Israel is a country that has a rather interesting relationship with gambling. Like most countries, Israel has seen an increase in online betting, whether betting on sports or online casino games. Regardless of the gambling activity, all fall under the control of the Israel Government and its outdated gambling laws.

In this Israel betting guide, we will look closer at the laws that govern gambling in Israel and include a list of three Israel-friendly betting sites. We also discuss the competition between bookmakers, whether there is a monopoly and include popular betting features, bonuses and several FAQs about betting in Israel.

Trivia about betting in Israel

The State of Israel is an exciting country with a diverse history that dates back thousands of years and is the birthplace of Judaism. As a result, there are many interesting facts about the country, especially when it comes to betting. Here is a list of seven we thought you might find interesting:

The state of Israel has more museums based on per capita, including the world’s only underwater museum.
There are only two forms of gambling allowed in Israel – the National Lottery and Israeli Commission sports betting.
It is estimated that Israeli’s offshore gambling is worth an estimated $3.5 billion per year.
The average life expectancy of 82 in Israel is only of the highest in the world
Since 2011, Israel has offered mini-libraries that offer books free of charge.
The state of Israel taxes gambling winnings over ILS61,000 at a rate of 35%.
The Israel National Lottery includes bingo and poker among its legal forms of gambling.

Gambling Legislation and Laws In Israel

The laws in Israel relating to gambling have never been overly accepting and are often seen as restrictive. Since 1977, the Israeli Penal Law essentially banned almost all forms of gambling unless expressly falling under state-sanctioned gambling activities. Under current legislation, the list of illegal forms of gambling includes all games of chance, such as slots, table games, and poker.

Within the list of legal betting activities, these are only allowed if regulated by the Ministry of Finance in Israel. As of 2021, these activities are only legal if accessed via the National Lottery and include lottery, bingo, and sports betting. Fantasy sports betting, social games, and competitions without an element of chance are not deemed gambling activities and therefore are unregulated.

Which are the Top 3 Online Betting Sites in Israel?

The top online betting sites in Israel are Stake, Pinnacle and Betsson. As competition amongst bookies is increasing; it is becoming increasingly difficult to know which bookies offer a safe and reliable platform.

All of the bookies in our top 5 online betting sites in Israel list have a proven history of safety and reliability. Therefore, we recommend you take time to visit each of the bookies we have included below.

#1 Stake

Rated as one of Israel’s best crypto betting sites, Stake.com delivers superior sports and casino platforms. In addition to being a crypto-only betting site, punters have access to competitive odds for over 27 sport types. Adding to the list of benefits for Israelis, an online casino with 30 software developers and a long list of promotions. Another key strategy for their success, Rakeback bonuses every 30 minutes and instant withdrawals.

Pros:
Excellent sports coverage and competitive odds
Access to real-time statistics
Live streaming and in-play betting

Cons:
Does not offer Hebrew as a language selection

Visit Stake

#2 Pinnacle

Pinnacle Sports has long been considered a leader in online sports entertainment. Established in 1998, Pinnacle features coverage for almost 20 sports, including live betting, esports, virtuals and an online casino. More importantly, Pinnacle delivers a safe platform that is mobile-friendly and offers the option to deposit via cryptocurrencies.

Pros:
Access to an extensive library of betting resources
Multiple betting features and favourable odds
Multiple search functionality features

Cons:
Must be a member to access live betting

Visit Pinnacle

#3 Betsson

Since 1963, Betsson has become a household name and a favoured betting destination throughout Europe and the Middle East. As a respected bookie, Betsson includes a diversified betting platform that consists of sports, casinos, virtual, poker and live betting. With over 24 sports markets represented, esports coverage and hundreds of casino betting opportunities, Betsson rank among the best.

Pros:
Excellent sports, virtual and sport coverage
Live betting and live streaming
Access to the Betsson blog

Cons:
Does not offer cryptocurrencies

Visit Betsson

Competition between Israel Operators

Competition between operators in Israel is non-existent regarding land-based betting due to Israel’s betting laws. This results in the National Lottery being the only legal place to bet on sports, bingo and lottery games.

However, competition amongst offshore bookmakers is similar to other markets, whereas bookies offer different promotions to attract and retain punters. Resultantly, Israeli’s have the option to choose between bookies based on their overall betting platform and features. Many will include options such as betting in Shekels, while others will feature cryptocurrency platforms.

Bonuses from Israelian Bookmakers

The bonuses from Israelian bookmakers are similar to bonuses offered within other countries throughout the Middle East. The primary rewards Israeli’s have access to include new player and existing player bonuses. These vary based on the objectives of each bookmaker and often include free bets, parlay bonuses, best odds guarantee and Acca insurance.

Betting Features and Options in the Israelian Bookmakers

The betting features and options at Israelian bookmakers are almost as varied as the available sports betting options. As betting features can define a bookmakers longevity, they range from live betting and streaming to bet builder features. While the most common features Israeli’s will encounter with online bookmakers, there are others.

???

	Live Betting It is rare to find an online bookmaker who does not include live betting as part of their sports betting platform. This feature allows bettors to punt live on sporting events, access up-to-minute odds and choose from many markets.
	Live Streaming Live streaming is a frequent feature many bookmakers offer Israeli customers. Available for a broad range of sport types, they are free to use, include live commentary and can be used with live betting.
	Bet Builder As a feature, the Bet Builder option is perfect for Israeli punters wanting to place multis or accumulator bets. Simple in its functionality, it lets punters combine multiple selections and betting odds from a single event into one bet.
	Cash Out This feature by far offers the best option for money management as it allows bettors to cash in their bets early. While less favourable than a positive outcome, it does return a portion of the bet while retaining the other as a fee for cancelling the bet.

