- Offshore Sports Betting Sites
- No Deposit Sports Betting Sites Odds
- Sports Betting Sites No Minimum Deposit
The best US sports betting sites will typically allow you to apply limits to your account in terms of how much you can deposit and wager. Please take advantage of these if necessary. You can also choose to self-exclude completely if you wish. Free sports betting site at at BangtheBook.com, no deposit necessary at the #1 online, free sportsbook, cash out real money, play for free. Mar 05, 2021 Sports betting sites. Sports betting is one of the oldest pastimes in the world. Betting on fights, sports matches and races has occurred for hundreds of years throughout the world. Some bets were made among friends, while others were made through professional services. Jul 31, 2018 Michigan: Michigan sports betting sites launched Jan. 2021, with multiple apps going live on the same day. New Jersey: NJ online sports betting went live in 2018 and paved the way for other states to legalize and regulate mobile betting apps. The first sports betting app to go live in this state was DraftKings, followed by FanDuel. Simply put, a no deposit bonus should mean that an esports betting site gives you extra money in your account without you having to make a deposit. In the past we have seen sports and casino no deposit bonuses, and the same applies to the esports betting.
If you’re a user of an online sportsbook today, you are sure to have come across a variety of free bet offers. These may be awarded when your bet loses in a certain way, when making a deposit to a site, or as a bonus for simply signing up to a site.
These free bets can come in all shapes and sizes, and to take full advantage, it is good to have a real understanding as to how each of the free bet offers work. In an industry where making a profit can be a tough ask, taking advantage of these free bets can be the difference between beating the sportsbook and losing.
Best Online Sportsbooks with Free Bet Offers
This article is divided into the following sections, detailing exactly how free bets work and explaining the different types of offers you’ll find online:
- How a Free Bet Works: A breakdown of the mechanics of free bets.
- How to Claim Free Bet Offers: Detailing bonus codes and where to find the offers.
- Types of Free Bet Bonuses: A detailed analysis of risk-free bets, free bets, match bets, no deposit offers, and money back offers.
How do free bet bonuses work?
Free Bet offers are unusual in that they are advantageous for both the customer and the sportsbook.
- The customer is more than happy, as they have these free bets to play with, with the potential to earn free money on the back of them.
- The sportsbooks are happy as they provide a great way of attracting new customers to their site – and sportsbooks thrive on customers.
As you’ll read below, free bets can come in a variety of ways. They might be based on making a deposit, or simply placing a bet. Generally, the free bet award will be minus your stake. For example, if you were to place a $100 free bet wager at odds of +200 and it won, you’d be awarded $200, but not receive the stake back as well. Occasionally, you might find a free bet where the stake is included – look out for these, as they can offer far more lucrative rewards.
It always pays to read the terms and conditions of any free bet offers. It’s usual practice to only offer one per household (this is to stop the one gambler in the family opening multiple accounts for every other relative who lives at the same address). Age restrictions will be in place too.
How to claim a free bet no-deposit offer
The way you’ll claim a free bet will change from site to site and be dependent on the promotion. For example, if your free bet is on the back of an initial deposit bonus, the free bet might be allocated to your account immediately.
The same prompt reward might come your way if you’ve won a free bet on the back of a loss. Other times you might have to enter a bonus code to claim your free cash. It’s always a good move to read through those terms and conditions first if you’re not sure – there is nothing more annoying than losing out on a free bet because you didn’t realize you had to enter an advertised bonus code.
Bonus codes will usually come from the site itself, although in certain circumstances, you might find a bonus code offered by a third-party company.
Any time you sign up to a new site (or even better, thinking of signing up to a new site), your first port of call should always be to the ‘Promotions’ page. This is where you’ll find all of the offers available, including the welcome package as well as any ongoing promotions and loyalty schemes.
Types of free bet bonuses
It wasn’t so long ago that free bets were almost unheard of. In the early days of online gambling, customers were simply pleased that online sportsbooks were there. People couldn’t take advantage of the offers because there were none. However, as competition within the industry has grown, sportsbooks have developed a number of ways of attracting new customers with free bet offers.
