The Danger of Offshore Online Sportsbooks You Can Access in New York
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Don’t go offshore if you want to bet on sports in New York. It’s simple advice but advice you should listen to if you want to stay safe.
Legal NY betting apps went live on Jan. 8 and brought with them a new form of sports entertainment.
However, even though there are licensed apps out there, the threat of offshore operators still looms large.
What is An Offshore Sportsbooks?
In simple terms, it’s an online betting site that’s based outside of the US. More specifically, offshore sportsbooks aren’t licensed in New York.
The only way a gambling company can legally offer its services within the Empire State is to obtain a license from the New York State Gaming Commission.
Technically, an operator can have a base outside of New York and the US. However, as per the local gambling regulations, they must have a presence in New York.
So, it’s correct to say that offshore sportsbooks don’t have a presence in the state and, therefore, they don’t have an interest in the local gambling industry.
Indeed, it stands to reason: if a betting company doesn’t have links to the local area, it’s owners probably won’t care about the local industry.
That means they don’t care if you have an enjoyable experience and therein lies the problem. Offshore betting sites don’t have to follow the local laws, which means you’re putting yourself at risk.
You’re not only at risk of having an unenjoyable experience but losing your money and breaking the law.
Dangers of Offshore Online Sportsbooks in New York: No Standards, No Guarantees
What we’re saying is that you’ll only get the best betting experience with licensed New York sportsbooks.
Even if an unlicensed offshore site promises you untold riches, they can’t be trusted. They can’t be trusted because there’s no recourse if something goes wrong. The executives that own offshore apps don’t have to answer to anyone.
In contrast, betting sites licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission have to maintain certain standards. This is why you should always stick to licensed NY sportsbooks.
Moreover, it’s why we only recommend companies authorized by the local Gaming Commission. So, to recap, here are the main dangers of using offshore betting sites:
- Not licensed in New York and are, therefore, illegal.
- No vested interest in the local gambling industry.
- No accountability to any local authority.
- No obligation to offer fair odds, bonuses, or guaranteed payouts.
- No obligation to offer safe software and payment processors.
Some people may have thought about using offshore sportsbooks before legal online betting came to New York. However, it was a bad idea then, which means it’s an even worse idea now that there are legal betting sites in the state.
If you want to stay safe, protect your bankroll, and enjoy the best experience possible, make sure you avoid offshore sites and only use licensed, recommended NY sportsbooks.
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Updated by
Daniel Smyth
Last Updated:
