If you have been around the online gambling scene for a while, it is probably already fairly obvious to you that the state of online gambling is not what it used to be, particularly for U.S. players. U.S. legislation passed in 2006 has effectively brought about the end of many online gambling web sites' acceptance of players from the United States, a development that has many online gambling aficionados up in arms. The issue is still currently up for contention, with some confusion as to what and what does not actually constitute illegal activities with regard to gambling. In any case, many states have implemented their own differing policies with regard to the matter, further adding fuel to an already confusing fire.
As for whether or not sportsbooks are legal for U.S. players is another matter entirely. In this regard, sportsbooks are almost as confusing as online gambling web sites, since some of them accept players from the Untied States and other do not. The good news for sportsbook gamblers from the United States is that most experts seem to agree that the use of sportsbooks remains legal.
Just as is the case with online gambling, the confusion about whether or not the use of sportsbooks is legal stems from the UIGEA of 2006. It should be noted however that this act was primarily intended to restrict the electronic transfer of funds by U.S. players from their bank accounts to online gambling web sites and not go after the online gambling activities. This is an important distinction to make, as many proponents of online gambling would be quick to point out. This law could in effect be interpreted to mean that making wagers online is totally legal in every way.
The same proponents of online gambling are also of the opinion that misinformation and ignorance of the laws pertaining to online gambling are so often the cause of all this confusion. After all, if online gambling was indeed illegal, there is simply no way that online gambling web sites that accept U.S. players would be allowed to continue their operations.
The question that remains however is why some sportsbooks accept players from the United States and others do not. Again the root cause of this is the same law that has made online gambling so difficult for U.S. players in the first place. Due to all the obstacles that this law has placed on U.S. players, some online gambling web sites have simply opted to bow out of the picture as a means of avoiding potential legal difficulties. Nevertheless, there remains a considerable number of sportsbooks that are quite happy to feed the demand and continue to accept wagers from U.S. gamblers. Many of these sportsbooks are some of the most respected and reputable ones in the business, and they are perfectly able to provide the same level of service to gamblers from the United States, regardless of any difficulties and obstacles that current legislation may pose. |
Bovada Sportsbook
