Offshore Betting Apps

Legal online sports betting apps provide fair odds and wagers, which is something that can’t be said for illegal or offshore betting sites; Most sportsbook apps worth your time and money offer fantastic. Due to Apple and Google policies, offshore betting sites that serve the US market don’t offer native iPhone apps or Android sports betting apps. Instead, they rely on browser-based “web app” experiences. The offshore betting apps often suffer the same issues, being slow and hard to access on a wide variety of mobile devices. Customer Service: Often the Strongest Point. Offshore betting sites are trying to leave the impression that they are operating legally and within the law.

The focus of our Offshore Betting Sites guide is to provide accurate and up to date information about the legal status and reliable accessibility of betting entertainment for US players. Offshore sports betting is certainly an integral part of that focus and likely carries the most questions considering the dramatic changes that the US sports gambling market has undergone since 2017.

To provide a comprehensive and well-rounded view of this industry, we will provide information about relevant US gambling laws that impact sports betting, which legally licensed sportsbooks accept US players, and what the advantages are for going with offshore sportsbooks.

Best Offshore Sportsbooks For Americans

The following sports betting sites are located offshore and can legally accept wagers from players in the United States. We only list a couple as we are really only interested in the absolute upper echelon of trusted sports betting sites.

These top sportsbooks are legitimately licensed and regulated, offer a wide range of wagering options, odds and betting lines, and deliver a feature-rich, high-quality wagering experience that includes mobile betting and live betting. They have a secure banking suite with US friendly deposit methods, fast payouts, and substantial bonus offers and promotions.

Site NameBonus OfferPayoutU.S.Join
50% Bonus Max $25024-48 Hours
50% Bonus Max $1,00024-48 Hours

Are There Advantages to Offshore Online Sports Betting?

There are numerous advantages to placing bets at an offshore location versus dealing with local bookies. Here are just a few of the benefits you can experience by playing with an offshore sportsbook:

  • Licensed and regulated online bookmakers operating outside of US borders are legally sanctioned and there is nothing illegal about Americans placing bets at these destinations. On the flip side, state-based bookies are illegal in most regions throughout the US. Though domestic sports wagering is currently on the rise, the industry is too young to have widespread access to local bookies just yet.
  • Online sportsbooks offer 24/7 access through the convenience of your PC, laptop or mobile device.
  • Offshore sportsbooks offer you attractive incentives, reduced juice, bonuses and promotions that Vegas and other state-regulated sports wagering markets cannot. Vegas bookies may offer you a free drink, but you can get lower juice options, free bonus money and free slot spins at online gambling sites.
  • You never have to travel anywhere to place bets at online bookmakers; simply create an account and log in anytime you want. Domestic sportsbooks require you to be within a specific proximity to them or their servers.
  • They provide mobile access from smartphones and tablets, allowing bettors action on the go from anywhere that they have an Intenet or cellular connection.
  • Online banking options make it possible to fund your account or request a withdrawal from your PC, laptop or mobile device.
  • Security measures are such that playing online is actually safer than walking around with money.
  • No matter what the sport is, you can probably find it with an offshore site; they simply have a ton of US-based and international sports on which you can wager.
  • You will find many more line options, prop bets, and live, in play betting opportunities with offshore sites via the Internet.

Why Domestic Sports Gambling Has Been Illegal In the US – the Big Three Betting Restrictions

Even though there are popular hotbeds for gambling entertainment within the United States such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno, and others, there have also been some very restrictive laws in play. Online sports betting is in its infancy in America due to these restrictive laws. They have changed recently, so here’s a look at the three most prominent regulations which were largely responsible for the boom in offshore sportsbooks for US players in the first place.

The Federal Wire Act

Technically known as the Interstate Wire Act, this is a piece of government legislation passed in 1961 that made it illegal for anyone in America to knowingly accept wagers via a wire (which at the time only included telephones). The law has evolved over time to include Internet gambling, with its application evolving even more in recent years. Until 2011, the law prohibited all forms of domestic online wagering, including online sports wagers.

