Offshore Gambling Legal

admin  4/2/2022
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The best offshore casinos have excellent reputations because they are tested on a regular basis to ensure all requirements are met and maintained. The Reasons Gamblers Prefer Playing At The Best Offshore Online Casinos. Strict gambling laws are enforced by the majority of countries. The Legality of using Offshore Sportsbooks from the US. Gambling in the US has undergone many law changes over the years and this has led to the assumption that online gambling is actually illegal. However, many offshore sportsbooks are more than happy to accept customers from the US and the industry is thriving.

For years, offshore betting has been a common way for serious gamblers to bet money, and as interest in sports wagers is on the rise, the popularity of offshore betting is also increasing. Gamblers can bet on a variety of topics such as sports, poker, casino games, and more, and as long as the sportsbook offers it, they are good to go.

However, to the uninitiated, it can be hard to get around and understand offshore betting, but we are here to help. Here is the complete guide to everything there is to know about offshore betting, from its security to its legality.

Offshore

1. The Definition of Offshore Betting

Offshore betting refers to online betting through an offshore sportsbook, casino, or horse racing site, the operator of which is located outside of the US. Some of the most common locations for offshore gambling sites are the Caribbean, Canada, Central America, and Asia. There are many offshore websites that have been around since the birth of the Internet and this guide to the best offshore betting sites can show you some of the best places to gamble. While they do not have licenses to operate in US jurisdictions, and therefore are not regulated by a US governing body, many people still bet safely on these kinds of sites.

2. The Legality of Offshore Betting

Offshore betting falls into a grey area because even though sportsbooks located offshore are operating outside Federal law, each state in the US has different laws when it comes to online gambling. Being the focus of law enforcement, offshore sportsbooks and betting were and are virtually illegal and fall into the category of unlawful gambling, because no government-licensed operators offer them.

Offshore Gambling Sites Ratings

Are offshore gambling sites legal

However, that is not all there is to it, because the enforcement of these online gambling state laws is almost non-existent. Since the focus is put on the operators running the sites, not individuals betting online, no one has ever been arrested, let alone charged with a crime.

3. The Process of Offshore Betting

Offshore gambling laws

The first step in offshore betting is choosing a reputable online sportsbook – one that has a good reputation, excellent customer service, and a rock-solid financial base should always be prioritized. Look at reviews and recommendations from honest review sites before choosing the sportsbook that best suits you. After that, signing up for an account is pretty straightforward, and you can start to deposit funds into your offshore betting account. There are numerous deposit options offered by different books such as bank wire, Western Union, Visa, MasterCard, and money transfer through online companies, so do your research to see which one works the best for you.

Gambling is hugely popular throughout the world and a massive number of gamblers are flocking to online gambling sites for convenience. In offshore betting, you can make wagers in a relatively quick, easy, and secure way, and so it is a very attractive option for many gamblers. Offshore gambling websites have solid odds but are willing to operate in gray markets, so make sure that you thoroughly research any website which you are planning to make a bet through.

The Legality of using Offshore Sportsbooks from the US

Gambling in the US has undergone many law changes over the years and this has led to the assumption that online gambling is actually illegal. However, many offshore sportsbooks are more than happy to accept customers from the US and the industry is thriving.

Here I explore the legality of offshore gambling in the US. I start with a look at the major law change that changed the face of US gambling and the impact it had on the scene today. I finish with a look at some of the best offshore sites and what sets them apart from the rest.

US Gambling Law

In 2006 the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed. This law prohibited payments from financial institutions to gambling sites and was seen as the death knell for online gambling in the US. However this was not the case – no mention was made regarding individuals gambling in the bill. It is a fact that nobody has ever been indicted for gambling online under Federal law. So when asking the question “Are Offshore Sportsbooks legal?” the answer is a straightforward “Yes”.

Impact of the UIGEA

The law did have an impact on US gamblers in that some sites pulled out of the US market completely, whilst others made the move offshore. However many sites have remained and the marketplace is very healthy, with a great amount of competition.

The one area where the UIGEA ruling has had the biggest effect is when moving money to and from a sportsbook, fortunately however, these offshore sportsbooks have come up with many ways of depositing and withdrawing money from the sites. The most popular deposit method you’ll find is via a credit card, with many sites offering at least one of Visa, MasterCard and American Express as an option. Occasionally these payments may be declined due to the UIGEA, but the acceptance rate can be high at some of the more popular sites. You’ll also be able to deposit with pre-paid cards, although in general you should ensure these cards are available to use both online and for international (non-domestic) purchases. One of the best alternative options is to make a transfer to the site using one of the popular person to person transfer businesses, such as Western Union. You’ll find many other deposit options, including an old-fashioned check, or even a bank wire.

You’ll not find as many withdrawal options, as some of the options you fund your account with are not available – a prime example of this being the credit card. The most popular withdrawal option for many is via a check, although some sites will offer use of a money transfer service having already deposited using this method.

US Friendly Sportsbooks

Legal

A good US friendly sportsbook will offer all of the following:

An initial deposit bonus – This bonus should be both generous and achievable. Many of these bonuses are based upon a percentage of your opening deposit at a site and will have a play through requirement.

A secure and fair environment – When making financial transactions at a site you’ll want to ensure that your details are safe and that you’ll actually be paid when you hit that big win. If you have any doubts about a site before signing up, be sure to check them out at an independent review site.

Promotions – Sites should offer a great variety of promotions across many sports. You might gain free bets, extra funds, a comp points scheme or additional deposit bonuses.

Pricing – Ensure that the site you choose features odds and lines that are least as competitive as their rival sites, if not better. Pay particularly close attention to the pricing on the bets/markets you’ll want to get involved in.

I’d recommend all of the following sites, each one ticking all of the above boxes.

Bovada – This site offers a casino and a poker site alongside the sportsbook. You’ll find a generous 50% deposit bonus when you sign up, with a great range of both pre-game and live betting both at home and on the go, and football fans will benefit from some of the best promotions in the industry. This is part of the global 'Bodog' family of brands, you can find them at www.bovada.lv.

5 Dimes – This site offers more markets than any of its rivals. Here you’ll find a great range of lines on every single game, as well as markets on sports of all levels. You’ll be able to benefit from innovative customizable promotions and profit with a bonus of up to $520 when making an initial deposit.

BookMaker – This is a sportsbook that raises the bar. Firstly, BookMaker is the first to publish the lines, the rest of the industry following suit. Secondly, the site has a huge focus on client confidentiality, so you’ll not find yourself on any mailing list here. BookMaker is ideal for both high rollers and those who follow the price moves.

BookMaker Sportsbook Review

BetOnline – This site is one of the fastest growing in the industry, offering competitive pricing on a great number of sports. With pre-game and in-play betting available on both your desktop and through their mobile site, this site is hard not to recommend. Did I mention the lifetime 25% deposit bonus guarantee?