Online sportsbook wagering : Is it available online here in the U.S. and do you have any recommendations?

Is it available in the US? Yes, and to rebut another answerer...it is not possible for a law written in 1961 to address online gaming. It states specifically "intrastate telephone lines"...use high speed cable, problem solved.

Do I have any recommendations?

Sure, you will find independent reviews of only reputable online sports betting sites at http://www.sportsbook-ratings.net./ All of the recommended sites welcome players from all countries! Want a few quick recommendations?

Bodog http://www.sportsbook-ratings.net/Bodog.php -Best customer service, best for new players

Intertops http://www.sportsbook-ratings.net/Intertops.php - Best for selection, Easiest deposits

If you want a way to put a bit of money on sports, and would like to use your paypal account, you may want to check out FanDuel http://www.sportsbook-ratings.net/FanDuel.php This site offers one day fantasy sports action, and you can win pretty decent amounts of money! It is completely exempt from the banking laws hampering the sports betting industry, because it is deemed a 'game of skill'.

What ever you choose, best of luck to you!

I used Bookmaker for like 3 years. I requested a bank wire for a payout of 3 grand, they paid me in less than a week. So I can vouch for them. However depositing money was a bit of a problem *especially since I was in the US* whenever I used Visa I used to get calls from my bank asking if my card was stolen. In terms of depositing money 5dimes is really good, I never had any problems and sources say they are a reputable book. So if you're just starting, use Bookmaker or 5dimes - preferably Bookmaker if you're outside of the US because I can vouch for them actually paying me, I never won anything on 5dimes so I can't say much about that lol.. ..and just a word of advice, I'm down about $6,000.. I developed a gambling addiction by spending a little money at first. So if you're someone who has an addictive personality and is lazy to boot (you don't want to research your bets or use any statistical methods to find value in a line) you should stay away because you'll lose money over time.. a lot of money. But, if you're a social bettor who gambles a few times a month with money you can afford to lose that's fine. Have fun.. and unless you're one of the 1-2% of sports bettors who spend 40 hrs a week figuring out the best bets, expect to lose. :)

Technically, although online gambling websites based offshore are accessible from the US, you are in violation of the 1961 Wire Act when you place wagers online as the Internet backbone links are technically phone lines. However the government isn't interested in going after private citizens on that, they are extending jurisdiction to the extra-territorial companies through a concept called personal jurisdiction whereby if the website is sufficiently interactive then the server is subject to the same laws as the user. This has resulted in the owners of many of these websites having to avoid travelling through US controlled airspace least they be arrested. The difficulty in depositing and withdrawing money is due to the enforcement of the 2006 SAFE port act prohibiting US based financial institutions from dealing with offshore gambling sites except in the case of fantasy football and horse racing. Why fantasy football and horse racing were specifically exempt from the SAFE port act is anyone's guess. Note that the portion regarding gambling in the SAFE port act was slipped in after the bill was approved by Congress and before Bush signed it into law so technically it has never been approved by Congress. As Financial institutions implement software to comply with the ac, it has become increasingly difficult to get money to and from gambling websites.

Carbon Sports is a great US online sportsbook with fast payouts, a great welcome bonus and all the sports wagering options you could ask for. There are also plenty of promotions and bonuses as well as a great mobile sportsbook and you can check it out here...http://web-wager.com/carbon-sportsbook-review.html