After the 2011 DOJ formal opinion was issued, the law only kept sports related wagering on the hook. However, after the 2018 repeal of PASPA, the law now only outlaws online interstate wagering.

Since the modification of the Wire Act’s application, state-based online casino, poker, and sports gambling are now permitted within the states that allow gambling and have passed appropriate legislation to legalize and regulate it. The Federal Wire Act does not and never has prohibited offshore online sports betting.

PASPA

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, also called the Bradley Act, was supposedly the government’s way to protect athletes from the influence of things like points shaving and undue pressure to make spreads. Oregon, Delaware, Nevada, and Montana were exempt from PASPA, but in every other state sports betting was expressly illegal.

This all changed when New Jersey decided they were indeed going to offer state-regulated sports gambling entertainment. Lawsuits were filed by the major sports leagues and court cases made it all the way to the Supreme Court, where eventually they ruled in NJ’s favor.

In May of 2018, SCOTUS determined that PASPA was indeed unconstitutional and the law was effectively struck down. There are no longer any federal laws that tell individual states that they cannot allow bookmakers to be regulated within their borders. PASPA has never had any relevance to offshore sports betting and did not ever make it a crime to bet on sports online.

UIGEA

Signed by President George W. Bush, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, known as the UIGEA, is that big piece of legislation that almost killed the poker boom by itself and brought the entire online gambling industry to its knees. This act basically placed heavy regulations on how gambling related transactions were to be processed by banks and/or credit card companies, or rather how they were to be rejected by the financial powers that be.

While debilitating to the industry at first, reputable and legitimate sportsbook operators and payment processors have learned to operate within the confines of this law, and the top offshore sportsbooks have returned to the US gambling market. The UIGEA bill has always been directed solely to financial institutions and does not directly impact the act of placing bets online in any way.

Is Offshore Sports Betting Legal?

Yes, they are, as long as they possess legitimate credentials verifying their licensing and good standing with the regulatory agencies within the jurisdiction in which they operate. This is something we verify for every gambling site we recommend or that we personally place wagers at. We are not just analysts, we also possess extensive experience as bettors.

All of the above mentioned federal laws have one common thread: they all specifically target the actual business operations, not gamblers. None of them has ever criminalized or made placing bets at offshore gambling sites illegal. The application of these laws is often misrepresented by gambling opponents.

All you really need to remember and/or focus on is that any sports-related bets you place must always be done through a legally licensed destination that is subject to regulatory oversight and that is operating within the industry legally. The same holds true for the following types of online gambling venues:

Types of Sports Covered by Offshore Bookmakers

One big benefit of offshore sportsbooks that we mentioned is that you get to gamble on an incredibly wide variety of sports. Not only can you find all of the popular US-based sports that you love, like football, hockey, etc, but there are also tons of international sports on which you can bet as well. Here are just a few of the many different types of sports you can find to bet on via a reputable sportsbook:

  • Football (NFL, amateur, College NCAAF, Canadian, etc)
  • Basketball (NBA, College NCAAB, D-league, Euro, etc)
  • Golf (all tournaments and rounds)
  • Hockey (multiple leagues, pro, and amateur)
  • Baseball
  • Boxing (all weight classes)
  • UFC (most every ultimate fighting league and match)
  • Martial arts (local and international competition)
  • Soccer (Champions League, FIFA, MLS, etc)
  • Tennis (every major tournament)
  • Lacrosse (multiple leagues)
  • Softball (local and international)
  • Olympic Games
  • Racing (NASCAR, trucks, bikes, etc)
  • Esports
  • And much more

Do Offshore Betting Sites Offer Mobile Apps?

According to most reputable reports and statistics from technology analysts out there, it’s clear that we are already to the point that mobile computing is very close to being the number-one way the web is accessed. This means that most people in the USA who gamble are already looking for mobile-friendly sportsbooks so they can play from their iPads, tablets, and smartphones. Are these offshore bookies remaining technologically relevant when it comes to mobile applications? This is definitely an area we check out.

