This article explains whether you can legally place soccer wagers in the United States and how licensed mobile apps operate where they are permitted. It focuses on what state-by-state regulation means for soccer markets, how regulators publish catalogs that define allowed events and markets, and what practical steps you should take before using an app. You will learn how to check your state sports wagering catalog, what typical account and geolocation checks look like, which market types to expect in apps, and safer-play options if you prefer not to use a traditional sportsbook.

Regulated sports wagering in the U.S. is governed by state regulators, and many states include soccer in official catalogs.

Licensed soccer betting apps require account verification and geolocation to ensure compliance with state rules.

If wagering is not available where you live, lawful skill-based platforms and sweepstakes offer alternatives for testing prediction skills.

Quick answer: Is betting on soccer legal in the United States?

Yes. Regulated sports wagering, including wagers on soccer, is available on a state-by-state basis in many parts of the United States, and licensed mobile operators commonly list soccer markets in their catalogs, so soccer betting apps can operate where state rules allow, but availability depends on where you are and what your state permits. American Gaming Association report

In short, if your state has a regulated market you can usually register with a state-licensed operator, complete identity and age checks, and place permitted soccer wagers from inside the state; if not, licensed mobile apps will block access. For practical next steps, check the official operator list on your state regulator’s site before downloading or funding any app. See our blog for more guidance.

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Before you install any app, check your state regulator's official operator list and confirm you meet age and location requirements.

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If you are wondering, can I bet on soccer in the USA? the answer is yes in many states but not guaranteed everywhere, so local verification matters.

Why state-by-state regulation matters and the legacy of PASPA

Since the 2018 repeal of the federal rule that limited commercial sports betting, the authority to authorize and regulate wagering moved to individual states, which decide whether to permit sports betting and under what rules. The American Gaming Association tracks how states have adopted and expanded regulated betting, which explains why availability can differ significantly between states. American Gaming Association report

That state-by-state framework means national headlines about legalization do not tell you whether a specific operator or market is legal where you live. For this reason, understanding state sports wagering rules and consulting the state regulator are the practical steps that determine whether you can use soccer betting apps in your location.

How state sports wagering catalogs list soccer and what that means for apps

A state sports wagering catalog is an official document or web listing that specifies which sports, leagues, and bet types licensed operators may offer in that jurisdiction; these catalogs can list a sport generically, name particular leagues, or enumerate allowed market types. For an example of a catalog that lists permitted events and wagers, see the New York catalog maintained by the state regulator. New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog

Catalogs are the source of truth for operators and for customers who want to know whether pre-match wagers, in-play markets, or specific prop bets are allowed in a state. Because catalogs can name leagues or use broader sport categories, an app that displays a market in one state may not be able to offer the same market in another.

Can I bet on soccer in the USA?

In many U.S. states you can place legal soccer wagers through state-licensed operators, but availability, permitted markets, and registration requirements vary by state, so check your state regulator's catalog and official operator list before using an app.

State catalogs are updated over time, so checking your state regulator's current catalog is the only reliable way to confirm which soccer markets licensed apps can present. For state-specific examples, regulators such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement publish their lists and definitions. New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement catalog

Which leagues and competitions are commonly available through licensed apps

Licensed operators typically include top domestic and international competitions in their offerings where allowed by the state catalog, which often means Major League Soccer and widely followed international competitions are commonly visible to users in permissive states. Because catalogs either name leagues or include broad categories, seeing a league on a regulator's list is the clearest indication that licensed apps may offer related markets in that jurisdiction. New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog

Keep in mind that inclusion is not universal: some regulators may be specific about which competitions are permitted, while others use general sport categories that leave details to operators within regulatory limits. Always consult the relevant state sports wagering catalog before assuming a particular competition will be available in your app.

How licensed soccer betting apps work: accounts, KYC and geolocation

To use licensed soccer betting apps you normally create an account, provide identification to confirm age and identity, and allow geolocation so the operator can verify you are physically inside the state at the time you place a wager; these controls are enforced by state regulators and appear in operator requirements. New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement catalog

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Registration typically begins with a sign-up using a verified email and mobile number, followed by KYC steps where you supply a government ID and date of birth; the operator checks that information against public records or identity services before allowing wagering or withdrawals. Geolocation software is required for mobile play to confirm you are inside state lines when you place a bet, and apps will block bet placement if you are outside the permitted geography.

Attempts to bypass geolocation or to use unlicensed offshore sites are risky and can lead to account closure, restricted funds, or legal exposure, so stick to state-licensed operators listed by the regulator in your state.

Common wager types in soccer apps: pre-match, in-play and proposition bets

Close up of a user verifying ID on a mobile app with a blurred soccer stadium background in Funded Plays colors, focused phone screen, soccer betting apps

Most licensed apps present a small set of familiar bet categories: pre-match markets such as moneyline and totals, in-play (live) markets that allow bets during a match, and proposition markets that cover specific events within a match. Whether each of these market types is offered in a given state is defined by the state catalog and operator approvals. Massachusetts Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog

A simple way to think about it is that pre-match bets settle on known outcomes before a match starts, in-play bets depend on live events and require infrastructure and rules that regulators must permit, and prop bets cover discrete events such as first scorer or team totals. If you need a specific market, check the state catalog or the operator's market list for your state before assuming it will be available.

