As sports betting grows in popularity, identifying legal sports betting sites is more critical than ever to ensure your money and personal information are in safe hands.
Here at Ballislife, we’ll dive further into the topic of the best legal sports betting sites, including the ones we recommend most and why. We'll also look at the betting markets, how to discern between a legal and illegal site, and more so you can dive into online sports betting without any reservations.
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Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. Gambling HelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) To claim, new users need to register, make a first-time deposit of $5 or more, and then simply place their first real-money wager on any FanDuel Sportsbook market (no odds limits) that is live on platform. All users will receive their $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins within 72 hours of the bet settlement. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
To be eligible, the Player must be at least 21 years old, physically located in a Eligible Jurisdiction: AZ, IL, IN, NJ, OH, TN, or VA, and not on any exclusionary lists in any Eligible Jurisdiction. Excluded patrons are prohibited from participating in Promotions. To be eligible all personal and contact data associated to your account must be verifiable. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Online gambling laws in your state - How to make sure that you play at a legal US sportsbook
With sports betting growing in popularity every day, there will be more and more options available, both legal and otherwise.
So, for a
new bettor, how can you be sure you’re playing at a legal site? Sure, you’ve probably heard of the big platforms like DraftKings or FanDuel, but what about the others?
When you arrive at a site for the first time, there are a few ways to determine that you’re playing at a legal site regulated in the United States.
Marking is associated with the governing body in that state.
If the web address has “.lv” or “.ag,” that’s an instant red flag.
Check to see if Politics is available to be wagered on. If so, this is another red flag, as wagering on politics in the United States is illegal everywhere.
Has information at the bottom of the site citing information about the governing body.
In case you’re not sure exactly what this looks like, the screenshots below will give you an idea of what to look for. Also, the state’s appropriate governing body will have information on which operators are legal online, as seen here.
What are the betting markets on the best legal sportsbooks?
Understanding what bet types are available at the best legal sports betting sites is essential so you know exactly what it is you’re betting on.
Below is a table with the most popular bet types and what they are.
Bet Type
Definition
Moneyline
Bet on the team that wins outright.
Point Spread
The point spread is a number meant to define the gap in performance expectation between the two teams. If a team is -2.5, they’ll need to win outright by three points or more. When the other team is +2.5, they’ll need to win outright or lose by no more than two points.
Moneyline
Also known as the over/under, you’ll wager on the combined number of points scored in a game.
Totals
Betting on multiple events on one betslip, accounting for individual odds and the risk for each leg add. All legs must result in a win for a parlay to succeed.
Parlay
Bet on the team that wins outright.
Same Game Parlay
The same premise as a parlay, but all legs are from one game.
Futures
Betting on events that will resolve later, such as championship games and individual awards.
Prop Betting
Micro-events within a game, including game, team, and player props. Popular examples include quarterback passing yards, touchdowns, or total hits in a baseball game.
Outside of politics, almost every sport you can imagine is available to bet on in the United States. The most popular sports that are legal online to bet on are the
NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL.
Some popular events/bets for these sports include the following:
NFL
- Super Bowl, Division Winners, Conference Winners, MVP, Offensive Player of the Year.
MLB
- World Series, Pennant Winners, Cy Young Winner, MVP.
NHL
- Stanley Cup Finals, Conference Winners, Division Winners, Vezina Trophy Winner.
NBA
-
NBA
Finals, Conference Finals, Division Winners, MVP, Scoring Title, Sixth Man of the Year.
Legal college betting - Where is online gambling legal and which states allow NCAAB and NCAAF betting?
College sports betting is an exciting way to wager, but depending on the state you reside in, there may be some limitations on what exactly is legal online and what you can wager on.
Below, we’ll go over a handful of states and their stance on betting on College Football (NCAAF) and College Basketball (NCAAB)
You can bet on college sports, but prop bets are prohibited.
Arizona
You can bet on college sports, but prop bets are prohibited.
Kansas
You can bet on college sports.
What US states allow sports betting in general?
sports
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal
Planned
Illegal
Best legal sportsbooks
When betting on sports in the United States, it's important that you’re wagering at legal online gambling sites. By that, we don’t mean sites that you can bet on but are based outside of the country—we mean sites that are legal, licensed, and regulated by individual states.
On top of having SSL encryption to keep your data safe, we’ll only ever recommend legal
sports betting sites
that have received a license from an appropriate governing body such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Michigan Gaming Control Board, or Virginia Lottery.
Below, we’ll provide insight into the best legal US sportsbooks, including why we think they’re among the best licensed online gambling sites.
BetMGM - Among the best legal sportsbooks
4.6/5
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T&Cs Apply / 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Many online gambling sites have been launched in the United States since PASPA was overturned in May 2018.
One of the first operators to ever take legal sports bets and offer online casino games was BetMGM. It launched in New Jersey in August 2018, partnering with the Borgata Hotel & Casinos land-based casino.
Legal US sportsbooks all over the country
BetMGM is a popular online sportsbook
in the United States and Canada. Within the United States, BetMGM runs legal gambling websites in 20 states and jurisdictions, including the following:
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Maryland
Colorado
Arizona
Kansas
As it's available in so many states, BetMGM has demonstrated to multiple governing bodies that it’s safe for all players. That should give you great peace of mind about playing there. The screenshot below shows what states BetMGM has online betting sites and
mobile apps
in.
States with legal BetMGM sports betting sites
BetMGM - One of the safest sports betting sites
While most sportsbooks offer cash out, a feature that allows you to bail from a bet early, BetMGM has additional security measures in place. This ensures that no one else will try to access your account and cash out on your behalf.
