Puerto Rico Sports Betting

Even though Puerto Rico is a US territory instead of a state, the laws and regulations on sports betting aren’t that different from many states. So, is sports betting legal in Puerto Rico? Absolutely. In fact, Puerto Rico is now launching its sports betting market, which is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. In February 2022, the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission gave the green light to BetMGM to set up a retail and online sportsbook in partnership with the territory’s largest casino, the Casino del Mar.

Looking to learn more about Puerto Rico sports betting, DFS, eSports betting, horseracing, and gambling opportunities? Keep reading for a full breakdown of the state’s in-person and online markets, including gambling in Puerto Rico, as well as what gamers can expect in the coming years.

Puerto Rico Sports Betting Sites

Puerto Rico sports betting regulations allow in-person and online sportsbooks. As mentioned above, BetMGM is the first big-name betting brand to establish a partnership with an existing casino, the Casino del Mar. The territory legally requires all online bettors to register in person, which means locals have to sign up at the Casino del Mar in order to take advantage of BetMGM’s online sports betting Puerto Rico platform.

Moving forward, other top sports betting brands are expected to partner with other in-territory casinos. Aside from BetMGM, Fanduel and DraftKings also have a presence in Puerto Rico. It’s also expected that PointsBet and Unibet will target the Puerto Rican market with in-person retail sportsbooks and online and mobile platforms.

Here’s a quick overview of each sportsbook currently active in Puerto Rico or expected to join the online sports betting Puerto Rico market:

• BetMGM: For decades, MGM has been one of the biggest names in sports betting and gambling on the Vegas Strip. Since sports betting was decriminalized by the Supreme Court in 2018, BetMGM has taken its experience to various states with great success.

• FanDuel: As one of the first DFS operators to put fantasy sports betting on the map, FanDuel is a leading name in sports betting. Today, the oddsmakers offer lines on a wide variety of sports, which includes a top live streaming experience and plenty of in-play betting options.

• DraftKings: Like FanDuel, DraftKings helped lay a foundation for all types of DFS betting. Today, the sportsbook has diversified to offer compelling DFS competitions and diverse lines. Recently, the group penned an official partnership with the NHL. The company is also known for its bonus deals and offers.

• PointsBet: Coming all the way from Australia, PointsBet has found success in the US market due to its competitive welcome bonuses, which include risk-free bets. The sportsbook also has one of the top loyalty programs on the market, which makes it ideal for dedicated bettors.

• Unibet: With plenty of experience worldwide, Unibet’s sportsbook has one of the most seamless apps in the industry. It has an intuitive layout that makes in-play betting easy. The company also offers a wide range of specials for dozens of sports that update throughout the year.

Welcome Offers & Promo Codes

With a new betting market taking off, Puerto Rico free bets are on the horizon. Since sports betting was legalized in 2018, sportsbooks have rolled out competitive welcome offers and other bonuses to attract bettors. This means US residents have unprecedented access to a ton of risk-free and deposit match offers, to name a few. Before signing up with a new sportsbook, be sure to check out the available Puerto Rico free bets. Check our free bets page for the latest deals, which is updated constantly.

In addition to the above offers, OddsChecker also connects you to these welcome bonuses:

Puerto Rico Horse Racing Betting

Unlike sportsbooks and casinos, betting on horseracing has been legal and popular in Puerto Rico for a long time. As such, the territory the local Puerto Rico horse betting market has plenty to offer. There are multiple racetracks around the island, but most Puerto Rico horse betting takes place at the territory’s largest and most popular track for thoroughbred horseracing: the Hipódromo Camarero.

Now that Puerto Rico has an online betting market, the options for wagering on horseracing are diversifying. /p>

Puerto Rico Sports Betting Legislation

Puerto Rico is a US territory instead of a state. However, this hasn’t greatly affected the territory’s online and in-person betting and gaming laws. The Puerto Rico Gaming Commission oversees all betting and gambling in Puerto Rico. At this time, it is not legal to wager on amateur sports in Puerto Rico, except for NCAA college sports betting.

In July 2019, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that legalized land-based sports betting and online sports betting, DFS, and eSports betting markets in Puerto Rico. In November 2021, the territory released official licensing forms for all sports betting and fantasy contest operators interested in beginning their application.

Like some other US states, Puerto Rico sports betting regulations include a few stipulations. For example, one unique aspect of local gaming laws is an in-person sign-up requirement. This means locals must sign up in person at a casino or retail sportsbook to start an online betting account with a sportsbook.

Right now, there are 16 casinos in Puerto Rico where visitors can wager on sports in person, along with one horseracing track (Hipódromo Camarero). All 16 of these casinos have sportsbooks that accept bets and registrations in accordance with Puerto Rico sports betting regulations. In the future, brands like FanDuel, Unibet, and more will partner with these establishments to launch their platforms in Puerto Rico.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did online sports betting become legal in Puerto Rico?

In July 2019, online sports betting became legal in Puerto Rico. This law change meant that all regulated and licensed gambling operators in the state could launch their own sportsbooks and, by default, online and mobile sports betting platforms. However, the territory has been slow to onboard new sportsbooks from the mainland US and roll out offers like Puerto Rico free bets.

One of the biggest challenges is the lack of a framework for licensing and regulating online sportsbooks and casinos. These structures have evolved as the Puerto Rico Gambling Commission continues to create new Puerto Rico sports betting regulations and frameworks. Many changes are still expected that will help new betting groups launch in the territory.

The very first major sports betting brand to attain licensing is BetMGM. On February 11, 2022, the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission granted a license to BetMGM that allowed the group to open its first retail sportsbook inside Casino del Mar. The Casino del Mar is the country’s largest casino-resort, which is located just outside the capital of San Juan.

Which are the most popular sports & teams to bet on in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico sports betting focuses on horseraces, soccer, boxing, and the MLB—and even cockfighting, which is legal in the territory. With Latin American roots, the territory’s sports betting trends don’t necessarily match the rest of the US, which focuses on the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA.

Instead, the MLB is the most prevalent major league given the popularity of baseball, along with the local LBPRC baseball league, the Liga Puerto Rico soccer league, and the BSN basketball league. For example, some fans root for the MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals. The team’s pitcher, Yadier Molina, was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He’s considered the league’s best pitcher of his generation and is a legend in St. Louis, where he’s spent his entire MLB career.

Which are the most popular events to bet on in Puerto Rico?

Sports bettors in Puerto Rico closely follow the biggest events associated with baseball, soccer, boxing, and basketball. In addition to wagering on championship events from the LBPRC, Liga Puerto Rico, and BSN, the most popular events to wager on are the MLB World Series, NBA Finals, title boxing matches, and soccer competitions such as CONCACAF and MLS.

Is daily fantasy sports available for users from Puerto Rico?

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) competitions are available for sports bettors in Puerto Rico. In fact, DFS services are legally grouped alongside normal sports betting activities, such as eSports betting. Along with standard sports betting markets, Puerto Rico created specific legislation that will support the growth of the territory’s DFS and eSports betting markets. You can expect DFS providers like FanDuel and DraftKings to launch their Puerto Rican markets soon.