Finding the best online sportsbook in your state can be a laborious process. There are so many aspects of a site to look for and research.
Here at Ballislife, we’ll dive deep into what makes the best sportsbooks, review a few sites, check out the betting markets, look into some mobile betting apps, and more.
First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly - Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
The virtual gates of online sports betting were opened in May 2018. Since then, more than half of the states in the United States have legalized online sports betting, whether it’s actively live or pending launch.
Over that time, many of the best online sportsbooks have launched, and other sportsbooks have closed up shop for good.
However, for the bookies that have stayed afloat, they have a lot of things in common. They offer a wide array of online betting options, great promotions, and bonuses for new and existing players, functioning desktop and mobile app user design, and top-tier customer support.
The online sports betting industry has become aggressive, and new players in states that offer legal sports betting see some once-in-a-lifetime promotions from the top online sportsbooks. For example, when mobile sports betting launched in New York, online sports betting sites were giving out thousands of dollars in risk-free bets. They’re no longer offered, but for that moment in time, this allowed these sportsbooks to attract new players to their sportsbooks.
Here, we’ll look at everything that goes into the top sportsbooks online and provide insight into our top-five best sportsbooks to play at right now through sportsbook reviews.
BetMGM - Best Sportsbook For Parlay Betting
4.7/5
Bonus:
100% up to $1000
Type:
Risk-Free Bet
Cashable:
no
Requirements (WR):
1x Bonus
Copy
Get BetMGM Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+
One of the most lucrative ways of betting at online sportsbooks is through parlays. This online betting method allows you to take multiple contests and wager on them at once. The more games, also known as legs, that you add, the better the odds you’ll receive. When it comes to making these bets, one of the best online sportsbooks, BetMGM, excels in multiple ways.
BetMGM - Best Parlay Building Tool Amongst USA Sportsbooks
It’s a relatively simple tool, but BetMGM’s Easy Parlay tool allows a concise way to view all bets for specific sports on one page.
The Easy Parlay Tool In Action
BetMGM - Best Sportsbook for US Players seeking Live Streaming
It’s a bit more niche, but for players that enjoy bettering international sports such as tennis, soccer, basketball, or baseball, BetMGM supplies players with a live streaming service so you can watch the games you bet on. This lets players discover new sports to wager on, including live bets.
BetMGM does well here:
Great welcome bonus offers players a $1,000 risk-free bet
Top-tier live streaming service for international sports betting markets
Top parlay betting tools including Easy Parlay, suggest parlay, and One Game Parlay bets
BetMGM could do this better
MGM Rewards isn’t going to be accessible to casual players due to how much money needs to be wagered to rank up
SI Sportsbook - Best Online Sportsbook For New Players
4.9/5
Bonus:
BET $20 GET $200 IN FREE BETS
Type:
Free Bet
Cashable:
yes
Requirements (WR):
-
Copy
Get SI Sportsbook Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+. First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly - Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
At SI Sportsbook, new players will find an environment with free-to-play games, an easy user interface, links to articles from Sports Illustrated to help inform bets, and bonuses/promotions that are low stakes.
SI Sportsbook - Best Free-To-Play Games Amongst Sportsbooks for US Players
The free-to-play game, Perfect 10 allows players to pick games each week of the NFL season. If you get at least six games right, you’ll win prizes. If you get all ten correct, you have a chance at the $10k top prize.
Live Look at Perfect 10
SI Sportsbook - Best Filtering Options for Promotions at USA Sportsbooks
The promotions page at SI Sportsbook did something minor, but it’s great for new players—offering filtering options for bonuses and promotions.
There are many promos/bonuses at SI Sportsbook, and you’ll be able to click on which type of bonus/promotion you’re looking for and check them out.