Here is a detailed rundown of all of the different types of free bets bonuses you can enjoy at an online sportsbook:
Risk-free bets
There is nothing more enjoyable than a risk-free bet. Like many of the offers listed below, these are usually reserved for new customers at a sportsbook. They will require you to make an initial deposit and then place that first wager. If the bet wins its business as usual and you’ve made a fine start with your new account. If the bet loses, the ‘risk free’ part comes in.
At this point, the sportsbook will refund your stake in the form of a free bet. You’re now free to place another bet. Effectively with this type of bonus offer you are freerolling with your first bet.
In most cases, the free bet award will not include your stake if it wins. Check the terms and conditions as there will usually be deadlines for both placing the initial bet and then placing the second bet (if the first one should lose). With generally shorter deadlines, aim to place short term wagers instead of heading to the futures markets.
A good example of a risk-free bet is the one offered by FanDuel Sportsbook, where they’ll give you a free bet of up to $500. If your bet loses, it’s like it never happened.
No deposit offers
![No Deposit Sports Betting Sites No Deposit Sports Betting Sites](/uploads/1/3/4/4/134452778/285424940.gif)
No deposit offers are some of the most enjoyable promotions you’ll find online. The idea behind them is that you can bet for free (and potentially make some cash!) and that you’ll enjoy the site so much you’ll stick around. On this basis, you’ll usually find these offers at those sportsbooks that do offer a good service overall.
These no deposit offers are usually on the smaller side of the bonus amounts, maybe in the region of $10 or $20. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as placing the free bonus cash as a wager and withdrawing the winnings. You’ll usually find a play-through requirement with these offers. If you take a $20 no deposit offer with a 15x playthrough requirement, you’ll have to wager a total of $300 to make the cash yours.
At DraftKings Sportsbook you can enjoy a free $25 no deposit bonus – perfect if you want to ‘try before you buy’ and give your account an instant boost.
Matched bet bonuses
Another good bonus variant is the matched bet bonus. Having made your first deposit and placed that first bet, the sportsbook will give you a free bet up to the same amount. This is similar to the risk-free bet in that if your initial bet loses, you’ll have another chance with the free bet. However, this has a distinct advantage, in that if the initial bet wins, you’ll still gain the free bet.
Very similar (again) to the matched bet bonus is the matched deposit bonus. This time the size of the free matched bet is based on the size of your initial deposit (as opposed to the size of the first bet).
In both of the above cases, you might find more stringent playthrough requirements due to the greater generosity of the offer.
William Hill New Jersey operates a scheme along these lines, where once you’ve deposited and placed bets up to the value of $50 or more, they’ll give you a free $50 to play with.
Money-back free bets
One of the most interesting developments in bonuses and promotions is the introduction of money back bets if a wager loses in a certain way. Here’s some good examples of these free bet offers:
- Back a baseball team and they lose in extra innings.
- Bet on a basketball team and they lose in overtime.
- If a bet on a soccer team fails due to a goal being scored after 80 minutes.
- Place a soccer wager on a selected market and have the game finish without a goal.
In all of these cases, your free bet award will be without the initial stake, so you’ll only receive the winning portion should your free bet win.
At some sportsbooks, like FanDuel, you’ll also find insurance bets which work in a similar way. These promotions work with parlays with a minimum number of selections. If one leg of the parlay lets you down, you’ll receive your initial stake back as a free bet.
Many of the above offers (including the overtime in basketball, the extra innings in baseball and the goal scored after the 80th minute in soccer) are available at BetStars New Jersey.
Other free bet offers
As well as the popular methods employed above, you might also find many other ways of enjoying free bets.
Particular promotions might state that if you wager a certain amount on a given sport during a set time period, you’ll be awarded an additional free bet.
For example, at BetStars Sportsbook if you bet $25 within any given Monday and Sunday, you’ll be awarded a free bet of $5. Another good example is at William Hill, where they’ll refund you 20% of your losses as a free bet on any 4-team losing parlays in baseball. MGM runs a similar promotion, offering you 10% back on any losses during the NBA playoffs.