When we review and recommend a sportsbook to you, that site needs to have good mobile technology integrated into their framework. This means a responsive mobile interface that is compatible with any device, and a great software platform that is quick-loading and reliable. We also prefer that no downloads are required and that account management processes, such as banking functions, profile edits, claiming bonuses and talking to customer support are accessible through a sportsbook’s mobile app as well.

Our Process for Selecting The Best Legal Offshore Sports Betting Sites

Our offshore betting site review process is intense and covers hundreds of elements pertaining to an online gambling operation. Here is a list of just a few of the components we examine and evaluate during this process.

  • Documentation of legitimate licensing and regulatory oversight
  • A record of fair-play and documented compliance certifications from third-party agencies that support legitimacy and trustworthiness.
  • Well designed, reliable and glitch-free user interface for PC, laptop and mobile devices.
  • Lag-free, quick-loading site and/or mobile application
  • Multiple lucrative bonuses, promotions, incentives, and rewards
  • Strong security profile with a successful record for ensuring player safety with financial transactions and identity information
  • Reliable payment structures; e.g. sportsbooks that operate like a bank
  • Multiple separate banking options for deposits and withdrawals, processing of transactions efficiently and quickly, we want to see lightning-fast payouts
  • Great customer support that is knowledgeable and responsive
  • Ironclad account security to protect your account transactions and funds
  • A wide range of sports categories, betting lines, odds and wagering options
  • A site that accepts Americans with open arms
  • A site that deals in USD so you don’t have to deal with currency conversions.
  • And so so much more
Our stringent requirements for inclusion in this guide are born from this extensive evaluation. We take the opportunity to provide recommendations to the US gamblers as a serious responsibility. It is not our job to convince you that gambling or online betting is a good fit for you, it is our job to provide what you need to make an informed decision that lines up well with your specific circumstances.

How To Sign Up with an Offshore Sportsbook

To ensure you’re properly signing up for a sportsbook, as book A and B may be different, make sure you’re following precisely the instructions given to you by the site. But here are a couple of universal things that can help you with the process.

  1. Make sure you have an email address to use that you know well and can access easily
  2. Make sure you check out the payment options at the site you are considering and that they are viable for you to fund your account with
  3. Sign up with multiple sportsbooks so that you can shop the betting lines for the best odds on a particular game, match or event.
  4. Never sign up and deposit unless you’re actually going to bet. You don’t want to leave money just hanging out in your account if you’re not truly interested in wagering.

Hopefully, you will leave this page more informed than when you arrived, and that you walk away with information that benefits you as you determine whether or not online sports betting is a good fit for you. If it is, then our recommended bookmakers are a great place to start. If not, then you’ve still found what you were looking for, answers.

Sources:

Sports betting has arrived in Virginia! FanDuel Sportsbook opened its virtual doors for business in January 2021.

As we welcome legalized online sports betting in Virginia, the time is right to take a look at what we have on tap. We are able to place bets on all of the major games and events, including on local favorites such as the Washington Football Team.

We can’t place wagers on any in-state college programs, but we have a green light for the rest of the college basketball and football games on the docket. All of the bet types we could ask for are available, making it really easy to get in the game.

We’ll be covering everything you need to know right here, including bonus offers and the top features you have to look forward to. Let’s get to it.

Online sports betting is live in VA

OPERATOR
INFO
New User Bonus. T&Cs Apply.
Up to $1,000 Deposit Bonus
On Deposit
This Offer Valid in VA, MI, CO, and IN Only
Use Promo Code: LEGALRF
Risk Free Bet
Available on Desktop, Android & iOS
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Is Virginia sports betting legal?

Yes. Sports betting launched on January 21, 2021 after becoming legal in July 2020, courtesy of the passage of HB 896 and SB 384 by the state legislature earlier in the year and the subsequent signing of the legislation into law by Gov. Ralph Northam. The law is the result of multiple years of deliberation in the normally conservative state.