SI Sportsbook does this well:
Perfect 10 is a great free-to-play game for all players
Numerous bonuses and promotions offered to players, including free bets, insurance, and sports-specific offers
Large library of sports to bet including niche sports like Table Tennis, Volleyball, eSports, Cycling, and more
SI Sportsbook could improve:
SI Sportsbook doesn’t currently offer a rewards/loyalty program like other online sportsbooks usually do
FanDuel - Best online sportsbook (all-around)
4.7/5
Bonus:
Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
Type:
Welcome Bonus
Cashable:
yes
Requirements (WR):
-
Go to FanDuel
Get FanDuel Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+
FanDuel is one of the most well-known sports gaming platforms in the United States. The company started with daily fantasy sports, which it still offers today. So, not only is the sportsbook itself great, but players also know and trust the brand, unlike others due to playing DFS for so many years leading up to the launch of FanDuel Sportsbook.
FanDuel - Best Bonuses and Promotions Amongst USA Sportsbooks
On top of a $1,000 risk-free bet for new players, FanDuel Sportsbook players will find numerous bonuses and promotions to use while playing including bet & get offers, parlay insurance, and more.
FanDuel Sportsbook Bonuses/Promotions - Here’s Just A Few
FanDuel Sportsbook - Best Banking Methods at Sportsbooks for US Players
Funding your account and withdrawing funds is fundamental to playing at online sportsbooks. After all, if you can’t deposit money or withdraw, you can’t play.
FanDuel Sportsbook offers so many ways to deposit and withdraw for sports bettors, but now provides Venmo, which is an e-wallet commonly used, similar to PayPal.
FanDuel does this well:
Large library of bonuses and promotions available to new and existing players
Is a one-stop-shop for online gaming, including sports betting, daily fantasy sports, online gambling, and horse racing betting
Has a Learn to Bet section that educates new players on how to bet on all types of bets
FanDuel could improve:
This is a nit-pick, but there are slightly better odds on select contests elsewhere for the more seasoned sports bettors
Wynnbet - Top Sportsbooks Online for User Interface Design
4.5/5
Bonus:
Bet $100 Get $100
Type:
Free Bet
Cashable:
no
Requirements (WR):
-
Go to WynnBET
Get WynnBET Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+
While opinions may differ regarding what makes great user interface design, in our view, WynnBET exceeds—it’s simple and easy to navigate. A big part of that does involve having fewer sports than competitors, but scanning the site is easy to do and makes the experience of playing stress-free. This is good for both new and veteran players.
Wynnbet - Easiest Sportsbook to Navigate
When examining online sportsbooks, we look for how much you need to scroll up, down, left, and right through the page to find everything you need. At WynnBet, you don’t need to at all.
The homepage of WynnBET Sportsbook
Wynnbet - Top Sportsbooks Online for FAQ Customer Service
Whether you’re a new or veteran player, chances are you’ll run into a situation where you need to have a question answered. Sure, contacting support is always available, but if a site can develop an FAQ section that answers that question, this streamlines the entire process and makes it easier for everyone.
Wynnbet does this well:
Straightforward site design to navigate—you go onto the desktop page or app, and everything you need is right there.
Great promotions and bonuses for all sports bettors, including giveaways to New York Jets games at WynnBET NJ/NY.
Simply Rewards Program—bet, get points, and redeem for free bets/site credit.
Wynnbet could improve:
Fewer sports betting options than competitors—WynnBET doesn’t offer many popular sports on the international stage.
Pointsbet - Best Sportsbooks For Innovation
The fundamental construct of an online sportsbook is pretty simple—offer sports to bet on, bet types, some bonuses, promotions, and maybe a rewards program. In many circumstances, the only difference is the name of the brand. However, that’s not the case at PointsBet. Sure, you’ll find these same elements, but PointsBet offers something totally unique that you won’t find anywhere else.
Pointsbet - Name A Bet—Create Your Own Bets
The concept is simple—do you not see a certain bet offered? No worries. You can contact PointsBet, pitch your bet idea and wait for approval or denial
Reach Out And Ask PointsBet
Pointsbet Sportsbook - PointsBetting is the Most Unique Bet Type in online sportsbooks
PointsBetting amplifies players' bets through massive winnings or absorbing big losses. As the saying goes—without risk, there’s no reward.
