betting legislation has been passed in at least some form can be seen as a glimmer of hope on the online front.
Three states approved ballot measures in 2020 to make some form of sports betting legal:
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- South Dakota
A handful of states have opened up sports betting on a retail basis without launching online. Efforts to legalize online betting in these states have stalled to date, but it remains a work in progress.
- Arkansas
- Delaware*
- Mississippi
- Montana
- New Mexico
- New York
* Online legal but not launched
There are another 20 states that are at least considering some form of sports betting legislation. The list of states in which there has been absolutely no movement stands at eight.
Retail sports betting
For decades, the only state in which you could legally place a sports bet in person was Nevada. It’s a different story in the aftermath of the PASPA ruling. Here are the states (and Washington, DC) in which you’ll find retail sportsbooks.
- Delaware
- New Jersey
- Mississippi
- West Virginia
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Arkansas
- New York
- Iowa
- Oregon
- Indiana
- New Hampshire
- Illinois
- Montana
- Michigan
- Colorado
- Washington, DC
Washington and North Carolina are expected to be the next states to open brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at tribal casinos.
Which states are most likely to regulate sports betting next?
Sports betting legislation has at least been introduced in 20 states that have yet to act on the matter. While optimism is high that it’ll eventually be passed in each of these states, there’s nothing concrete that says it’s right around the corner for any of them. Here’s the list.
- Maine
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Ohio
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Missouri
- Kansas
- Texas
- Arizona
- California
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Florida
The next legal sports betting states are likely coming from the above list at some point. Meanwhile, these states are still holding out and have yet to introduce legislation to legalize sports betting.
- Wisconsin
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- Wyoming
- Idaho
- Utah
Legal vs. offshore betting
The best options available for US sports bettors come via the sites that have been approved for operations in the respective states. Gaining acceptance and approval is not easy, and those who have joined the list of approved operators have invested heavily to do so.
While there remains an active black market for sports betting via illegal offshore sites, there’s no reason to take the risk. Here are some of the main points to understand.
- The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed in 2006 to crack down on offshore operators. The law is aimed at the companies to prevent them from doing business in the US, but many still operate due to what they claim is a legal gray area.
- Offshore operators are not operating under the same rules and regulations that legal US betting sites are. There is no guarantee that your funds, data or information will be safely kept.
- Legal sports betting sites have clear terms and conditions, house rules for players to follow, a wide range of normal funding options and customer service options that can be reached easily. That’s not the case with the offshore sites.
There are a few easy ways to spot which sites are on the up and up versus those that are not. For starters, the majority of legal states maintain a running list of approved operators on their websites under the division of gambling section or its equivalent.
There’s also the eye test. When an operator is legit, it will point users to the right places for information on things such as legality and responsible gambling. That’s not something that’s high on the priority list for less-than-reputable operators.
Things you can’t legally bet on in the US
Each of the individual states is responsible for setting its own rules and regulations for sports betting. As a result, not every piece of legislation that has been passed to date reads in the exact same fashion.
The standard stuff, such as team-based professional sports and major individual competitions, are good to go at all legal and regulated sportsbooks. Each of the operators will also offer various niche sports, but the list of options may vary.
One of the biggest points of difference has been on college sports. While you can bet on college football and basketball in several states, some have expressly prohibited wagering on in-state teams or on amateur events that take place in the state.
In general, the legal sportsbooks stay away from non-sports events. That means no wagering on the weather, reality television outcomes or on elections. However, wagering on the Oscars has been allowed here and there.
Why can’t you bet on the election or weather?
While there is often chatter about the betting odds for major political events such as the US presidential election, it remains illegal to bet on the outcome of that. There may be plenty of history attached to betting on who will be the next president, but that doesn’t mean it’s legal.
Legal and regulated operators offer odds and markets on sporting events. You won’t find options to bet on the weather or reality TV at the big shops, and there’s a simple reason for that: They’re not allowed to.
Sports leagues’ stance on legal sports betting
NBA
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took a front-facing role in advocating for legal sports betting in the US. His op-ed embracing sports betting spurred discussion on the topic long before the fall of PASPA.
Before and after the Supreme Court decision, NBA officials spent most of 2018 trying to get a cut of sports betting money from various state legislatures. They helped introduce the concept of an integrity fee in state-level legislation, claiming the league would face increased monitoring and enforcement costs in a national sports betting environment.
Silver recently added to that argument by calling NBA games the league’s “intellectual property” for which it deserves compensation.