These are the relevant launch dates for online sports betting:

VA SportsbookBonusStatus
FanDuel Sportsbook$1,000Launched as of January 21, 2021
DraftKings Sportsbook$1,000 Launched as of January 26, 2021
BetMGM Sportsbook$600Launched as of January 26, 2021
BetRivers Sportsbook$250Launched as of January 27, 2021
William Hill$500Launched as of February 2, 2021

Virginia sports betting apps for March 2021

Virginia sports betting apps make the dream of having a legal sportsbook at your fingertips a reality. The platforms from industry leaders are top-notch and simple to use, and they’re offering up some fantastic bonuses for new players to take advantage of. We’ll cover everything you need to know about downloading and using the apps in a bit. For now, let’s take a closer look at the top options you’ll have available.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel has also quickly become a go-to spot in a number of states. The visually appealing and user-friendly interface has a lot to do with that, as does its recent focus on innovative offerings such as single-game parlays.

Fanduel was the first app to go live in Virginia.

DraftKings Sportsbook

It’s pretty easy to see why the DraftKings online betting app has raced to the top of the charts in all markets entered to date. The platform is super slick and filled with bells and whistles. Among the top highlights is an outstanding live betting feature.

BetMGM Sportsbook

The well-known MGM brand from the casino world is also becoming a major player in online and mobile sports betting. BetMGM sports betting app offers a range of sports, competitive odds and regular promotions for users to take advantage of. BetMGM Virginia is live!

BetRivers Sportsbook

A member of the Rush Street family, BetRivers continues to grow its presence across legal sports betting states. Among the top benefits is an ongoing rewards program that lets bettors accrue points just for wagering. The BetRivers sports app also went live Jan. 2021.

William Hill Sportsbook

A major name on the international gambling scene, William Hill’s presence continues to grow here in the US. The platform isn’t quite as flashy as its competitors, but it’s still a great spot to jump in and get down to business. The William Hill VA app launched in Feb. 2021 .

PointsBet Sportsbook

This Australia-based operator has made tremendous strides since entering the US market in January 2019. PointsBet is bettor-focused, and that shows in its promo offerings that include reduced juice and odds boosts. PointsBet is not live yet in Virginia.

Sportsbook bonuses and free bet offers

When getting set to play at a new sportsbook, be sure to take a pause and ask yourself a simple question: What’s in it for me? It’s a competitive world out there, so Virginia sports betting operators are constantly offering deals to new players. Here’s some of what you’ll see.

  • Free bets: Some books will give you free funds in the form of site credits that you can use to place bets. Any winnings are yours to keep.
  • Deposit match: Certain operators will match your first deposit up to a set amount, sometimes by as much as 100%.
  • Risk free bets: A few books will allow you to place your first bet in risk-free fashion after making a deposit. If it loses, you’ll be refunded the bet amount in site credit.

Sign-up offers provide a great way to try out new sites while also potentially building up your bank roll. Sportsbooks are happy to pay for your business in today’s competitive environment, so be sure to take advantage.

Betting

How to start online sports betting in Virginia

Once you decide where you want to play, you can be up and running quickly and easily. The best place to start is by clicking on our exclusive links. This will ensure that you’re getting the best possible bonus offer from that operator.

After you do that, you’ll arrive at the main sign-up page. You’ll be prompted to enter some basic details — think name, date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number, etc. — and will then have to check off a few boxes. Once you click submit, your account will be set.

Next, be sure to download the VA sports betting app for your device from the sportsbook website. Log in on mobile for the first time and you’ll be good to go there, too. After just a few minutes from start to finish, you’ll have access to legal sports betting both online and via app.

Apps

Once you’re completely up and running, take some time to look around and get the lay of the land. Here are a few of the areas you’ll want to check out.

  • Sports available for betting.
  • How the bet slip works.
  • The area to deposit and withdraw funds.
  • How to get help and contact support.

The good news is that the leading sports betting operators invest heavily on the tech side. That means that both the sites and apps are generally easy to navigate. You should be able to find what you’re looking for quickly.