Here’s an example of PointsBetting
The player prop for Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr’s passing yards is 250.
You bet $10 on the over.
At the end of the game, he passed for 255 yards.
You win and receive your bet multiplied by the number of yards you were correct by—you’ll get $50.
This works in the other direction, too, however.
Pointsbet does this well:
PointsBetting is the best way of betting on props and totals
Name A Bet feature allows you to bet on unique markets that you may not find elsewhere
Solid bonuses and promotions, including five $100 risk-free bets that you receive each day
Pointsbet could improve
Navigating to the sportsbook requires a few more steps than other online sports betting sites
How do we rate and conduct online sportsbook reviews
Promotions: We look into the welcome bonus in terms of monetary amount, type, and wagering requirements. We also look for additional promotions—is there more available after the welcome bonus comes and goes?
License: We’ll only recommend legal sports betting sites that are licensed in the United States. Period.
Customer Support: It’s no longer that impressive to have a live chat, FAQ, email, or phone support. To be honest, these are somewhat expected. So, we engage with the representatives of these online sports betting sites and consider our interaction with them.
Sports Betting Market: The more, the merrier. While major sporting events in the NBA, MLB, NFL, and NHL are the most popular sports to bet on in the US, we do enjoy seeing college sports betting and international markets. Regarding bet types, we look for single-player prop markets or unique bet types like PointsBetting.
Banking Methods: Like betting markets, the more, the merrier. We look for a breadth of deposit and withdrawal options and consider withdrawal timeframes that sports bettors appreciate.
User Interface: This is pretty subjective when it comes to aesthetics, but we aim only to recommend online sports betting sites that have a user interface design that allows you to find everything quickly (customer support, sports, promotions) without lag or annoying buffering from page to page.
How to Sign up at the Best Online Sportsbooks
Step 1: Decide Where To Play At
Whether it’s through our recommendations above or independent research, decide where you want to play. If you’re in a state with more than one sportsbook, maybe you have a few options.
Step 2: Create Your Account
When choosing your online sportsbook, one of the components that should factor into that is the welcome bonus. Sometimes, you’ll automatically get the offer just for creating an account, but you may need to submit a promo code during the registration process—be on the lookout for that.
The registration process asks for personal information to confirm your identity, such as the following.
Name
Date of Birth
Address
Email
Last four digits of your social security number
Username
Some sports may require a few more proofs of identification, such as a copy of your ID
Step 3: Make Your First Deposit
Keeping your welcome bonus in mind, head back to the homepage and go to the deposit page
Most online sports betting sites have a direct link in the upper right of the site
If not, find the link to the Cashier page
Make a deposit of whatever you’re comfortable with
Some methods you’ll find include PayPal, Online Banking, Debit/Credit Cards, and more
Step 4: Time To Wager
Complete your first deposit
Go back to the homepage
Find which sport/league you want to bet on
Find the game you want to bet on
Find the type of bet you want to make (betting lines, point spread, total, props, parlays)
Complete the bet on the bet slip
Wait for the results—good luck!
Sportsbooks with signup Bonuses
With pretty much all online sportsbooks, you’ll find yourself taking advantage of a welcome bonus. Think of these as a way for the sportsbook to give you an excellent first impression.
These include risk-free bets, deposit bonuses, free bets, bet & get offers, no deposit bonuses, and more.
An example is FanDuel’s $1,000 “No Sweat Bet.” The language might be slightly different, but this is a risk-free bet.
This means that your first bet can be made without running the risk of losing your money. So, if you wager $10 - $1,000 and lose, you’ll receive your money back in the form of a site credit that you can then turn around and wager again to win cash.
With these offers, it’s important to keep in mind what your budget is. While an offer is for up to $1,000, you don’t necessarily need to do the full $1,000, but that’s the value available to you.
Best Online Sportsbook Apps
We’ve highlighted many things we look for when it comes to online sportsbook mobile apps, but to recap, we look for an app that doesn’t lag or buffer and makes it easy to find the platform’s key components.
