Kentucky recently approved online sports betting for 18+ players but has received backlash from neighboring states and some trusted gambling organizations.
Kentucky is now the 37th state to pass laws to allow domestic sports betting and the first state to legalize the activity in 2023. Kentucky is also the sixth jurisdiction to offer sports wagering to 18+ year-olds, joining New Hampshire, Washington D.C., Wyoming, Montana, and Rhode Island.
The National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG) has stated that they are concerned that there is no federal age regulation.
U.S. Gambling Laws
Gambling laws at the federal level in the United States are vague. There is no set structure for gambling in the U.S., and the laws vary by state. Since gambling is legal at the federal level, local legislatures can determine their minimum gambling age by state.
Laws concerning offshore gambling sites do not exist at the federal level, and states also have the option to restrict their players from accessing those sites. Washington is the only state to enact laws restricting offshore sportsbooks at this time, and while they are considered illegal at the state level, players can still access the sites.
Online Sports Betting Sites
Online sports betting has been available to the U.S. since the early 2000s via offshore sites. On May 14th, 2018, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed by the Supreme Court, allowing states to enact their laws concerning sports betting.
Now that states are offering their own regulated sportsbooks, there has been a push at the federal level to ban offshore sports betting sites, but so far, they have yet to be successful. Offshore sites have taken preventative actions by pulling out of certain states and not offering their services to residents in the states they deem high-risk.
Do Online Sportsbooks Offer More Than Just Odds?
Yes, it is not uncommon to find an online gambling site that offers sports odds, casino games, and poker, among other things. Our 18+ gambling site reviews detail each website’s gambling activities, popular banking methods, sign-up bonuses, restrictions, and more.
It is important to note that a “sports” welcome bonus will not be accessible in the casino or poker rooms and vice versa. Each site bonus is tied to one specific activity and cannot be used on the other platforms.
Online sports betting sites offer numerous ways to bet on competitions, including game lines, future odds, props, and more. While betting on NFL football is still a top choice for most people who wager on sports, you will also find sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer, UFC, boxing, racing, golf, and much more.