Bookmakers in the United States

Check your state’s licensing rules

Betting in the US is regulated at the state level rather than by a single federal body. You must ensure the bookmaker holds a valid licence from the specific state where you are physically located. Most legal sites display a seal from the state regulator in their website footer, such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement or the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

If you cannot find a state-specific licence number or a link to a local government regulator, the site may be an offshore operator. These sites do not offer the same consumer protections as locally licensed bookmakers and may be operating illegally in your jurisdiction.

Verification and payment methods

US bookmakers follow strict “Know Your Customer” (KYC) rules to prevent fraud and underage gambling. When you register, you will usually need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) and your current home address.

Common payment methods for US residents include:

• Debit and credit cards (note that some banks still decline gambling-related transactions).
• ACH or e-check transfers directly from your bank account.
• Digital wallets like PayPal or Venmo.
• Prepaid cards specifically branded by the bookmaker.
• Cash deposits at a partnered land-based casino cage.

Location checks and tax obligations

You must be physically located within a state where sports betting is legal to place a bet. Bookmakers use geofencing software to verify your position. If you use a VPN or are standing too close to a state border where betting is prohibited, the software may block your transaction.

Regarding taxes, you should be aware of the following:

• The IRS considers gambling winnings to be taxable income.
• Bookmakers are required to issue a Form W-2G if your winnings exceed certain thresholds.
• You should keep an accurate log of your wins and losses, as you may be able to deduct losses up to the amount of your winnings on your tax return.

Staying in control

Every licensed US bookmaker must provide tools to help you manage your gambling. You can find these under “Responsible Gaming” or “Safer Gambling” tabs. Use these to set daily or monthly deposit limits, spend caps, or time-outs.

If you need to stop betting entirely, most states offer a centralised “Self-Exclusion” list. Joining this list will ban you from every legal sportsbook within that state’s jurisdiction for a set period, usually ranging from one year to a lifetime ban.