This includes easy access to customer support, finding sports, leagues, and teams, and promotions page.
Below, we’ll look at some of the best online betting sites and their mobile apps.
Draftkings app review
Kicking off the app, you’ll see an account icon in the upper left that provides links to withdraw funds, the rewards program, customer support, and more.
Below, you’ll see a menu of advertisements for the available bonuses and promotions that allow easy access to them. Then, you’ll find the available sports with links you can click to bring you directly to that page.
Along the bottom of the app, there’s a menu to return to the homepage, live betting options, a list of sports, best odds, and a promos/rewards program.
The app is streamlined, easy-to-use and the access to those key components is easy to find.
Fanduel app review - Not the best odds but a great sportsbook regardless
On the FanDuel app, you’ll see a menu of the available sports along the top, with the available promotions just under that.
Below this, you’ll see another menu for the available sports with the most upcoming games for each sport under that.
There’s a menu along the bottom with links to the homepage, a list of sports, your bet slip, online casino (in legal sports betting states), and your account.
The account icon opens a menu for customer support, deposits, withdrawals, and more.
BetMGM app review
When the BetMGM app launches, you’ll pick the state you wish to play in (this will be geo-confirmed).
At the top of the app, you’ll see a search bar for particular sports, teams, or leagues with a menu next to it for a list of the sports.
Like DraftKings and FanDuel, you’ll see each sport’s promotions and upcoming sporting events.
At the bottom of the app, you’ll have links to the sportsbook's homepage, the online casino, the promotions page, the bet slip, and your account page, which, like FanDuel, has links to customer support and more.
New Sportsbooks & New Betting Sites
The online sportsbook landscape is constantly evolving. In its infancy, online sports betting had your basic bet types and some bonuses and promotions. As time has gone on since May 2018, the best new sports betting sites have created mobile apps for iOS and Android and allowed Same Game Parlays.
Many new online sports betting sites are popping up that introduce new elements you won’t really find anywhere else in the sports betting world.
These ranges form something as minor as BetRivers’ live winner’s menu feed or PointsBets’ PointsBetting bet type.
The best sports betting sites are iterating on what it means to be a “sportsbook.”
Places like Prophet Exchange are creating “betting exchanges” where players now bet against other players instead of the house. This is a hybrid between sports betting and daily fantasy sports somewhat.
As online sports betting advances, it’ll be intriguing to see what the best sports betting sites do to further stand out from the pack.
What you can expect from the best online sportsbook in terms of betting options and markets
At online sportsbooks, you’ll always find the top US major sports leagues—NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB—but there are other sports out there that may appeal to other players. These may not be available at all sites, so this is something to look for both in major and minor sports leagues.
Some of the bet types you’ll find include the following:
Moneyline
Point Spread
Totals
Props
Parlay
Same Game Parlay
Futures
Teasers
Round Robin
Your favorite sportsbooks will differ in terms of what’s offered in terms of best odds and when. You’ll sometimes find prop bets or game lines available at the best online betting site before others.
First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly - Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
In the NHL, you’ll have all of the available bet types above, with one minor difference—the puck line. The puck line is the hockey version of the point spread. This is always 1.5 goals and the odds will differ between the favored and underdog team.
As for prop bets, you’ll look to be on the Stanley Cup, and award, division, and conference winners.
Best online sportsbook with MLB
The MLB betting market is similar to hockey in that the point spread also has a different name—the run line. Like hockey, this is also 1.5, but instead of goals, it’s runs, of course.
There are plenty of individual player awards to bet on in the MLB, but you’ll also have the World Series, pennant winner, division winners, and more.
NFL Sportsbooks
The NFL is the most popular sport to bet on at a US sports betting site. The Super Bowl is the most wagered-on sporting event across all major sports, drawing in potential bettors from all walks of life. This could even be some players’ first bet online.
Leading up to this, you have the weekly games to bet on and the playoffs. The Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Francisco 49ers are among the best teams in the NFL.
