Every US resident has a nine-digit number issued by the US government thanks to the Social Security Act, codified as 42 U.S.C. § 405(c)(2). That code is best known as a Social Security number or SSN for short. Even foreigners who come to the US for work must attain this number to ply their trade legally. That is so because the original purpose of this code was, and to a large degree still is, to track workers’ lifetime earnings and the number of years they have spent working in the US. When it comes time for someone to retire, the government uses the information attained via that person’s SSN to determine their pension eligibility and calculate their retirement benefits.
Given everything noted in the paragraph above, it stands to reason that many individuals do not feel comfortable giving this unique identifier at a whim to anyone that asks for it. Know that a Social Security Number often gets required when people are opening a bank account, applying for insurance, purchasing a home, and in many other pursuits. Yet, many are uneasy about providing their SSN for hobby activities, such as enjoying games of chance over the internet.
Since the US government demands that online casinos and sportsbooks verify your identity for tax purposes, it is super likely that US-based platforms will ask that you supply your SSN at some point. That request may entail disclosing your SSN in its entirety or only its last four digits. You can try sports betting without SSN for extra privacy at offshore sites that boast betting licenses from international regulators like Antillephone and the Gaming Control Board of Panama. We explain this practice below and present tips about indulging in real money gambling at sites that allow it.
Is Gambling Without an SSN Widely Available?
Yes, casinos and betting apps operating outside the US that accept Americans as customers allow no-SSN gambling. They may ask that US players supply identity verification documents such as a copy of a photo ID and a proof of address, like a recent utility bill to follow through with Know Your Customer procedures. Though, both of these documents do not feature anyone’s Social Security Number. It does not get listed on a person’s driver’s license or ID as text, nor does it get encoded in their magnetic stripe.
Hundreds of offshore gambling platforms exist on the Web that permits no-SSN betting/gaming, and often they are not only comparable to premium US sites but superior in many departments. Such sites allow players from all over the world to bypass the restrictions of local providers. In the UK, this niche is occupied by betting sites not signed up to Gamstop, which allow those who are on the self-excluded list to play online.
Is It Safe to Gamble Online Without an SSN?
As mentioned above, the main reason Social Security Numbers got conceived was to keep track of people’s employment history and tax requirements. Since playing online casino games and wagering on sporting events can yield profits, the government wants to know about and tax this income. Playing at foreign websites does not dramatically affect this process if the money earned through this pastime eventually lands in your US bank account. In that scenario, you must input them as income on your Form W-2G. They get subjected to a flat tax rate of 24%.
Sports sites for Americans headquartered in a foreign land implement many of the same security measures as those running from the US. They feature advanced SSL encryption, get regulated by credible international overseeing bodies, and have privacy policies that follow the latest data retention regulation in Europe. Their trustworthiness is rarely in question.
Steps to Gambling Without an SSN
The steps to get started with no-SSN betting are as follows:
- Selecting a reputable betting app – The best approach is to rely on analysis posted on premium online gambling review hubs.
- Signing up with your chosen operator – The procedure should take a couple of minutes, consisting of you entering accurate personal information. It is essential to note that additional info should get added to your profile upon account creation.
- Verifying your membership – It usually gets done by clicking a link sent to your email inbox.
- Make a deposit – To place funds in your betting balance, you must head to your chosen site’s cashier tab. Choose your favored payment method and input your desired deposit amount.
- Claim a bonus – Almost all offshore sportsbooks without SSN list registration bonuses that, in general, are far more generous than those given out by US-regulated hubs.
- Bet – Select the markets you have a hunch that will pan out and wager.
- Withdrawal – If you win, you will probably have to confirm your identity before your withdrawal request goes through and the attained funds land in your pocket.
How to Pick a Credible No-SSN Sportsbook
The selection criteria regarding no-SSN sportsbook get listed below in order of importance:
- Terrific sector standing
- Enticing bonuses
- Competitive odds
- An excellent range of markets
- Fast payout speeds
- Decent customer support
Ideally, a site should have a few years of activity in the online gambling sphere, a vast number of positive reviews, cash-out wins in less than forty-eight hours, and supply a steady stream of bonuses for existing users.
The Best Sites That Allow No-SSN Gambling
Bovada is the US skin of the trailblazing internet sports betting website Bodog. It has been active in this industry for over two decades, operating from Costa Rica. Bovada supplies a 50% up to $250 welcome bonus to new players and often gets discussed as the best betting platform for gambling without SSN.
BetOnline, and its skin, SportsBetting.ag, are two other popular choices for online sports wagering without SSN, quickly processing payments and both delivering a 50% up to $1,000 registration promotion. MyBookie, another Costa Rica-based operator, is also in this mix, adverting a 100% up to $1,000 sign-up promo.
Is Betting Without SSN A Good Idea?
If you select one of the four platforms listed above, there should be no difference between utilizing them and a US sportsbook like FanDuel and DraftKings. They offer almost identical features while supplying better promotions. The security level of both website categories is also indistinguishable, so no one should worry about data handling at top-end betting apps without SSN requirements.
