Puerto Rico Sports Betting: Best PR Online Sportsbook Sites Dec. 2024

Puerto Rico betting promos and bonuses

Before you start placing wagers at a sportsbook in Puerto Rico, make sure to check out its promotions section. The island’s sportsbooks offer sizable welcome bonuses that can kickstart your betting journey. The most common best sportsbook promos include bet-and-get offers and first-bet bonuses.

The table below shows the latest PR welcome bonuses you can claim.

In addition to welcome bonus offers, PR promotions also include incentives for existing players. These can come in different shapes and forms, including:

• Matched bets
• Odds boosts
• Insurance bets
• Holiday bonuses
• Refer-a-friend promotions
• Loyalty programs

Puerto Rico sports betting quick facts

Puerto Rico has legalized sports betting at full capacity, which means that you can wager at both retail and online sportsbooks and enjoy mobile betting. Let’s take a look at the most important information regarding sports betting on the island.

Top Puerto Rico betting sites

The Puerto Rican sports betting market is still developing, so we don’t know the final number of all Puerto Rico betting sites you’ll be able to sign up with. There are currently only two online sportsbooks in Puerto Rico, run by some of the best sports betting sites in the country.

Why BetMGM is the best sportsbook in Puerto Rico 🦁

BetMGM is currently one of just two operators offering mobile sportsbook apps in Puerto Rico. It is also the best sports betting app the island has at the moment, and it’s easy to see why. The brand belongs to MGM Resorts International, one of the greatest sportsbook and casino operators in the US and globally.

In addition to retail locations, BetMGM operates online sportsbooks in more than a dozen US states. A major reason for its reputation as the best live sports betting site is its excellent coverage of sporting events, ranging from popular markets like football, basketball, and baseball to cricket, darts, and NASCAR.

BetMGM was the first sportsbook operator to open a retail sportsbook in Puerto Rico in February 2022. In June 2023, just over a year later,  the company also launched the island’s first sports betting site.

BetMGM Puerto Rico currently offers up to $100 back in bonus bets as a welcome offer to new customers. The sportsbook also features a rewards program, which can bring you prizes like exclusive bonuses, premium customer support, tickets to exclusive events, and other betting-specific incentives. See our BetMGM bonus code page for more details. 

If you want to learn more about this operator, you can read our BetMGM review, where we go into detail about its markets, bonuses, odds, payment system, and other key features.

Other Puerto Rico online sportsbooks and sports betting apps

For those wondering where to bet on sports in Puerto Rico besides BetMGM, Caesars is currently the only other operator to offer a mobile betting app on this US territory. However, the market has just begun to take shape. Other prominent sportsbook operators, like DraftKings and FanDuel, have already announced app launches.

Caesars Puerto Rico 🏛

Caesars is the second sportsbook operator to open a retail location in Puerto Rico, more precisely at its biggest casino — Casino Metro. After the grand opening in December 2022, the company also launched a mobile app and started accepting wagers on July 6, 2023. Unlike BetMGM, Caesars doesn’t currently operate a sportsbook website. New players can register a mobile app account in person at Casino Metro. 

• App store rating: 4.7 on App Store 
• Sign-up bonus: Get up to $1,000 first bet on Caesars
• Payout speed: 1–3 days 

How we rate & review Puerto Rico sportsbooks

The Puerto Rico sports betting market will soon become quite competitive, making choosing a bookmaker a challenging feat. This is where Sportsbook Review comes in, as we conduct thorough examinations of each betting site to ensure you get the best recommendations. Read on to learn about the criteria we use in our reviews.

Reputation and track record

Our analysis starts with operator research, where we look at how they have conducted business in the past. We also scour player forums to see what customers say about the company and its response to player complaints.

Betting markets

A wide range of betting markets is among the most important features of a betting site. That’s why we make sure a sportsbook offers plenty of betting opportunities, covering major sports and leagues, such as the MLB, NBA, and NHL, along with less popular sports and Puerto Rican leagues.

User experience

A sports betting platform, whether desktop or mobile, needs to be well-designed and easy to use. Because of that, we put each operator’s user interface to the test to see how convenient it is for placing bets and making money transactions, among other things.

