The legal football betting picture in the United States has gone from very clear to foggy, and is once again crystal-clear. We created this section of our guide to provide clear and concise information to players who are seeking information concerning the legalities of betting on football in the US. We will provide information that applies to NFL football betting and college football betting. We will discuss the various federal laws that are in place, and explain how they affect the sports betting industry within the United States, and if they affect options available to US residents seeking legal options for betting on football teams and games.

Prior to current regulations and laws concerning sports betting, there was not any type of sports betting allowed, with no exceptions. Laws like the Interstate Wire Act of 1961 emerged that affected the betting activity that was taking place in the US. The Federal Wire Act stated that wired communications could not be used to place or process sports bets. This was worded to include wireless technologies as well, and was aimed directly at organized crime when it was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy. This law clearly prohibited US-based companies from providing sports betting options to Americans. Recently, the DOJ declared that the Federal Wire Act does apply to online sports betting, and therefore prohibits US based online sports betting operations from existing. The position of the DOJ on this matter is controversial in that at the time of the law's enactment, the Internet was not even a concept must less a threat of corruption, supporting the argument that the law was never intended to be applied in the manner at which it is currently enforced.

A little more than 2 decades following the passage of the Federal Wire Act, state and nationwide lotteries began to pop up across the US, muddying the gambling landscape. How does this apply to football betting? It shows the trend by American citizens to responsibly allow adults to place real money wagers on an undetermined outcome. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which became law in 1992, has been effective towards its intended purpose of minimizing options for US residents to bet on sports and preventing expansion of the industry. The basis for this legislation was making it illegal for US businesses to offer gambling on amateur or professional sports, including football. Accordingly, the increasingly irrelevant PASPA has been called upon in a legal setting only one time since its inception to file criminal charges. There are four states that are exempted from enforcement of PASPA, those include Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana. New Jersey is not exempted from the law, however they have legalized state licensed sports betting in their state. We will be watching to see if they received any pushback. If they are permitted to keep their sports betting initiatives alive, then it ay be setting a precedence that will drive more states to support state licensed sports betting options.

By the time the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) rolled around, an established non-US football betting industry have developed in legitimate countries and jurisdictions across the globe. The UK government licenses one of the largest online gambling regulatory bodies, a substantial and industry recognized Internet gambling industry exists in Canada, and governments from Puerto Rico to Costa Rica provide legitimate web gambling licenses as well. So the UIGEA was called upon to make it illegal for offshore companies to provide US citizens with football betting, casino gambling and real money poker options. However, the World Trade Organization (WTO) legally supported offshore and international providers of NFL, NCAA football betting, sports betting, horse racing and card playing options through the Internet to American citizens. The result? Football betting in America is clearly alive and well, offered through the powerful and reliable technology that is the Internet. It can can be legally enjoyed by responsible US adults through a handful of legitimately licensed football betting sites such as the ones listed above. .

Legal football betting is a reality in the United States of America. If you live in Nevada, simply walk to the nearest sportsbook and place a bet on your favorite National Football League or NCAA team. In the rest of the US, all you need to do is power up your smartphone or tablet, fire up your desktop PC or laptop, and click, tap or swype your way to one of the established and certified offshore football betting sportsbooks we recommend. As mentioned above, the current laws in the United States are aimed at disallowing companies owned and operated in the states from offering sports betting. But also as noted above, these laws do not and can not apply to legitimate companies which receive online gambling licenses in respected jurisdictions like the United Kingdom, Canada, Panama City and Costa Rica. The key is where you play. If you want to bet the NFL regular season or or bet on NCAA College Football Playoffs, just make sure you do so at an industry-recognized and certified sports betting site. Legal licensing has been obtained to cater to US football bettors, welcome bonuses and player rewards are generous, and a no download mobile experience makes easy 24/7 "anywhere, anytime" access a reality.

With New Jersey legalizing brick-and-mortar sports betting in late 2014, the move is on to regulate and certify US football betting. Other states are calling for a repeal of the PASPA law, and sports betting has achieved a new level of support among the American public. We do anticipate that laws will emerge that allow the expansion of US based sports betting opportunities, with the possibility of ultimately leading to state licensed online sportsbook options. The launch of online casino and poker gambling in several states lends hope to this possibility. However, that day has not yet arrived. Until then, legally licensed offshore sportsbooks fill the need desired by millions of US citizens that enjoy responsibly placing wagers on NFL and NCAA football action conveniently through either their smartphone, tablet or desktop PC.