Offshore Gambling
The future of all offshore betting looks pretty bleak at this point, as a growing number of online casinos are applying for licenses in all the states that have legalized online gambling, which means that with time there will be plenty of legal US sites for players to use, leaving the offshore betting sites high and dry. The OffShore Gaming Association (OSGA) is an independent 'watchdog' agency that monitors the Offshore Sportsbook, Casino and Poker Industry in an effort to provide the public with information if. By definition, 'offshore betting' is a type of sports betting that is conducted outside the mainland, whether this is the USA, Australia, Canada or even China. Websites that operate outside 'the mainland' do so to provide millions of bettors with viable choice when it comes to sports betting options – something that is denied to the majority.
Unlike the online casino industry, where people have much more choice in quality establishments, the world of offshore sports betting has never had the options casino players enjoy. Sure, at first look it seems that there are a ton of online sportsbooks, but if you dig just a bit deeper, the truth is that most of those offshore betting sites are pure crap. Despite the many offshore sportsbooks, fact is that only a handful of them are trustworthy and really worthy of patronizing. As you can see, our list of recommended sportsbooks include only 3 of them; a testament to the quality of those betting websites, but also an evidence of the struggles the sports bettors have to endure, compared to casino players.
The list of the top offshore sportsbooks is next, and we have also included our reviews and thoughts on why each sportsbook deserves a place in our ranking. These three USA sportsbooks are of the highest quality, and honestly, the only places we would be comfortable to bet. Despite the limited selection, one should be able to find a match, regardless of the type of bettor – pro or casual. But we highly recommend you avoid any other sportsbook, at least for the foreseeable future.
Best Online Sportsbooks and Betting Sites:
Rank | Sportsbook | Bonus | Payout Speed | Best For | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | $500 | Extremely Fast 1-2 days | Pros | ||
#2 | $250 | Fast 2-4 days | Casual | ||
#3 | $750 | Very Fast 2-3 days | Both |
It’s important to underline the incredible fact that none of the sportsbooks on this list have missed any payments during the coronavirus epidemic, when for months no sports were being played anywhere in the world. Why is this fact so important – because it shows how financially stable and reliable these offshore betting sites are. When for months all their customers did was withdraw money from their betting accounts, these sportsbooks not only processed those payments in a timely fashion, but didn’t make bettors jump through hoops in order to get their much needed money.
So if you want to have the maximum possible peace of mind when betting online, choose any of these USA online sportsbooks and you won’t have to worry about a single thing. Sadly, there is a reason why our best sportsbook list is so short. Plenty of “famous” (read: those with a lot of advertising) betting websites failed to support their customers during those times of trial.
Bookmaker Review
Bookmaker is sitting atop our list of best online sportsbooks for a good reason, it is undoubtedly the best offshore sportsbook and has been for many years. This sports betting website is so good, it often outranks the Vegas sportsbooks when comparing features.
First, it’s reputation is impeccable; for well over 20 years Bookmaker has been a reliable betting site, always paying on time, never playing any games with its customers, there is really nothing bad you’d read on the Internet about Bookmaker. In other words, these guys always pay and they pay on time, without any BS.
Bookmaker is also the most liquid offshore sportsbook, something extremely important to both pro bettors and casual players alike. After all, how can you expect a sportsbook to pay its customers’ winnings, if they don’t have the money to cover their position? This betting company, however, is as rock solid financially, as they come. One can bet here without any worries about getting their payouts processed in a timely manner. Bookmaker has weathered many a storm in the online gambling industry and we are 100% confident they will continue to do so in the future.
Another great feature many bettors appreciate is the very high betting limits Bookmaker offers its customers. If you consider yourself a high stakes betting enthusiast, this top online sportsbook got you covered. Which brings us back to the importance of having solid financials – you can’t take and pay high stakes bets, if you don’t have the liquidity to cover them. But bets in the teens of thousands of dollars are an every week thing with this excellent betting site. Pro bettors and sharps choose Bookmaker over any other betting website, because here they are always welcome to try their skills.
Overall, this is truly the best online sportsbook, bar none! It has been rated highest for many years and it is one of the very few bright spots in the offshore sports betting market.
Bovada Sportsbook Review
Offshore Gambling Movie
The Bovada online casino has long been ranked in the top 3 casinos on our website, but did you know that Bovada also runs one of the most successful and solid sports betting websites? That’s right, the Bovada sportsbook gives bettors the same high quality service the casino side of the business does. The sportsbook, along with the casino and poker room, make Bovada the compete gambling package. And we would’ve had it at the top spot, if it weren’t for a few small shortcomings; plus, it’s really hard to dethrone Bookmaker from the first spot on the top online sportsbook ranking.
Bovada has an excellent bonus for new betting accounts and you can expect to find solid odds on nearly every sport being played all over the world. Want to bet on darts or snooker – no problem, the sportsbook has odds on such obscure sporting events, as well. Plenty of betting markets and tons of props on everything, from NFL props to winners of elections and reality shows, Bovada will offer you odds on anything.
