As known from:
VA

The Wire Act: What is The Wire Act & How Does It Work?

Publish Date: 30/05/2021
Fact checked by: Drew the DFS Guy

The Wire Act is a major betting law that was passed in 1961 to stop sports betting across states using different forms of wire communication. However, this sports betting law is constantly evolving.

Becoming familiar with the law and the legality of sports betting in the US is a good first step toward making the most of sports betting and all that it has to offer you. The act still influences the sports betting industry today in a big way by limiting how states can offer wagering services to people in the US.

Top 5 Betting Sites today in the US

Bet365
1.
Favicon
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM Sportsbook
2.
Favicon
4.6/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayNearMe
Skrill
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel Sport
3.
Favicon
4.5/5
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Prepaid Card
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Caesars
4.
Favicon
4.5/5
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
E-Check
PayNearMe
PayPal
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+
BetRivers.com
5.
Favicon
4.5/5
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayNearMe
Bank Transfer
VIP Preferred
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Bet now
T&Cs apply, 21+

The Wire Act Key Facts

  • Was founded in 1961
  • Updated for modern interpretation
  • Prevents states from offering sports betting outside of their borders
  • Constantly evolving and changing

The Wire Act is a sports betting law, and sometimes considered to be a gambling law in general, that influences in the sports betting industry in a big way. This major wagering law simply says that gambling can’t occur across state lines, and if it does it’s a violation on the Federal level. This is a big deal to most of the sports betting industries, and it has a major impact on different operations around the country today.

The Original Wire Act compared to the Modern Day Act

TopicThe Original Wire ActModernizing the Act
DescriptionTargeted betting and wagering across state and foreign lines using wire communicationExpanded to include various forms of wagering and electronic communication tools
PenaltiesThreatens fines and imprisonment up to two yearsContinual adjustments to interpretation and enforcement
ScopeLimited to state and foreign linesIncludes internet and various forms of wagering
EnforcementMain law governing gambling industry in the United StatesContinually adapted to modern technology and practices

No Interstate Sports Betting

Gamblers that want to place sports bets today will have to do so within their own states. The Wire Act makes it no longer legal to place sports bets at facilities that are outside of the current state the resident is in. Even gamblers that are from the home state offering the wagering, can’t place wagers in that state when they’re outside of it without breaking the law according to the Wire Act. This is the reason that gambling facilities use location tracking software today.

Location Tracking Software

In order to remain compliant with the Wire Act sports betting laws, modern-day sports betting facilities that offer their services online use location-tracking software to make sure the players are within the proper state to place any wagers.

When players are determined to be in the wrong state, they are not allowed to place any wagers. Gamblers that want to place wagers will have to make sure they are working with proper legal sports betting facilities. They will have to travel to the state of the chosen sports betting facility if they aren’t already within the state borders. Being located outside the state means that some travel will be required in order to place sports wagers legally.

Wagering on Phone and Computer

With modern-day technology, it’s possible to place wagers on computers, smartphones, and other small devices conveniently from anywhere that you like.

These different devices come with powerful location-tracking solutions built into them, making it easier than ever for the sports betting industry to remain compliant with the Wire Act and similar regulations.

Gamblers who want to place a bet or two don’t have to drive to a local wagering facility any longer. Instead, they can simply get on a computer, visit a sports betting website and place their wagers there. If you’re interested in sports betting, you can do so from the comfort of your home as long as your state allows sports betting.

Bet365
1.
Favicon
4.6/5
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Promo, Min. Deposit: $10
Go to Bet365
Get bonus now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM Sportsbook
2.
Favicon
4.6/5
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
Copy
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel Sport
3.
Favicon
4.5/5
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
Go to FanDuel Sport
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
Caesars
4.
Favicon
4.5/5
First bet back as a bonus bet up to $1000
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit
Copy
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+
BetRivers.com
5.
Favicon
4.5/5
Second chance bet: Get up to $500 in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Promo, Min. Deposit: $10
Copy
Get bonus now
T&Cs apply, 21+

Sports Betting Legality in the United States

PASPA or the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 was preventing states from legally running sports betting operations for many years. When that law was overturned in 2018 it became legal for states to start offering sports betting to their citizens once again. That’s when many states began building up their sports betting presence and designing facilities for their citizens to use.

