Legal Hockey Betting Guide For USA Players
As one of the "Big Four" American sports, hockey is in some pretty serious competitive company, alongside football, baseball, and basketball. Though right outside of that top three when it comes to gambling interest, US professional hockey – namely the NHL – has tens of millions of dedicated, rabid fans.
Hockey is a fast-paced, tough, white-knuckle sport that brings in big ratings and revenues for all 31 teams in the NHL across every 82-game season, NHL Playoffs, and Stanley Cup final. And if you want to wager on all the action, our hockey betting guide for USA players includes information on legal NHL betting and NCAAA hockey betting.
Of course, hockey betting really gets popular with mainstream gamblers during the postseason. That's why we've included dedicated sections here at Legal Hockey Betting that specifically cover NHL Playoffs betting and Stanley Cup Finals odds. With different states having different laws, sports betting in America can seem a little tricky, but our brief guide will take you around the rink in a hurry so you can skate all the way to the bank!
How Will This Guide Help Me With Betting on Hockey?
Along with providing valuable information about US hockey leagues and the legalities involved in betting on hockey for US residents, we also provide an in-depth guide on how to bet on hockey and understanding hockey betting lines. This ensures that anybody – no matter how new they are to sports betting or the game of hockey itself – can jump right in and make informed wagers. And for hockey fans who want to add even more excitement to their betting activities, we provide valuable insight into live hockey betting, too. All aboard!
Best USA Sports Betting Site For Legally Betting on Hockey In 2024
Established in 1991, BetOnline Sportsbook has long-running quality reputation in the online gambling industry. BetOnline has worked hard to earn their keep as a trusted and reliable sportsbook that delivers premium sports gambling options. They offer new players a 25% deposit match bonus worth up to $1000 on their first deposit, and they also have a lifetime reload bonus plan that matches 25% (up to $1000) of every deposit you make for the life of your account.
At BetOnline AG, hockey bets are offered on all major NHL and NCAA hockey events, with live betting and mobile betting features, as well. Betonline welcomes USA players at just 18 and up and provides a huge selection of banking methods that support American customers. In addition, they also have a popular poker room and real-money online casino games that are worth checking out between periods.
Top Online Sportsbooks To Bet On Hockey Games Legally In The US In 2024
| Sportsbook | Bonus | USA | Rating 0-10 | Visit Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betonline Sportsbook | 25% Max $1,000 | Yes | 9.3 | Visit Site |
| Mybookie | 50% Max $1,000 | Yes | 9.2 | Visit Site |
| Sportsbetting.ag | 25% Max $1,000 | Yes | 9.1 | Visit Site |
| Bovada Sportsbook | 50% Max $250 | Yes | 8.9 | Visit Site |
| Bookmaker | 50% Max $300 | Yes | 8.6 | Visit Site |
How Sports Betting Works in America And Gambling Laws
With PASPA – the US ban on sports betting in all states but Nevada – finally a thing of the past, nearly half of the country has domestic sports wagering options within state borders. However, there are still two laws that are of at least some concern to those looking to bet on the NHL and other sports.
These gambling laws are the Federal Wire Act (which prohibits interstate online sports betting) and the UIGEA (which is a federal banking regulation). Neither law is directed at or impacts individual bettors, however, and international online sportsbooks are not affected by them. Thus, it is legal to bet on hockey odds – and all other sports – using reputable Internet-based sportsbook operators like those we recommend.
For residents of Connecticut and Washington (both of which are big hockey betting states), online gambling is nominally illegal per local laws. However, these sports betting laws are also historically unenforced, and all the best NHL and college hockey betting sites take players from both. Still, we must recommend that you stick to the playbook and bet on hockey in these states only at your own risk. Mind the penalty box!
Finding Legal Ways to Bet on Hockey
As an online gambling resource, we work hard to cut through all the legal red tape for you. While we can't tell you which sites to join, we can tell you which sites legally allow American players at 18 and up, how to find these sites, and how to bet on these sites responsibly. We can also help you weed out the bad actors so that any legal online sportsbook you choose is a legitimate, licensed enterprise.
To put it very simply: If you want to find legal hockey betting, all you need to do is find an offshore sportsbook that accepts American players. Even if you're exchanging funds internationally, you cannot be charged with any crimes, because this type of betting is not against US law. With an online sportsbook, you can bet on hockey odds 24/7 using your home computer or mobile device, safely and legally.
Is Online Hockey Betting Legal in the United States?
Yes! Domestic NHL betting odds and NCAA hockey odds are available in about half of all US states (and counting). However, no matter where in America you live, you can bet hockey online legally if you sign up with a legitimate, licensed, and reputable online sportsbook.
In fact, we recommend joining multiple sportsbook sites in order to find the best values on any given hockey game. Like changing lines, shopping lines is one of the most effective strategies to help bettors get a real edge. As long as you're 18+, you can safely join any – or all – of the operators listed here.