Gambling in the USA

lb1

To my knowledge all online gambling is prohibited in most of the states. But as an Irish citizen would I be free to gamble online while I spend some time in New York?

El Horseboxo

It is illegal to use an account you opened outside the United States within the United States with the exception of certain territories that permit online gambling such as Vegas and New Orleans. Most betting sites probably have it American IP addresses blocked anyways. I'm heading to Minnesota tomorrow and i'm just getting a mate to put bets on for me here. That's what i do whenever i'm over there.

Takca

Just back from the States, when you go to betfair you get a message saying you can't
bet becasue your in a country blocked by their software. So you can browse around and look
at the odds etc... but can't login or place a bet

I didn't try any of the other sites

Mellor

The law of where you are applies, not where to are a citizen, if its illegal in NY, I can't remember if it is, then you can't while there.

myflipflops

It's actually the companies themselves that are blocking you, rather than the US. THey are terrified of taking a bet from a US IP address because if the US authorities suspect a company like Powers or Ladbrokes are taking bets (or more accuratley, taking deposits) from US customers then it will mean:

a) they are incredibly unlikely to gain a legitimate license if/when the US reverses the deposit legislation and

b) Senior people from the companies would risk arrest if they ever went to the States. This isn't an exaggeration, execs from a couple of COsta Rican based companies who accept deposits and bets from US customers got arrested a couple of years ago.

Basically, you will be able to bet with a number of companies - Pinnacle, Bodog, Bet365 (US site), Betcris, BetUS and a few others.

I think there are certain states or areas which will block you outright but otherwise, you will be able to bet with the above companies.

Mellor

Myflipflops, I think you are mixing up two separate issues.
There is an issue with taking online deposits from US sites for poker and some site have went alone with this. Others haven't.

Sports betting (not depositing) varies from state to state, and again some site have gone along with it. Others haven't.

8-10

I have used PP online for sports betting in both NY and PA this year.

myflipflops

Mellor wrote: »

Myflipflops, I think you are mixing up two separate issues.
There is an issue with taking online deposits from US sites for poker and some site have went alone with this. Others haven't.

Sports betting (not depositing) varies from state to state, and again some site have gone along with it. Others haven't.

So certain, specific states have individual laws making gambling online illegal?

Mellor

Yeah, I'm not sure which ones, as it changs all the time. But i remember there being a huge difference in what was allow in to state to the next. There is prob a list online

El Horseboxo

A lot of it is to do with pressure from the NFL, NBA, MLB and NCAA who don't want sports betting legalized. Even though it happens on a wide scale they don't want open legal betting as they say it will take away from the integrity and honesty of the sport. Which is bullshít as there are countless very skeptical plays acorss those sports each season.

El Horseboxo

I'm in O Hare airport now and i can get on to Paddy Powers site and could log in on my phone. Even the in play is working. Looking at the Heat at Magic game on the tv. Magic are at -2 now. Might take that if a bet will go through.

Mardy Bum

PP works grand in the states.

Zapy

I lost loads to Paddy Power while staying in New York last summer (No way I could sit through a baseball game without having a bet) - How do I break it gently to Paddy that all these bets were illegal and that I am due a refund?