Offshore sportsbooks are not legal because they are not overseen by a US regulatory body.Despite being illegal, over the last 20+ years US citizens have placed millions of bets with offshore sportsbooks, like Bovada, without any interference from the state or federal government. The American Gaming Association estimates that over $150 billion is illegally wagered each year. Although offshore sportsbooks are not technically legal, they are valid options for US bettors without access to legal options. Offshore sportsbooks have become valid options because the United States has not had legal sports betting and because the government is unable to punish offshore operators or customers. Some offshore sportsbooks are loosely regulated by a foreign country.
The most apparent advantage of offshore betting is that anyone in the US can do it. Most offshore sites accept residents of all 50 states. If you want to bet on sports and don’t live in Delaware, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia, you don’t have a choice. The most well-known offshore sportsbooks are a lot safer and offer a lot more than a local bookie running things remotely.