Loyalty schemes are a good way to enjoy free betting too. Many online sportsbooks offer reward programs, where you’ll earn points every time you place a bet. You’ll be able to turn these points into cash or free bet credits. These loyalty schemes are usually linked into VIP clubs too, which can lead to further benefits – the quicker you earn these points, the larger range of additional benefits will come your way.
Advantages of free bets offers
Obviously, any time you receive a free bet, it will feel like a bonus. However, when you look at it from a numbers point of view, these free bets can make a real difference.
Every time a sportsbook offers odds on an event, they have their own ‘juice’ incorporated into the odds. For example, in a two-way market, you’ll usually find odds of -110 for each side of the market. This effectively means that in a 50/50 bet, you’ll get slightly less than double your money back – this is where the sportsbook takes their cut (this is a necessary evil, as without that cut, sportsbooks wouldn’t exist and none of us would be able to place a wager).
If you incorporate these free bets effectively into your betting strategy, instead of the sportsbooks having the edge, you can turn it around and have the edge yourself. Many of the offers detailed above can effectively double your initial deposit or bet, turning those odds hugely in your favor.
These free bet offers usually come when opening a new account, so can add to the feel-good factor with that account and give you added confidence in your selections too. Knowing, for example, that you have a risk-free bet first up with a new account, you have that element of freedom. If the bet wins, you’re off to flying start at the new sportsbook – and if it loses you’ve got a second bite of the cherry.
Disadvantages of free bets?
It seems strange to talk about disadvantages when it comes to free bets. However, at times you have to be a little careful, especially when around lesser well-known sportsbooks.
For example, you might find a free bet offer where there is a huge playthrough requirement. This could effectively mean that you’ll be tied to placing an impossibly large number of bets (sometimes within a short time scale) to clear the free bet funds. In these instances, the sportsbooks will have more than got their money back through the juice gained by placing all of these additional bets.
Again, always check the terms and conditions when signing up to a new site. A good piece of advice is to stick with the regulated and state-sanctioned sportsbooks. These perfectly legal sportsbooks want to keep their customers happy, so their offers and promotions are geared to give the good sports bettor an increased chance of success.
Rules and regulations with no deposit bonuses
Whenever there is a free bet offer, you’ll usually find a series of rules and regulations around the free bet offer. It’s always handy to know exactly what these are, so head into those terms and conditions again to find out exactly what you need to do – just to ensure you don’t fall foul and lose out. Here are some common rules around free bets:
- The free bets must be placed at a minimum odds level. This will usually be odds of around -200 (or 1.5 in decimal).
- There will be a time limit. Usually, you’ll have a longer time limit to place any qualifying bets, with a short time limit (of possibly just seven days) to place the free bet.
- Free bets usually need to be placed as a straight wager. Parlays might be allowable too, but bets such as round robins (where you can hedge your bets a little) are usually not allowed.
- Free bet offers are usually limited to one per household – so even if you are genuinely opening a new account, the sportsbook might deny the promotion if a family member has already taken it up.
- Many sites will require location verification, ensuring you are indeed betting from within the state/country you say you are betting in. This can be done through using the appropriate settings on your mobile device, or location software added to your desktop/laptop. Ensure you’re the appropriate age too!
Free bets overview and advice
With so many sportsbooks bombarding you with free bets and other promotions, it can pay dividends to spend a little bit of time choosing the right one. Head to their promotions page and check out exactly what each site offers. You might want to take advantage of a large risk-free bet or be more drawn to that impressive matched bet bonus. Check out what offers are available on your favorite sports too – there’s no point in joining a site that is geared towards offering NFL promotions, if you’re going to be baseball betting throughout the year (and vice versa).
Choose the right free bet offers and your sportsbook account could enjoy a nice, healthy boost.
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. World star betting malawi. 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
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.
Offshore Sports Betting Sites
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.
No Deposit Sports Betting Sites Odds
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. Best free pokies app. 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.
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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.
Sports Betting in other countries: Australia, New Zealand