Confusion about which online sportsbooks are legal is common because licensing rules vary by jurisdiction. This guide focuses on a regulator-first approach, showing how to verify whether a sportsbook holds an active licence and meets operational requirements such as geolocation, KYC and responsible gambling safeguards. You will find step-by-step checks, short examples from well-documented markets, and a consumer checklist to help you confirm whether an operator is authorised to offer online sports wagering where you live. The goal is clear verification using official sources rather than relying on marketing claims.

A sportsbook is legal only when authorised by the competent regulator for the jurisdiction and operating under its rules.

Use official regulator registers, approved wagers lists and market reports to verify licence status.

Offshore sites without local licences usually lack the consumer protections of regulated operators.

What makes an online sportsbook legal: definition and context

A legal online sportsbook is one that holds an active licence or authorization from the competent regulator for the place where it accepts customers, and that operates under the regulator's rules. These operating rules typically include geolocation to confirm a player's location, know-your-customer checks to verify identity, and responsible gambling disclosures and tools. For a clear starting point, regulators themselves are the primary source for confirmation rather than promotional text on an operator's site.

That definition matters because licencing is not a marketing claim but a formal permission granted by a regulator. The licence ties an operator to specific conditions and oversight. Where regulators publish authorized lists or registers, those official pages are the authoritative place to confirm which operators are permitted to offer sports wagering in a given jurisdiction. Consumers should rely on those registers when in doubt.

Start with your jurisdictional regulator search box or public operator register

Regulator name
Operator name
Licence number
Update date

Use the regulator search first

Meaning of licence and authorization

Licence or authorization means the regulator has reviewed an operator and granted permission to offer specified services under stated conditions. Those conditions often appear in the licence record or in the regulator's published guidance. A licence typically creates enforceable obligations and gives consumers access to regulator complaint channels if problems arise, which is why checking the regulator's list is central to confirming legal status.

In practice, an active licence will be noted on the regulator's register or authorized operator list, and the record will indicate whether the operator's permission covers online sports wagering in that jurisdiction. If an operator cannot be found on the competent regulator's current list, it is not operating with local authorization.

Role of geolocation, KYC and responsible gambling rules

Licences normally require operators to implement geolocation systems that block customers outside the permitted territory and KYC checks to confirm identity and age. Responsible gambling rules usually require clear disclosures, deposit limits, and access to self-exclusion tools. These measures are practical ways regulators manage risk and protect consumers when an operator is licensed to offer online sports wagering.

Because licences link to operational conditions, you should check an operator's published terms against the regulator's requirements and any public licence details before deciding the operator is legal to use in your location.

How regulators decide what is permitted: the core framework

Regulators grant licences under the legal authority set by the jurisdiction and then set conditions that operators must meet to remain authorised. These conditions can include technical standards, financial and anti-money-laundering requirements, and specific product permissions for which bet types are allowed.

Regulators also publish official resources that consumers can use to verify which operators are authorised. For example, some regulators maintain online registers of licensed businesses and issue guidance explaining how to check licences and permissions for online betting operators.

Market supervision includes periodic reporting, licence renewals and enforcement actions. Regulators often publish market-level reports that show which operators are active in a market and provide transparency about participation and revenue, which can help consumers see whether an operator is operating openly under regulation. For insight into regular market reporting, see official monthly market reports that detail wagering activity and participants. Some state pages, such as Michigan Gaming's licensing page, provide licensing context.

United States: state-by-state licensing and how to check your state

In the United States, sports wagering is administered at the state level, so whether an online sportsbook is legal depends on the state regulator where you are located. States that authorise online sports betting typically maintain pages or lists identifying authorised platform providers and operators that can accept bets from residents in that state. Local guides such as PlayMichigan provide state-specific listings that may help users navigate authorised providers.

Verify licence status on the regulator page

Check your state regulator's website to see the current list of authorised online platforms before using any operator.

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To confirm legal status, find the regulator for your state and use its official register or authorised operator pages. State regulators are the primary source for verification and will show which operators and platform providers are authorised to offer online sports wagering in that jurisdiction.

