Football is one of the most widely accepted sports globally, with countries all over the world
creating their own leagues and actively competing in tournaments. However, while this sport is
beloved and participated in by many, betting for football doesn’t receive the same warm
reception its parent sports gets from people.
Football betting is illegal in over 10 countries, and the USA, although deemed to be liberal is one
of the places where there are restrictions surrounding gambling on football.
Although American sports lovers are allowed to watch football tournaments like the Premier
League and even support teams, there are only 30 states in the US where football betting is legal,
including the 21 that authorize online sports betting.
However, despite the regulation’s and strict practices detecting how Americans can or can’t bet,
US bettors over the years have spent over $363,775,649 in sports betting.
Which begs for the question, how are Americans still betting on Football if it’s restricted?
5 Secret Ways Americans Bet On Football
- Offshore sportsbooks
- Licensed online gambling sites in the USA
- Sportsbooks Apps
- Fantasy Sports
- Legal Betting States
Which Places Are Americans Secretly Betting On Football?
Americans constantly engage in sports betting, despite the restrictions and regulations imposed
on this act by the U.S government.
For instance, in some parts of the country you can bet in licensed online casinos, but not in
online sportsbooks or poker rooms. And there are states where you’re within your rights to bet in
any method you prefer.
Avid bettors have found a way to bypass certain rules that govern bettor behavior and determine
where they may or may not bet, or how to and how not to bet.
Below we examine some secret ways Americans are currently betting on football.
- Offshore Sportsbooks
According to a report by the American Gaming Organization, 52% of Americans engage in off-
shore betting.
Gambling on English Premier League soccer games can be done legally at some domestic and
offshore bookmakers. Offshore betting sites may be accessible to US-based bettors, because they
are not governed by state and federal gambling laws.
While it is not legally sanctioned by any US body, betting with offshore sportsbooks doesn’t
break any laws and participants won’t be penalized and no arrests have been reported.
This is because gambling laws often crackdown on illegal operators and not gamblers. However,
bettors are still required to read the terms of all betting memberships and regional gambling laws
before betting.
Americans can bet on football online from the US, but because of the uncertainties surrounding
the legal climate of providing sports-betting services to US citizens, most offshore bookies do
not serve them. However, there are other sites that’ll take money from bettors.
US bettors can bet on football events like the Premier League on sites like Bovada and
Sportsbetting.ag which offer Football Prediction and Free football tips for EPL fixtures, card
games, casino titles, and other sporting events. - Licensed Online Gambling Sites In The US
There are some licensed online gambling sites in the US which American bettors use to bet on
football, which are safe and legal. They offer good customer service, interesting games, and
pleasant user experience across devices.
Betway, a European betting company is one of such sites that is making an impact on the US
online gambling sector. They are legal and available in US states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Iowa, Colorado, Arizona, and Indiana. Betway began operations after an agreement with the
Digital Gaming Corporation.
Other US licensed online gambling sites bettors use are Draftsking, FansDuel, Bet MGM,
Caesars.
Note, US specific bookmakers often focus on leagues based in the United States like NFL, NBA,
etc.
- Mobile Betting Apps
Technically speaking, there is no definite law that bars you from placing a bet, especially since
most Americans are still actively contributing to this industry.
However, because of some ambiguous laws, most licensed offshore bookmakers do not want to
take their action.
That being said, to bet legally in spite of laws that say that they can’t, Americans can bet on any
sporting events from apps. Just do some research to find an app where you can successfully bet.
Additionally, you can use Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies to actively deposit and withdraw
money to the sportsbooks in charge of these Apps. Most of them allow it. - Fantasy Sports
Betting real cash on Fantasy Sports is legal in most of the US states, but engaging in this would
be a secret if the bettor did it from a state where it is still outlawed.
Some form of real money fantasy sports betting, including fantasy football, is currently available
in all US states except in places like Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii.
Fantasy sports is in a different category from traditional sports betting which is why it was
allowed. But, states like Indiana, Louisiana, and Virginia still have limited operators for daily
fantasy sports. - Legal Betting States
Football betting is purely legal in some states in the US, but bettors engaging in it from states
where it isn’t is a secret.
Some known states where betting is legal for Americans include Nevada, Delaware, West
Virginia, New Jersey, New Mexico, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Iowa,
Arkansas, etc. These states allow residents to make safe sports bets
Other state bettors will have to wait for the ban on football betting to be lifted, before they can
bet without breaking any rules.
Get one thing clear, people who bet on football through the internet on their own are not being
targeted by the U.S laws. When the authorities enforce anti-gambling statutes, they do so against
owners and managers of betting sites, not the customers.
As long as you bet with a good bookmaker, make your wagers, and don’t book by yourself, you
won’t face any legal problems.