When you're attempting to cash out while legally gambling online, BetMGM will prompt you with the security questions you created during registration. You must answer these to get your money.
BetMGM pro:
Multiple tools for creating parlay wagers, such as Easy Parlay
An excellent first bet offer
MGM Rewards offers plenty of perks and rewards such as waived resort fees
A mobile app resembling the desktop, allowing an easier learning curve going from platform to platform
BetMGM cons:
Monetary requirements to ascend in the MGM Reward program aren’t casual-bettor-friendly, making it difficult for beginners to enjoy the benefits
FanDuel - The go-to for legal online gambling sites
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T&Cs Apply / 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. Gambling HelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) To claim, new users need to register, make a first-time deposit of $5 or more, and then simply place their first real-money wager on any FanDuel Sportsbook market (no odds limits) that is live on platform. All users will receive their $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins within 72 hours of the bet settlement. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
FanDuel is a company that gained notoriety in the late 2000s/early 2010s with its daily fantasy sports platform.
Since then, it has merged with a notable international gaming outfit, Paddy Power Betfair. It now hosts daily fantasy sports, horse racing, online sports betting, and an online casino. Depending on what state you are in, you might be able to play all (or none) of the above.
While we’re focusing on sports betting here, know that FanDuel is one of the best places to go for any kind of betting, especially sports betting. FanDuel actually won the American Gambling Awards Online Sportsbook of the Year award for 2022.
FanDuel - Provides resources unlike other safe sports betting websites
Responsible Gaming is one of the most notable sections of all legal and regulated US gambling sites. At FanDuel Sportsbook, there are multiple ways to access this page, including at the top or bottom of the site.
Here, you’ll have access to numerous online gambling resources, including information for gambling addiction assistance local to you, whether you’re in Michigan, Colorado, Virginia, or another legal state.
All responsible gaming tools at FanDuel sportsbook - As seen in the screenshot below, it goes beyond that
FanDuel's awesome information for new bettors amongst the best legal sportsbooks
Even if you’ve been a fan of a sport, team, or league for years, this doesn’t mean you necessarily know how to make those wagers legally online.
Many sports betting websites seem to assume you’re already an expert and expect you to jump in on the action.
Well, FanDuel Sportsbook has a tremendous resource for new bettors called Betting 101.
We’d need dozens of screenshots to show all of it, but below is just an example of the type of information you’ll find that’s not only text but video, too!
FanDuel pros:
Offers new players a $1,000 No Sweat First Bet
Betting 101 Guide has information on each sport, bet type, and even how to navigate FanDuel
Daily odds boosts allow you to make potentially even more money on wagers you already planned on making
FanDuel cons:
No shared virtual wallet between the sportsbook and the DFS site
What’s the difference between legal online gambling sites and offshore gambling sites?
Pros of legal sports betting sites:
Licensed and regulated by governing bodies from each state that allows online gambling sites
You can depend on receiving your legal online winnings when playing at real money gambling sites
Ample security measures to keep funds, identity, and personal data safe
Cons of offshore sites:
Not licensed in the US, so limited recourse in the event of not receiving withdrawals
Run the risk of playing at an online gambling site that’s a complete scam with online casino games that are fake
Winnings aren’t automatically reported to the IRS, so you’ll need to self-report
Too-good-to-be-true welcome offers
Conclusion - safe sports betting websites
With so many states legalizing online gambling and others hoping to shortly, it’s important for sites to demonstrate that they’re safe for their players.
While we highlighted three sportsbooks here, there are plenty of other perfectly legal and regulated sites that are also safe for you to play at.
As mentioned, ensuring you’re playing at a legal site is vital. We at Ballislife will only ever recommend legalized online gambling platforms that we are 100% sure of. Our rankings above give you a great place to start.
FAQ Legal sports betting sites
❓ What states have legal sports betting online?
Around 30 US states have now legalised some form of sports betting. However, each of those states is responsible for applying its own regulations regarding which types of sports betting it allows. For example, in some states, only in-person sports betting is allowed, but in others, online sportsbooks are also permitted to operate. The following states allow mobile betting: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Maryland,New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming.
⚖️ Why is sports betting legal?
Sports betting in the US is not universally legal. Online gambling laws are defined by the authorities for individual US states, who are responsible for deciding whether or not gambling is permitted and which types. For instance, although a good number of states have now legalised in-person sports betting, they may not yet permit mobile sports wagering.
🏅 What is the safest online sports gambling site?
The only gambling sites you should consider are those which are legal for you to sign up with. The first thing you must do is establish whether any type of online gambling is legal where you live. Assuming that it is, you should only consider operators that have a current state-issued license, which indicates that you will have a safe and enjoyable experience. With that said, FanDuel and DraftKings would be on the top of this list.
💯 Best legal online gambling sites in my state?
The most important thing to check is whether a gambling operator has a current license issued by the regulatory authority for your state of residence. If you want to be safe, use either DraftKings or Fanduels mobile apps.
🏆 How can I find the best legal sportsbooks?
If you are lucky enough to live in a state that has legalised sports betting, then any legal sportsbook will be required to obtain a state license before it can operate. In most cases, there are a limited number of licenses issued, which means you’ll get your pick of the top brands like BetMGM, FanDuel and Unibet, who will display licensing details on their brand websites.
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Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. Gambling HelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) To claim, new users need to register, make a first-time deposit of $5 or more, and then simply place their first real-money wager on any FanDuel Sportsbook market (no odds limits) that is live on platform. All users will receive their $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins within 72 hours of the bet settlement. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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