About half of the UFC events take place in the United States and for this reason UFC betting has become very big for Americans. The problem with this is that many online sportsbooks do not allow USA residents to bet through their site due to the fact that the market is not regulated in the USA. This guide will help MMA bettors know which online sportsbooks that accept American bettors are reputable and which deposit and withdrawal methods you can use to fund your account and cash out your winnings.
Choosing a USA Sportsbook
It is very important that you place your MMA bets through a reputable sportsbook if you live in the United States. It just so happens that I built BetOnMMA.org with American bettors in mind so 3 of our 4 featured sportsbooks do accept American bettors. These 3 USA accessible bookies are the top 3 sportsbooks for American bettors hands down and I strongly suggest that if you are an American resident you do not stray from the 3 sportsbooks outlined below.
Top USA Sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Bonus | Visit |
|---|---|---|
 |
50% up to $1000 | Visit |
Deposit and Withdrawal Options for Americans
It can be difficult for Americans to fund their online sports betting account because many e-wallets have boycotted allowing Americans to use their service to fund a gambling site and many credit cards are also blocked for depositing at online sportsbooks.
Credit Cards: That said I do suggest trying out your credit card as your first option. In many cases credit cards will work and this is by far the easiest deposit method if everything goes through. If your credit card doesn’t work a quick call into the credit card company asking them to lift the restriction on “Online International Purchases” will also often do the trick. It just might take a few minutes of your time.
Prepaid Credit Cards: Prepaid credit cards are another option and these generally work better than the credit cards associated with your bank account. You can purchase prepaid Visas or Mastercards at a wide variety of stores throughout the United States (you’ve no doubt seen them) and these generally work, so we highly recommend them.
E-wallets: I also still suggest trying out e-wallets such as Skrill or Neteller because these are often the easiest methods and will often allow Americans to use their service.
Money Transfers: Money transfers through Western Union or Money Gram also generally work for depositing to online sportsbooks. The minimum deposit may be a little bit higher than other methods, but this is because the sportsbook will usually pay the fee to get your money onto the site. You can always deposit a little bit more than you had planned and cash it out after a few bets.
Other Options: Other deposit options include Rapid Fire (similar to Western Union), Bank Wire Transfers, Money Orders and of course sending in a cheque. If you are eager to bet there is always a way to fund your account. It just might take a little bit more effort for Americans than for residents of other countries.
Withdrawals: The most common withdrawal methods would be to your Skrill or Neteller accounts if you deposited via them. Otherwise you would likely cash out your funds through Western Union, Money Gram or via cheque. Each of the sportsbooks we recommend above to Americans offer fast, safe and secure withdrawals so you can make a profit betting on MMA with each of them.
Why Are There So Few Reputable Sportsbooks for Americans?
It is illegal for sportsbooks to operate in the USA and for this reason many bookies don’t think the risk is worth the reward of American bettors. That said, each of the sportsbooks recommended above are taking this calculated risk and are considered very safe and secure. Each of the sportsbooks has a strong reputation and has been in the industry for a long time so this risk is worth it to them.
Also, nowhere in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) does it make it illegal for USA residents to bet on sports online. So you have no reason to worry about breaking the law by using any of these sportsbooks.
Here is hoping that the online gambling industry in the United States becomes regulated in the near future. Until then stick to these reputable bookies that have the reputation and financial backing to offer sports betting to the American public.