Today it’s legal for any states that want to offer sports betting to their citizens to do so within their own state lines. They can’t legally offer their services to players in other states because of the wire act and how that law works though. Bettors that are interested in placing wagers on different sporting events can feel free to do so, but they will have to limit those wagers to facilities that are within their current state.

Sports
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal
Planned
Illegal
Alabama
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Alaska
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Arizona
See full length article: Online Gambling Arizona 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Arkansas
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
California
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Colorado
See full length article: Online Gambling Colorado 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Connecticut
See full length article: Online Gambling Connecticut 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
FanDuel Sport
Visit Site
Delaware
See full length article: Online Gambling Delaware 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Florida
See full length article: Online Gambling Florida 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Note
Racetracks, national lotteries and tribal casinos are legal. Sports betting and all other casino gaming is illegal.
Georgia
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Hawaii
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Idaho
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Illinois
See full length article: Online Gambling Illinois 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Indiana
See full length article: Online Gambling Indiana 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Iowa
See full length article: Online Gambling Iowa 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Kansas
See full length article: Kansas Gambling Guide
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Kentucky
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Louisiana
See full length article: Online Gambling Louisiana 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Planned Legalization Date2021
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Maine
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Maryland
See full length article: Online Gambling in Maryland 2024: When Will Online Gambling Be Legal in Maryland?
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Massachusetts
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Michigan
See full length article: Online Gambling Michigan 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Minnesota
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Mississippi
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Missouri
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Montana
See full length article: Online Gambling Montana 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
Nebraska
See full length article: Online Gambling Nebraska 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Nevada
See full length article: Online Gambling Nevada 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
New Hampshire
See full length article: Online Gambling New Hampshire 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
New Jersey
See full length article: Online Gambling New Jersey 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
New Mexico
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
New York
See full length article: New York Online Gambling Sites 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
North Carolina
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
North Dakota
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Ohio
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Oklahoma
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Oregon
See full length article: Online Gambling Oregon 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Pennsylvania
See full length article: Online Gambling Pennsylvania 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Note
All forms of gambling are legal in Pennsylvania at present.
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Rhode Island
See full length article: Online Gambling Rhode Island 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
South Carolina
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
South Dakota
See full length article: Online Gambling South Dakota 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Tennessee
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
BetMGM Sportsbook
Visit Site
Texas
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Utah
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Vermont
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Top Operator
FanDuel Sport
Visit Site
Virginia
See full length article: Online Gambling Virginia 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Top Operator
Bet365
Visit Site
Washington
See full length article: Online Gambling Washington 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
Washington, D.C.
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
Top Operator
DraftKings Sport
Visit Site
West Virginia
See full length article: Online Gambling West Virginia 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Wisconsin
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age21+
Wyoming
See full length article: Online Gambling Wyoming 2024
Yes
No
Sport
Casino
Poker
Horse Betting
Daily Fantasy Sports
Social Casino
Legal Age18+
Federally Approved Sports Betting

The 1992 PASPA law was overturned making it legal to offer local sports betting on a Federal Level. States can now offer sports betting if they wish to, but they don’t have to allow their citizens to take part if they don’t want to.

State-Specific Betting Laws

Each of the 50 states in the United States has the option to allow sports betting locally if they wish to. Many states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania were quick to jump into the betting industry and are already developing major wagering facilities for their citizens. These states can feel free to offer all the different types of sports betting services that they want to their citizens, as long as those services don’t violate the wire act in any way.

More States to Allow Sports Betting in the Coming Years

There are just a small handful of states that currently offer legal sports betting, but that is likely to change over time as more states work to approve sports betting for their own citizens. Sports betting is a highly profitable industry, and one that many states are eager to take part in. US residents should expect to see more sports betting industries open up throughout the country as more and more states begin to approve this wagering activity.

