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For this year's FIFA World Cup, the best way to place bets online from Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming will be with bitcoin using a cryptocurrency wallet that can be linked to one's banking account. In May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that individual states can offer legalized sports betting but must first develop regulatory instruments before doing so. For now, a few dozen of internationally licensed sportsbooks will accept wagers on this year's World Cup.
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WILL ANY OF THESE STATES WELCOME SPORTS BETTING?
Washington State is currently the only state that makes placing an online bet a Class C felony.
Sixth Legislative Dist. Sen. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson that while he doesn’t see sports betting on the table anytime soon for Washington, he believes allowing it would be a good move.
“I don’t think it’ll happen in the near future — it’s something that I think should happen,” he said.
Casino gambling is allowed in the state at its 29 casinos. Even if sports betting were to be permitted, there is little chance online wagering will come to fruition over the next few years. They would have to get rid of current archaic laws in order to do so.
In regard to Idaho, that state’s constitution currently prohibits all types of gambling except for a state-sanctioned lottery, parimutuel betting which is most typically used in horse-racing, and bingo or raffle games operated by qualified charitable organizations. Sports betting is not on the current priorities list.
Montana Department of Justice spokesman Eric Sell, immediately following the Supreme Court ruling, said that the Legislature would have to work on the legal framework prior to sports betting ever becoming legal in his state.
The department regulates all forms of gambling in the state, except for the Montana Lottery and horse racing. Sell said the Supreme Court decision simply allows the state to pass a law that would allow sports betting.
“We don’t have that Vegas-style sports betting in the state, and we won’t have that unless the Legislature authorizes that,” Sell said.
Wyoming State Senator Drew Perkins of Natrona County said of the ruling and his state’s willingness to allow sports wagering: "Wyoming has looked at that and Wyoming says that it doesn't allow gambling but there's bingo, there's poll tabs, there's historic horse racing, there's friendly card games there's lots of gambling that happens in Wyoming."
There is nothing to suggest any urgency in bringing the activity to the least populated state in the U.S. however.
Needless-to-say, gamblers from these states will need to rely on international websites to place all their World Cup bets.
HOW TO USE BITCOIN AND OTHER CRYPTOCURRENCIES FOR BETTING THE FIFA WORLD CUP
The online betting site will simply have you send them the special address/token obtained from the Bitcoin wallet or exchange.
You would select either SEND (to deposit funds) or RECEIVE (to withdraw funds).
Some exchanges allow customers to link directly with their bank accounts or PayPal. The Bitcoin can be converted into the currency of your choice then transferred into your account in as little as 24 hours.
You will want to verify all your information (including personal identification) with the exchange prior to sending and receiving funds. Typically they will suggest setting up an authenticator on your mobile device for added security.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
