Legal to bet on the British Open? How to bet responsibly

Editor’s note: Birches Health is the leading national provider of Problem Gambling treatment and Responsible Gaming resources, offering specialized support from the privacy of home, covered by insurance.

The final major of the year is almost here, as the 154th Open Championship descends on Royal Birkdale on the northwest coast of England this week. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler sits atop the pre-tournament odds board at +700 on FanDuel Sportsbook, with Rory McIlroy close behind at +850. Rounding out the top four is a pair of Englishmen, Tommy Fleetwood (+1500) and Matt Fitzpatrick (+1600). Fleetwood, the latter of whom grew up just five minutes away from Royal Birkdale and is continuing his pursuit of a first major championship.

When major sporting events are held overseas, there are often questions about the legality of betting on them here in the United States, so let’s run through a refresher on how to legally and responsibly bet on The Open.

Can I bet on The Open Championship if I’m in the United States?

Although sports betting has been part of U.K. culture for many decades, regulated sports gambling in the United States is relatively new. The Supreme Court’s repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018 allowed individual states to decide on the legalization and regulation of sports betting products within its borders.

Therefore, availability depends on the state in which you are located and the age restrictions of that particular location, which also vary.

Location

Online/Mobile sports betting:

There are 32 jurisdictions across the country that have legalized online sports gambling, allowing bettors to place wagers from their computers and/or cellphones. Those locations include: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wyoming.

In-person retail sports betting:

Some states have only legalized in-person betting only: Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. (Note: North Dakota and Wisconsin state governments have not formally passed sports betting legislation, but some of the states’ tribes offer in-person sports betting on reservation lands.)

No sports betting permitted:

Betting on the Open Championship is not permitted in: Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.

Age Restrictions

You must also follow the age limits set by the state in which you are located. While the large majority of states require a bettor to be 21+ years old to gamble on sports, some have a minimum age of 18 years old. Those jurisdictions include Kentucky, Montana, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming. Keep in mind that some sportsbooks maintain their 21+ age restrictions across all states in which they operate.

Betting Responsibly on The Open

Before betting on any sport or event, all bettors should be aware of Responsible Gaming best practices to help ensure that sports betting remains a casual form of healthy, sustainable entertainment.

It’s also worth noting ahead of The Open that the extra excitement of this year’s final major championship should not impact your level of betting risk. Stay within your means and keep your overall exposure at a level that is reasonable and affordable, even if all of your bets were to lose. With that in mind, let’s dive into some additional specifics:

Problem Gambling Resources and Treatment

If you, a loved one, a friend or someone else you know may be dealing with a gambling problem, it’s important to know where to turn for help. One option worth considering is Birches Health, which offers best-in-class telehealth treatment from a team of specially trained licensed counselors. They will first provide a full assessment to evaluate the potential issue and determine the best course of action. If treatment is needed, they will then craft a custom care plan tailored for your individual needs. The whole process can be done from the comfort of home, allowing for more schedule flexibility and ease of accessibility than other treatment options.

There are multiple ways to take the first step with Birches Health: book an appointment online or email help@bircheshealth.com.