A growing number of US states have legalized sports betting, and the number that does so expands almost every month, but for those that don’t, there is an alternative. Offshore sportsbooks have become very popular in the States, and as long as you know where you are looking, the search for one that is reputable and effective can be a successful one.
Offshore sportsbooks accept players from the US, and many offer excellent incentives to attract players, and it’s a common and straightforward route to follow if you want to enjoy the benefits of sports betting in a state where you can’t go the traditional route.
A common question sports bettors ask themselves is, are the best offshore betting sites legal? And the answer is yes. There is nothing, per se, illegal about betting via an offshore betting site, but it is a market where you have to tread carefully. This is because there are a number of less reputable players in or around the market.
In order to help you find an offshore sportsbook that can be trusted, we’ve compiled a list of five brands that we heartily endorse. See more below.
My Bookie
MyBookie has been around for a while, opening in 2014, and is one of the favorite offshore betting sites for those in the US. They are great when it comes to covering NFL, NBA, and MLB but are particularly astute in the MMA field, so well worth considering signing up if you are a fan of the UFC action. Be aware that you won’t be able to use this provider if you are in Nevada, New York, or New Jersey, but you can happily do so in all other states.
Bovada
Bovada is very much aimed at US users, and they cover over 20 sports and dig deep into each of them. The odds they offer are very competitive, and they provide a super $1000 matched bonus opportunity.
Their deposits and payouts are dealt with swiftly, and you can place large or small bets with confidence.
Intertops
These guys are one of our favorite offshore sports betting books as their site, and mobile interface is simple and effective. They all offer a great range of sports betting, covering all the major sports as well as lesser-known events.
Intertops have been around since 1996, which in the online sports betting world makes them very well established indeed. They are very good for novices in the field and are well trusted in the industry.
XBet
One of the most innovative areas around sports betting as a whole is prop bets, and while most offshore betting sites don’t deal a lot with these types of bets, XBet is an exception, and this is a great reason to consider signing up with this provider.
XBet is far more progressive than most players in the offshore betting market, and as well as running a successful sportsbook, they also offer a casino site, and both of these are highly thought of.
BetOnline
Of all the best offshore sportsbooks, BetOnline offers perhaps the most impressive site interface. They’ve been around for 20 years, a lifetime in this industry, and that period has seen BetOnline up their game when it comes to the way their site and app look and feel.
BetOnline covers just about every sport and sporting event you are likely to be interested in and offers odds that are at least comparable, in some cases better, than the competition.
They also offer a very decent eSports section, which again isn’t an area that offshore betting sites usually excel in.
Where Can You Bet Online in the States?
The reason that offshore sports betting is so popular in the US is because some states are lagging behind when it comes to legalizing online sports betting. Effectively offshore betting is only effective in the US because of this situation and that’s why it’s an avenue that is now well-worn by those in the country who just want to bet on sports.
Currently, sports betting in the US is something of a complex issue. Some states offer only retail options that take place at a brick-and-mortar establishment. Others don’t allow sports betting of any kind.
However, there are states where you can bet online and the number of these has grown a great deal over the past year. Currently, you can do so in the following states.
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Now that we’ve laid out a number of the best players in the offshore sports betting market, all that’s left for you to do is to consider your options and then get started with that all-important first bet. Good luck!