Can I Bet the FIFA World Cup Online From Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas Using Bitcoin?
For this year's FIFA World Cup, the best way to place bets online from Illinois, Indiana Kansas and Missouri 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.
*Bookmaker Welcomes Players From Around the World - Most Crypto-Currencies Welcome
WILL ANY OF THESE STATES WELCOME SPORTS BETTING?
In Illinois, a new state law under consideration would legalize betting on amateur, professional and college games, allowing casinos to take sports bets in person and online from Illinois residents only. The state would then tax the sports betting industry.
Indiana is not anticipating the legalization of sports betting any time soon despite being a fan rich state with a number of top college teams, a major NFL franchise and a major NBA franchise.
Matt Bell, president and CEO of the Casino Association of Indiana, said last month following the Supreme Court ruling that he didn't want to make a prediction on when the state would have legal sports gambling.
When pressed by the Indianapolis Star about the earliest it could happen, Bell said, "In the most hopeful case, could you be open by the beginning of the NFL season in 2019, September 2019? Perhaps. But I think we need to be realistic. There are a lot of assumptions built into that date."
Legislatures in Kansas and Missouri heard measures during their spring legislative sessions that would have put them in a position to legalize gambling depending on the court's ruling, but with only a few days left in Missouri's session and lawmakers adjourned in Kansas, neither state appears likely to get a bill passed this year.
Seven states — Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Iowa, New York, Mississippi and West Virginia — have already prepared legislation to make sports betting legal in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling. Thirteen others — Illinois along with Indiana, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and South Carolina — have plans under consideration to legalize sports betting in their respective states.
Needless-to-say, gamblers residing in 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
