Legal Sports Betting Sites

Bovada	BetOnline	SportsBetting	5Dimes
Ranking	#1	#2	#3	#4
US Accepted?
Legal States	46 STATES EX: DE, MD, NJ, NV	ALL 50	ALL 50	ALL 50
Live Betting
Mobile Betting

• Legal Sports Betting Sites In Us
• Legal Online Sports Betting Usa

From May 1 2020, Coloradans have been able to bet on legal sports betting sites like DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook. More bookies are about to arrive live, and here's what you can expect from sports betting in Colorado. What kind of bonus would you like? 1st Deposit Bonuses. Aug 09, 2018 Finding the Best Legal Online Sports Betting Sites. Establishing what a trusted and legal online sports betting authority is, shouldn’t be too difficult. All such companies have been given an official license – either from a state or a national body, or an international organization that specializes in issuing remote licenses and is recognized in multiple jurisdictions.

The question of whether or not it is legal to bet on sports in the US is not as difficult to answer as it once was. Sports wagering is still a controversial topic in the United States but it is no longer the most restricted form of gambling. The Supreme Court removed the federal prohibition on sports betting, leaving the choice to regulate in the hands of state governments.The decision came after a years-long battle between New Jersey and the NCAA, NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL. The leagues filed suit against the state when former Governor Chris Christie attempted to legalize sports wagering in NJ. Ultimately, the Court ruled 7-2 that the federal law banning such legalization was unconstitutional, and struck down the law. The decision in the Murphy vs. NCAA case changed the American sports betting industry.Now, we can say that it is legal to bet on sports in the United States. There is no ban stopping Arizona, Maryland, California, Mississippi, or any other state from establishing land-based sportsbooks. That being said, a state can still choose not to offer sports betting to citizens. Sports betting regulations are made on a state-by-state basis and therefore are not the same for every sports fan.It is still illegal to use local bookies and to start your own unlicensed sports betting scheme, no matter where you live. American sports bettors can visit local sportsbooks in their state or visit online sports betting sites without breaking laws.Without further delay, here are a few of the best sports betting sites that are legal for players in the United States. Note that we do use these sites and what we speak of comes from firsthand experience. There may also be state-licensed sports betting sites in addition to these:

The biggest brand and most trusted name for online sports betting in the U.S. is undoubtedly Bovada. Chances are that you knew this book before the U.S. brand name changed in late 2011, previously Bodog Sportsbook. And even though this website is relatively new, it lacks nothing and is the model that other betting sites imitate. Unfortunately, not all players living in the U.S. will be allowed to wager here. Bovada has restrictions in place against new registrations in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Nevada because of deposit difficulties.For those who are accepted, you will likely never need another website for betting on sports. Bovada brings new players in with a 50% bonus that can be worth up to $1,000 in cash depending on the amount of the first deposit for the upcoming football season. The bonus code for NFL bets is BVNFL1000 and the NCAAF bonus code is BVNCAAF1000. This is one of the examples of the special bonus promotions going on that tends to go away quickly, so be sure to hop on this as soon as you can! Depositing and getting money out of Bovada is always a breeze as deposits mainly flow through VISA branded cards but can also be performed using a wire transfer service like Western Union. Payout methods are a bit more limited and slower but are just as reliable.

Legal Sports Betting Sites In Us

Though BetOnline's name doesn't carry the same weight as others in the business, it should not be discounted as one of the best sites that U.S. players can choose to make legal wagers on sporting events. Best of all, no matter where you live, every player in the U.S. (at least 18 years old) is able to register for an account and it's free!If you live in the U.S., you will never have any trouble or get into any trouble when making wagers on Sportsbetting.ag. If it wasn't enough to allow players from all 50 states to make wagers, this website encourages Americans through a variety of ways including:

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Before you sign up to any of the online bookmakers, listed here or not, you will want to check into as many tiers of the government as possible. Frankly, states or provinces, as well as federal entities, will sometimes all have their own regulations surrounding online gambling and that really holds true when talking about bookmaking. If you live in the United States, know that you will be able to find a great deal of websites that allow Americans to bet sports online. The sites that we mention are based offshore, but you also have state-licensed options as well. As long as there are no explicit laws against online gaming in your state, you are completely safe from prosecution or penalties which is something that all players have expressed as a necessity.Before you jump in and begin the sign-up process, keep in mind that not all online sportsbooks will take every deposit method. You might find the site that is perfect for what/how you want to bet, but it might not have friendly deposit methods for your situation.For instance, many turn straight to their credit cards or other forms of plastic but that might not always be possible even when the website advertises that credit card. This is because the UIGEA blocks many gambling transactions. In turn, this makes life more difficult, but there is always a way.Americans typically turn to alternative deposit methods including bitcoin, ethereum, prepaid/gift cards, wire transfers (like Moneygram + Western Union), and in some cases, an old-fashioned check or money order sent through the postal service. These deposit methods make funding your account as easy as it can possibly be, but be aware that the easiest option can sometimes be a pain in the butt, or take longer than you want.If you do find a legal sports betting site that is kicking back your deposits, explore their alternative US sportsbook deposit methods and you may find yourself with an alternate method which could be funded using the very same method which failed.

Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

The UIGEA stipulates that gambling businesses are not able to knowingly accept payments for wagers that are made. There are several important aspects of the UIGEA to consider. The first is that it does specifically mention that intermediary computers are not considered here, meaning that the bettors are not breaking the law. The second point to remember is that payments are only potentially blocked if using an unregulated site. The most important takeaway is that regardless of the stipulations, the UIGEA does not make placing a bet online illegal.

Federal Wire Act

The Wire Act dates back several decades, but it's the 2011 ruling in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court Of Appeals that sports bettors should pay attention to. That's because this ruling made the Wire Act pertain only to betting on sports. What this law stipulates is that no form of wire communication can be used by gambling businesses to process a bet or wager made. Again though, the focus of this law is on the business, and not the bettor. Also, this only applies to states where sports betting is not legal.

Professional And Amateur Sports Protection Act

This law is no longer applicable, but you may still want to know its history. PASPA was passed by the federal government back in 1992, and was the first piece of major legislation against betting on sports. This outlawed the practice of sports wagering, but did give those states with a decade of more history with licensed gaming the chance to apply for immunity. Nevada, Oregon, Montana, and Delaware were the only four states permitted to offer sports betting. In 2018, the law was declared unconstitutional and all 50 states have the right to decide whether or not to legalize sports wagering.If you look throughout history, the interpretation of sports betting laws in the United States have changed more than once. The Wire Act of 1961, for example, was written well before the advent of the internet but was still interpreted to include the World Wide Web decades later. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was once considered to be fair and just, however 25+ years later it was found to be unconstitutional.What this means is that sports betting laws in the United States should be considered revolving, not stationary. As times change, so do the options for betting on sports. What once only took place at a brick and mortar location can now happen from a computer or smartphone. As such, new sports betting laws will be written to stay in stride with the changing technology. What we do know is that there is no federal ban on sports betting and sports fans, therefore, have options. Generally speaking, as long as US sports bettors are of age when they gamble and do not use a local bookie, interpreting the rest of the big picture laws is secondary at this point. Sports betting is not illegal in the U.S., and you can focus more on state laws than federal legislation. If you want to read more about the specific legalities regarding the internet, see our article 'Are online sportsbooks legal in The United States?'.So why is it tough to find a legal online sports book that will accept U.S.A. players? In the past, the combination of PASPA, the UIGEA, and the Wire Act made many online bookmakers feel like they were backed into a corner. Rather than have to determine what (if any) legal implications these federal laws would have on business, oddsmakers opted to leave the U.S. market.Now that there is no overarching sports betting ban in the United States, it would not be unreasonable to expect an influx of legal sports betting sites to enter the market. With sports gambling-friendly states issuing licenses to eligible operators, sports fans will now be able to choose from both American and offshore online sportsbooks.

For decades, Illinois was considered one of the least gambling-friendly states in the country. Luckily, that’s no longer the case; in fact, there are plenty of gambling options here. In this guide, our sports betting experts are going to explain how you can find the best Illinois sports betting sites, so you can start placing wagers on your favorite teams.

There are so many options out there that it may seem kind of daunting trying to decide which site to join. Not to worry, though. We’ll help out by explaining the most important features that all the best real money sports betting sites should offer.

If you look below, you’ll find some of the best sports betting sites in Illinois. Feel free to visit any one of them and start betting right now!

Rank	Gambling Site	Deposit Bonus	Get Started
#1	BetUS	100% Up To $2,500	Visit Site
#2	50% Up To $1,000	Visit Site
#3	BetNow	100% Up To $1,000	Visit Site
#4	50% Up To $250	Visit Site
#5	BetOnline Sports	50% Up To $1,000	Visit Site

The state of Illinois has recently begun to expand its gambling industry, and many are still unaware of the online sports betting laws. Our team will let you know exactly what’s allowed and more in this guide to Illinois sports betting sites.

Here’s What to Look for in Illinois Sports Betting Sites

Today, online sportsbooks in Illinois are only getting better. In fact, most online sportsbooks in the US are great places to start. Unfortunately, some of them have gained reputations for being a little shady. With that said, it’s important to be able to tell a good site from a bad one.

If you learn about the features that only reputable online betting sites offer, you’ll know how to find the best options. Below are the four qualities you should look for in Illinois sports betting sites.

Safe and Simple Payment System

Nothing is more important than safety when betting online. Before you create an account, ensure that your money and your personal information is safe. Only join real money sports betting sites that offer reliable, simple payment options to all of their members.

