Best Puerto Rico Betting Sites

Its official name is the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, it consists of the main island and several smaller ones. It was a Spanish colony from 1493 to 1898 and an American colony after that. Eventually, it is an unincorporated territory of the U.S. The nation has a deep sports culture that has been vivid for ages. Popular sports include mainly baseball, as well as basketball and boxing, followed by football (soccer). Gambling in Puerto Rico is legal in all its forms and under a clear set of regulations.

There are many casinos awaiting players, while sports and horse race betting are very popular. Online sports betting is legal too, and has been legal since 2019; yet no Puerto Rico sports betting sites hold a local license yet. Many international bookies accept local players, who have many options at their disposal.

Best Betting Sites in Puerto Rico

The sports betting Puerto Rico scene comes with many options. There might not be local licensees yet. However, the online offering is quite rich; so we list the top bookmakers to make your choosing easier. These are all renowned international bookies, offering numerous special bets and covering every major sporting event from around the globe.

Gambling in Puerto Rico - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  All forms of gambling are legal for both locals and tourists
• 2
  Online betting is also legal from 2019 onwards
• 3
  There are casinos and bookmaker shops one may visit
• 4
  The legal gambling age is 18
• 5
  No sportsbooks have acquired a local license yet

General info

⏩Population: 3.300.000

⏩Active players: 420.000

⏩Currency: U.S. dollar (USD)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Casino games, sports betting, lotteries

⏩Operator types: Casinos, bookmaker shops, licensed and unlicensed online casinos and bookies

⏩Designated authority: Puerto Rico Gaming Commission

⏩Status: Regulated

Puerto Rico Online Sports Betting: The Legal Framework

Puerto Rico gambling has played a vital role in locals’ everyday life through the years. And while all forms of gambling are legal, it’s also an unincorporated US territory; which means that it follows its gambling laws from many aspects. The turning point for online betting in Puerto Rico was in 2018; this is when the US Supreme Court abolished the 1992 'Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act' (PASPA).

This was an act that basically banned sports betting in the USA. The door was now open and thankfully, a Senate Bill (no. 1534) was soon brought to voting. The bill became a law, and from 2019 operators may apply for betting licenses; these cost $50,000 and are valid for one year only. The local Gaming Commission is in place, overlooking all procedures.

The 2015 'reglamento de juegos de azar' is still the main piece of law, with amendments added when necessary. One important point regards players signing up with local operators; this will include in-person registration instead of the online process we are familiar with. This might be a major setback for many players; however, betting with international bookies still only requires remote (online) registration.

Lastly, the tax for an online Puerto Rico sportsbook stands at 12%; at the same time, players’ winnings do not fall under taxation. No bookies have applied for a local license yet, something that could change anytime soon.

Essential Info for Bettors

The online gambling Puerto Rico scene is quite rich; and legal too. Apart from the brick-and-mortar facilities that one may access; online betting also offers quite a few choices. It is also legal and properly regulated, despite the fact that no bookies in Puerto Rico have yet applied for a license. The online offering is vast, and many international operators await local players.

Note that if you want to sign up with a local bookie, you have to register in person; yes, that is how it stands. But don’t worry about it; there are always many exceptionally good international ones that will only have you do it online.

Last yet not least, sticking to the bookmakers we list is the safest online choice. Many fake betting sites are looking to lure players, and sometimes it’s a tough call actually to spot them. Well, worry not, follow any of the ones we suggest and you’ll have peace of mind.

Popular Deposit Methods

Local players have many options regarding their online gambling activity. Puerto Rico sports betting is very popular, especially among young people; funding their online account is not difficult either. Credit and debit cards are the most common and traditional way to do so; nothing to be afraid of either since betting in Puerto Rico is also legal online.

Moreover, e-wallets are offering a great alternative service for those who want an extra touch of privacy. PayPal and Neteller do not operate in the area; however, Skrill and Jeton do, providing a fast and secure transactions platform. They also have an easy sign-up process, so give them a go to find out for yourself.

Lastly, we have cryptocurrency betting, which is gaining more and more ‘gambling turf’ globally. Many bookies are already accepting crypto payments; so, always being cautious, it’s not bad to gradually familiarize yourself with this evolving money exchange platform.

The Future of Online Betting in Puerto Rico

The gambling scene is already inviting for both players and operators in this beautiful country. For a sportsbook Puerto Rico is still an emerging market; therefore, most operators are still hesitant to apply for a license. However, law developments since 2019 are only showing positive signs.

For local players, placing a bet in Puerto Rico is easy, legal, and comes with many options. Online betting could soon compete in numbers with the brick-and-mortar sector. We have to wait and see how local operators will respond to the still-shaping market.

A Look at Betting in the Neighbouring Countries

Just like the case of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory with a very different gambling scene than the mainland, the neighbouring countries also have their own approach and legislation. Whether you are a local or a tourist, it would be good to gain insights about the betting trends and laws of these countries that can be on your visiting list. 

⏩ The United States has a complex system of regulating gambling, whether land-based or online. For some states like New Jersey, online sportsbooks and casinos have been legal for some time now. Though the rules and regulations are much more difficult to navigate and less lenient, US bookmakers offer the advantage of untaxed winnings. 

⏩ The US Virgin Islands share a very similar geo-political situation with Puerto Rico, though sports betting cannot be found in physical stores and bookies. The group of islands were among the first to legalize gambling in the United States, but this only applied to casinos. For sports, you might want to check out the best Virgin Islander betting sites, where you can benefit from flexible regulations as well.   

⏩ The Dominican Republic legalized gambling early on in 1967 and followed it by passing a bill in 1999 to regulate online betting. Though the government offers local licenses, it has enforced no restrictions on foreign online bookmakers. This makes the Dominican Republic betting sites a safe haven in the Caribbeans' biggest gambling market.