The landscape of online sports betting has transformed dramatically in recent years. In the United States alone, regulated sports betting markets have surged to over $120 billion in annual handle by 2024, with dozens of states launching their own sportsbooks. At the same time, offshore sportsbooks have not faded away. In fact, many sharp bettors continue to prefer them, valuing features that regulated books cannot or will not offer.
As we step into 2025, offshore betting remains a powerful option for serious players. The environment has changed in many ways, from the rise of cryptocurrency to more government oversight, but the fundamentals that make offshore sportsbooks attractive remain largely the same.
This article explores what has changed in offshore betting since legalization began and what hasn’t, showing why the offshore model continues to thrive for professionals and savvy recreational bettors alike.
The Changes in Offshore Betting
Crypto Adoption as the Default
The single biggest change in offshore betting since 2018 is the near-universal adoption of cryptocurrency payments. While crypto once was a niche feature available only on select platforms, by 2025 most offshore sportsbooks run entirely on crypto. Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and stablecoins like USDC have become standard for deposits and withdrawals.
This shift benefits players in several ways: faster transactions, lower costs, and greater financial privacy. For professionals betting significant amounts, being able to move money securely without delays or fees has transformed how bankrolls are managed.
Increased Competition and Market Maturity
The offshore market is now more competitive than ever. In earlier years, only a handful of sportsbooks had name recognition among US bettors. Today, dozens of platforms offer reduced juice, crypto support, and sharp-friendly features. This has raised the quality of odds, interfaces, and customer service. Bettors benefit from tighter lines, better liquidity, and more diverse betting markets than they had even five years ago.
Regulatory Scrutiny in the US
Another change is heightened regulatory scrutiny. As regulated markets expand, lawmakers and regulators have begun warning consumers about offshore sportsbooks. Some states have even launched public campaigns against them. Yet despite these warnings, millions of Americans continue to bet offshore every year, proving that demand for privacy, reduced juice, and broader market access remains strong.
What Hasn’t Changed
Privacy and Freedom of Play
Privacy has always been the defining feature of offshore sportsbooks, and that hasn’t changed. In regulated markets, bettors must submit to strict KYC processes, including Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, and geo-location tracking. Offshore sportsbooks still allow players to sign up without these invasive steps, letting bettors maintain anonymity and avoid restrictions tied to geography.
Reduced Juice and Better Odds
The other constant advantage is reduced juice. While US-regulated sportsbooks continue to price spreads and totals at the standard -110, offshore platforms remain committed to -107, -106, or even -105 odds. This reduced vig is the foundation of profitability for sharp bettors. Even after years of industry growth, regulated sportsbooks prioritize recreational customers, while offshore books continue to serve professionals by offering the best long-term value.
Broader Betting Options
Offshore sportsbooks continue to lead the way in offering more betting markets. Many regulated states prohibit wagers on in-state college teams or specific prop bets. Offshore books do not face these restrictions, meaning bettors can access lines that would otherwise be unavailable. This freedom of play has remained consistent for decades and is still one of the most attractive features in 2025.
Comparing Offshore and Regulated Sportsbooks
To understand why offshore sportsbooks remain popular, it helps to look at the contrasts between them and regulated platforms.
| Feature | Offshore Sportsbooks | Regulated US Sportsbooks |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Anonymous sign-ups, no strict KYC | Full KYC, identity verification required |
| Odds Pricing | Reduced juice (-105 to -107) | Standard -110, higher vig |
| Payment Methods | Crypto-first, instant payouts | Credit cards, bank transfers, slower withdrawals |
| Betting Options | College props, international leagues, no restrictions | State-by-state restrictions, fewer props |
| Limits | Higher limits, sharper action allowed | Sharp bettors often limited or banned |
For casual bettors, regulated sportsbooks may offer convenience and flashy promotions. But for anyone betting with a long-term edge, the offshore advantage remains clear.
Sharp Bettors and Offshore Loyalty
Professional bettors, often called sharps, remain loyal to offshore sportsbooks because of one simple fact – regulated books rarely tolerate consistent winners. Players who beat closing lines or show profitable records are often restricted or outright banned from betting on regulated apps. Offshore platforms, on the other hand, thrive on sharp liquidity.
Sharps can:
- Wager without fear of account restrictions
- Bet into reduced juice markets and save significant vig over time
- Access early lines and softer markets before odds tighten
In other words, the very qualities that make regulated sportsbooks unsuitable for professionals are the same qualities that keep offshore betting alive and well.
bet105 – The Offshore Sportsbook for Professionals
Among the many offshore platforms available in 2025, bet105 has carved out a reputation as one of the best options for professional US bettors. The sportsbook specializes in reduced juice (-105), offering the lowest vig in the industry on spreads and totals. This alone gives sharp bettors a long-term ROI advantage over regulated books.
bet105 also operates entirely on cryptocurrency, providing instant deposits and withdrawals without banking delays. Combined with its anonymous sign-up process and high betting limits, the platform is designed to meet the needs of professionals who want privacy, efficiency, and profitability.
For US bettors who feel restricted by regulated apps or frustrated by inflated odds, bet105 represents the offshore model at its best: sharp-friendly, private, and crypto-first.
Conclusion
As we look at offshore betting in 2025, it is clear that much has changed and much has stayed the same. Cryptocurrency has gone from an optional feature to the backbone of the industry. Competition among offshore books has raised quality, and regulatory pressure in the US has intensified. But the defining features – privacy, reduced juice, and freedom of play – remain unchanged.
This is why sharp bettors continue to flock offshore, and why the market remains as strong as ever. For those serious about sports betting, offshore sportsbooks like bet105 still offer the best combination of profitability, anonymity, and speed.
In a world where regulated sportsbooks cater to casual fans, the offshore advantage is not only alive but thriving.