This shouldn’t be too difficult to find. You can check out some Illinois sports betting sites for yourself and head to their cashier pages to see what forms of payment are accepted. Our gambling site reviews also provide information on the payment systems for many of the country’s best real money betting websites.

We also always recommend for players to join Illinois online sportsbooks that allow debit and credit cards. Withdrawal options differ from site to site, yet most allow Bitcoin payouts. Many sites offer entire pages that explain how to use Bitcoin to collect winnings.

A safe payment system should be the first feature you look for in different Illinois sports betting sites.

Modern Design and User Interface

Some completely overlook how important the design of an online sportsbook is. Don’t make this mistake. The way that a betting website is designed will affect your entire gambling experience.

In our opinion, you should only join online betting sites that offer a simple, clean design. The user interfaces of these sites should be great as well. It should never be too difficult to find the exact odds you’re looking for.

Of course, everyone has a different design preference. One isn’t always better than the other. Just sign up for a website you think is suitable for your needs.

Spend a few minutes checking out some of the Illinois betting sites we listed and compare their designs. The ones we recommend at the top of this page are well-known for offering fantastic user interfaces.

Helpful Customer Support Options

Customer support is another feature of gambling sites that many new gamblers tend to overlook. That’s a shame, because this is one of the best tools available for sports bettors. It’s the only feature that Illinois betting sites have to help their players out.

Illinois recently passed a bill to legalize sports betting. Soon, several state-regulated online sportsbooks will be available here. For those that choose to play through the unregulated websites, a solid customer support feature is hugely important.

There are many different forms of customer support that are being offered nowadays. In our opinion, the best is a live chat feature. It allows you to speak directly with website representatives over text chat.

Stay away from the Illinois sports betting sites if they only offer one method of communication, such as email support or a web contact form. Getting a response through this method could take weeks. Look for the Illinois betting sites providing instant support at any time of day.

The Betting Odds You’re Looking For

You might be surprised to find how many individuals join an online sportsbook without even checking out which odds are available. It’s one of the easiest mistakes to avoid. Just about every single betting site clearly lists the odds that they offer directly on their homepages.

The important thing is making sure there are betting options for the sports you’re interested in. If you love football, check for some sports betting sites in Illinois offering odds on the Chicago Bears or other NFL teams. If you’re a baseball fan, check for websites that provide odds on regular and postseason MLB games.

Don’t be concerned if you aren’t sure about what sports you want to bet on. Nowadays, there are a huge number of amazing novelty betting options, too. Some sites allow you to place entertainment bets like movie outcomes and politics!

Never join any IL online sportsbooks without first checking out which odds are available. The betting websites we featured at the top of this page are known for offering thousands of different odds every single day.

Why Are Sports Betting Sites in Illinois Growing so Popular Right Now?

The rise of sports gambling can be seen around the entire country. This is all thanks to the Supreme Court striking down PASPA in May of 2018. Since that time, every state in the country has been permitted to establish their laws on sports betting, whether that’s online or in person.

A huge number of states now have regulated sports betting options up and running. Even in states that haven’t passed sports betting bills, this industry is growing fast.

We wanted to know exactly why Illinois sports betting sites are so popular right now. Our team reached out to several bettors here and asked why they prefer to make wagers online. Here’s what we heard.

It’s the Most Convenient Option Right Now

Since there are no legal land-based sports betting options available in Illinois, the only real options to place sports bets here are with an illegal bookie on the ground. Or bettors can do it through an online betting site. Most agree that casino sites in Illinois are far more convenient.

Don’t bother looking for a bookie. These sites allow you to make bets from anywhere in the state with an internet connection. Many also offer fantastic mobile sports betting platforms. The convenience of these sites has helped them grow more popular every single year.

There Are a Huge Number of Betting Options Available

Have you already checked out any IL online sportsbooks? If so, you may have seen how many amazing online betting options are available. Some betting sites in this state offer more sports betting odds than the top land-based sportsbooks in the country.

Don’t forget—this includes more than just sports odds, too. There are also odds on politics, awards shows, and even the weather! You might be amazed to find just how many incredible betting options are now being offered online.

So, Are IL Sports Betting Sites Actually Legal?

Illinois recently passed a bill to legalize sports betting. But as of February 2020, state officials are still coming up with specific regulations. At the time of writing, there are no state-controlled online sportsbooks here.

Fortunately, there are some fantastic online sports betting sites here that are not directly regulated by the state. The state laws seem to indicate that wagering online is banned.

Some, however, believe these laws do not apply to sites based overseas.

Article 29 Sect. 28-1 of the State Statutes gives a brief description of Illinois’ take on online gambling:

“ … knowingly establishes, maintains, or operates an Internet site that permits a person to play a game of chance or skill for money or other thing of value by means of the Internet or to make a wager upon the result of any game, contest, political nomination, appointment, or election by means of the Internet.”

