Is bodog.com legal for us residents? (sports betting)?

Question

its online sports betting but its based offline and i wasnt sure if that was legal and a friend of mine tried to convice me it was but im not sure does anyone know if it is legal and why it is and other sites arent? thank you

Answer 1

It's not illegal to bet online with an online gaming site! There is NO federal law that makes the act of wagering online illegal. The only federal law that addresses gambling is the wire act from the 1960's which makes it illegal to place wagers via the telephone. The US government passed a port security law and tacked on provisions (UIGEA) that make it illegal for BANKS, not players, to fund or accept payment from gaming sources. The only problem (for the govt) is that there are dozens of third party methods available for funding and no way to trace ACH credits. The UIGEA also refers to "illegal internet gambling", but fails to define what illegal internet gambling is!  In other words, the new provisions are only for show and the end result is a waste of ink. I still use my VISA check card and e-check on my favorite sites. Online gaming will be impossible to completely eliminate from the US. The best they can do is make it inconvenient by scarring the banking system into becoming a law enforcement agency.  This doesn't and will never work.   Eventually I see the industry being regulated and taxed.

The only states with laws directed towards online wagering are Michigan, Illinois, Louisiana, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, Indiana, Nevada, New York, New Jersey and South Dakota. Although these states do have specific laws pertaining to online gaming, there has not been any charges laid, and they are being challenged.

While there have been a few arrests in the online gaming management world, all of the instances are for accepting action from American residents WHILE their companies were based ON US soil!  There has never been a charge laid for 'Internet Gambling'...it's always money laundering...tax evasion...or some other unrelated charge.  

NO PLAYER HAS OR EVER WILL BE CHARGED FOR ONLINE GAMBLING UNDER THE CURRENT LAWS!!!  Wagers placed online occur on a server in another country as long as you are using an offshore site, then that site is not committing any infraction of US law.  If you can quote from the UIGEA where I am wrong then I will gladly retract, but you cannot!

Some sites have decided, on their own, to no longer accept American players. These sites are spineless and have chosen the path of least resistance, many to their demise.  %80 of online gaming revenue is generated by the USA! There are still many highly reputable sites that welcome and cater to American clients.

I have wagered online for years and make good money betting on sports and playing poker. You can get free poker tips from the pros, articles, free daily sports picks, betting tips, sports betting stats and reviews of only highly reputable gaming sites at http://GamblingReviewsSite.com

The recommended sites all offer top customer service, security, and fast/free payouts. They also cater to American clients with great bonuses, e-check deposits, and other promotions.

As a side note, there are much better options available to you than Bodog!  I used to recommend them, but they have encountered too many payout complications, and payouts are the whole reason to play!  Be sure to check the link above for the best options for you!

Answer 2

There is an anti gambling law on the books that pre-dates the Internet, and it outlaws sports betting via the telephone.  Law enforcement have used that law to insist that sports betting online is therefore illegal.

But realistically for the kind of money most people bet, it is hardly likely to result in an arrest.  Millions of people gamble in America, and the police don't go around kicking down doors arresting people for online sports betting.

Answer 3

Nope. NOT legal for US residents.

If you are using your computer online from a US based IP address, you are in fact participating in an ILLEGAL betting operation.

Over the last few years there have been some online betting site operators who have been charged under these laws.

http://www.gambling-law-us.com/Articles-...

And these are the people that the US is going after for the most part. But if you are betting on thier site, then your name and your ID is on file somewhere, and it is possible that at some point this information could be used. No arrests or charges have ever been filed at this time against any players however.

http://sportsgambling.about.com/od/sport...

So most likely you can bet online and not get caught doing it.

But no matter what, it is still illegal.

There are some sites that allow legal US online poker for cash and these are subject to US laws and regulation. They may be safer if you are a poker player.

http://www.thedoverpro.com/legalpoker.ht...