The Internet has transformed almost every aspect of 21st century life, and gambling is no exception. From online poker and casinos to sports betting and bingo sites, it seems there’s a way to wager on almost any type of game or situation, and while online gambling hasn’t generated the kind of money it was expected to in the United States, it still looks as though the online sports betting sides of things is going to continue to heat up — especially in the realm of mobile sports betting.
With almost as many mobile phones in service as there are people on the planet, it makes sense that the next frontier of online gambling would be mobile. While the Internet gave people gambling access every minute of every day, mobile sports betting has added to the convenience of being able to bet at any time, the convenience of being able to bet anywhere. From the ability to bet always and anywhere to mobile sports betting’s continuing murky legality, here is a closer look at the brave, new world of mobile sports betting.
What It Is
Mobile sports betting is placing wagers on sporting events with your smartphone or tablet via some kind of network or Internet connection. In practice, it’s no different than placing a sports bet in real time and space. The difference is just the way in which the wager made it from bettor to bookkeeper.
The Convenience
Mobile sports betting lets bettors place bets from anywhere and at any time, and because almost everyone carries a mobile device of some kind, this incredible access means that mobile sports betting can happen at the bar, your in-laws’ house, the bathroom or your work place. So long as you have a wireless or network signal, you can place a bet. Long gone are the days when you had to make a phone call or meet your bookie in person. These days, there is almost no limit to when and where you can place a bet. However, almost-no-limit isn’t the same as limitless, and mobile sports betting still faces some hurdles.
Legality
Sports betting laws in the United States have undergone many radical changes over the years, and that trend will likely continue. Because gambling is governed by both federal and state laws, what is and isn’t allowed where can get a little tricky, and online betting makes the situation even trickier. Here are some examples of the difficult legality that surrounds mobile sports betting:
Age. You have to be 18 years old to place a legal sports bet of any kind — unless you’re placing a bet on a site in Las Vegas, where you have to be 21.
Wires. Technically, the Federal Wire Act of 1961 makes it illegal to use wire communication for gambling. However, a debate rages on regarding whether or not that law applies to the bettor or just the bookkeeping site. Generally, off-shore sites accept U.S. players, because they sit outside of U.S. jurisdiction, meaning mobile sports betting still sits in a strange, legal limbo with massive loop holes.
State. Not all states have the same opinions about mobile sports betting. If you are at all unsure about whether or not your state allows online sports betting or mobile sports betting, do your research or ask a lawyer.
Mobile Devices
Not every mobile device comes equipped with the capabilities for mobile sports betting, but your options are still quite broad. From smartphones to tablets, here is a quick look at some of the devices that can be used for mobile sports betting:
iPhone. Most mobile sports betting sites have been designed for Apple’s popular smartphone, which means this mobile device gets great performance.
Android. The most popular smartphone in the world, mobile apps don’t always work with Android, but you can easily find plenty that will.
iPad. Apple’s tablet is one of the best options for live betting, because it gets such better network performance than smartphones do.
Blackberry. Blackberry is a bit of a crap shoot since there are so many versions. That being said, if you can’t find an app that works, you can always just access the full web site and place bets from it, like bet365.com if you are a sports betting fan or Mecca Bingo if you are a bingo fan.
Mobile sports betting is still in its infancy, both due to the very recent boom in smartphone use and the ongoing legal limbo that still surrounds some online and mobile gambling. While the debate rages on, there are still plenty of ways for mobile users to access sites and apps that make mobile sports betting a reality, if you’re willing to gamble with the medium’s gray legality.