Best NFL sportsbooks...
Offer weekly bonuses to Thursday, Sunday, and Monday Night Football.
Have a plethora of NFL betting options including single-player props.
Have a wide variety of future bets available, including the coach of the year, rookie of the year, and more.
NBA Online Sportsbooks
With the big scores of the NBA, all 80+ games (including the regular season and playoffs) provide not only a bunch of entertainment but plenty of opportunities in the betting markets. The playoffs are far more expansive than the NFL and the NBA Finals is always a popular time to bet because it can go up to seven games.
Like the NFL, you’ll have other sports markets such as the division, conference, and individual awards to bet online in terms of sporting events.
The top teams to win the NBA Finals are the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Best online sportsbooks with NBA betting markets
Have great competitive odds boosts available for basketball games.
NBA sportsbooks like PointsBet offer PointsBetting which makes betting on the total far more exciting compared to other sportsbooks.
Present the odds for games quickly. With so many games, sports fans need to get the odds on a fast turnaround.
NCAAB online sportsbooks
College sports betting, whether basketball or football, isn’t available in all legal sports betting states. The best sports betting states that allow betting on in-state college teams without any exceptions are Pennsylvania, Michigan, Maryland, Kansas, and more.
For college basketball, players will have the top online sportsbook's grand finale: March Madness, also known as the NCAAB Tournament, to bet on. This happens shortly after the Super Bowl, which features 64 teams in a single-elimination tournament.
Best College Basketball Sportbooks
Be sure to check to see if your state allows betting on in-state teams in our guide below
The top sports betting sites offer March Madness promotions or even a bracket-building competition
Additional sports betting markets offer options beyond just betting lines, spread, competitive odds, and total
Best online sportsbooks with NCAAF
Like college basketball, you’ll want to make sure that you as a sports bettor can bet on your in-state college teams. For college football, you’ll have the four-team College Football Playoff which headline the postseason, but there are also more than 40 bowl games that are perfect for online betting.
Best NCAAF online sportsbooks
Offer specific bonuses for the College Football Playoffs
Single-player prop bets
College football betting options for all 40+ bowl games
Conclusion - Best online sportsbooks
We can discuss sports betting websites promotions, user interface design, betting markets, sporting events, customer support, and the other components that make top online sportsbooks great. However, in the United States, one thing players will receive that shouldn’t be taken for granted is a safe and secure site when betting online.
Before May 2018 came, and legislation changed, players had to resort to some sketchy offshore betting sites where you had to cross your fingers to get a check in the mail from a different country.
In the United States, top online sportsbooks need a license to operate in each state it wants to launch in.
So, when you leave here, regardless of whether or not you take our recommendation, as long as you play at licensed online sports betting sites in the United States, you can have peace of mind knowing you’ll receive your winnings and whatever bonus you sign up for.
FAQ Best Online Sportsbooks
⚽ What are the best sportsbooks online for US players?
DraftKings fares well here, offering 60+ sports and a strong range of betting types. You can also expect in-play betting. BetMGM is another top choice for US players, as it has excellent welcome offers and competitive odds across all sports.
⚾ How can I find a list of US sportsbooks?
At ballislife.com, we've collected an updated list of US sportsbooks that accepts new players. Use our comparison tables above to search for yourself. This means you’ll get the most accurate information for sites you can sign up to.
⚡What sportsbooks use Kambi?
Barstool and 888 are among the US sportsbooks that use Kambi, provider of the sportsbook platform players can use to make wagers on their favorite sports. Coverage depends on which US state you’re in.
✋ How can I find top online sportsbooks for US players that accept PayPal?
Your best bet is to look for a list of available and legal sportsbook providers in your state. You can then look for the banking or cashier page on each site. This should list all the available payment methods you can use. Some sites also provide logos for accepted payment methods. If not, we can recommend BetMGM, Tipico & BetRivers Sportsbook that all accept PayPal as a payment method.
First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly - Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
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