Sports betting is legal in almost every country in the world. However, some states are yet to legalize sports betting in the United States. Sports betting in the United States was made illegal in 1992, and it remained that way until 2018 when it became up to the states to decide if it was allowed. Some States quickly legalized betting, while others are slowly coming on board.

There are several rules guarding legalization in different states. One general rule is that mobile and online bettors can’t place interstate bets. If you opened an online bet account in Arizona, the implication is that your bets are only valid when you make them in Arizona.

Some states have fully legalized sports betting, on-site, retail, mobile, and online sports betting. However, some others are still easing in slowly, with some aspects legalized and others still in the works.

Retail and Online Betting Explained

These are the two ways people can place bets in America, depending on what form has been authorized in your state. 

1. Retail Betting

This betting form involves land-based properties being designed and designated for betting activities. They include casinos, horse racing tracks, and on-site kiosks created mainly for betting. Some states have allowed betting to take place in stadiums.

2. Online Betting

Some states allow online betting in various forms. The different forms of online betting legalized in the United States are:

3. In-Person Betting

Here, bettors have to be within the premises of a casino to place bets on their mobile phones. Although it’s still restrictive, it helps reduce wait times and queues from registering and placing bets via a kiosk.

4. In-Person Registration 

In some states like Nevada, you have to visit a location to complete the process physically to sign up for online betting.  

You’re expected to download the app of your preferred sportsbook at home and begin the registration process, then visit a designated location with your I.D and other required documents to complete the process.

This process doesn’t take more than ten minutes. And once it is completed, you can place bets anytime on your mobile within the state you registered. You’re also permitted to register on more than one of the betting platforms allowed in your state.

5. Online and Everywhere

This means people can register from home. You don’t have to visit any physical location. All registration and betting can be started and completed from your couch.

Where is Betting Legal in the United States? 

Almost all states in the United States allow sports betting in different forms. States that allow remote registration and staking are:

• New York
• Arizona 
• Wyoming
• Colorado
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Louisiana 
• Maryland (Launching in the fall of 2022)

Some other states allow online betting run by only one administrator or by the state’s lottery commission. They include:

• Connecticut 
• Montana 
• Oregon
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island
• Washington DC

Online sports betting is available in the following states but only in licensed establishments.

• Mississippi
• Oklahoma 
• Montana

A few states are yet to condone online betting. Punters can only place a legal bet in these states by visiting licensed physical premises. The states include:

• Wisconsin
• South Dakota
• North Carolina 
• Nebraska

There are only two states that do not allow any form of betting. They are:

• Utah 
• Hawaii

As a bettor, it’s essential to learn the status of online betting in the state where you reside before getting involved.

Benefits of Legal Sports Betting

Illegal betting has so many drawbacks. Bookies can decide not to pay winnings, and players have to work with whatever conditions their sportsbooks provide.

With legal betting, the sportsbooks are regulated and have to follow laid down rules to operate in a state. Some benefits of legal betting include:

• Security of Funds: Because bookmakers are registered and licensed, your funds are safe. 
• Your Identity is Secured: Legal betting platforms have several ways to verify your identity before letting you sign up, sign in and withdraw your funds. Once you’ve signed up with them, your identity is secured since they are regulated.
• Easy Deposit and Withdrawal: There are many ways to deposit and withdraw your funds without hassle. Pick the most favorable option and get started.

The Bottom Line

Much focus has been directed towards making sports betting legal in the United States in the last five years. Many states are relaxing their stringent rules, and other states who don’t allow any sports betting are expected to come on board and give a green light in the coming years.

As a punter, learning about the regulations in the state you reside in is necessary to ensure that you don’t break any rules and get in trouble with the law.

Meta Description 

Before placing a bet in the United States, it’ll help if you know all the legal stipulations. This article will help with that.

By: Roger Wright