While sports betting and online gambling are fairly large industries in the UK and the rest of the world, the United States has always had a different view on the legality of betting on sports games or other sports-related activities. In addition, spread betting is considered illegal in most states, despite the fact that playing the stock market is legal. In 1992 the United States put into place The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which effectively set out to define the legalization of sports betting throughout the country, outlawing sports betting across the entire nation with the exception of a few states.
While there are licensed sports pools in Nevada, as well as Oregon and Delaware, the other states are in compliance with the act, effectively making sports betting illegal throughout the U.S. This has proven a somewhat difficult law to maintain considering the fact that the internet allows individuals access to online betting sites across the globe, but it is something to keep in mind if you do happen to be visiting the United States. While certain sports are exempt from the act, such as jai alai and pari-mutuel horse and dog racing, all the other traditional sports betting that individuals from the UK or other nations may be used to as part of the norm are considered punishable offenses under U.S. law. If you happen to be heading to the United States anytime in the near future, be aware that different states have different rules, so do your homework before you go in order to avoid being penalized.