Safety and responsible play: limits, support and trusted options

Licensed operators and state regulators support a range of safer-play tools such as deposit and wager limits, time limits, and self-exclusion programs to help reduce harm for people who set boundaries around wagering; the National Council on Problem Gambling offers guidance and helplines for those who need support. National Council on Problem Gambling safer betting resources

Use this checklist to set and review betting limits

Daily deposit limit
Weekly deposit limit
Session time limit
Self-exclusion flag

Review and adjust limits regularly

Before you place wagers, consider setting conservative deposit and session limits, enable any available self-exclusion if you need a break, and review operator help pages for contact options; if wagering causes concern, contact the helpline resources your state links to or the national support services recommended by responsible-gambling organizations.

How to choose a legal soccer betting app in your state

Use this quick checklist when evaluating an app: verify the operator is listed on your state regulator's official operator list, confirm the app displays soccer markets for your state, check that the app requires KYC and enforces geolocation, and look for built-in responsible-gambling tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion. You can confirm licensing through the state regulator's public pages rather than relying solely on app store descriptions. New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement catalog

Red flags include any request to bypass geolocation, a lack of clear licensing information on the operator, or pressure to move funds off the regulated platform; if an offer asks you to use an offshore website to avoid verification, avoid it and check the regulator's guidance on permitted operators in your state.

Common errors and risks to avoid when using soccer betting apps

Avoid unlicensed offshore sites and attempts to bypass geolocation with VPNs or routing tools because these approaches can be illegal, expose you to fraud, and result in account limitations or loss of funds; stick to state-licensed options listed by the regulator. Massachusetts Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog

Behavioral risks include chasing losses, ignoring deposit limits, and poor bankroll management; use clear staking rules, maintain records of your activity, and employ operator limit tools to reduce the chance of harmful patterns. If you experience account suspension or suspect misconduct, contact the regulator for guidance and follow the operator's dispute process.

Examples: how four states handle soccer wagering in their catalogs

New York publishes a sports wagering catalog that lists permitted sports and event types and is used by operators to determine which soccer markets they may offer in that state. New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog

New Jersey provides a detailed approved events and wagers list that regulators and operators use to align market offerings with state rules, and that list names permitted event classes for licensed operators. New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement catalog

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission maintains a sports wagering catalog that explains permitted sports and wagering types in that jurisdiction, with guidance operators follow to offer soccer markets legally. Massachusetts Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog

The Ohio Casino Control Commission publishes a sports gaming catalog that outlines permitted sports and market categories for licensed operators in that state, which operators consult before offering soccer markets to Ohio customers. Ohio Casino Control Commission sports gaming catalog

For additional catalog examples see the Louisiana Gaming Control Board sports wagering catalog here, the Washington authorized wagering menu here, and the Colorado sports betting catalog here.

Markets that may be restricted or vary by state

Some market types are more likely to be limited or excluded by regulators, such as very specific proposition markets, niche international events, or lower-division matches where identification and integrity concerns are greater; catalogs list permitted market types and any explicit exclusions. New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog

Regulators may restrict markets for consumer protection, event integrity, or operational reasons, so if you need a particular prop or a small-league match you should confirm the catalog shows it as permitted before assuming an app can accept that bet in your state.

If you cannot bet: legal alternatives and skill-based platforms

If your state does not permit regulated sports wagering or you prefer a non-wagering route, consider lawful alternatives such as skill-based prediction platforms, sweepstakes, and fantasy contests that operate under different rules and eligibility criteria; these products let users test forecasting ability without placing traditional sports wagers. These platforms are different from licensed sportsbooks and do not guarantee rewards, which depend on user performance and the specific platform rules.

Read terms and rules carefully for any alternative service, understand whether real-money withdrawals are allowed under that platform's structure, and remember that skill-based options are designed to emphasize consistent decision-making rather than chance-based wagering.

Staying compliant: age, travel, and record-keeping considerations

Operators require proof of age and typically verify identity per state rules, so be prepared to provide government-issued identification during KYC and to abide by any residency or age requirements that apply in your state. New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement catalog

Geolocation means you usually must be physically in the state to place wagers with licensed mobile apps; traveling across state lines can change access immediately, so check your app before attempting to place a wager and keep account records and communications if you need to resolve a dispute with an operator or a regulator.

Minimalist vector tablet checklist showing ID card map pin and betting limits icons on a dark Funded Plays style background for soccer betting apps

Summary and what to do next

Three quick takeaways: check your state sports wagering catalog to confirm soccer markets, use a state-licensed app that enforces KYC and geolocation, and set responsible-gambling limits before you wager. For an overview of the regulated market and how states have adopted betting frameworks, the industry overview provides helpful context. American Gaming Association report and learn more about how we evaluate things in our blog post.

Next steps: visit your state gaming regulator's website, review the official operator list and the current sports wagering catalog for your state, and if you prefer non-wagering options consider skill-based challenge platforms that let you practice prediction skills within a defined set of rules. For safety tools and helplines, consult national resources on safer betting. National Council on Problem Gambling safer betting resources or visit Funded Plays for non-wagering challenges.

Do I need to be in a specific state to use a soccer betting app?

Yes. Licensed apps require geolocation and you must be physically inside the state where the operator is licensed to place wagers.

Where can I find which soccer markets are allowed in my state?

Check your state gaming regulator's sports wagering catalog or official operator list to see which sports and markets are permitted.

What should I do if I worry about my betting habits?

Use deposit and time limits, consider self-exclusion, and contact national or state helplines for support.

If you plan to place soccer wagers, make checking your state regulator's catalog your first step, use only state-licensed operators, and set limits before you wager. If betting is not permitted where you live or you prefer a different experience, consider regulated skill-based platforms or sweepstakes designed to test forecasting skill within clear rules.