With sports betting becoming legal in more and more states, U.S. bettors now have more options for placing wagers. However, offshore sportsbooks remain an attractive alternative for many. These online operators located outside the country but regulated internationally are able to offer features that appeal to American bettors. Here’s a look at how offshore sportsbooks attract customers in the lucrative U.S. market.
Accepting U.S. Customers
The biggest draw of offshore sportsbooks is simply that they accept customers from the United States. With sports betting still illegal in many states, regulated international operators fill a gap in the market by offering betting to Americans nationwide. Rather than limiting signups by location, the majority of offshore sites welcome U.S. bettors as long as online sports betting is not explicitly prohibited in their jurisdiction. This gives them access to betting even if no state-regulated options are available.
Anonymity and Streamlined Account Setups
Offshore sportsbooks may not be bound by the same strict “Know Your Customer” rules as legal U.S. operators. Many bettors prefer the increased anonymity and streamlined account setups at regulated offshore sites. Operators only collect essential personal information during signup. Limits on deposits and wagers are also typically higher than at regulated U.S. sportsbooks. While this can make them more risky to use, it’s attractive for bettors wanting less oversight on their betting activities.
Better Odds and Expansive Betting Markets
In addition to fewer limits, offshore books often provide more attractive odds than U.S. sportsbooks. With lower regulatory and tax burdens than U.S. operators, offshore sites can offer competitive betting lines and higher return-to-player percentages. Offshore books also tend to have a wider selection of betting markets, especially for sports outside the mainstream. From Korean baseball to darts, many offshore sites like these new betting sites in UK cover exotic bets that most domestic U.S. operators do not.
Generous Bonuses and Player Rewards
Lucrative signup bonuses and continued player rewards help offshore sportsbooks acquire and retain bettors. New customers can claim free bets, deposit matches, and other bonuses often significantly higher than those offered by legal U.S. operators. Reload bonuses, reduced juice promotions, cashback rewards, and VIP programmes are commonly used as incentives to keep players betting. While bonuses have terms and conditions, they remain an appealing draw.
Easy and Secure Payment Options
Reliable banking options are necessary for any regulated sportsbook. Many offshore operators make deposits and withdrawals straightforward by accepting credit cards, money transfers, and cryptocurrency. They also generally have higher minimum and maximum transaction thresholds that accommodate high-volume players. While cashing out can be more complex than U.S. regulated books, most bettors have no issues accessing their funds.
Innovative Products and New Technology
Being based internationally allows offshore sportsbooks to offer unique products difficult for U.S. operators to provide. From lottery betting to virtual sports simulators, offshore books give American bettors access to cutting-edge betting options. They are also quicker to adopt new technology like live, in-game betting. This product innovation keeps their offerings fresh and intriguing for U.S. bettors.
Responsive and Personalised Customer Service
Providing strong customer service helps offshore operators build trust and loyalty with U.S. bettors. They offer service 24/7 through live chat, phone, email, and social media with prompt response times. Representatives are knowledgeable on betting markets and site functionalities. Offshore sportsbooks invest heavily in the customer experience, including dedicated VIP hosts for high rollers. This level of service is lacking at many newer U.S. operators.
Established Reputations and Trust
Many leading offshore sportsbooks have been servicing American bettors for over two decades. Their longevity and consistent payout track records have earned them trust in the U.S. market. Bettors are more confident they can safely invest substantial sums and reliably cash out winnings from long-running established sites. New legal U.S. operators simply do not have this reputation yet.
While the regulated U.S. sports betting market expands, established offshore operators remain popular through competitive offerings, betting options, and customer service. New state-regulated alternatives also provide robust digital betting with strong consumer protections. But for U.S. bettors wanting more anonymity, higher limits, and access to global betting markets, trusted regulated offshore sites continue attracting business. Their products and reputations keep them competitive, despite legal uncertainties around using offshore sportsbooks from the U.S.
The Most Popular Sports for Betting in the World
Top bookmakers make sure to include the most popular sports for betting in their offer. We’ll reveal and briefly describe the ones that attract the biggest attention. First, we have football, which is the most-watched sport on the planet, with millions of fans worldwide. Here, bettors can wager on various events from popular competitions like the UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, English Premier League, etc.
Next, we have basketball, a highly entertaining sport that generates a lot of bettors. Bookmakers always include a big selection of markets and events from top leagues like the NBA. Tennis takes the third spot. Players love placing bets on tennis events due to their unpredictable nature. They mostly wager on the best tournaments such as the Grand Slams, as they are the most competitive ones. Coming up fourth, American football is a sport that brings a lot of excitement to the fans. The beauty of the NFL is that every team is capable of winning a game, which makes it perfect for bettors. Last but not least, we have baseball, a highly competitive sport where surprises do happen. The thrilling and super exciting MLB matches are responsible for millions of wagers every year.