# Where to place a bet online? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 17, 2019, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901 "2019-10-17T13:48:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/1 "2019-10-17T13:48:05Z")
The title says it all. What is a reputable online site to place a bet? Do they all charge a “membership” fee? Thanks everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/2 "2019-10-17T13:50:55Z")
What kind of bet, and from which location(s) do you envision making such a bet? In the US, the laws vary significantly by state. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/3 "2019-10-17T14:02:39Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > The title says it all. The title says almost nothing. I’m guessing that you probably don’t want to place a bet on the upcoming presidential election in South Korea from McMurdo Station, but perhaps you could be a little more specific about where you _are_ located and what sport you want to bet on. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/4 "2019-10-17T14:29:56Z")
I’m in Massachusetts and I wish to bet on the upcoming World Series. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/5 "2019-10-17T14:50:51Z")
From [https://www.bettingusa.com/states/ma/](https://www.bettingusa.com/states/ma/): > [@](#): > > Legal online betting in Massachusetts currently consists of horse racing, fantasy sports and games of skill. **Online sports betting remains prohibited** , but there has been a strong effort to change that with the introduction of multiple bills in 2019 that would legalize in-person and mobile betting. (bolding mine) It looks like you are out of luck(sorry) for the time being. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/6 "2019-10-17T14:59:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > From [https://www.bettingusa.com/states/ma/](https://www.bettingusa.com/states/ma/): > (bolding mine) It looks like you are out of luck(sorry) for the time being. Looking at that site, and its information on the surrounding states, it looks like online sports gambling is legal in Rhode Island. If OP can get to Rhode Island, that might be a possibility. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/7 "2019-10-17T15:00:58Z")
Well maybe I just saved $100. It was a one-off anyway. Just excited about my Nats. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/8 "2019-10-17T15:08:20Z")
[Very good article about travelling out-of-state to place an online bet.](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/want-to-bet-on-the-super-bowl-a-suspicious-amount-of-online-gambling-takes-place-near-state-lines-2019-01-31) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/9 "2019-10-17T15:21:24Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > If OP can get to Rhode Island, that might be a possibility. In order to get an account for online betting in RI you must first go in person Twin Rivers casino to establish your legal residence in RI, then be physically in the state when you place your bet. So unless the OP is planning to move it’s not an option for them. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/10 "2019-10-17T15:57:12Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > In order to get an account for online betting in RI you must first go in person Twin Rivers casino to establish your legal residence in RI, then be physically in the state when you place your bet. So unless the OP is planning to move it’s not an option for them. I stand corrected (and I’m not surprised to learn that out-of-state bettors aren’t allowed). ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-place-a-bet-online/841901/11 "2019-10-17T23:15:27Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [Very good article about travelling out-of-state to place an online bet.](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/want-to-bet-on-the-super-bowl-a-suspicious-amount-of-online-gambling-takes-place-near-state-lines-2019-01-31) I found the end of that article ironic and amusing. I think it would be hilarious if people are actually betting on which states will be the next ones to legalize betting 😃