The Sports Bettor’s Guide to Christmas Travel: Can You Sign Up, Bet in Other States?
Edwin Remsburg/VW Pics via Getty Images. Pictured: Welcome to Pennsylvania sign
Traveling from a state with no online sports betting to one with online sports betting this holiday season? Merry Christmas to you.
We get lots of questions about the rules and regulations of betting in one state when you live in another. The good news is you can bet once you get into that state, with very little friction. It's completely legal to do so.
Here are seven frequently asked questions and answers.
1. Can I bet in a state even if I don't live there?
Yep. You just need to be 21-years-old and within state lines to bet.
Here's where online sports betting is legal:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut (limited options)
- Illinois (in-person signups)
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Nevada (in-person signups)
- New Hampshire (one option)
- New Jersey
- Oregon (one option)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island (one option)
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington D.C. (limited options)
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Some states like New Hampshire (DraftKings) and Rhode Island (Caesars) have one online sportsbook available. Others like New Jersey and Colorado have 20+ books to bet at.
2. Should I use my relative's address?
No. Use all your own information, including your real address. There's nothing illegal or wrong with signing up for a sportsbook when you're in a legal state, even if you don't live there.
If you use incorrect information, the book likely won't be able to verify your bank account information, and you won't be able to deposit. Then you'll email back and forth with customer service for several days until you give up.
3. Which sportsbook should I sign up at?
The sportsbook you choose will depend on your state, and your preferences. Not every book is available in every state, though DraftKings and FanDuel are available in most.
Here's our list of preferred sportsbooks and promo codes. We recommend you bet at multiple sportsbooks eventually.
4. So about that free money?
Sportsbooks are giving away risk-free bets, deposit bonuses, and even free NBA jerseys to get customers.
Here's every free-money Christmas promo sportsbooks are offering. You can take advantage even if you live in a different state.
5. Can I withdraw when I get home?
Yes. The only thing you can't do once you get home is bet. You can login, deposit, withdraw, see your pending bets, etc.
Let's say you're in Pennsylvania for Christmas and bet on Alabama in the Cotton Bowl on Christmas Eve, then head back to New York on Dec. 26.
If the Tide cover on Dec. 31, you can cash out from New York. You don't have to go back to Pennsylvania.
6. The sportsbook can't verify my location. What's up?
Sportsbooks use your phone's location services to verify you're in a legal state. That method is quite reliable.
On your laptop, it's not as reliable. Books use a third-party service called GeoComply that often has issues. Try these eight troubleshooting tips if it refuses to verify your location.
7. Can I bet futures before I leave?
Yep. If you want to bet on the Super Bowl or 2022 Masters winner, among hundreds of other futures markets, get those bets in before you leave the legal betting state you're staying in. If they hit, you can cash out from home.
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