In states where legal sportsbooks operate, everything is uniform. The odds look the same across platforms. Promotions follow a narrow script, and the onboarding process takes time. Yet millions of Americans still use offshore sportsbooks, even when they have legal options available. These sites operate outside US jurisdiction, often based in places like Antigua or Panama, and their appeal hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s grown.
Offshore Sportsbooks Offer More Value
Gambling expert Steven Brown points to bonuses and loyalty programs as a key reason. Offshore sites regularly offer larger sign-up deals than their US counterparts (source: https://www.sportscasting.com/betting-sites/offshore-sportsbooks/). While many US-licensed sportsbooks cap bonuses at $200 or less, offshore books often double or triple that. Some match deposits up to $1,000 or more. The rollover terms are often looser, too. One Curacao-based operator recently ran a 150% deposit bonus with just a 5x rollover, something unheard of onshore.
The gap is even wider when it comes to loyalty. Offshore sportsbooks structure rewards around volume and long-term play. Bettors climb tiers, unlock cashback, and gain access to faster payouts. Most legal US books run basic point systems or seasonal promotions, but they rarely touch the long-term VIP incentives that offshore books provide. High-volume players at offshore books might get monthly rebates, reload boosts, or priority support, without having to ask.
Brown notes that US operators are limited by state-level rules. Despite being regulated, several licensed offshore sites don’t have those limits. They can offer better bonuses, fewer restrictions, and more flexibility in how they retain users. That freedom lets them stay competitive in ways that local sportsbooks can't match without regulatory pushback.
Broader Market Access Keeps Bettors Coming Back
Offshore sportsbooks cover more ground. US-licensed operators often have to skip college games involving local teams. Others can’t offer props to amateur athletes. Offshore sites don’t have to draw those lines. They post odds on most sports, from Ivy League football to under-21 basketball in Europe. One site recently offered lines on regional elections and table tennis in Kazakhstan. For niche bettors, that kind of variety matters.
They also don’t copy lines from competitors the way many US operators do. While major US books lean on shared data, offshore sites often shade odds differently. Some even run reduced juice on high-volume games. For line shoppers and value seekers, that makes a difference. When you’re betting frequently, getting -105 instead of -110 adds up quickly over time.
Faster Sign-ups, Fewer Hurdles
Most offshore books let users deposit and bet within minutes. No ID checks. No geolocation software. No state-by-state compliance barriers. It's smoother, and that draws in both casual bettors and serious gamblers looking for speed.
By contrast, many US sportsbooks require location verification and full identity checks before a user can even browse markets. That’s useful for fraud prevention, but it slows the process. Research has also shown that nearly 68% of users have stopped the process before finishing signing up online. Offshore books absorb those users without resistance. That frictionless entry point has become one of their quiet advantages.
Discretion and Payment Flexibility Also Matter
Privacy is another draw. Offshore sportsbooks usually don’t ask for Social Security numbers or home addresses. Some accept wagers with only an email and a crypto wallet. That appeals to bettors who don’t want their transactions flagged by banks or tied to their names.
Crypto options play into that. Offshore sportsbooks were early to adopt Bitcoin and stablecoins. Payouts can be made in minutes, often without fees. US sportsbooks, on the other hand, rely on bank transfers and cards, with withdrawal times stretching into days. Crypto bettors aren’t waiting for that.