What are the available payment methods in Israel?

The available payment methods in Israel are credit cards, debit cards, and e-wallets. Along with options such as Visa, Mastercard, and e-wallets, many bookies accepts cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and Litecoin.

However, one of the biggest challenges for Israelis when punting online is funding accounts in their native currency. While this can be frustrating, it is countered by bookmakers offering a variety of Israeli-friendly payment methods. Typically, most bookies do not accept transactions using the Shekel and convert those deposits into Euros or the U.S. dollar.

Resultantly, Israeli’s should anticipate incurring currency exchange rates unless depositing via cryptocurrency. The same applies to withdrawals, as they will often be converted into euros or U.S. dollars. On the plus side, most of our top online betting sites in Israel offer cryptocurrencies as a funding method. Therefore, you can avoid currency exchange rates by registering with sites such as Pinnacle or Stake.com.

Mobile Betting in Israel

Mobile betting in Israel is always at the forefront of punters minds when registering with an online bookmaker. As mobile access is a convenient sports betting option, bookmakers include mobile access via betting apps or a mobile website. The most common of the two for Israeli punters due to the restrictive laws in the country is a mobile site. These offer punters a viable destination to punt on sports and often include a casino and other forms of gambling.

In addition to delivering a safe mobile experience, bookmakers have included betting features and other options for their mobile sites. This ensures Israeli punters unrestrictive access to multiple sports markets and the freedom to deposit and withdrawal via their mobiles.

Are online casinos available in Israel?

Even though gambling and games of chance are illegal, online casinos are available in Israel. Online casinos offer a secure platform that features everything from table games to slots, bingo, poker, and even live dealer games. Anyone enthusiastic about this gaming style will find most bookies include an online casino.

However, due to licensing limitations and regulations governing software developers, not all games will be accessible. This is unavoidable, but that by no means suggests the quality of casino gambling is affected in any way. In fact, the selection is substantial and often will include esports, virtual sports as alternative options to traditional casino games.

As a note of interest, all our top betting sites for Israel offer an online casino. Not only do they include many of the names mentioned, but they offer exciting casino promotions and other promotional incentives.

What are the leading sports for betting in Israel?

The leading sports for betting in Israel are football, Basketball, Swimming, Tennis and Chess. As you can see, the leading sports in Israel are exciting and as diverse as their culture. Therefore, to better understand their popularity, we have provided a brief explanation about each.

Football
Football is one of the more popular sports in Israel, as it is in many other countries worldwide. One of the main reasons football is popular is the competitive Israeli Premier League.
Basketball
Another one of the favourite sports to punt on in Israel is Basketball. Its popularity stems from the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the teams that make up the league. Other reasons for its popularity stem from several Israeli players being drafted to the NBA.
Swimming
Israel is home to many swimming associations that have contributed to the popularity of the sport. Its popularity stems from many local events and Israel’s Anastasia Gorbenko winning Gold at the European Short Course Swimming Championship.
Tennis
Tennis is another popular betting choice for Israeli players due to the Israel Tennis Association and the Israel Davis Cup. Adding to the popularity of tennis amongst bettors is the multiple tennis centres and leagues in Tel Aviv.
Chess
An unexpected entry as a leading sport for betting in Israel, its popularity is widespread in the country. In part, this is the result of the annual Israeli Open Chess Championship and its intellectual appeal.

The profile of an Israelian Bettor

The profile of an Israelian bettor is hard to determine due to the social stigma associated with gambling in Israel. However, most of those comfortable with betting online tend to be satisfied with online activities.

Resultantly, most Israeli bettors are between 25 and 45 and tend to favour betting on sports or playing card games. The most popular of those lean more towards live dealer games but include fantasy and virtual sports betting.

FAQ about online betting in Israel

Is online betting legal in Israel?

Technically, online betting in Israel is neither legal nor illegal based on the current gambling legislation in place. However, the interpretation by Israeli courts deems it illegal.

Are there any taxes for Israelian players on their winnings?

Yes, Israelis are taxed at a rate of 35% on wins that exceed 61,000 Shekels.

Can I open an account and play in ILS?

That will depend on the sportsbook or casino you are registering with, as some accept the shekel while others do not.

Are there any betting restrictions for Israelian players?

If betting through the National Lottery, Israeli’s are restricted to the lottery, bingo and poker. However, restrictions will only apply with online bookies and casinos if the software developer disallows Israeli players’ play.

Are there any land-based casinos in Israel?

No, there are no land-based casinos in major cities such as Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.

What type of odds do Israel betting sites offer?

The majority will offer odds in American, fractional and decimal formats.

If I gamble online, can I be fined or face prison?

Yes, you can face fines up to ILS 29,000 and up to one year in prison. However, this is seldom enforced when it comes to offshore betting activity.

Our Verdict

Israeli punters have multiple sports betting sites they can access online, leading to a more liberal view towards sports betting. While the legalities of sports betting in Israel is unlikely to change anytime soon, the change in attitude is a positive step forward. Israeli punters will need to exercise caution and rely on reputable offshore bookies until then.

While this may dishearten some, the reality is Israeli’s can bet on a wide range of sports such as football and tennis. More importantly, cryptocurrency payment methods can discreetly deposit and withdraw and avoid any unwanted legalities.