Close up of a person checking a regulator public register page on a laptop showing verified operator details for a legal online sportsbook in a minimalist Funded Plays style

A practical example is Michigan, where the state regulator publishes an authorised online gaming and sports betting platform providers list that consumers can consult when verifying whether an operator is legally permitted to operate in Michigan Michigan Gaming Control Board authorised providers list. Also see the MGCB authorised providers page for details Authorized Online Gaming and Sports Betting Platform Providers.

Why states control online sports betting

States control licensing to tailor rules to local law, consumer protection priorities and tax arrangements. That decentralized model means legal status can vary from state to state, and it makes regulator registers the correct place to check authorised operators rather than assuming national availability or relying on third-party aggregators.

Step-by-step: how to verify an online sportsbook licence

Start by identifying the competent regulator for the place where you will be using the service. That is usually the state gaming regulator in the United States, a national regulator in other countries, or a provincial regulator where powers are divided.

Next, use the regulator's public operator register or authorised operator list to search for the operator by name. Confirm that the operator appears on the list and that the licence or registration covers online sports wagering in your location.

Look for licence details and any published operating conditions. Regulators sometimes publish additional documents that clarify permitted bet types, technical standards or platform providers associated with a licence. If details are unclear, use the regulator's contact or complaint channels to request confirmation.

Find the regulator

If you do not know the competent regulator, search for the regulator's name plus terms like register or authorised operators for your state or country. Official regulator pages are usually hosted on a government or regulator domain and will include explanatory guidance and contact information.

Check the regulator register or authorised operators list

Use the regulator's search box or downloadable register to match the operator name and licence number. Confirm the licence is current and that it explicitly allows online sports wagering. If the regulator provides update dates or renewal information, note those to ensure the listing is current.

Confirm licence details and operating conditions

Check whether the regulator indicates which bet types or platform providers are approved as part of the licence. Some regulators post approved wagers lists or platform provider details alongside registration entries, which clarifies what an authorised operator can lawfully offer.

If you cannot verify details online, reach out to the regulator's enquiries or complaints function for confirmation before using the operator.

Jurisdiction spotlights: Michigan, New Jersey and Iowa examples

Different U.S. regulators publish different types of records. Michigan publishes an authorised platform providers list that helps consumers confirm which platforms and operators are approved to offer online wagering in that state Michigan Gaming Control Board authorised providers list.

How can I tell if an online sportsbook is legally authorised where I live?

Check the competent regulator's public register or authorised operator list for a current licence or registration that explicitly covers online sports wagering, and confirm operational safeguards like geolocation, KYC and responsible gambling measures.

In New Jersey, market transparency comes from regular regulator reports that show active participation and revenue, which can help confirm which operators are actively offering services under oversight New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement market report.

Iowa provides an example of regulators publishing permitted product types. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission maintains an Approved Sports Wagers List that specifies which wager categories are permitted in that jurisdiction, and that list is updated periodically to reflect changes in approved bets Iowa Approved Sports Wagers List.

Great Britain and Ontario: how national and provincial models work

In Great Britain, online sportsbooks must hold a remote betting licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission, and consumers can verify licences via the UKGC's public register and guidance on how to check a gambling business's licence status UK Gambling Commission guidance.

In Ontario, legal online sportsbooks must be registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and operate under agreements with iGaming Ontario; iGaming Ontario publishes a current list of registered operators that consumers can consult to verify legal status iGaming Ontario registered operators list.

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FundedPlays is a sports prediction challenge platform that uses virtual funded accounts and structured evaluation challenges rather than offering traditional sportsbook wagering. Use regulator registers and published operator lists to compare platform models and confirm which services are authorised where you live.

Offshore sites and consumer protections: what makes a site illegal in practice

Operators that are not licensed by the competent local regulator are treated as part of the offshore or illegal market for that jurisdiction. Industry advisories highlight that offshore sites operating without local licences generally do not provide the consumer protections found in regulated markets, which is why regulators and industry bodies caution consumers about those sites Industry advisory on offshore gambling risks.

Licensed operators are subject to consumer protection rules, financial oversight and dispute resolution mechanisms that provide recourse for customers. Offshore or unlicensed operators typically lack those protections and are therefore riskier for consumers.

Which bet types may be legal where you live

Licences can extend beyond the operator to specify which bet types are permitted. Some regulators publish approved wagers lists that indicate which categories of bets may be offered by authorised operators in the jurisdiction.

