US States with Legal Sports Betting

One of the primary goals of US Sportsbonus is to allow bettors to see at a glance where to find the best US sportsbooks with the best possible bonus. These typically come in the form of free bets, risk-free bets, or a generous percentage reward on the first deposit. But there is so much more to it than just a great bonus offer when ranking sports betting sites.

Most US sports betting sites have in common their commitment to taking every aspect of the betting experience to the next level. They aim to offer excellent promo code offers, the highest NFL odds, the best-in-class customer support, the most user-friendly betting app, and much more. 

Out of the many US sportsbooks apps available, we have identified four that stand out of the crowd and are highly recommended. 

In our US state guides, we guide you through every facet of the top sportsbooks in that state and what makes them unique. Unlock promos and bonuses with our state bonus guides that are carefully curated with the best promo offers in your state.

We work with some of the most experienced sports betting experts. They provide you with sharp picks and predictions for tonight's games every day. We offer Daily and Weekly Betting Picks on all the major US sports.

We offer an extensive Online Betting Guide – where Sports Betting Online is explained from A to Z. Get a better understanding of how to bet on sports works and how to place the next bet on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, Soccer, Tennis, UFC, College sports plus guides for bankroll management, bonuses and betting terminology. Read our betting guides and improve your online sports betting knowledge.

On June 26th, 1991, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks formally recognized Online Sports Betting as a national problem in the US. This finding led to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA).

The act forbade states to authorize legal sports betting online, effectively making it illegal in most states. Because of their pre-existing sports-betting frameworks, four states were made exempt from the act: Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon.

Nevada had a near-monopoly on legal sports betting in the US for decades. Then, in 2017, the state of New Jersey challenged the act. A year later, it was overturned in the US Supreme Court by a 6-3 majority.

Since mid-2018, after a hiatus of over 25 years, the sports betting industry has been gradually recovering in the US. Individual states now have the right to legalize online sports betting. Several already have, while others have passed legislation to do so.

There is still an ongoing debate in many states whether to legalize online sports betting. Among the States in the US that have not yet passed a bill to open for sports betting, the list is still long and include states such as Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, Alaska, Alabama, California and so forth.

Of course, there is some opposition to the legalization of US sports betting on moral grounds. For instance, the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling praised Governor Rick Snyder’s decision back in 2018 when Michigan decided to legalize online sports betting in their state.

Countering this argument is the enormous illegal betting industry in the US. Underground betting attracts corruption and scandal, and naturally, those caught up in it have no recourse to justice. Several laws such as PASPA, UIGEA, and The Federal Wire Act have tried to prevent online gambling. Still, the illegal US online sports betting market is blossoming with an expected worth of $150 billion, according to the American Sports Betting Coalition.

To prevent gambling addiction and debts, many modern online casinos and online sports betting sites provide tools that limit or avoid spending and participation. All reputable sites are regulated by relevant gambling authorities and adhere to strict responsibility codes. Customer experience is part of the detailed reviews available and forthcoming on USsportsbonus.

There is a wide selection of sports betting sites, but a limited number of US Sportsbooks hold a license to offer legal sports betting online. As more states open up for sports betting, the licensed US Sportsbooks are expected to take over the online sports betting market, but offshore operators are likely to take still a big chunk of the total wagers placed on sports betting online.