Top 3 Betting Sites today in the US

Bet365
4.6/5
Bet365 Review
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Bet now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM Sportsbook
4.6/5
BetMGM Sportsbook Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now
FanDuel Sport
4.5/5
FanDuel Sport Review
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now

Editor's Recommendation

fanduel-basketball
Operator name: Pros & Cons
  • Offers customers comprehensive betting markets
  • Available on different devices including mobile
  • Has a Live betting section
  • Does not accept cryptocurrency

If you're looking for a sportsbook that's compliant with the Wire Act, then you may want to check out FanDuel. According to Shane Sweeney, who is the SVP of technology for FanDuel, the company started building its private data centers in 2018 as a way to serve customers better and obey the laws of the states where it operates in.

The company also uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to run it's operations, and stay compliant with regulations. FanDuel is also one of the most popular legal betting platforms in the United States, with availability in over 20 states. The platform can be accessed from different devices including Android and iOS.

Sports Promo
4.5/5
FanDuel Sport
Sports Promo
4.5/5
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
Welcome Bonus
|
T&Cs apply, 21+
Go to FanDuel Sport
Claim Promo

Make the Most of the Modern Sports Betting Industry

Now that sports betting is legal it’s the perfect time to get involved with the industry and to try sports betting for yourself. We’ve put together a long-list of the top sports betting operators available today. Take some time to compare the different options and to use our in-depth comparisons to find the perfect betting operation to use to place your wagers. Get familiar with these different facilities and start placing wagers that are going to serve as entertainment and hopefully help you get some nice outcomes as well.

Bet365
4.6/5
Bet365 Review
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
Bet now
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM Sportsbook
4.6/5
BetMGM Sportsbook Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now
FanDuel Sport
4.5/5
FanDuel Sport Review
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet now

Conclusion: The Wire Act Has a Big Impact on Mobile Betting

The Wire Act was defined more than 50 years ago, but it’s still controlling the sports betting industry in a big way. The law is continually being looked at and examined for legality, but it’s unlikely to go away any time soon. Interested bettors can still place wagers as long as they live in one of the states that have legalized sports betting.

Fortunately, more and more states are beginning to legalize sports wagering, and even residents that don’t live in a state that allows it might live close enough to another state that does. It’s easier than ever to travel from one location to another, which means that taking part in sports betting is as simple as hopping in the car or on a flight, heading to a legal state and placing those wagers. To learn more about how to effectively wager, see our staking strategies guide to learn about how to wager effectively over time for profits.

Frequently Asked Question

😮What gambling is illegal in UK?

Many mainstream gambling is legal and duly regulated, however, some activities remain restricted under UK law. Some examples include: Unlicensed betting. Also, accepting bets without an adequate betting licence is illegal. This includes informal betting between individuals.

🤨What is illegal betting?

Illegal betting is any sports betting activity whose kind or operator is not permitted under the applicable law of the jurisdiction where the bettor redides.

🚫Can betting sites ban you?

Yes, they can. Sportsbooks or bookmakers have the right to limit or ban bettors from their services, even if the customers are progressively winning bets. This practice is often called "gubbing" or "restricting" players.

⛔Are betting tips illegal?

Marchandise of any type of tips is always legal If someone needs an expert advice there is no problem if a bet expert is selling his advice.

Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Promos
Bet365
4.6/5
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook Review
4.6/5
FanDuel Sport
FanDuel Sport
FanDuel Sport Review
4.5/5
Bet365
Bet365 Promo
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
FanDuel Sport
FanDuel Sport Promo
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Our Team
Mark LewisJosh SchwartzDan HolmesDrew the DFS GuyMike Goodpaster
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Dan Holmes
Dan Holmes
Sports Writer
Drew the DFS Guy
Drew the DFS Guy
DFS Expert
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Editor
Get the latest updates in Sports and Casino via our Newsletter

21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.
Virginia Town HallCloudflareSSLco² neutral
Close
Our Sports Pros recommend these awesome sports betting sites this week:
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Promo Code:
Go to BetMGM
Claim Promo
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
+ 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
T&Cs apply, 21+
Promo Code:
Go to FanDuel
Claim Promo
Bet365
Bet365 Promo
Bet $5 Get $200 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
T&Cs apply, 21+
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code:
Go to Bet365
Go to Bet365
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Play now