The NBA does not permit wagering on its games through the Ontario Lottery, where the Toronto Raptors play. The same policy existed when an NBA team played in Vancouver. Provinces that do not host NBA teams offer parlay cards on games for the sport.
NHL
The NHL largely let other leagues take the lead on sports betting issues prior to signing a data and marketing agreement with MGM Resorts in November 2018. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also weighed in during the Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas: the league wants federal legislation (or state-level equivalents) and a slice of sports betting money.
The NHL launched a new franchise in Las Vegas in 2017, which is the first major professional sports team for the country’s gambling hub. The Vegas Golden Knightsdrew heavy betting interest through their inaugural season.
It has no issues with the activity in Canada. Some teams participate with lotteries that sell NHL parlay cards. The NHL also opposed new sports betting legislation in Canada.
MLB
Major League Baseball is sensitive to betting on its games. In the post-PASPA world, though, MLB advocates for sports betting legislation that includes integrity fees paid to the league.
The league also signed a data and marketing deal with MGM Resorts in November 2018. It will provide the company with exclusive rights to advanced data for in-play betting.
With regard to integrity fees, MLB went as far as having top executive Joe Torrelobby Governor Andrew Cuomo directly on New York sports betting legislation. This represents a major shift from the league’s historical attitude toward gambling.
The 1919 Chicago White Sox threw a World Series, a scandal the league wants everybody to forget. Pete Rose betting on his games and the aftermath involved in that scandal is another black eye MLB never wants to see again.
While MLB joined the New Jersey lawsuit, it has no issues with betting on Toronto Blue Jays games in Ontario. The Montreal Expos were also on parlay cards when that team existed.
NFL
America’s most powerful sports league remains largely opposed to legal sports betting. The NFL publicly fought sports betting for decades and now wants federal legislation addressing it after PASPA. Interestingly, the NFL is not advocating for integrity fees.
Despite its stance on US sports betting, the NFL allowed the move of the Raiders to Las Vegas from Oakland beginning in 2020.
The NFL is the only major professional sports league with no direct investment into daily fantasy sports, although 28 of its 32 teams are involved in sponsorships.
NFL games are by far the most popular sports betting events in the US, with the Super Bowl generating close to $150 million in bets in Nevada by itself. The NFL plays games in London, where betting shops are on every corner, and the league seems to have no issues with that.
NCAA
Long the staunchest opponent of legal sports betting, the NCAA finds itself in a tricky position after the repeal of PASPA.
The organization detests sports betting despite the fact that college football and March Madness college betting are two of the largest drivers of handle. The NCAA instituted a de facto ban on national championship contests being held in states with legal sports betting, namely Nevada. But it reversed course after the Supreme Court decision, at least temporarily. That is in part because it already awarded future championships to states that will have sports betting.
The NCAA similarly does not like fantasy sports. It does not permit student-athletes to enter contests. Many conferences do not accept advertising from daily fantasy sites. The NCAA has attempted to convince sites to stop college fantasy sports contests, but DraftKings and FanDuel restarted their college contests post-PASPA.
PGA Tour
Professional golf jumped into the sports betting fray by supporting the integrity fee concept along with MLB and the NBA. The tour also wants sports betting operators to pay for official data from its ShotLink system.
The data question also comes up with other leagues, but the PGA Tour claims to have a different case with proprietary data. In-play betting that relies on data can easily be gleaned from TV broadcasts in many sports. The same can be said for golf with scoring, but anything more in-depth (driving distance, length of putts, etc.) could require official data.
How online sports betting in USA became legal
Challenge in New Jersey
New Jersey voters passed a non-binding referendum in November 2011 that instructed the state legislature to legalize sports betting. The legislature quickly passed a bill that would have regulated sports betting at New Jersey racetracks and Atlantic City casinos. Governor Chris Christie signed the bill into law.
The major sports leagues challenged New Jersey in court, claiming that the state was not exempted by PASPA; therefore it could not legalize sports betting. A lower court ruling sided with the leagues, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed it. The US Supreme Court at that time refused to hear the case.
New Jersey tried another angle. The state attempted to deregulate and decriminalize sports betting in the same venues as before. The sports leagues returned to court and challenged the new approach to sports betting. The sports leagues prevailed in the lower court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
New Jersey was able to appeal and receive a rehearing in the Third Circuit, which it also lost. The Supreme Court then agreed to hear it and New Jersey won its case in May 2018.