If a specific bet type is not included on the regulator's approved wagers list, a licensed operator may not be authorised to offer it locally. For example, consult regulator-approved wager lists to confirm whether particular prop bets, novelty wagers or specific in-play markets are permitted.

A consumer checklist: decision criteria when choosing an online sportsbook

Confirm the operator appears on the competent regulator's current register or authorised operator list for your jurisdiction. That is the single most important verification step before using an online sportsbook.

Minimalist 2D vector checklist for legal online sportsbook compliance showing geolocation map pin KYC ID icon and responsible gambling lifebuoy highlighted in Funded Plays color palette

Check that the operator implements geolocation, KYC checks, and clear responsible gambling disclosures as required by local rules. These safeguards are typical licence conditions and are part of what makes a sportsbook legally compliant.

Verify permitted bet types and published terms, and look for any recent enforcement notices about the operator from the regulator. If you find uncertainty, use the regulator's contact channels to request clarification.

Common mistakes and red flags to avoid

Do not accept marketing claims of legality without checking the regulator's official register. Promotional text on an operator site is not a substitute for an entry on the competent regulator's authorised operator list, and that mistake commonly misleads consumers.

Be wary of operators that do not clearly display licence details, that lack KYC procedures, or that accept customers from places where they do not appear on the regulator's list. Enforcement notices or industry warnings about offshore operations are also red flags to take seriously UK Gambling Commission guidance.

Practical examples: verifying three real checks

Example 1, state register: search your state regulator site for the operator name or licence number. Michigan's authorised platform providers list shows how a state register lists platform providers and operators you can check for authorised status Michigan Gaming Control Board authorised providers list.

Example 2, UK public register: use the UK Gambling Commission public register to confirm whether a remote betting licence has been issued to an operator and to view licence conditions and contact details if available UK Gambling Commission public register guidance.

Example 3, Ontario registered operators: consult iGaming Ontario's list of registered operators to confirm whether an operator is authorised to offer services in Ontario and to see the operator's registration status and relevant details iGaming Ontario registered operators list.

If you suspect an unlicensed site: reporting and protective steps

If you believe a site is unlicensed in your jurisdiction, contact the competent regulator and use its online complaint or enquiry function to report the operator and request confirmation. Regulators usually have a process for consumer enquiries and enforcement referrals.

Immediately cease transactions with the site, document communications and take protective steps with your bank or card provider. Keep copies of any terms or promotional material and use your bank's dispute channels if unauthorised charges occur. Industry advisories recommend reporting offshore operators to the relevant regulator or consumer protection body.

Summary: quick rules to know whether an online sportsbook is legal

Rule one, legality equals a current licence or authorization from the competent regulator and compliance with local operating rules. Rule two, prioritise regulator registers, approved wagers lists and market reports over marketing claims when verifying operators. Rule three, avoid offshore unlicensed sites and report suspected illegal operators to the regulator.

When in doubt, contact the regulator directly for confirmation. Use the regulator's published contact channels and keep records of your enquiry for future reference.

Resources and next steps: official pages to check first

Bookmark the regulator pages most relevant to you, such as state authorised operator lists, national public registers and monthly market reports. Save the update dates and check those pages before signing up with any online sportsbook.

Primary resources to consult include state authorised lists, the UK Gambling Commission public register, the iGaming Ontario registered operators page, and regulator market reports that show active participation. When a licence or permission is unclear, file an enquiry with the regulator and retain any response you receive for your records iGaming Ontario registered operators list.

How do I know if an online sportsbook is licensed in my state?

Check your state regulator's official website for an authorised operator list or public register and confirm the operator appears there with a licence that covers online sports wagering.

Are offshore sportsbooks illegal everywhere?

Offshore sportsbooks without local licences are treated as unregulated in jurisdictions where they lack authorization and typically lack the consumer protections of licensed operators.

What should I do if a sportsbook claims to be licensed but I cannot find it on the regulator site?

Stop transactions, document the claim and contact the competent regulator using its enquiry or complaint channels to request confirmation before providing personal or financial information.

Confirm legality by checking the competent regulator's register and published conditions before using any online sportsbook. If you are unsure, contact the regulator directly and retain records of your enquiry for future reference.