After you get a handle on the basics, you can dive in and get ready to place some bets. This is a simple process, as you just need to click on your choices to have them added to the betting slip. From there, plug in your bet amount, review the wager and click submit.

VA sportsbook pricing and lines

The best sports betting lines are no longer the sole domain of Las Vegas. While it was like that for decades, the new legal landscape has been a game-changer. Leading operators across the legal states are offering odds that are on point.

Here in Virginia, it’ll be more of the same. You can still take the time to see what the oddsmakers out in Sin City have to say about a game or event, but know that you’ll find comparable lines here at home.

On the operator front, competition helps to breed efficiency in betting markets. You won’t find the exact same numbers at every sportsbook in Virginia, so you should always take the time to shop around for the best prices.

VA sports teams to bet on

While no teams from any of the major sports leagues make their home in VA, many residents have adopted clubs from the DC metro area as local favorites. For each of them, you’ll be able to bet on the individual game outcomes, place some props and live bets, and even check out the futures market for season-long wagers.

  • NFL: Washington Football Team
  • NBA: Washington Wizards
  • MLB: Washington Nationals
  • NHL: Washington Capitals
  • MLS: DC United

Of course, you can bet on any squad you choose for each of the above sports. It’s a different story with college. For college football and basketball, you can’t bet on any in-state teams. However, betting on all other Division I programs in both sports is perfectly fine.

Beyond the pro and college team sports, you’ll find a whole host of options to consider. The most popular of the other sports will also attract tons of betting volume, while others fall into the niche category and see much less action.

Golf Betting App

  • Tennis
  • NASCAR
  • UFC
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Cycling
  • Darts
  • Handball
  • MMA
  • Rugby
  • Snooker
  • Table tennis
  • Volleyball

Please note that not all of the above will be available at every VA sports betting site, but each of the individual sportsbooks will have a solid overall selection. In short, you won’t be lacking for things to bet on here in VA.

Futures and prop betting in Virginia

Your betting action doesn’t have to be limited to the outcome of individual games and events. There are several other ways to get in on the fun, including with futures and props. Futures are long-term wagers, while props are ways to get some side action in.

A futures bet is a wager on something that won’t be decided until a later date. Many of the most popular markets revolve around league championships or the winners of top individual events, such as:

  • College Football Playoff
  • Golf majors — Masters, etc.
  • Tennis Grand Slams — Wimbledon, etc.
  • NASCAR Daytona 500

There are also futures for individual team performances, such as regular season win totals and the winners of conferences and divisions. Odds for futures come out in the offseason. Bettors stay engaged throughout the year, and the numbers will move in response to betting action.

The general gist is to find the selections you want at the best prices, so shopping around to compare numbers is always a good idea. If you make the right call on futures bets, you could be in for a nice score when the wager is settled.

Keep in mind that settlement doesn’t happen until the outcome is known. A futures bet requires a long-term perspective, so budget accordingly. For props, you’ll find some of the season-long variety.

Bets in this category include the NFL passing yards leader, or on the MLB player who will hit the most homers. Props are also available on individual games. Some revolve around team performance or the game as a whole, while many are based on player accomplishments.

  • How many yards will Alex Smith throw for — over/under 269.5?
  • Will Alex Ovechkin score a goal in the game — yes/no?
  • Which pitcher will have more strikeouts — Max Scherzer or Jacob deGrom?

There’s a dedicated section for the futures market under the tabs for each of the individual sports at online sportsbooks. For props, clicking through on the individual game listings will bring you to a page with the available offerings.

Live betting in Virginia

Live betting is a segment of the sports betting industry that has gained a great deal of traction in recent times. Also known as in game betting, live betting opens the doors to placing wagers as the action plays out in real time.

The market moves really fast, but staying on top of things is easy with a VA sports betting app from DraftKings or FanDuel. Offerings will vary based on what’s going on, but you’ll see things like updated game lines and prop betting opportunities.