Bonuses and promotions

A good sportsbook should offer a sizable welcome bonus followed by regular promotions for existing players. Moreover, it should also have reasonable bonus terms, including wagering requirements, withdrawal limits, bonus validity period, and more.

Odds and bet types

We examine the bet types and odds an operator offers because we want to ensure that customers have a well-rounded betting experience. We recommend only those sites that provide the most competitive odds and the most versatile types of bets.

Payment methods

A sports betting site should offer a good selection of popular and secure payment methods available in Puerto Rico. We give higher ratings to sportsbooks with different types of banking options, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and pre-paid vouchers.

Withdrawal policy

When you decide to withdraw your winnings, you should be able to receive them as quickly as possible. For this reason, we check the sportsbook's payment policy to ensure it approves withdrawal requests efficiently. We also check whether the withdrawal limits are reasonable and if there are any fees.

How to start betting in Puerto Rico

To start betting in Puerto Rico, you must first sign up for an account at one of the island’s retail sportsbooks. Let’s take a look at a detailed breakdown of this process.

Select a sportsbook licensed in Puerto Rico

Scour our list of Puerto Rico sportsbooks and select a sportsbook that fits your preferences. Feel free to read our specific sportsbook reviews to get all the information you need to make a decision.

Register in person

Visit a partnering retail sportsbook and create an account. The sportsbook will have to verify your identity and age, so remember to bring a government-issued photo ID.

Deposit and claim a bonus

Once you set up your account, you can log in online and deposit some money. You can also claim a welcome bonus, but remember to read the bonus terms beforehand.

Select and finalize your bet

From the sportsbook’s homepage, choose the sports league you’d like to bet on. Then, locate the desired sporting event, choose a bet type, and click on the odds to add it to your bet slip. Enter the amount you’d like to bet and confirm your choices.

Win and withdraw your payout

If you win a bet, make sure there are no wagering requirements attached to your winnings. Then, go to the Cashier, select Withdrawals, choose a payment method, and follow the instructions to request a cash-out.

Puerto Rico sports betting handle

With PR sports betting still in its infancy, it’s difficult to predict how much money the bettors will spend wagering on sports. However, considering the fact that Puerto Rico has 3.2 million residents and millions more visit the island every year, we can expect this to be a huge number.

Furthermore, some predictions estimate that sports betting may bring in up to $87 million of tax dollars in the first five years, indicating a considerable handle. 

Puerto Rico sports leagues & teams to bet on

Despite being a small Caribbean island, Puerto Rico has a vibrant sports scene. The most popular sports in the jurisdiction include basketball, football, baseball, and volleyball. The table below shows the major sports leagues in Puerto Rico and the most popular teams competing in them.

In addition to these leagues, Puerto Ricans also like to bet on the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA. Other popular sports among the islanders include:

• Boxing
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Table tennis
• Darts
• Cycling

Sports betting by category

Check out our resources on the best sportsbook for specific sports and leagues:

Legal Sports betting & regulations in Puerto Rico

Being a US jurisdiction, Puerto Rico must follow federal regulations when it comes to sports betting. Until 2018, this meant that the popular pastime was illegal. However, with the overturn of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the Caribbean island received a green light to decide whether it wants to legalize sports betting.

Unlike some other US territories, Puerto Rico acted quickly, as its government legalized wagering in 2019 by passing HB 2038. In December 2020, Puerto Rico’s outgoing governor Wanda Vázquez Garced signed SB 1534, which introduced obligatory in-person registration at land-based sportsbooks.

Despite the swift change in legal sentiment towards sports betting, the effects of the new legislation took a long time to manifest. The first retail sportsbook on the island opened in February 2022.

Land-Based PR Sportsbooks

Puerto Rico currently has only three retail sportsbooks. The first land-based sports betting venue was the BetMGM sportsbook at the Casino del Mar at La Concha Resort, which opened on February 11, 2022.

After BetMGM broke the ice, other operators started coming in, with DraftKings anchoring itself at the Foxwoods El San Juan Casino in April 2022. Another major US operator, Caesars, also opened its own retail location at Casino Metro on December 21, 2022.

With the market expanding, we can expect more retail sportsbooks to open by 2024. Next in line to launch are possibly FanDuel and PointsBet.

