Sports betting is a viral infection that has quickly spread its way across the United States ever since the Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 in 2018. Since then, within five years, 33 states have legalized sports betting in some form within their jurisdictions, either through online and mobile apps or via retail sportsbooks in person. Add in Washington D.C., and most of the country now has access to sports gambling.
Where is sports betting and gambling legal in the United States?
Maine, Nebraska, and Vermont all have pending legislation that will legalize sports betting in those states, as well, adding to the quickly growing bandwagon. Unfortunately, that still leaves 14 states where the activity is completely barred and could bring on legal repercussions for those caught participating. While many of those territories have tried to bring sports betting to their borders already, each bill attempting it has fallen short so far. Each time a new measure fails to pass the judiciary committees, the State House vote, the State Senate vote, or the governor’s review, the matter has to be tabled for at least a year. So it seems that residents in many of those states will have to hang on for a while before they finally get the chance to cast their first legal sports wager.
Except there are loopholes that can be taken advantage of, allowing bettors to participate in a form of sports gambling without any fear of breaking the law. One of the most popular ways to legally wager on sports across the country is Daily Fantasy Sports.
What are Daily Fantasy Sports?
For those that don’t know, Daily Fantasy Sports are games that allow patrons to draft or bid on players participating in specific sports with real money. These players then compete against another team or multiple other contestants based on their statistical outputs in the actual sports they play, Then, the winning team can earn the draftee cold hard cash in return.
Each patron buys into a contest and is given a specified “salary cap” with which to build their team. For example, a player might receive $100 to build their fantasy football team for the week. Using that $100, they must discern how to draft their team, with different athletes assigned a different price tag. As arguably the best quarterback in NFL history, Patrick Mahomes would cost more than a lesser field general, like say, Kirk Cousins.
This way, bettors are still gambling on their preferred players putting up strong performances and leading their team to victory. But because it takes skill to assess the players, weigh them against the given salary cap, and build a successful team, Daily Fantasy games are considered legal in nearly every part of the United States. Therefore, bettors residing in the 13 states where sports gambling is still forbidden can get their fix and earn money through Daily Fantasy Sports.
That has led to the booming success of Daily Fantasy Operators such as Underdog Fantasy, Thrive Fantasy, and Prize Picks. Daily Fantasy Sports have become so popular, in fact, that many sportsbooks offering true sports gambling have also started to offer Daily Fantasy Games to appeal to bettors in the 13 states where sports betting is still forbidden. Draftkings, FanDuel, and Yahoo DFS have become some of the most popular Daily Fantasy Operators in the country.
What are Sweepstakes Casinos?
Those who prefer to bet on games, player props, or spreads, though, will have to find another outlet, as Daily Fantasy Operators aren’t allowed to offer these kinds of wagers, as it would move them into illegal sports betting territory. Luckily, another loophole remains for those living in the 13 states where sports betting is barred that allows them to bet on games, player props, spreads, and even futures without breaking the law: Sweepstakes Casinos.
As Sweepstakes Casinos are a relatively new market in the U.S there are sure to be plenty of sports and betting fans who have never heard of the industry. While one could spend days writing up a list of Sweepstakes casinos currently available, the industry remains virtually unknown to most.
Sweepstakes Casinos offers the players the ability to purchase virtual tokens of some kind to make wagers with. Using this online currency, players can participate in all sorts of games found in the casinos that U.S. citizens are used to seeing: blackjack, poker, slots, and even roulette. All of these operate the same way they would in a real casino: players wager money and can win money based on their luck.
Once players win back their tokens and turn a profit, they can use this currency they’ve earned in a variety of ways. They can continue playing and wager their earned tokens for the chance at a larger win, they can cash in their tokens for prizes such as gift cards or items, or they can even cash it out for real money.
By making their virtual currency the main point of operation for their business, Sweepstakes Casinos dodges the restrictions on gambling in most of the United States, allowing their patrons to gamble freely without fear of legal repercussions. The actual cash is seen as only a bonus — legally at least.
Some Sweepstakes Casinos, like Fliff, give real cash back for purchasing their virtual currency, which can then be used in their games to win real cash back.
The success of Sweepstakes Casinos
Just as quickly as sports betting has gripped the nation, so too has Sweepstakes Gaming, with new operators sprouting up constantly. Some of the most popular Sweepstakes Casinos in the United States are WOW Vegas, High 5 Casino, and Chumba Casino. As a new market in the country, many of these operators are still offering highly incentivized sign-up bonuses to accrue new customers.
Through June 2023, studies have shown that approximately 55 million Americans have already participated in Sweepstakes Gaming in one way or another yearly. This has led to Sweepstakes Gaming providing over $31.22 billion to state governments through tax revenue. This does include product sweepstakes and online lottery drawings, but a significant portion also comes from Sweepstakes Casinos.
All of these offer multiple games that players should be familiar with if they’re interested in gambling, such as Texas Hold ‘Em, blackjack, slots, and roulette.
While wagering money on poker or other casino games through Sweepstakes Casinos can feed the appetite of a gambler, it doesn’t quite resonate the same with sports fans who want to be able to make money off of their knowledge and love for football, basketball, or the other games they tune into regularly.
What is Sweepstakes Sports Betting?
Sweepstakes sports betting is a distinctive and evolving approach to sports wagering, offering an alternative to conventional sportsbook platforms. Throughout this last section, we will delve deeper into the concept, its unique features, and its growing significance in the world of sports betting.
At its core, sweepstakes sports betting operates by providing users with virtual tokens or coins, which serve as their betting currency. Unlike traditional sports betting where real money is used for wagering, sweepstakes-style platforms use these tokens to facilitate bets on a wide array of sports events. Users can make predictions, place wagers, and test their sports knowledge without the need for direct financial transactions.
What sets sweepstakes sports betting apart is the potential to win actual cash as bonuses based on the outcome of these virtual bets. This added incentive encourages users to engage in this unique form of wagering, with the option to withdraw their winnings, thereby transforming their sports expertise into tangible rewards.
The scope of sweepstakes sports betting is extensive, encompassing various bet types, including moneyline bets, spreads, player props, futures, and parlays. The objective of sweepstakes platforms is to replicate the comprehensive betting experience offered by traditional sportsbooks, ensuring that users can enjoy the full spectrum of betting options.
One of the primary drivers behind the rise of sweepstakes sports betting is its accessibility, particularly in regions where traditional sports gambling remains legally restricted. Sports enthusiasts can participate in this engaging activity, indulging in their passion for sports while also having the chance to earn money based on their knowledge and predictions.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that the landscape of sports betting is continually evolving. As more states and regions contemplate the legalization of sports betting, sweepstakes sports betting platforms may need to adapt to the changing legal environment. This adaptability will be crucial for their continued growth and relevance.
Moreover, the surging popularity of sweepstakes sports betting has not gone unnoticed. It could potentially attract the attention of lawmakers and regulators, leading to discussions and considerations regarding the regulation of this betting model. While this may bring about regulatory changes in the future, it also underscores the significance of sweepstakes sports betting in the broader context of sports wagering.
In conclusion, sweepstakes sports betting represents a distinctive and accessible avenue for sports enthusiasts to engage in sports wagering, even in regions where traditional sports betting is not yet legalized. As this approach continues to gain traction, it is likely to attract a growing user base and generate increasing revenue. It remains a dynamic and evolving aspect of the sports betting landscape, and its role in the industry will undoubtedly continue to evolve in response to changing legal, regulatory, and market dynamics.