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Offshore sports betting

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Offshore sports betting is a type of gambling where you place a bet on events outside the locations where they take place. You can do this through a bookmaker or sports exchange.

Sports betting has always been popular, but offshore sports betting has grown unprecedentedly. Are offshore sports betting sites legal? Can I get scammed on offshore betting sites? Learn more below.

No. Offshore sports betting sites operate illegally in the US. Most of the illegalities of offshore betting sites revolve around the popular PASPA and Wire Act. PASPA remains in charge of protecting sports and their integrity whereas the Wire Act prohibits accepting bets through mobile phones. Offshore sites operate without any legal authorization from any licensing body or authority in the states to accept sports bets. Moreover, these offshore sites continue to operate outside the laws while offering US players sports markets to bet on.

Even after the overturning of PASPA, there is no sportsbook that can operate legally at the federal level as there is no federal law that regulates this area. Therefore, offshore betting sites have no legal grounds to offer their various sports gambling services in the US. These sites operate outside the confines of the law. However, US players can place a bet on this site. Moreover, there hasn’t been an indictment recorded for any US players placing bets on these offshore sites to date.

Are offshore betting sites safe? The problem with using these types of sites is that they aren’t regulated and don’t have to follow any guidelines regarding security or fairness.

Pros and cons of offshore betting sites

Here is a breakdown of both pros and cons when it comes to offshore sports betting apps:

Pros

  • Can bet on them anywhere – The main benefit is that you can access them from anywhere. Moreover, there are no restrictions on who can use offshore betting sites or where they can be located. You don’t need to be a resident of a particular country to bet on them. Also, you don’t need to have a bank account in that country either.
  • Many games and bet types to choose from – Many offshore sites offer a variety of games and bet types to choose from. You can place bets on sports, horses, dog racing, casino games, etc. Moreover, you can also find other betting sites that may cater to your specific needs. For example, some sites let you place bets on politics and entertainment.
  • Loyalty bonuses – Loyalty bonuses are one of the biggest advantages of using an offshore betting site. These are bonuses that you can get when you have placed a certain amount of bets. You can get a bonus when you place your first bet on the site. Alternatively, you can get them by depositing money into your account or making a deposit from time to time. Moreover, these bonuses are usually in the form of free bets and money-back offers.
  • Crypto – Most offshore sites accept crypto deposits and withdrawals. Whether it’s Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency, most offshore betting sites accept crypto deposits from players who want to use their services.

Cons

  • Unregulated – The biggest con of offshore gambling sites is that they are unregulated. This means that the sites don’t have to follow any rules or regulations, which can be very dangerous for you as a gambler. Unregulated sites will do whatever they want with your money.
  • Many scams – Many scams target those looking to place an offshore sports bet. If you see a site claiming to be able to offer better odds than normal, then this is likely a scam. These sites have no real affiliation with any high-tier sportsbook and simply use their name to entice punters into placing bets with them instead of using their site. In this way, they can take your money without paying out any winnings.
  • Issues of paying out – Another disadvantage of offshore betting sites is that any government does not license them. If you win a large sum of money, it may not be paid to you. This is because the operators do not have to pay taxes.
  • Can’t contact customer services – Some sites offer 24/7 customer support. Hence, it can be difficult to get in touch with them. Having the ability to contact someone when you have a question or concern is important. If your account is frozen, and you can’t get anyone on the phone, how do you know if it’s intentional or not?
  • Limited payment methods – The most common payment methods are credit/debit cards and e-wallets. However, offshore sites don’t accept players from the US due to legal reasons. Therefore, the only option is to use a VPN and find an offshore site that accepts players from your country.

Below is a list of popular markets to place your wagers on at offshore betting sites:

  • Sports betting – Sports betting is one of the most popular forms of online gambling. It’s a great way to make money, but it can also be very dangerous. The best sports betting sites offer a variety of odds, including live betting and in-play betting for all major sporting events.
  • Poker – Poker is one of the most popular games on the Internet. The best poker sites offer a wide range of games and tournaments, including Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and Five Card Draw.
  • Casinos – The most popular type of gambling on an offshore betting site is casino games. These include table games like roulette, blackjack, poker, slots, and video poker machines.
  • Horse racing – Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the world. Moreover, many offshore betting sites offer horse race betting. You can place wagers on horses from different parts of the world, whether it’s a local or international race. You can bet on jockeys and trainers as well.
  • College football – College football is a major part of American culture, and the sport has been a popular bet for decades. You can place many wagers on college football, including point spreads, money lines, and over/under bets.

Payment methods on offshore betting sites

There are several payment methods that you can use when betting online. These include:

  • Visa – Visa is one of the most common forms of payment for online gambling sites and casinos alike. Visa is accepted by many offshore sportsbooks, but some may not accept this form of payment for deposits or withdrawals.
  • Mastercard – Just like Visa, Mastercard is a popular method of payment across the world and can be used in many places online as well as offline. Additionally, many offshore sportsbooks also accept it, but some may not accept this form of payment for deposits or withdrawals.
  • Neteller – Neteller is one of the most widely used e-wallets around the globe because it allows players to use their debit cards to deposit funds into their accounts and then withdraw those same funds later on down the line when they want to play games or make withdrawals.
  • PayPal – PayPal is the primary method of payment on offshore betting sites, and it is the most popular option for most punters. It is a secure method of payment, and you can use your credit card or debit card to make deposits with PayPal.
  • Play+ – Play+ is the most popular and convenient payment method for players of an offshore sportsbook. This payment method is designed for those players who don’t have a credit card or an e-wallet. You need to register on the site and make a deposit to use this payment method.
  • Venmo – The Venmo app is a popular way to pay for goods and services online. It’s easy to set up, and you can send money directly to your friends and family. If you’re looking for a way to make payments on your offshore betting site, this may be a good option.
  • PaySafeCard – The most popular payment method on offshore betting sites is Paysafecard. With this prepaid card, you can deposit money into your bookmaker account, and your funds can be used to place bets and withdraw winnings.
  • Skrill – Skrill is a popular payment method on offshore betting sites. Most sportsbooks and poker rooms accept it, but it has some disadvantages. Skrill is a safe and secure way to deposit funds from your bank account or credit card with no fees or charges. You can link the Skrill account to any other e-wallet account that supports the MasterCard or VISA debit/credit cards.
  • And many more – Bank transfers are very similar to wire transfers, but they’re typically faster and involve less paperwork than wire transfers. Some sites may also allow you to use Western Union or MoneyGram if you need quick access to your money without paying hefty fees.

FAQ

Are all offshore betting sites scams?

No, not all offshore betting sites are scams, but many of them are. It is important to know that offshore betting sites operate outside the confines of the law. These sites have no legal grounds to offer sports bets. Therefore, it is easy for scam sites to target unsuspecting punters. However, there are reputable offshore betting sites. For safe bets, we recommend trying licensed and regulated betting sites.

Can I be arrested for playing on offshore betting sites?

No, it’s very unlikely you will be arrested for playing on offshore betting sites. We are not encouraging anyone to break the law, but authorities will be more interested in the operators of illegal offshore betting sites.

How do I know I will get my winnings from an offshore betting site?

You can’t be sure if you will get your winnings from an offshore betting site. The only way to guarantee that you'll get your winnings is to make sure that you're betting with a reputable sportsbook. Many offshore sites are not licensed and regulated by a legitimate jurisdiction.