American Gaming Association’s stance
The American Gaming Association is the gaming industry’s lobbying group. It maintains the black market of illegal gambling is too lucrative and thrives in the unregulated environment. The AGA supported the repeal of PASPA and strongly advocates for states to be able to write their own sports betting laws.
How is daily fantasy sports different from sports betting?
Daily fantasy sports is believed to be legal in at least 40 states, according to the companies that promote the product.
There are big differences between daily fantasy sports and sports betting.
In sports betting, a bettor picks a team or multiple teams to win or cover a point spread. In daily fantasy sports, a user chooses athletes and enters a competition that computes a winner based on the statistics accumulated by the players in a sport.
Current status of daily fantasy sports
Daily fantasy sports is generally considered to be legal in about 40 states, with laws on the books in about half of those.
States that restrict DFS
Daily fantasy sports are illegal in Iowa, Montana, Louisiana, Arizona and Washington. Nevada requires a gaming license to operate a daily fantasy sports site.
Opinions from attorneys general have emphasized the legal gray area for DFS in many states. DraftKings, FanDuel and others pulled out of Idaho, Hawaii and Alabama. FanDuel does not serve Texas, but DraftKings does.
FAQ for betting sites
Is it legal to bet on sports online?
Yes, but it depends on where you are located. Legal sports betting can be done online in many of the states mentioned above. You do not have to be a resident of a state to bet there, but you do need to be physically located within the state to place a legal online sports bet.
What is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act?
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed Congress in September 2006. It made payment processing of illegal gambling transactions a federal crime. It exempted gaming specifically legalized at the state level, horse racing and some forms of fantasy sports.
Is sports betting legal in Europe?
Online sports betting is legal throughout most of Europe including the UK. This includes betting shops, mobile apps and over the Internet. Some of the best online betting sites in Europe are now operating in the US.
Is online sports betting legal in Canada?
Canada lotteries offer parlay cards on a variety of sports, including football, basketball, baseball and hockey. There is a push to expand betting to straight wagers. Online betting sites operate in a legal gray area.
Is online sports betting legal in the US?
Yes, in some places. Sports betting has been legalized in a number of states to date, and the list is expected to continue growing in the coming years. In 2018, the Supreme Court placed the matter of legalizing sports betting into the hands of the individual states to decide on. While sports betting has since been legalized in a number of states, legislation hasn’t been passed on a federal level.
What is the safest betting site?
The safest options for sports betting online come via the legal and regulated operators. DraftKings and FanDuel are two examples of operators that have received approval to open for business in a number of states. Legal and regulated sites have to go through a lengthy application process, follow specific rules and regulations, and verify that customer funds are safe. That’s not the case with the unregulated options that may be available.
Why do some sports betting sites accept cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, are not available as funding options at legal and regulated sportsbooks. If you see these options available, then there’s a good chance that you have stumbled upon a black-market operator that claims it can operate safely under some kind of legal gray area. A fully legal site will provide its users with standard funding options such as credit cards, PayPal and wire transfers, and you won’t have to jump through any unnecessary hoops to deposit or withdraw.
Do I have to pay taxes on my winnings?
Yes, profits obtained from sports betting or any other type of gambling are considered taxable income in the US. If you win above a certain level, operators may even provide you with a 1099-G that states your level of winnings, and the form will be filed with the IRS, as well. A complete tracking of the deposits and withdrawals you have made for gambling purposes is a good habit to get into. For specific questions in regard to your personal situation, we encourage you to consult with a tax advisor.
What legal online and mobile sports betting is available in Nevada?
Sports Connection / Station Casinos, NV Sports Books / South Point, William Hill, CG Technology, Aliante Casino, Treasure Island and Boyd Gaming all operate mobile betting apps in Nevada. Sports Connection/Station Casinos also offers a website.
Can you deposit with PayPal at legal Nevada sports betting apps?
No, at this time you cannot deposit using PayPal for any Nevada sports betting apps. You will need to deposit in person or using a pre-paid card. There are options to top off your account at some convenience stores with certain Nevada apps.
PayPal is likely to be an option for payment in other states, however.
Is it legal to play on Bovada?
No. Bovada is an unlicensed sports betting site. It is illegal for the company to operate in the US but players likely face no legal consequences.
Are there risks to betting on sports at unlicensed sites?
Offshore sportsbooks may not pay players. If a bettor gets stiffed by an unlicensed betting site, then he or she has no recourse. That does not happen at licensed sites.
Best Online Betting Sites
Sports Betting in other countries: Australia, New Zealand