Best Offshore Sportsbooks [February 2026]

The current legal situation of online betting in the USA isn’t what you’d call ideal.

Each one of the 50 states is free to pass its own laws on the matter. In short, it’s free to decide if it makes online betting legal or not.

An industry that generates billions of dollars per year, online betting has numerous economic benefits for each state where it’s legal.

Even though the number of states allowing it is on the rise, many are adamant that they will never legalize it.

This leaves American bettors in a state of flux. You can bet online legally in the states where it is allowed, but if you come from Utah, for example, no such luck.

The good news is that there is a solution – offshore betting sites.

As the term clearly indicates, these are betting sites located abroad that offer their services to American bettors.

No law in the USA that prohibits you from placing bets online although some states prohibit any type of online betting to their citizens.

The law on offshore betting doesn’t criminalize individuals that plan to bet at these sites.

The FBI may have circulated some documents that may scare beginners, but let us be clear – even if you’re caught betting at offshore betting sites, the penalty is a minor offense that is never enforced.

However, we must also mention that offshore betting isn’t the safest thing to do.

Sure, there are properly regulated sites, but there are many scams out there willing to take your money and run away with it.

In this case, you don’t get any kind of protection from the government since you’re betting offshore.

Also, keep in mind that online betting is strictly forbidden in states such as Utah and Washington.

Although you’re not likely to end up in jail, it’s best not to test the patience of the authorities if you come from these states.

The advantages of betting at these sites are numerous.

First and foremost, they understand the legal situation of online betting in the USA and capitalize on it by opening up their doors to US players.

In order to attract a crowd, offshore betting sites use massive bonuses that will line your pockets nicely.

For example, first-time depositors might claim a bonus worth several hundred bucks or more. If that’s not a great way to get things started, we don’t know what is.

Another advantage these offshore sportsbook sites have over local online betting is the fact that most of them are absolute giants in the industry.

Some of the biggest names in online betting come from Europe.

As such, they’re properly regulated and licensed which means you can place bets without fearing that your money will end up in the wrong hands.

On the other hand, offshore betting sites might not be ideal for American bettors.

Although most cover the American sports market nicely, American bookies have a deeper understanding of American sports and offer better betting options.

If that’s not something you find problematic, offshore sportsbook betting might even be better for you.

Sure, most major players offshore are properly regulated by well-known online gambling jurisdictions.

These include the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission), the MGA (Malta Gaming Authority), the government of Curacao, Costa Rica or Panama, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission among others.

The license is the first thing you must check when betting at offshore sportsbook sites.

If it fails to mention any of these authorities, there’s a good chance that it’s a scam.

You don’t ever want to ‘step foot’ at such a site. It will most likely steal your money and leave you with nothing and since you’re betting offshore, the US government won’t be able to lend a helping hand.

In short, betting at unlicensed offshore sites means you’re doomed.

The safety and security of an offshore betting site are closely linked to the license.

Regulated betting sites wouldn’t tarnish their reputation and not protect their clients.

Most offshore betting sites have a firewall and advanced SSL encryption that will keep your private data in check.

You can safely enter your data at these sites and shouldn’t fear that it’ll end up leaked or worse, stolen.

Betting sites usually have a separate section dedicated to safety and security where they describe in detail how safe your private data is.

Your safety is a key factor when you decide to bet at offshore betting sites.

If the tiny padlock button on the address bar isn’t green, it’s best to find a new betting site.

In terms of bets, you won’t lose anything. You can still bet in pre-match markets and live markets and handicaps and other types of bets are also available.

Sites such as Bovada are established as industry leaders so they have a lot of variety on offer.

Additionally, the popular bookie also has one of the best live betting platforms in the industry which is another major plus.

Offshore sportsbook sites are just as good as betting locally – in some cases, they might even be better.

Offshore betting sites are usually focused on American sports. They offer a plethora of sports leagues and competitions as well as hundreds of markets.

It’s not all about the NFL of course – you can still place bets on all your favorite sports from around the world.

As a matter of fact, Worldwide Soccer as well as NBA, NFL and MLS are popular betting markets offshore these days.

Bettors outside the USA know the global impact of these leagues and competitions and bookies never miss the chance to put them in their offer.

Thanks to this, you’ll feel right at home and you won’t miss a thing if you decide to bet at offshore sites.

Absolutely.

Just because you’re playing at offshore sportsbook sites doesn’t mean you’ve won the war against the IRS. It doesn’t mind how you get your money, but you’ll need to give the IRS their cut.

Online sports betting winnings are taxable and a must.

Tax obstruction is a serious offense that will get you in more trouble than betting online. If you’re a serious bettor, you’ll keep the slate clean.