Betting is becoming legal in more and more states in the US - here is what you need to know to get started

But for someone who previously has had no experience with betting on sports, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this text, we’re going to go through some of the most important things that you need to be aware of when it comes to how the betting market in the US is structured and what to think about as a new bettor. Betting online has been popular all over the world for a long period of time, and the US is finally starting to catch up on this. 

Betting is semi-legal on the federal level 

Betting isn’t legalized and fully regulated on the federal level, but it’s also not banned. After a decision by the SCOTUS, it’s now up to the states to individually decide for themselves whether they are going to allow betting on sports through online platforms. Some states have embraced this with open arms and now allow a wide array of different betting options to take place, while others, like Utah, have very strict laws that prohibit all forms of betting. 

Check what laws apply to your state 

Due to the fact that it’s up to the states themselves to choose whether betting is to be allowed or not, the first step you have to take to get started with betting is to check whether or not it’s legal for you to do so in your state. This is something that shouldn’t take too long and a simple question to Google should be more than enough to get you started. 

As previously mentioned, the laws that govern whether or not one is allowed to place bets on sports vary from state to state. Some states allow betting on all types of sports online, while others only allow betting to take place in person. Some states allow betting only on professional sports while others allow betting to take place on collegiate sports as well.  

Will betting become legal in all states in the US? 

If you live in a state where betting is currently illegal, there is not much you can do to get in on the action. Betting and gambling as a whole have for a long time been somewhat taboo and scary subjects for many Americans. But with more and more states moving towards legalizing betting, it’s not unlikely that we’re soon going to be seeing legal betting become the norm rather than an exception. Legal gambling can turn into a massive cash cow for local governments and the tax revenue that it can provide can in many cases be worth it. However, there are several groups that are heavily opposed to legalizing betting.

Pick your bookmaker carefully 

Today one can’t watch a sporting event on TV without being bombarded with different ads for various bookmakers and even if you’ve never placed a bet before you more than likely know of at least one or two different platforms that make it possible for you to place bets on sporting events. 

Even if there might not seem like there is a huge difference between different bookmakers and what they offer, it’s well worth taking the time to read through reviews and get a better understanding of the differences between the different platforms. Like previously stated, there might not be a huge difference between the different available alternatives but choosing the right one for you as early in the process as possible is going to lead to you having better experiences overall. 

Start out slowly  

When you’ve decided what bookmaker you’re going to use to place bets, the next step is learning the ropes and understanding how everything works. Even if betting, odds, and similar things are relatively simple to get an understanding, it’s incredibly important that you start out slowly and learn as you go. It can take a little while to get a proper understanding of how everything works in practice and you’re more likely to have a good experience if you feel confident with how everything works. 

Due to this, it’s best if you start out by placing much smaller bets from the beginning and then ramp up as you go. If you make a mistake in your betting or if you after a couple of bets find out that this hobby is not something that you enjoy you haven’t spent a load of money on something you don’t find enjoyable in the end. 

Don’t make betting a habit 

This is something that can be easier said than done due to betting being as entertaining as it is, but regardless it’s important to remember to not turn betting into a habit. If you place bets on every game that you watch it’s very easy to start betting for more than you actually can afford to lose, while also eliminating a lot of the fun associated with betting. Instead of placing a wager for every game that you watch, it’s a lot better to save your betting opportunities for big games or establish ground rules for when you’re going to allow yourself to bet. Everyone is different in this regard, but it’s something that can be well worth taking the time to think about.  

One other massive benefit of betting moderately is that it doesn’t detract from one’s enjoyment of the game overall. If you start betting on every game it doesn’t take long for the excitement of betting to take over from your enjoyment of watching sports.