The Sportsbook at Bovada
Sometimes great things come in small packages. You could say that Bovada is one of them because there is no download needed or extra software to install in order to enjoy the best American sportsbook on the net. The name isn’t similar to a casino powerhouse on the ‘Vegas strip for no reason; this all-in-one casino/sportsbook/poker site is a virtual haven for fans of games of chance and skill. You will almost be able to smell the cigar smoke and hear the cocktail glasses clinking as you navigate your way through one of the deepest sportsbooks in the world.
People come from all over the world to experience the thrill of betting on sports at Bovada. That is why the sportsbook has everything from football to cricket. Seriously, if you can’t find your sport of choice here, you might be from Mars. American’s will find the big four leagues, as well as college and amateur leagues. There will never be a day that goes by that doesn’t have some profitable action to get in on.
Another reason Bovada is one of the best is because they have all the wager types of any big sportsbook in ‘Vegas, and more. You will find parlays, teasers, pleasers, round robins, point buying, and much more. Whether you are just starting out in your sports wagering career, or are an avid moneymaker, Bovada will be a welcome home. We will explore why in the next few sections, just remember to not be to close to your credit card because you might dash over and put down a deposit instantly with all the great news that lies ahead.
Bovada happens to be one of the oldest online sports betting sites in the world, and it has been accepting U.S. residents for over a decade. Would a company last that long if it were breaking the law? Not unless it was mafia run, and Bovada definitely isn’t. One of the main factors that allows Bovada to serve American players is that it is facilitated overseas, in Canada in fact. Being just a few miles north of Washington makes all the difference in the world, because there are some strict federal laws that forbid entrepreneurs from setting up books in most states.
The main federal law to be aware of is PASPA, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. This bill was created as a reaction to the rampant criminal bookmaking schemes that were prevalent throughout the states in the mid to late 20th century. PASPA banned bookmakers from setting up shop in every state except for Montana, Delaware, Nevada, and Maryland. Out of those four, only Nevada and Delaware offer regulated sportsbooks, so unless you live in or near them, or love to travel, placing a bet on the Steelers this season is going to be rough. Well, it WAS going to be rough, but now you know about Bovada. Since the site operates outside of PASPA’s jurisdiction, it does not fall into its strict regulations.
While Bovada is clear from the effects of US federal laws, some states either have strict policies, or already have operating sportsbooks. Bovada doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of stateside competition, or laws that seem to exist in a gray area. Because of this, Bovada does not accept residents of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, or Nevada. Since wagering laws are constantly being amended, repealed, and altered, keep checking back at Bovada if you are in one of these states, as their policies might change. As of now, there are plenty of great online sportsbooks that do accept all 50 states, and you can find them by checking out our other reviews.
The first and most important thing you will want to do is load your account at one of the best sportsbooks for Americans with some cash so you can get started at the sportsbook. Bovada provides two excellent and fast ways to create your bankroll. The simplest method is to just use a Visa approved credit/debit card. If you have ever bought anything online, the process will be familiar. Simply enter the amount you want to deposit, along with your card details, and the money should appear in your account instantly. If you don’t want to use a card or simply want to avoid going through a bank, Bovada also offers a cash wire transfer option. This uses MoneyGram or Western Union, and you can either complete the process online, or go to any local establishment that offers cash wire services and wire it to the site from there. This usually takes less than 48 hours to process.
One of the best reasons for joining a premier online sportsbook is that they offer bonuses that you will never find at a land-based venue. One such reward can be had when you make your first ever deposit at Bovada, the $250 welcome bonus. This will add extra bonus cash to your account when you deposit a qualifying amount and opt in for the promotion. Be aware, this bonus comes with a 5x rollover, which means that you must wager the deposit amount, plus the bonus amount, five times before the extra cash becomes available to withdraw. The perks don’t stop after you sign up either, Bovada has reload rewards that work similar, except that this rewards you every time you make a qualifying deposit. Check out the promotions page at Bovada to learn about all the extras you get just for being a loyal member.
Now that you know how to get your account up and running with some tokens to bet with, you might be wondering how to get some cash back in your hand after you’ve hit a big parlay. Bovada makes this almost as simple as making a deposit. The only big difference is that you cannot withdraw to a credit/debit card. Instead, you can choose from a cash wire (Western Union/MoneyGram), or simply receive a check in the mail. Cash wires are faster, but they do come with fees that vary depending on the amount are withdrawing. Checks, on the other hand, come with no fees if you request one no more than once a month (any more and there will be a small fee), but they take a little longer, usually a week or two. Head to the cashier page at Bovada to request your payout.
Bovada is a fully-featured sportsbook that includes everything you would find at a big Vegas bookmaker, and more. The wager types include everything from futures and parlays, to Asian handicaps, round robins, and point buying. Whether you are just coming to bet on the spread or the moneyline, or want to get in to some more exotic wager types, Bovada will not let you down. There is even a revolutionary feature called live betting which we will explain later. Bovada doesn’t disappoint in the sports selection either, offering over 20 sport types that include professional, amateur, and college leagues. From football to snooker to political races, Bovada has it all.