Sports Betting in the United States is and has been a complex and complicated issue for quite sometime. In fact, it remains murky even today. For those of you in the state of Ohio, there are some legal sports betting options that you have if you are looking to make a wager. These online sportsbooks operate outside of the U.S., but accept players from the U.S. This is because that they are not within the jurisdiction of the United States, which prohibits the transactions and operation of online sports betting sites in the United States for most states. Many of these online sportsbooks actually operate just outside the U.S. in Costa Rica and Panama, and explicitly cater to bettors in the U.S like the state of Ohio.
As we have stated before, there are some laws in place at the federal level which prohibit online transactions for sports betting, and the operation of sports betting sites within the U.S. Laws like the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, and the Federal Wire Act essentially prohibit these types of operations. But there are legal ways to bet on sports, as we briefly got into during the intro. As far as specific laws in the state of Ohio, there are no specific state laws to regulate legal Ohio online gambling on sports or any other form of the activity. But there are no online sportsbooks regulated by the state of Ohio either. That is why those residents in the state will have to play at one that accepts U.S. players, and operates outside of the United States. Your first thought might be that it sounds sketchy, but that could not be father from the truth. Some of these sites are the top-rated online sportsbooks in the entire world, and welcome players from the U.S. and Ohio.
Bovada Sportsbook is an industry leader in the online sports betting industry, operating just outside of the United States in Costa Rica. Bovada specifically caters to bettors from the United States, and offers great sports odds for all teams in Ohio, including the cleveland Brown, Cincinnati Bengals, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Cavaliers, and more. Bovada has game lines, props, futures wagers and more. U.S players can deposit through a couple of means, for fast and efficient transactions. Those who do choose Bovada can receive a 100 percent bonus up to $250 on first-time deposits. Cashing out is made easy as well, either electronically, or a check through the mail.
Consulting your local government is the best way to learn about the laws surrounding sports betting and legal online sportsbooks in the state of Ohio. But it's also important to know that you have several legal options in which you can bet on sports if you are an Ohio residents. The laws in place at the federal level tend to focus more on the operation of a sports betting site and the transactions made, versus on the individual bettor. That is why sportsbooks like Bovada and others are a legal option for Ohio residents. It is important to know the age required for gambling in the state of Ohio, because even though you might meet the sportsbook's requirement, you have to meet Ohio's.