  • What will be the result of this next drive for Washington — TD/FG/TO/punt?
  • Which side will score three runs first — Nationals or Braves?
  • Which team will hold the lead at halftime — Wizards or Hornets?

When you log in to the VA sports betting app of your choice, you should see a dedicated section for live betting. Once you click on that, the lobby will be populated with current and upcoming offerings. Live betting is a great way to stay engaged with the games and potentially turn a profit, but remember to always bet within your comfort level.

How online sports betting works in Virginia

You can get started with betting on sports in VA at any time. You can register online or via app with legal and regulated operators. You’ll need to enter just a few simple pieces of information, including:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Last four digits of your Social Security number
Betting

In order to play, users have to be 21 or older and located within state lines. Your age will be verified as part of the sign-up process. If the operator has any trouble doing so, you’ll likely need to provide documentation.

While there’s not an in-state residency requirement, users need to be in Virginia to actually place bets. To verify that you are, sites use what’s known as geolocation tracking. You can manage your account elsewhere — deposit funds, check lines, etc. — but in order to place bets, you must physically be in VA.

What’s legal and illegal to bet on in VA

You can bet on all of the major sports in Virginia, as well as a whole host of others that are on a smaller scale. While there’s plenty to choose from, there are some restrictions to keep in mind.

  • No betting on collegiate games involving VA-based teams.
  • Live betting and player props are prohibited for college sports
  • Bets are allowed on sporting events only, so you can’t bet on things like elections.

The restriction on non-sports wagering is not exclusive to Virginia. Many other states have adopted the same policy, while wagering on elections is prohibited across the US. College rules have been handled on a state-by-state basis, and we have seen plenty of variance.

Virginia law is one of the more restrictive in that you can’t place bets on in-state teams. New Jersey sportsbooks also implemented such a policy, while Pennsylvania sportsbooks has no such restrictions in place. While you can’t bet on the in-state programs, you can wager on other college basketball and football contests without issue.

How sports betting licensing works in VA

There are high expectations for the Virginia online sports betting market. Operators who are approved and vetted by the Virginia Lottery are on the hook for $250,000 for a three-year license as well as a 15% revenue tax in order to set up shop.

Offshore Betting Sites Reviews

As part of the legalization process, there was plenty of back and forth on where the tax dollars would be allocated. That has all been squared away now that the bill is signed into law. Here’s the breakdown.

  • The state gets 95%.
  • The Virginia Lottery Board gets 5% for overseeing the industry.
  • The final 5% is dedicated to a problem gambling and support fund that is slated to be overseen by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Legal sports betting has been a hit in all of the new markets across the US. We can expect more of the same in VA. That’s great news for those who have been patiently waiting to legally and safely place their wagers at home, as well as for the state’s tax coffers.

Where to bet on sports in Virginia

Sportsbook

There are no brick-and-mortar casinos in Virginia, but that could change in the future. As the sports betting legalization drama was playing out, a green light was given for physical casinos in the following cities:

  • Bristol
  • Danville
  • Norfolk
  • Portsmouth

Additionally, Richmond is still set to vote on whether to allow a casino there. If and when the prospective casinos actually open their doors, we can expect retail sportsbooks to be included among the on-site offerings. Interestingly, the following leagues have also been permitted to submit licenses for potential sportsbooks in any future construction projects in VA:

  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • MLS

Best Offshore Betting Apps

While there are no pro teams in VA at this time for any of these leagues, the area is often mentioned as a potential spot for relocation or expansion. For now, we’ll consider this an intriguing tidbit to keep a close eye on.

Betting Apps Sports

Last but not least, the two operating racetracks in VA also have the opportunity to have their own sportsbook or to partner up with an existing operator. For a retail option that could open up quickly, this is the spot to watch. Here are the details on the two tracks.

Martinsville Speedway

  • Address: 340 Speedway Road, Ridgeway, VA
  • Tickets: 877-RACE-TIX

Richmond Raceway

Offshore Betting Sportsbooks

  • Address: 600 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA
  • Tickets: 866-455-RACE