On the surface, it might appear that this law outright bans wagering online. Most feel that these laws are for anyone thinking about operating an online gambling site in the state.

Many are also looking at how this applies to the state’s sports betting industry, considering Illinois lawmakers officially legalized online sports betting recently.

Despite the seemingly harsh laws against it, Illinois’ online gambling industry is growing fast. More individuals are playing at IL sports betting sites every single month. This is especially true now that the state decided to legalize sports gambling.

To sum it up, the state’s online sports betting industry is in kind of a gray area. Soon, state-regulated online sportsbooks will begin operating here and lawmakers are likely to change the current online gaming laws.

Will I Be Prosecuted for Playing at Illinois Casino Sites?

It’s extremely unlikely. As we showed earlier, Illinois seems to have tough laws towards gambling online. But we have not come across a single case of an individual facing legal trouble for making bets online. Residents of IL hope that online sports betting laws will be official soon.

Please Note:

It’s important to note that we are not lawyers and always recommend you abide by your state laws. For more details on the gambling regulations in Illinois, please contact a gaming law professional. If you head over to our gambling news page, we provide you with constant updates towards sports betting laws around the country.

How Do I Bet Safely Through Sports Betting Sites in IL?

Almost everyone has concerns about safety when first getting into online sports betting. This is still a relatively new industry, and many are unsure about how secure it really is. Fortunately, sports betting sites in Illinois have improved dramatically over the years and most are completely safe.

Legal Online Sports Betting Usa

Of course, some of these sites still have reputations for being a little shady. Generally speaking, however, the shady sites are quickly blacklisted.

It’s very easy to stay completely safe while gambling online nowadays. Here are some steps that you can follow to ensure that your betting experience is nothing but fun.

Only Play Through Reputable Online Sportsbooks

As long as you only make bets through reputable Illinois sports betting sites, there’s a very good chance you’ll never encounter an issue. Competition is high in this industry and these sites work hard to provide their members with the best possible experience. Feel free to check out the online sportsbooks we recommend at the top of this page. Each one is well-known for being completely safe.

Keep Track of Your Money

Some individuals accidentally wager more money than they can afford to lose. You can easily avoid this mistake. Simply keep track of how much money you are betting. If you realize your betting habits are getting out of hand, take a break for a little while. You can also ask someone you trust to help you hold yourself accountable for your spending.

Bet on Sports You Understand

You may have already seen that most online sportsbooks offer thousands of different betting odds every single day. It can be tempting to throw some money on sporting events that you’ve never played in hopes of winning big. With that in mind, we recommend that you only bet on sporting events you know and understand. It will significantly increase your odds of winning.

Understand How Promotions Work

Just about all sports betting sites in Illinois offer their members promotions. In case you’re unaware, these are promotional offers that help boost the amount of money you have to gamble with. Before you decide to utilize any promotions, understand exactly how they work. It will save you from any headaches in the future.

Keep Your Betting Account Information Private

Your online betting account is just like a real bank account. There’s money on the line. If you share your information with anyone, they can access the money without your knowledge. Never give out your account information to anyone. It’s also a good idea to change your account’s password every 90 days.

FAQ on Online Sports Betting in Illinois

When Did Illinois Decide to Legalize Sports Betting?

Not long after PASPA was removed in May of 2019, lawmakers began presenting bills to legalize sports wagering. In June of 2019, lawmakers here decided to officially legalize this industry. Both online and land-based sports betting is scheduled to become available here in 2021.

How Much Money Can I Win Playing at IL Online Sportsbooks?

That all depends on you. Not many sports betting sites in Illinois set limits on how much their players can win. The more you bet, the more you can win. Your chances of winning will obviously increase when betting on sports you understand.

What Are Some of the Best Illinois Sports Betting Sites Right Now?

There’s no one single answer for this. Most of the best online sportsbooks in the country are available in Illinois. At the moment, two of our favorites are Bovada and MyBookie. Both are known for offering great sports betting odds and safe payment options.

Is Online Sports Betting Easier Than Land-Based Sports Betting?

When it comes to convenience, absolutely! Online sports wagering allows sports fans to make bets from anywhere in the state with an internet connection. In terms of the ability to win, there’s really no difference.

Why Should I Bet on Sports Online?

The choice to bet, or not to bet, online is yours! This industry is growing extremely popular around the country. More individuals are choosing to wager online every single month. If you’re a sports fan looking to win a little extra money, then check out the Illinois sports betting sites we recommend at the top of this page.

Conclusion

Illinois is in an interesting place right now. Lawmakers here have decided to legalize both land-based and online sports betting. Soon, a huge number of different sportsbooks will begin operating in the state.

Head on over to our gambling blog for all things gambling and sports betting related and feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Good luck with your bets!