The short answer to this question is “yes”, but it will do some good to learn why MLB fantasy betting is legal. As with anything, there are caveats. For example, you will be hard pressed to find a legal fantasy betting establishment anywhere in America except for in Nevada, and to a lesser extent Delaware. Understanding why this is the case is what this article is all about, as well as to tell you where you can find legitimate, safe sites to bet at.
We are going to give you the lowdown on the laws that you should understand when it comes to fantasy sports betting. We will also cover whether or not you can bet in your state, and the safety of the sites that you will use. Finally, we are going to review some of the best legal MLB fantasy betting sites that exist today.
When it comes to fantasy MLB betting in America, there are some strict laws that diminish many opportunities for live, social wagering. Luckily, none of these laws stop anyone from using MLB fantasy sports betting websites, and you should know why. The two main laws to understand are called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
Fantasy Sports Betting And PASPA
PASPA was created back in the 90’s, when politicians and some sports franchise owners decided that sports betting was doing more harm than good to the industry. This was, and still is, a very controversial opinion that many people don’t agree with. Either way, PASPA passed through legislature and effectively took away the right to open sports betting establishments in every state except for Nevada and Delaware, and the latter only has football-related betting available. So, until the rise of fantasy sports betting websites, most of America didn’t have a convenient way to bet.
Luckily we now have legal MLB fantasy sports betting options that we can access on our computers or even on our phones. With the rise of the internet, overseas-based companies have set up websites that offer Vegas-style odds on every MLB game throughout the season. These sites, by virtue of their locations, are not affected by PASPA. Furthermore, there is nothing in PASPA that denies anyone the right to play at a legal fantasy sports site, then you won’t be breaking any laws by playing.
Fantasy Sports Betting And The UIGEA
Another law to be aware of is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). This legal language was created in the mid-2000’s, when online wagering was at its peak. The main focus of the UIGEA was to take down the many unregulated poker sites that were prevalent at the time. It did this by restricting financial institutions from accepting funds from betting websites. The good thing to note is that the UIGEA doesn’t affect overseas fantasy sports betting sites.
The only way the UIGEA will affect you is in the way that you can withdraw funds, and occasionally deposit them. Since the UIGEA has its elbow on the American financial institutions, most MLB fantasy sports betting websites will not offer credit/debit withdrawals, and will occasionally deny your card for deposits (although we have never had this happen before). Luckily, all of the best sites offer numerous other methods for funding and withdrawing, so you will always be able to get your money in or out fast. The UIGEA generally creates, at most, a minor hiccup in the withdrawing process, and that is all.
You may be wondering what your state has to say about betting on MLB fantasy sports. The most likely answer is: Nothing. In fact, the only states that regulate how residents bet on fantasy sports are the ones that have actual establishments for them to bet at, i.e. Nevada and Delaware. Some other states, such as Hawaii, do have rather strict laws when it comes to betting, but they are mainly going after bookmakers who try to set up shop within their borders. No state has any laws that will go after you for betting on MLB fantasy sports on the internet.
Now that you know that fantasy MLB sports betting sites are legal and that no harm is going to come to you for using them, you might be wondering if these sites are safe. It’s one thing to know that you aren’t breaking any laws, it is another thing to know whether or not your money and personal information are safe. Luckily, the reputable sites that are out there have been keeping members safe for decades by using the best security and encryption protocols that money can buy. Many of these sites have millions of players from all over the USA and the rest of the world. If they did not make safety a top priority, then word would quickly spread around the internet. If you pick a site that is vetted and reputable, you will be hard pressed to ever find a negative review from a member having to do with safety.
Now that you are aware of the legality of MLB fantasy betting websites, it is time to join one so you can have fun and bet safely. We have been at this for a long time, and we go online every year to wager on all 162 games. The sites that we favor offer safe and plentiful funding methods, great bonuses, and have memberships in the hundreds of thousands. These are the sites that you will see on many “top 10” lists whenever you search for fantasy sports betting sites.
Fast-Action Betting for your Fantasy MLB Team
Upon joining Bovada, we found that they cover every aspect game throughout the MLB season. While some say that the time period between the NBA and NFL season is fairly dull and uninteresting, Bovada has proven that MLB season is one of the best times for betting. The site offers great MLB fantasy betting types on nearly anything that happens in the game, including individual player props. The sportsbook is also easy to use, which is a major plus when it comes to betting on a game fast.
Bovada provides a $250 unlimited match bonus, which is added on top of your deposit the first time you make an account. Bovada makes it easy to add funds to your account with a variety of methods including include VISA, MasterCard, Western Union, MoneyGram, and NETeller in nations outside of the USA. Bovada is open to players all over the world, and you can be one of them today.
Put Your Fantasy Teams and Players to the Test!
BetOnline has also decided to offer their players a form of fantasy betting, and they provide MLB fans with a large number of different options. You will see that the MLB is one of the top priorities through BetOnline’s bookmakers. You will find player props and throughout the season for all 162 games, and the action never ceases. Whether you are a hardened fantasy sports bettor or new to the game, this site will assuredly keep you entertained and, hopefully, wealthy.
BetOnline offers a wide range of different bonuses and perks, all based upon how much you decide to deposit. You will be able to collect up to 25% on top of your initial deposit up to $1,000, but this is dependent on you making a fairly significant deposit on the first go. Wire transfers, credit cards, and electronic check transfers can all be used to make payments through BetOnline, and they now offer eWallet methods such as Bitcoin. Sign up today, and see what real MLB fantasy sports betting is all about.