Online Versus Land-Based Sportsbooks

Sports fans in Nevada or anywhere in the country might be wondering where to go to place their bets. There are plenty of land-based and online sportsbooks in Vegas, but many players don’t know the major difference between the two. Obviously, one is more convenient than the other is, but does that make it better? There are a lot of differing opinions on this, and each option has its perks. For instance, brick and mortar casinos that offer sports betting are fun, social venues that serve alcohol and sometimes comp rooms. On the other hand, the online options allow you to bet from your house or even on your mobile device, and you don’t have to deal with pit bosses or crowds.

This page is going to go over the differences between the two ways to wager, as well as show you what options are available wherever you live. Many burgeoning sports bettors might not know that there are very few land-based places to wager in this country. However, after reading this, everyone will know where to place a bet legally and safely.

Land-Based Sportsbooks In America

Everyone knows that ‘Vegas is the gambling capitol of the world, and they are right to assume that it is home to some amazing sportsbooks. You can stroll from Harrah’s to Caesars Palace and on to the Downtown Grand all in the same night. If there are plenty of games going on, you could go on a streak for hours. It is true that Nevada is host to the best land-based bookmakers, but it is also one of the only states that actually has any. This is due to a law called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which is a curse to sports fans and bookmakers all over the U.S.

What Is PASPA?

PASPA is a law that came about in the mid-90’s that took the right away from most states to offer sportsbooks. The reasoning behind it is murky, but congress officially declared sports wagering to be a “dangerous” activity for both the bettors and the franchises. After the law passed through Senate, the only states that were left to decide whether they could offer sports wagering were the ones that had offered it at least ten-years prior to PASPA. This left only four states, two of which don’t even allow bookmakers to operate today. The two states that do offer it are Nevada and Delaware, although the latter only offers certain types of parlays on NFL games only. This leaves Nevada as the only state to have fully functioning land-based sportsbooks.

Learn More - How Do I Bet On Sports Legally?

Online Sportsbooks In America

Now that you understand why there is a huge lack of real-world sports betting options in the states, get ready to have your mind blown. No one has to travel however many miles to the Silver State in order to drop a bill on the next Patriots game. The many legitimate online sportsbooks do not suffer the same restrictions as land-based venues. This is because PASPA and the other federal US wagering laws only affect domains that operate in this country. The online books do not.

The best betting websites function out of places like Canada, Costa Rica, and the Republic of Panama. This locational advantage makes all the difference. If a site is managed in a country where the betting laws allow for online bookmakers to operate, then there is nothing stopping any American from signing up at it. There is no law that restricts the average citizen from using a legitimate sportsbook, online or otherwise. This is why 99% of U.S. bettors choose the web-based options, because it simply isn’t feasible to travel to Nevada every time a game is on.

Best Online Sportsbooks For U.S. Players

Playing the odds online is an infinitely rewarding pastime, and there are more great sites out there than ever before. That means there are also many subpar sites as well. Pilfering through the good and the bad can be very time consuming, so we would like to save you the hassle by presenting some of the best Vegas online bookmakers in the world.

#1 RANKED
Bovada Sportsbook - Online Sportsbook Popular With US Players

Bovada is an amazing betting hub, with a monumental sportsbook and a packed poker room. Many people consider the site a virtual casino in the same league as the biggest ones in Vegas. We can’t find any reason to argue against that praise. There are no less than 26 leagues and sports to bet on, including entertainment and politics. The wager types run the gamut from straight wagers to exotic options like if-bets and reverse teasers. You will find a home away from home at Bovada if you are a sports fan.

Another cool feature that Bovada offers is mobile betting. With this handy component, you will never find yourself stuck in line at the grocery store or in the post office without a way to place a wager on the game. You don’t need to download anything or pay extra, all you need to do is sign in to your account from your iPhone, Android, Tablet, or pretty much any other device. Bovada makes it easy to bet real money on your favorite teams, so join up today!

#2 RANKED
BetOnline Sportsbook - Welcomes Players from ALL 50 States!

People have been putting money on their favorite teams for many years, but the relatively new advent of online sportsbooks has really changed the game, and BetOnline is one of the best. Since there are so few real-life sports wagering options in America, sites like BetOnline are the only legal outlets for most Westerners. Luckily, this site accepts players from all 50 states, and there is no sign up fee. That in itself is something to rejoice about, without even going into the size and speed of the sportsbook itself.

If you are in a pinch, pick up your Android device, iPhone, Tablet, or whatever you carry with you, and log into your BetOnline account. Without having to download anything or pay extra, you can access the entire sportsbook as well as manage your account. You can even make sportsbook deposits and request sportsbook payouts this way. There is nothing better than wagering on a live game from anywhere you find yourself, and BetOnline makes that happen.

#1 RANKED
Great Bonuses at the Best Online Sportsbook for US Players
#2 RANKED
Online Vegas-Style Sportsbook Legal for Play In All 50 States!
#3 RANKED
Online Sports Betting Site With Top Bonuses for ALL 50 States!
#4 RANKED
Online Sportsbook Accepting Players From All 50 States