Puerto Rico’s online and mobile sportsbooks

There are currently only two mobile sportsbooks in Puerto Rico — BetMGM and Caesars. BetMGM has both an online site and a mobile sportsbook, whereas Caesars features only a mobile app. Whichever operator you choose, you must complete registration in person by visiting the operators’ retail locations at Casino del Mar and Casino Metro.

Who can bet on sports in Puerto Rico?

To bet on sports in Puerto Rico, you have to understand the legal restrictions. Let’s take a look at some of the most important regulations set out by the Puerto Rico Gambling Commission.

Legal Age

Unlike most US states, where the legal sports betting age is 21, Puerto Rico allows people as young as 18 to participate in this pastime. Bettors are subject to identity and age verification at both online and land-based sportsbooks.

Mobile betting

Mobile betting is legal and live in Puerto Rico, with two major US sports betting operators offering their mobile apps. You can now download the BetMGM and Caesars mobile betting software, with more operators to follow in the near future.

Remote registration

Puerto Rican sports betting laws don’t allow remote registration. Because of that, bettors have to visit a retail location and register in person before they can place their bets remotely via a desktop website or mobile app.

Betting within state borders

As is the case with other US territories that have legalized sports betting, Puerto Rico allows wagering only within its state borders. Online and mobile sportsbooks use geolocation software to make sure bettors are physically located on the island while they’re placing bets. Using VPN to change your IP can lead to account suspension.

Retail sportsbooks

Puerto Rico allows retail sports betting, and it currently has three different land-based sportsbooks on its territory. All of these venues have opened in established retail casinos. With more than 15 locations on the island, we can expect many more sportsbooks to spring up.

Taxable winnings

According to Puerto Rican law, bettors will have to pay taxes on their sportsbook winnings. The tax rates applied are based on the individual’s net taxable income, and they can range from 0% to $8,430 plus 33% of the excess over $61,500.

What you cand and can't bet on in Puerto Rico

Sportsbooks in PR offer a wide array of markets, but there are some which are not available. Let’s take a look at some less popular bet types and whether they’re allowed in Puerto Rico.

Politics ❌

Puerto Rican bettors can’t bet on politics. This betting market has been banned in the United States and its territories.

Entertainment Award Ceremonies ✅

Entertainment award ceremonies, such as the Oscars and Emmy Awards, are available to bet on in Puerto Rico.

Esports ✅

Bettors in Puerto Rico can bet on esports in the island’s sportsbooks. However, the range of markets available is subject to regulations set out by the PRGC.

What about Puerto Rico college sports? 🎓

There are no restrictions when it comes to college sports betting in Puerto Rico. Players can wager on both professional and college sports.

Responsible sports betting in Puerto Rico

The Puerto Rico Gambling Commission mandates that all operators who apply for a license must have a responsible gambling plan. This can include training staff to detect problem gambling, providing options for self-exclusion and deposit and wagering limits, and offering resources for affected customers.

Bettors who notice gambling problems can turn to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Program run by the Mental Health and Addiction Prevention Services Authority of Puerto Rico.

Sportsbooks to avoid in Puerto Rico

Sports betting in Puerto Rico hasn’t always been legal, which led to the appearance of offshore sportsbooks catering to PR bettors. These sites may still be attractive considering the island’s developing market, but we strongly advise against joining them.

These operators don’t have valid licenses, which leaves their customers exposed to all kinds of threats, both in terms of information and money. In addition to that, some operators are infamous for fraud and failing to pay the players’ winnings.

The table below shows some operators we blacklisted and the reasons they’re unsafe.

Growth of sports betting 📈

When the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, the growth of legal sports betting in the United States skyrocketed. Close to three dozen states have since legalized some form of sports betting, with the most common legislation including the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Check our legal sports betting tracker to find out more about any state you're interested in. 

Over the past few years, large states like Ohio and Massachusetts have enjoyed massively successful online betting launches. Sports fans get an extra way to engage with their favorite teams, and the states earn plenty of much-needed revenue from licensing fees and taxes.

More recently, legal North Carolina sports betting arrived on March 11, 2024, bringing eight of the best sportsbooks in the country to the Tar Heel state. And with events like the Copa America and Euro 2024 soccer tournaments happening all Summer long, the excitement and opportunities for sports betting enthusiasts continue to grow.