Where we feel Bovada drops the ball a bit is in the high stakes betting options. While the sportsbook is well known for shunning away sharps, sometimes it feels that they are going somewhat overboard. Quite a few people have seen their betting limits lowered quite a bit, when the betting site suspects them of being sharp, arbing or acting like pro bettors. No doubt, this offshore sportsbook caters mostly towards the casual bettor, pros should avoid it.
But if you just want to bet on sports, without any shenanigans, you can’t go wrong with Bovada. The sportsbook, as well as the casino, is solid financially, pays on time and without hustle, offers plenty of betting options, odds and props, and the bonuses are the biggest you can find among the good offshore sportsbooks.
5 Dimes Review (CLOSED)
Normally we would’ve ranked the 5Dimes sportsbook right after Bookmaker, but this offshore betting website is heavily geared towards pro bettors, with high betting limits, low juice, many bet options, that we decided that Bovada, with its bonuses and ease of use, would be a better option for the casual bettor. That said, 5Dimes is an excellent online sportsbook for anyone looking to squeeze the most out of their bankroll when they bet on sports.
The most famous feature of this betting site is, without doubt, their low juice odds. Among the best online sportsbooks, 5Dimes offers the best odds thanks to the reduced juice, which many pro bettors actively look for when choosing a sports betting website. Not only is the vig smaller than any other offshore gambling website, here customers can go even further – choosing their own odds. On many sporting events, there would be multiple options you can choose from to place a bet. For example, you can move the point spread any way you want – don’t like the -3.5 points, simply change it to 4 or 3 points. Naturally the payout odds will also change, but no other top sportsbook would even think to give you this option, to begin with.
Besides the ability to set your own odds, lines and payout, 5Dimes is also a very stable offshore sportsbook. They have been in business for over two decades and are yet to miss payments, even through the several though times the sports betting industry has had to endure.
Offshore Gambling Illegal
Offshore gaming licenses are obtained in other countries and allow gambling providers to offer services in different areas, depending upon the laws established in those areas. These licenses are often used to provide online gambling services such as online poker, online bingo and roulette. It's important to realize, however, that laws governing online gambling vary from one nation to the next and just securing an offshore gaming license doesn't absolve a business from the statutes of one country's laws. It is a company's responsibility as well as individuals' to determine the laws that govern them. For example, if you've ever asked, 'Is online Bingo legal?' you aren't alone; and the answer isn't a simple one. Online Bingo is legal in certain areas and it depends upon the location of the person playing online. Additionally, someone may play in an online Bingo game that is provided through a legal company, however online gambling may be illegal in their area. If that occurs, the individual may be charged with a crime.
Offshore gaming licenses allow companies to provide services including lotteries, casino games and betting on different events. These licenses are provided in the following countries: Panama, Isle of Man, Alderney, Kahnawake (Canada), Malta, Belize, Curacao, Dominica, Gibraltar, Vanuatu, Panama, Antigua and Barbuda, Anjouan and Comoros. Though some of these countries may grant licenses that allow players worldwide to participate in online gambling, the final responsibility of whether or not gambling in that region is legal falls upon the individual player. Those who ask themselves the question, 'Is online Bingo legal?' and want to play this fun game online, need to check with their own state's or country's laws in order to determine whether they are legally allowed to participate in online games, regardless of who holds the gaming license. More information about this can be found in our FAQ.
Those who operate online casinos will find that holding an offshore license provides a sense of legitimacy for their business. Though this is true, it doesn't negate companies from any responsibility they may incur for allowing players of other countries, where online gambling is illegal, to participate in games. Still, players appreciate the legitimacy provided by these organizations and those who obtain a license have proved that they have been regulated to some degree by their governing body of law to provide gaming services. The situation surrounding those in the United States and online gambling is intense and many people are confused regarding the current statutes. Some out of state online casino providers will not accept funds from those in the U.S., while others will. Legislation is currently in the works and established rules and laws are continually challenged. Laws that would govern online casinos, bingo and gambling in the U.S. are continually at the forefront. At this point, those in the U.S. that want to participate in online gambling must ensure they are familiar with the laws of the land and conduct their activities accordingly.
Online gambling is an enormously popular pastime and people from all parts of the world join in on the action. From online poker, Bingo and roulette to slot machines and other gaming activities, players enjoy the luxury of participating in their favorite games from the comfort of their own homes. Those who can legally play in online games should ensure that they are playing through a site that has been licensed. It's also important to note that an online gaming site is legal when the license is provided from the same state or country where the web site's server is. There are several laws in place in the United States that have a direct impact over online gambling. These include the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, Federal Anti-Lottery Laws, Wire Act Violation: Internet v. Phone and the Gambling Ship Act. In addition to these laws, each state and the District of Columbia has their own set of anti gambling and charitable gaming laws.
There are many in the United States who believe it is time for the nation to overturn many of the anti gambling laws and legalize and regulate online gaming. Those who find online gaming and gambling in casinos an exciting and enjoyable experience are all too ready for the debate to come to a conclusion - and one that favors online gaming.
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